2022 USC football schedule and way-too-early predictions for Trojans
USC football will enter a new era in 2022 with a fresh head coach. However, that head coach will have a tough task changing the culture in Year 1.
The future of USC football is still very murky. Until the Trojans have a new head coach on board, no one can even begin to guess what 2022 will hold.
Still, USC should return a bright young quarterback in Jaxson Dart or a productive veteran in Kedon Slovis to lead the offense. And they’ll still have talent.
What kind of challenge will the 2022 schedule hold?
2022 USC football schedule and predictions
Sept. 3 — vs. Rice — WIN
Sept. 17 — vs. Fresno State — WIN
Nov. 26 — vs. Notre Dame — LOSS
TBD — at Arizona — WIN
TBD — vs. Arizona State — WIN
TBD — vs. Cal — WIN
TBD — at Stanford — LOSS
TBD — vs. Colorado — WIN
TBD — at Utah — LOSS
TBD — at Oregon State — LOSS
TBD — vs. Washington State — WIN
TBD — at UCLA — WIN
USC final record predictions: 8-4
The Trojans don’t know the order games will take in 2022 with only their out-of-conference slate set in stone. Aside from a likely loss to Notre Dame, USC should be able to make it through with a winning record. Just don’t count out Fresno State as a threat.
The conference slate won’t include Oregon or Washington, which eases the difficulty. However, a trip to a resurgent Oregon State is never a fun time for USC. Facing Utah at Rice Eccles is similarly troublesome.
On the plus side, USC should still have advantages over Arizona, Cal, Colorado and Washington State. The new head coach should be able to get the Coliseum crowd on his side.
The real mark of the season will come in toss-up games against the likes of Stanford and UCLA. The best way for a head coach to instill confidence is to win those rivalry games. It’s just easier said than done to get wins in both.
The right hire can go 8-4 with this squad, despite their deficiencies. The wrong one could struggle to be bowl-eligible.
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