by USC OVER 9.5 wins (-170)
Confidence level: 8/10
With the Pac-12 giving its farewell tour this season, the Trojans are the preseason favorite to stand atop the conference, and reasonably so. The most electric offense in college football is set for Year 2 under the best play caller in the country in Lincoln Riley and reigning Heisman Trophy winner/generational QB Caleb Williams. Despite losing Jordan Addison and a few other offensive standouts, the receiving corps remains lethal, the running back room is solid, and a few transfers up front add depth to a quality o-line. Kliff Kingsbury also joins the program as an offensive analyst. Yeah, look out.
So why is the win total as low as 9.5?
Well, one big reason is the defense. USC had the 101st ranked unit in 2022 and struggled mightily in big-time games against quality offenses (Utah and Tulane). While the rushing defense was vulnerable and the team couldn’t tackle to save their lives at times, the Trojans did manage to frequently take the ball away last season (5th in the country in turnovers). Reason for optimism stems from Riley and company hammering the transfer portal and hauling in a stash of talent to add to the front seven.
Another reason is that the schedule won’t be easy this season, especially at the tail end of the year. That six-week stretch to close out the season will be one of the toughest slates you see all season. The PAC-12 is loaded with depth this year and if USC can escape those six games with no more than a loss, then consider that a massive W.
USC is the type of the team you are either all in on or not this season, and I’m all in. As long as Williams can stay healthy and the defense improves at least a smidge, I see this team vying for a conference title and potential playoff spot come December, even if they have a loss along the way. Get ready to cash a lot of overs and see a USC team take a step further in what will most likely be Williams’ final season as a Trojan.