Pac-12: USC
Schedule, schedule, schedule, schedule, schedule.
USC has the potential to put out a terrific team, and talent-wise, it should be the best in the Pac-12 South.
It has two great quarterback options in Kedon Slovis and JT Daniels, the receiving corps is loaded despite the loss of Michael Pittman, the running backs are deep, and the O line should be fine once the tables are settled.
12 of the top 13 and almost all of the top 25 tackles from last season are expected to return from a way-young defense, the coaching staff is settled and solid – despite what anyone might think of Clay Helton – and there’s a whole lot to like. But again …
Schedule, schedule, schedule, schedule, schedule.
UCLA – for example – missed both Oregon and Washington from the Pac-12 North. Utah misses the Ducks, Arizona State misses Washington, and everyone else in the South appears to have an easier slate.
USC? If all goes according to plan and hopes, have fun with Alabama to open up the season.
Road games at Stanford – who should be a whole lot better – Utah, Oregon, and up the road to UCLA are rough enough, but the Trojans also have to host Arizona State, Cal, Washington, and close out the regular season against Notre Dame.
Give USC a little bit of credit here – it’s going to win more than its share of those tough games – but for a program’s base that demands championships and national championship potential, the expectations will almost certainly fall short.