Welcome to the Hotline’s predictions for every Pac-12 sport of the 2022 season. The 12-part sequence can be revealed in six installments, with groups grouped by journey companions. Hyperlinks to prior articles at backside …
USC Trojans
Coach: Lincoln Riley (first season)
Offensive coordinator: Josh Henson (first season)
Defensive coordinator: Alex Grinch (first season)
2021 file: 4-8/3-6
USC’s five-year win totals: 10-11-5-8-4 (2020 season excluded)
Final postseason look: 2019 Vacation Bowl (misplaced to Iowa)
Greatest-case 2022 state of affairs: 11-1
Worst-case 2022 state of affairs: 7-5
Projected beginning quarterback: Caleb Williams
Key query: Will the Trojans justify the hype?
Right here we go …
Sept. 3: vs. Rice
End result: win
Document: 1-0
Remark: Something lower than 52-7 can be a letdown for the devoted.
Sept. 10: at Stanford
End result: win
Document: 2-0/1-0
Remark: It gained’t be clear or simple, however the Trojans accumulate their first win at Stanford since 2014 of their last look as a member of the Pac-12.
Sept. 17: vs. Fresno State
End result: win
Document: 3-0/1-0
Remark: Caleb Williams vs. Jake Haener and Lincoln Riley vs. Jeff Tedford underneath the Coliseum lights on the FOX broadcast community? Sure, please.
Sept. 24: at Oregon State
End result: loss
Document: 3-1/1-1
Remark: Higher USC groups than this model have fallen a couple of factors quick in Corvallis. The early Riley-era euphoria fades to the fact of Helton-era roster deficiencies.
Oct. 1: vs. Arizona State
End result: win
Document: 4-1/2-1
Remark: Preparation edge to USC, which must be centered following the loss. Additionally, the Solar Devils can be not-so-fresh after going through Utah’s brutality.
Oct. 8: vs. Washington State
End result: win
Document: 5-1/3-1
Remark: Trojans gained the previous two duels by a mixed rating of 83-27, and we don’t see how the dynamics have modified considerably. If something, USC’s edge has elevated.
Oct. 15: at Utah
End result: loss
Document: 5-2/3-2
Remark: If the season performs out as we count on, this showdown of top-10/15 groups is slotted into the primetime window on FOX or ABC. Heck, perhaps the GameDay crew hits Salt Lake Metropolis.
Oct. 22: idle
Remark: No aggressive benefit; Arizona additionally has the week off.
Oct. 29 at Arizona
End result: win
Document: 6-2/4-2
Remark: Six of USC’s previous seven journeys to Tucson have resulted in one-score outcomes. This must be shut all through, with loads of factors on each side.
Nov. 5: vs. Cal
End result: win
Document: 7-2/5-2
Remark: November is the time for Heisman candidates to shine. Williams makes his case as a one-man present in opposition to the Bears, who handle to close down everybody else.
Nov. 11 (Friday): vs. Colorado
End result: win
Document: 8-2/6-2
Remark: Apparent entice scenario for the Trojans, however Colorado doesn’t have the personnel to take benefit. We count on a Friday night time snoozer.
Nov. 19: at UCLA
End result: win
Document: 9-2/7-2
Remark: The penultimate crosstown showdown as members of the Pac-12 is precisely the high-profile matchup in L.A. that the convention might have used final yr, and the yr earlier than that, and the yr earlier than that, and …
Nov. 26: vs. Notre Dame
End result: loss
Document: 9-3/7-2
Remark: A nine-win season can be poorly obtained in some corners of the USC universe. However we imagine Riley wants yet one more recruiting cycle to construct the traces of scrimmage to the purpose that playoff competition is affordable.
*** Earlier installments
Arizona
Arizona State
Cal
Stanford
Colorado
Utah
Oregon State
Oregon
UCLA
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