College Football Week 4 schedule and predictions

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) drops back for a pass during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4 of 6

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Ronald Jones II /

No. 5 USC at California

Kickoff: Saturday, Sep. 23, 3:30 PM, ABC

This might be the West Coast bias in me, but I’m really excited for this Cal-USC matchup. USC is one of the best teams in the country, with probably the best college quarterback in Sam Darnold. Cal has a new head coach in Justin Wilcox and are trying to turn their program around. Both teams are 3-0 heading into this game at Berkeley, CA, so it’s bound to be a great one.

Here’s three things to watch in this game, along with a prediction of the final outcome.

USC at California: Three Things to Watch:

1. Can QB Sam Darnold continue to his magic on the road?

So far, USC has played in the comfort of their own home stadium, L.A. Memorial Coliseum. For the first time this season, they’re headed outside the Southern California area. Defenses typically travel will, but can Darnold carry his momentum to Northern California?

He’s been spectacular thus far, but will be facing a young, hungry defense in Cal, led by Justin Wilcox. USC is the better team, but can Darnold continue to roll through his opponent one more week?

2. Can QB Ross Bowers stop turning over the ball?

Through three games, one of Bowers’ biggest issues has been turning the ball over for Cal. He’s thrown four interceptions to only five touchdowns. That’s put the Cal defense in some difficult situations, so can Bowers start to protect the football against USC? You don’t want to give Sam Darnold extra cracks at scoring points, so it’ll be vital this week to protect the ball.

3. Can Cal’s pass defense hold up against Darnold?

Cal’s pass defense through three games is giving up nearly 340 yards per game. That’s a lot, even though the team is 3-0. On the flip side, USC has been averaging nearly 335 yards through the air per game.

Justin Wilcox and this defense can’t afford to give up yards through the air at that rate. It may have worked against lesser competition, but against Darnold, Jones II and the rest of this offense, it won’t hold up. So they better be careful on the back end of that defense.

Prediction:

Cal has been a great story thus far this season. They’ve got a new coach, new mentality and have won their first three games this season. But unfortunately, they’re facing USC, who has bigger goals in mind. As long as the Trojans don’t fall into the trap this week, they should steamroll the Bears on the road.

USC over Cal, 31-17.

Home/College Football