USC had the misfortune of being stuck in a division with a great Utah team last year, and the Trojans simply couldn’t close that gap. It was a solid campaign for USC all the same however, as they lost to just one unranked team (BYU 30-27 in OT) and for the most part made it through a demanding schedule pretty well. The Trojans won five of their final six regular-season games but really couldn’t get anything going versus Iowa in the bowl. 

In any case, Clay Helton is back as head coach in his fifth season, joined by OC Graham Harrell (second year) and new DC Todd Orlando in something of a program overhaul. The Trojans return 38 starters in 2020, but do lose potent weapons like OT Austin Jackson and WR Michael Pittman. USC also has a QB decision to make between JT Daniels (out much of last season with an ACL injury) and Kedon Slovis, who played admirably in his absence. Outside of that, the offense is looking quite good for the Trojans; they’ve got a lot of talent on that side of the ball. 

The schedule really isn’t doing USC any favors this season, but they’re a good enough team to handle it. Things begin with a rough matchup versus Alabama but ease up a bit through September before tightening again in Pac-12 play. Conference teams like Utah, Cal, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington and UCLA loom large, as does a regular-season-ending matchup versus Notre Dame which could be key in deciding USC’s postseason fate. 

Pick: I like the under better. Granted, USC is going to be a good team, and they’re going to put up some nice numbers on the scoreboard. That said, the team’s schedule is very stout; I doubt they’ll be on the level of the Alabamas and the Notre Dames of the NCAA, so there are a handful of very realistic losses here as well. USC should have no issues going to a bowl game, but nine wins is pushing it. 

2020 USC Trojans Football Schedule 

Day, Date                         Opponent

Saturday, September 5      Alabama 

Saturday, September 12    New Mexico 

Saturday, September 19    at Stanford  

Saturday, September 26    Arizona State 

Friday, October 2              at Utah 

Saturday, October 10        California  

Saturday, October 17        at Arizona  

Saturday, October 24        OPEN   

Saturday, October 31        Colorado 

Saturday, November 7      at Oregon  

Saturday, November 14    Washington  

Saturday, November 21    at UCLA 

Saturday, November 28    Notre Dame   

Friday, December 4           Pac-12 Championship