– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – Pac-12 – Trojans
Looking for 2017 USC Trojans predictions? The Trojans were the favorite in the South this season before last season was even over. After being the only regular season loss to eventual Pac-12 Champ Washington to the big Rose Bowl win over Penn State, USC stamped their pass into the upper echelon of not only the conference, but the country, in the way they finished out 2016.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – USC Trojans
- Head Coach: Clay Helton
- 2016 Record: 10-3
- USC Trojans Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +700
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Already the chosen team in the South and in the Pac-12 as a whole, can the Trojans live up to the hype despite playing 12 consecutive weeks without a Bye Week for the first time since 1995?
2017 USC Trojans Predictions: Team Strengths
Hey Darnold: Sam Darnold took the Trojans to a new level last season, making them a serious threat. After his masterful performance against Washington, Darnold become the benchmark in the Pac-12 for quarterbacks.
While he may have lost his top two receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers, Darnold still has running back Ronald Jones II to help compliment the dangerous backfield.
It’s USC, though, and Darnold will have plenty of top recruits and players in waiting ready to step up be his next crop of playmakers..
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Passing for just over 3,000 yards on the season, Darnold had 31 touchdowns and 9 interceptions to compliment his 67.2% completion percentage and 161.1 quarterback rating. Yes, I said 161.1.
Depth: Because they are USC, they have been able to continually bring in five-star players year in and year out. After losing so many starters last season, the team does not seem the least bit worried in replacing names like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adoree Jackson.
Where a hole opened up, it seems to have been filled immediately. Take the loss of offensive lineman Zach Banner. With a seemingly huge hole left behind, the Trojans have a highly touted Sophomore in Chuma Edoga to fill it.
The way this team recruits, there won’t be any real holes in the depth chart any time soon.
2017 USC Trojans Predictions: Team Weaknesses
The Big Guys: Like a lot of Pac-12 teams this season, the offensive line is going to be the biggest question coming in. Losing three starters is painful in an offense that relies heavily on the big armed QB and the stellar RB you have to protect and open holes for.
They DO, however, return their starting center from injury, Toa Lobendahn, who will likely give the line a good boost.
Just between outgoing Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler, the duo racked up 84 career starts for the Trojans. That’s not to mention Damien Mama is gone, too.
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Outside of Edoga, keep an eye on Chris Brown, who has some starting experience under his belt as well.
Last season’s o-line only gave up 12 total sacks on the season, ranking 6th in the nation. If this line can gel and put together similar numbers, Sam Darnold will be Heisman Ceremony-bound as a direct result.
Not to mention if they can help Jones II to another 1,000 yard season, then the line worries will not only go away, but be a quick afterthought.
USC Trojans Prediction: 11-1
This Trojan team can easily run the table this season.
Especially not having teams like Washington and Oregon on the schedule, USC’s schedule is extremely favorable and has arguably their toughest games at home.
It IS the Pac-12, though, so there is likely a trap game laying in wait somewhere along the line. It could very well be at Washington State, where the defense will likely have to defend a 400 yard game from the Mike Leach air raid.
It could also very well be Texas, who can never be counted out each season.
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Things are shaping up to go USC’s way this season. When all is said and done, the Trojans could wind up being in the college football playoff discussion as the aggressor and not the one chasing Alabama.
2017 USC Trojans Football Schedule
- 9/2/17 5:15 PM ET WMU
- 9/9/17 8:30 PM ET STAN
- 9/16/17 8:30 PM ET TEX
- 9/23/17 TBD @CAL
- 9/29/17 10:30 PM ET @WSU
- 10/7/17 TBD ORE
- 10/14/17 TBD UTAH
- 10/21/17 7:30 PM ET @ND
- 10/28/17 TBD @ASU
- 11/4/17 TBD ARIZ
- 11/11/17 TBD @COLO
- 11/18/17 TBD UCLA
What do you think about our 2017 USC Trojans predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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