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College football 2018: Biggest X-factor on every Top 25 team

By Derek Grochowski

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Miles Sanders (24) of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs for a gain in the game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017 at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SANTA ANA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: JT Daniels of the Mater Dei High School Monarchs looks on during a National Signing Day ceremony at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA ANA, CA – FEBRUARY 07: JT Daniels of the Mater Dei High School Monarchs looks on during a National Signing Day ceremony at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

18. JT Daniels, USC Trojans

USC lost two games in the regular season last year. The game against Washington State was close but their loss to Notre Dame was an ugly one. The rest of their season was good enough to win the Pac-12 conference and get into the Cotton Bowl.

Once they got to the Cotton Bowl USC fell apart and beat by the Ohio State Buckeyes. Just like that the Sam Darnold era was over. His two seasons of play were good enough to get him drafted in the top three. USC now has to look at its options for this season.

Their-factor is true freshman JT Daniels. It is an open competition right now at quarterback but the freshman is far and away the most talented of the challengers.

Daniels, as you would imagine, was a high school superstar. He graduated high school a full year early to get to college now and take advantage of the void left by Darnold. If he comes as advertised the USC Trojans will be in really good shape this season and make more noise in the Pac-12.

Outside of their conference, their schedule is not too painful. Opening up against UNLV is a good chance for Daniels to get his feet wet and learn on the job. The next game outside of the Pac 12 comes a few weeks later against Texas which will be a tougher test.

Finally to end the year USC will be looking for revenge on Notre Dame who beat up the Trojans last year. The schedule is definitely manageable. This team will go as far as their X Factor, JT Daniels will take them. It could even be all the way to the College Football Playoff.