There is a definite parallel to be drawn between USC football eras, 20 years apart. The 2002 USC Trojans brought the program back to national prominence after several years in the wildnerness under a failed head coach, Paul Hackett. The 2022 Trojans brought the program back to the big leagues after the Clay Helton reign of error.
In 2003, the Trojans built on what the 2002 team accomplished under a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Carson Palmer, who thrived against Notre Dame and made a late-season statement in Los Angeles versus the Fighting Irish.
In 2023, the Trojans have a chance to build on the 2022 team’s successes. The 2022 Trojans were led by a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Caleb Williams, who flourished against Notre Dame and played an elite game in Los Angeles against the Irish in front of a large national television audience.
The obvious difference: Caleb Williams is coming back for 2023, whereas Carson Palmer was off to the NFL in 2003. Nevertheless, the comparisons between 2002 and 2022 USC are considerable. We will see if 2023 can build on 2022 the way the 2003 team built on the foundation laid by the 2002 team under Pete Carroll.
You can listen to Tim Prangley make this comparison as part of the most recent edition of Trojan Conquest Live at The Voice of College Football. Catch the new edition of Trojan Conquest Live this upcoming Sunday, just after 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific. You’ll get a preview of the Week Zero game for USC versus San Jose State:
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