4. Clay Helton: USC
The USC Trojans have a huge opportunity ahead of them this week. After two straight wins over Washington State and Arizona, the Trojans have positioned themselves to make a run at the Pac-12 South.
Those hopes could also take a serious hit with a loss this week. USC will host Colorado at home and a win would put them in the best position to take care of their division and represent in the Pac-12 Championship at the end of the season.
A loss would mean they would need plenty of help the rest of the way and an underwhelming year for the Trojans. While he has a freshman quarterback and two big bowl trips under his belt, Clay Helton can’t afford an underwhelming year.
USC isn’t the type of program to accept mediocrity and will go out and look for help elsewhere. This isn’t to say Helton is in immediate danger of losing his job, but he would do himself plenty of favors with a win.
The Trojans won the Pac-12 last season and while they don’t appear to look like favorites to defend right now, anything can happen if they are able to get there. The road there starts on Saturday when they host Colorado.