USC’s biggest, toughest opponent right now is itself, not anyone else

USC could lose to Minnesota, but the better point of emphasis is that USC could beat itself against Minnesota. If the Trojans clean things up, they will win.

The USC Trojans will play the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday in Minneapolis. The Gophers are the actual opponent the Trojans must defeat. Yet, on a larger level, USC surely knows that the opponent the Trojans must defeat is the one they stare at in the mirror every morning. USC is its own biggest opponent, and Trojan fans would not argue with that claim.

It can’t be any clearer, right? USC committed three first-half turnovers against Wisconsin last weekend in Los Angeles. The Trojans muffed a punt. They dropped third-down passes. They allowed a deep-ball touchdown pass. Their pass blocking struggled in the second quarter. They allowed over 100 yards in the second quarter alone. USC’s first half was so awful against Wisconsin that the Trojans, as a 14.5-point favorite, trailed by 11 points at halftime.

USC then went to the locker room at halftime, made adjustments, fixed problems, and blew out Wisconsin 28-0 in the second half. When USC does things well, and properly, and with precision, the Trojans are really good. The problem is that USC shows up for only half a game. Can USC show up for a full game? USC has to stop beating itself.

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