There are lots of numbers and facts we can throw at you to explain why USC is unbeaten and is checking the boxes it needs to check thus far this season.
We can tell you that USC’s victory against ASU Saturday night put the Trojans at five wins on the season, surpassing the team’s entire win total in 2021. We can point out that the team’s electric 5-0 start is just its second in the last 16 seasons of Trojan football.
More fun with numbers: USC’s Heisman candidate Caleb Williams also returned to his old form Saturday night, going 27 of 37 for 348 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. His passing yard and completion totals against ASU are single-game bests this season.
The quarterback’s first interception of the season came in the third quarter and broke Williams’ hold on the longest active streak in the FBS for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception at 215.
USC's 88.9% 3rd down conversion percentage vs. ASU was the best single-game rate by a Pac-12 team since 1996! pic.twitter.com/fVnsAkLqTr
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 3, 2022
Yet, the fact which matters most in explaining the success of the USC offense — and by extension, the team itself — relates to third down conversions. Third downs and penalties are going to be major factors in this week’s game versus Washington State, and the biggest game of the year on Oct. 15 at Utah.
Get this:
Per Jon Wilner, “Three Pac-12 teams are in the top 10 nationally in third-down conversion percentage: USC (55.6), UCLA (54.7) and Washington (52.1).”
A 56-percent conversion rate on third downs will play. That will separate USC from the rest of the Pac-12. Want a big key this weekend versus Wazzu? Third downs represent a great answer, on par with turnover differential.
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