Their quarterback is too good for them not to contend in the Pac-12.
Even though nobody really loves their coaching staff, the USC Trojans have a ton of talent on their football roster, albeit underdeveloped. While USC won’t be back until the Trojans hire a new head coach, there are three reasons why they’ll have a bit of a breakout season this year: The Pac-12 is going conference-only, the Pac-12 is not a great conference and the Trojans have Kedon Slovis.
By going conference-only this removes a few certain losses from the Trojans’ schedule. They won’t lose to the Alabama Crimson Tide in Dallas, nor will they probably lose to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. By taking those two likely losses of the calendar, USC stands a terrific shot of winning seven, eight, maybe nine games if the Pac-12 goes to a 10-game conference schedule.
While the Oregon Ducks are the creme de la creme of the Pac-12 currently, the conference doesn’t have a bona fide No. 2. Is it the Utah Utes? What about the Washington Huskies under new head coach Jimmy Lake? Do we really trust Herm Edwards’ Arizona State Sun Devils? With all that uncertainty, USC can take complete advantage to reach the conference title bout and face Oregon.
Lastly, the Trojans have a future first-round pick entering his second season as a starter quarterback. Look for Slovis to flourish under Graham Harrell’s tutelage in a quasi-Air Raid offensive attack. If Slovis plays up to his potential, we’re looking at a USC team playing in a New Year’s Six Bowl, probably the Fiesta Bowl if they don’t make the playoff and go to the Rose Bowl.