O/NSO: 2021 USC game-by-game predictions edition – Part 2

The Obvious: With the official beginning of fall training camp opening Friday afternoon, it’s time for Part 2 of our 2021 USC preseason game-by-game predictions. Last week, our first half of the season predictions had the Trojans with a record of 5-1.    

The Not So Obvious: In Part 2 of our 2021 predictions, the O/NSO takes a look at the backend of the final six games of the season, which includes at Notre Dame, Arizona, at Arizona State, at Cal, UCLA, and BYU. So, how will the Men of Troy fare and how will they finish? Read on…  

THE OBVIOUS GAME 7 – AT NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Date: Oct. 23

Location: South Bend, Indiana

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (77,795)

Time and TV: 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET/NBC

2020 record: 10-2, 8-1 ACC

Returning starters: Off. 4, Def. 7, SPT. punter/kicker

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS NOTRE DAME POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: It’s the Irish and the Trojans in South Bend! It doesn’t get any better. Oh yes it does, the Irish don’t have a returning quarterback, and they have holes to fill. Let me assure the Domers, this isn’t a USC team they’ve seen in the past. Last time ND saw the Trojans in South Bend, the Men of Troy played’em basically even in the second half, probably dominated them till the end, and put a real fear of God into the Blue and Gold. I was there, it was real. Yeah, the ND campus is “Rudy” beautiful, Notre Dame Stadium is a college football cathedral, and game day on campus is like no other. However, we’re not there for beauty, a stadium, or a religious experience. We’re there to “Beat the Irish!”

Provided we come into the game healthy, no way they stop Kedon Slovis throwing the ball around Knute Rockne’s yard, and our wide receiver Drake London should have a field day. Sure, the Irish have NFL-bound linemen on both sides of the ball, but we’ve got guys that will play on Sunday, as well! I say that when you break it down position by position group leaving out linemen, we have the advantage.

Okay, let’s look at things objectively. USC has a big advantage at quarterback. Check. We have better receivers than Notre Dame. Check. We have running backs just as good as the Irish. Check. Our placekicker is as good or better than Notre Dame. Check. Our secondary is just as physically talented as the Irish. Check. And we have a Ray Guy Watch List punter. Check. We own the talent pool between these two bitter rivals. And let’s also remember, the Irish lost nine starters off last season’s standout team.    

The O/NSO pessimist: Dude, the Irish have won seven of the past 10 in the series, and Irish head coach Brian Kelly will coach the Texas boots off Clay Helton, who is 1-4 against ND with a three-game losing streak. Fella, you’ve been drinking too much Irish whiskey and partying too much in Chicago. The Trojans and Helton ducked the Irish last season because of COVID, but they won’t this season. If the two legendary programs had played last season, the Irish would have administered a spanking on the Trojans of the highest order. This is the one road trip that I no longer get nervous because I already know the outcome. The Irish don’t recruit, they still select, and nobody, with the exception of Alabama and Clemson, does it better along both offensive and defensive lines than Notre Dame. Believe me, all this young USC talent will be wide-eyed when they arrive at Notre Dame and see Touchdown Jesus celestially looking down on them. They’ll freak out when the Notre Dame Victory March is played along with the Victory Clog after every Irish touchdown. Notre Dame Stadium will be especially rocking if the Trojans come to town undefeated or with just one loss.

Yes, I may agree with you when you presented your checklist of comparisons between the two teams in terms of skill positions. But sorry, when it comes to the manhood equation of offensive and defensive lines and even the linebacker comparisons, it’s a 911 call for the Cardinal and Gold. Like all other recent Trojans/Irish games, the biggest disparity will be the manliness and physicality the Irish have over the Trojans in “The Pit.” We’re talking men to boys. Are the Trojans’ young offensive tackles Courtland Ford and Jonah Monheim up for the physical challenge? We’re talking a blue and gold hammer over a cardinal and gold nail. If the Trojans don’t fold in the first quarter, you can bet your favorite Irish lullaby it will happen in the second half.     

The O/NSO realist: The nation’s most intense and enduring intersectional rivalry really gets down to who dominates whom along the line of scrimmage. If the Trojans try and beat the Irish with physical dominance, it’s probably a recipe for a big loss. However, if Kedon Slovis gets time to pass the ball down field to the likes of Drake London, John Jackson lll, Tajh Washington, Kyle Ford, and Gary Bryant Jr., can Kedon make it interesting for four quarters? If he isn’t protected by his O-line, there is no chance, especially if the Trojans show no signs of a running game. Being a primetime game on national television (NBC), this will be the game that tells the nation if the Trojans are improved or another Clay Helton red flag.

Yes, Notre Dame has some question marks, but one of them isn’t talent. The success of the past several seasons and getting into the CFP has kept the Irish balanced recruiting lines flowing. ND still has All-American candidates like junior safety Kyle Hamilton (6-4, 219) and junior offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson (6-5, 305) around. And if you wonder about the Irish running backs, look no further than sophomore Kyren Williams (5-9, 195), and let’s not forget sophomore tight end Michael Mayer (6-5, 249). Can the Trojans physically contain the Irish inside running game? It will be up to Trojans’ defensive insiders like tackle Tuli Tuipulotu, ends Nick Figueroa and Korey Foreman, and linebacker Drake Jackson. The big question for the Irish is who would replace the remarkably poised and productive quarterback Ian Book? From all indications, the new ND signal caller is Wisconsin senior graduate transfer Jack Coan (6-3, 230). Can the Trojans keep up with a transitional Irish team? Unfortunately, not.       

The O/NSO PREDICTION: NOTRE DAME 41, USC 24

Comment: Like you’re shocked at this prediction?

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THE OBVIOUS GAME 8 – ARIZONA WILDCATS (HOMECOMING)

Date: Oct. 30

Location: Los Angeles

Stadium: Memorial Coliseum (77,500)

Time and TV: TBA

2020 record: 0-5 Pac-12 South

Returning starters: Off. 6, Def. 6, SPT. punter/kicker

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS ARIZONA GAME POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: Okay, with back-to-back losses to Utah and Notre Dame, you’d think the season is over. Nonsense, poppycock. Anybody could lose to either of these two distinguished programs. In fact, those previous games are character building games…if you look at it objectively. Now comes Arizona at the right time and place, and it’s Troy’s Homecoming Game! Ya think our guys are gonna wanna look horrendous to the alumni? No way, Jose. Look, playing a Pac-12 South Division doormat is just what the doctor ordered. With a new coach, new systems, and a renewed enthusiasm, it’s all fresh and good for Arizona. What’s not new, however, is Arizona’s annual losing to the Trojans either in L.A. or in Tucson. In fact, UofA couldn’t have arrived at a better time to be our South Division pinata. By the time the Trojans are done releasing their anger from the previous two back-to-back downers, it will be a sense of suppressed happiness. I could even see true freshman backup quarterback Jaxson Dart looking like Sam Darnold 2.0 in this laugher.       

The O/NSO pessimist: Look, my friend, you’ve got all the right reasons to feel confident and perhaps even a little overconfident. There is nothing to suggest that Arizona will not serve as the Trojans’ Humpty-Dumpty. That being said, first-year UofA head coach Jedd Fisch knows the Pac-12 from his UCLA days, and his club has nothing to lose. It’s probable that Arizona comes into the Coliseum 1-6, the only win against Northern Arizona. Keep laughing and the last laugh would be an all-time embarrassing upset. Remember when Stanford, a 41-point underdog, came to the Coliseum in 2007 to play one of Pete Carroll’s mighty juggernauts and was upset?

The pressure, dear friend, will be on the Trojans to make sure they don’t become Arizona’s win No. 2, although highly unlikely. It is possible, however, that Clay Helton’s team could be in a funk after the previous week’s beatdown by Notre Dame, and we’re not even taking into account some major injuries. Might that result in an upset? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that Arizona couldn’t make things uncomfortable. And besides, anything is possible with a Clay Helton-coached team.

The O/NSO realist: This game shouldn’t be close no matter how much Arizona coach Fisch coaches the heck out of his club. But wasn’t that the thoughts last season when the Trojans literally escaped with a heart-pounding 34-30 victory in Tucson? If Arizona has a lone bright spot – and it is a lone bright spot, it would be junior linebacker Anthony Pandy (6-1, 222).  

The Trojans can probably name the score at the Coli, so there should be a lot of smiles leaving the Grand Old Lady after this conference “exhibition game.” But then again – we repeat – isn’t that what we all felt last season when Arizona did everything right but still narrowly lost to the Cardinal and Gold? This should be the type of game that gives fans and alumni a look at some of the young Trojans, who should be getting their feet wet.    

The O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 48, ARIZONA 17

Comment: Every team has a breather on its schedule, and this “should” be – I repeat – the breather.

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THE OBVIOUS GAME 9 – AT ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS

Date: Nov. 6

Location: Tempe, Arizona

Stadium: Sun Devil Stadium (53,599)

Time and TV: TBA

2020 record:  2-2 Pac-12 South

Returning starters: Off. 9, Def. 11, SPT. punter

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS ARIZONA STATE POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: Is ASU even going to have a team if the recruiting violations don’t crush the spirit of the team and its coaching staff. If all was normal in Tempe, the Trojans could be in deep poo poo. But things are not normal in the Valley of the Sun, and who knows how the atmosphere will be? Heck, the Sun Devils administration might already have declared the football program a disaster zone and have implemented a no bowl game policy after this season.

And say, if you’re a member of head coach Herm Edwards’ staff, heads may have already been rolling with more to come. Even Edwards may be gone or in hot water. It all adds up to a program that won’t be focused for various reasons when the Trojans play in Sun Devil Stadium. And you know when a football team isn’t or can’t focus, defeat is just a fumble, interception, or missed tackle away.    

The O/NSO pessimist: Okay, let’s put it this way. If ASU isn’t on probation or have coaching adjustments and the Sun Devils aren’t in disarray, the Trojans are going to have their hands full. Seriously, nobody knows where this ASU recruiting during COVID episode is heading, but it probably isn’t good. However, for the purpose of comparing the two teams prior to the alleged recruiting maelstrom, the Trojans would be the underdog in Tempe. Why? Because ASU has enough returning firepower to beat the Trojans, and they know they should have probably beaten the Cardinal and Gold the past two seasons.

Last season took a miracle and a series of fortunate bounces and breaks for USC to win and ASU to lose in the Coli. Remember the final couple of minutes when receiver Bru McCoy made a onside kick recovery and scored a pass receiving touchdown? Well, Bru likely won’t be with the Trojans this season due to alleged off-season issues. Oh, that final score last season was 28-27, the winning point coming courtesy of SC true freshman Parker Lewis and his golden leg.  

If ever the Sun Devils are going to finally beat the Trojans, this would appear to be the season. Yes, it’s almost impossible to give an accurate viewpoint of the game because we don’t know the outcomes of what we already know in terms of the NCAA and ASU. But ASU has the talent and the coaching to make it happen. I mean, how much luck does Clay Helton still have at his disposal?    

The O/NSO realist: Okay, ladies and gentlemen, let’s discard some of the smack and snarky talk and objectively look at this game. We know about the Trojans’ offense, and we know about the Trojans’ defense. So, what does ASU counter with that would prevent the Men of Troy from returning to L.A. with a victory and perhaps control of the Pac-12 South Division?

ASU has a dynamite returning quarterback in sophomore Jayden Daniels (6-3, 185), who has the ability to do for the Sun Devils what Kedon Slovis does for the Trojans. You know, the real irony here is that Slovis is from Arizona and Daniels is from L.A. The truth be told, this ASU group has the potential of being one of the best Sun Devils teams in years. Bottom line: This Sun Devils roster is built for a championship run this season.

The Trojan’s defense will have its hands full with junior ASU running back Rachaad White (6-2, 195) and an offensive line that features a veteran group led by sophomore center Dohnovan West (6-3, 315). If there is a weakness in ASU’s offense, it’s probably depth at wide receiver. That’s good news for the Trojans secondary, which by this time of the season could be very dominating led by junior corner Chris Steele (6-1, 190) and senior safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (6-4, 205). As for the ASU defense, the Sun Devils are led by junior outside linebacker Merlin Robertson (6-3, 250), junior end Tyler Johnson (6-4, 284), junior tackle Jermayne Lole (6-1, 310), and senior corner Chase Lucas (6-0, 180).

One area that figures to be key is the kicking game. ASU has an excellent punter in junior All-Pac-12 first teamer Michael Turk, while the Trojans counter with junior boomer Ben Griffiths. An edge for the Trojans could be at placekicker with Trojans sophomore Parker Lewis while ASU features freshman Jack Luckhurst. It would not be surprising if this one ends up in overtime, and don’t underestimate the input of the Sun Devils fans inside Sun Devil Stadium.    

The O/NSO PREDICTION: ASU 38, USC 34 OT

Comment: The Sun Devils were close the past couple of outings, so they finally edge the Cardinal and Gold in 2021…if they haven’t been beaten down with sanctions and dismissals.

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THE NOT SO OBVIOUS GAME 10 – AT CALIFORNIA BEARS

Date: Nov. 13

Location: Berkeley

Stadium: Memorial Stadium (62,467)

Time and TV: TBA

2020 record: 1-3 Pac-12 North

Returning starters: Off. 9, Def. 7, SPT. punter/kicker

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS CAL POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: I’ll take that previous week’s prediction that the Trojans will lose in overtime at ASU and just consider the source. I don’t buy into it one bit. Therefore, I think the Trojans will be in the thick of the Pac-12 South Division when they battle Cal in the Bay Area Weekender up in Berkeley. Now, I know that many of you still think of Cal as the bastion for Communist left wingers and the heartbeat of socialism, but we’re strictly talking a football game in beautiful Strawberry Canyon. We’ll leave the politics to the Berkeley bistros.  

And you know what’s also beautiful about seeing a game in Memorial Stadium? You can see my beloved Trojans defecate all over the Bears while still being able to gaze upon the gorgeous San Francisco Bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background – if the game is played in the fogless afternoon. BTW, there’s a reason that Clay Helton got rid of current Bears’ coach Justin Wilcox when JW was the Trojans’ DC. It’s because the man has no idea what to do on defense while a current bunch of Cal hard hitters do nothing other than just being hard hitters.  

The O/NSO pessimist: Okay, you can live in the world of an alternative USC football universe, but if the Trojans do lose to ASU the week before, that would mean the Cardinal and Gold will have lost to both Utah and ASU and would virtually be eliminated from the Pac-12 South Division race (Troy has lost to Utah earlier). And you know what that would mean? It would mean that Clay Helton’s job would be in boiling hot water. He would be one step ahead of the posse and most likely would be on a week-to-week leash from here on out.

I don’t know, if the Trojans have lost to the Utes and the Sun Devils, what motivation would there be to topple the Bears? I can still see this being a trap game even if the Trojans do beat ASU in Tempe. Let’s not forget, all games played in the Pac-12 count, so the outcome of this one could still have a huge impact on the final Pac-12 South Division race. And let me leave you with this: Justin Wilcox is a far better coach that Mr. Optimist says he is, and he could prove it on this Saturday in the Bay Area…if the Bears can generate an offense.   

The O/NSO realist: Let’s try and concentrate just on this game, please. The Bears were picked in the preseason Pac-12 Media Poll to finish third in the North and can upset the Trojans. In terms of Cal, the Bears on offense have a nice running back in physical senior Christopher Brown Jr. (6-1, 235), senior wide receiver Kekos Crawford (6-1, 195), and senior lineman Michael Saffell (6-2, 295). The quarterback duties figure to fall on senior Chase Garbers (6-2, 225). It doesn’t compute that the Trojans defense is going to have its hands full with a Bears offensive attack that may struggle scoring points because of a lack of quality receivers. The Bears quantity of quality is missing on its receiving unit.

However, there is nothing wrong with the Cal defense. They have some “strikers” that can rattle your jock. Heading up a tough Cal defense is senior linebacker Cameron Goode (6-4, 245), senior linebacker Kuony Denge (6-6. 245), and senior corner Josh Drayden (5-10, 190). It says here that Trojans’ offensive coordinator Graham Harrell will be put to the test as the Bears defense figures to be ready for the USC Air Raid. If the Trojans can mount a running game – a big if – and the Trojans can give Kedon Slovis time to deliver the ball to his vaunted receivers, the Men of Troy could be looking at a big points victory. Could this be the game that SC’s grad transfer receiver K.D. Nixon, a veteran Pac-12 receiver, has a big game?  

The O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 34, Cal 17

Comment: If the Trojans are rebounding from a loss at ASU, this game on the road at Cal is going to be a major challenge to the character of the 2021 Trojans. However, the Trojans should be able to just plain outscore Cal and that will be the game.

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THE OBVIOUS GAME 11 – UCLA BRUINS

Date: Nov. 20

Location: Los Angeles

Stadium: Memorial Coliseum (77,500)

Time and TV: TBA

2020 record: 4-2 Pac-12 South

Returning starters: Off. 9, Def. 10, SPT. punter/kicker

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS UCLA GAME POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: The Pac-12 South Division title could be on the line for this rivalry game, and is there anything better than beating the Bruins when something is on the line? It’s also entirely possible that a victory over the boys from Westwood could send their once celebrated head coach Chip Kelly packing. So much for that big investment for a coach whose offense was figured out by college defensive coordinators while Kelly was getting his brains bashed in by the NFL elite.

Say what you want about Clay Helton, but he has Kelly’s number. Afterall, Helton really isn’t going against Kelly’s vaunted offensive system, but Trojans’ defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is and my money is all on Orlando. Last season, the Trojans held UCLA to 38 points in a game not as close as the score indicated. Don’t be misled by the Trojans’43-38 victory. We had it in the bag all the way. Must I remind you the Men of Troy outscored the Bruins 20-3 in the final quarter. Need I say more?   

The O/NSO pessimist: Excuse me, Mr. Revisionist History. Dude, you failed – perhaps on purpose – to remind the good folks that the Trojans, down 21-10 at halftime, were actually down by as much as 18 points to the Bruins in the third quarter. Does that sound like domination? If Kedon Slovis hadn’t thrown an 18-yard pass to receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, now in the NFL, with 16 seconds remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit, it might have been curtains for the Trojans.

And let’s not also forget that for the game, the Bruins outgained the Trojans 549-444 in yardage. Does that sound like the Trojans had a dominating defensive performance? It doesn’t to me. In fact, let’s not forget even in the win, Orlando’s defense gave up 38 points! Who does that and calls it a dominating or acceptable defensive performance, so help me Marv Goux?

The O/NSO realist: It’s highly possible that the loser of this game will also lose its coach. It’s also possible that no matter who wins the game will still lose its coach if neither team wins the Pac-12 South. Both Helton and Kelly may be on the proverbial tightrope when this game comes to its conclusion. However, let’s take a quick look at the game and not worry about the head coaches’ job securities.

Both teams have very capable quarterbacks that could carry their respective teams to victory. The Trojans, of course, have junior passing game wiz Kedon Slovis, who may be nearing the end of his USC career, and UCLA counters with senior dual-threat quarterback Dorian (DTR) Thompson-Robinson (6-1, 200), the type of signal caller that gives the Trojans’ defense traditionally all sorts of fits with the threat of running or passing the pigskin. No question that Chip Kelly knows how to maneuver a run-pass quarterback. DTR has a solid running back in senior Brittain Brown (6-1, 210) in the backfield with him, a good receiver in sophomore Kyle Phillips (5-11, 184) and an all-star offensive lineman in sophomore Sean Rhyan (6-5, 318), who was once coveted by the Trojans.

However, the Trojans’ defense might be tested the most by former Michigan transfer running back Zach Charbonnet (6-1, 220), a former local blue-chip recruit, and let’s not forget the Bruins’ sophomore tight end Greg Dulcich (6-4, 242), a future NFL draft pick.

It would appear on paper that the Trojans’ offense could really have their way with the Bruins’ defense. The lone UCLA star on defense is probably junior linebacker Caleb Johnson (6-1, 230), but it figures that USC will see a very familiar face in former Trojans true freshman defensive tackle Jay Toia (6-3, 325), who would have been likely starting for the Trojans had he not departed for Westwood.

If the Trojans don’t have turnovers on offense and the Cardinal and Gold can mount some sort of running attack, there is no reason to think that the Trojans couldn’t score over 40 points against the Ruins’ defense. This could be the game that USC wide receiver Drake London nails down the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s finest receiver, and it’s also quite possible that Trojans running back Keaontay Ingram has the type of game that puts him into the crosstown rivalry annals. A wildcard performer for the Trojans in this rivalry game could be senior running back Vavae Malepeai, who lives for this type of intense, physical game.        

The O/NSO PREDICTION: USC 37, UCLA 34

Comment: So many games in this crosstown rivalry can go either way, and although we pick the Trojans, it’s highly possible the Bruins could pull the upset.

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THE OBVIOUS GAME 12 – BYU

Date: Nov. 27

Location: Los Angeles

Stadium: Memorial Coliseum (77,500)

Time and TV: TBA

2020 record: 11-1

Returning starters: Off. 7, Def. 4, SPT. punter/kicker

THE NOT SO OBVIOUS BYU GAME POINTS OF VIEW:

The O/NSO optimist: So, we come to the final regular season game for 2021, and it’s not UCLA or Notre Dame. It seems kind of strange, IMHO. However, those departing Trojans will run through the Heritage Tunnel before the game in recognition to their service to the football program, so it figures to be emotional. It could also be emotional because if the Trojans have won the Pac-12 South Division, the lads should be highly motivated with the prospect of winning the conference title next week in Las Vegas and keeping their post-season College Football Playoff hopes alive. I think the Trojans will come to play because this final game is the only guarantee that this team will be together for the last time during the regular season.    

The O/NSO pessimist: I am not sure just what emotions will be running through this USC team and the crowd. There is concern here that if the Trojans have been eliminated from the Pac-12 South race, there may be more BYU fans in attendance than USC fans. That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t you agree? One thing I know, BYU will be more than ready to play the Trojans. SoCal is a big recruiting ground for BYU, and this will be a big opportunity to stick it to the Trojans and show the nation that football life in Provo is good. And objectively, this could be the sink or swim moment for the future of Clay Helton. If Helton has his team heading for Las Vegas for the Pac-12 title game, he should be safe for another week. However, if the Trojans didn’t win the Pac-12 South, this could be his final game as USC’s head coach regardless of any post-season bowl destination. Helton’s history, however, is such that you can’t bet against him returning next season because that bet has burned others a number of times.   

The O/NSO realist: Okay, boys will be boys, so let’s get to the game. Motivation may be the single most deciding factor who wins this final regular season game for both teams. The last time the teams met was 2019 in Provo, a game that BYU won in overtime, 30-27. It was really a game the Trojans blew with all due respect to the Cougars. This game has a different feel to it. BYU no longer has its star QB Zack Wilson, who is now in the NFL, and normally one would say BYU is now inexperienced at quarterback. However, this being the 12^th game of the season, one can no longer say BYU’s new quarterback is inexperienced.

Expected to lead the way at quarterback for Cougars’ head coach Kalani Sitake is either sophomore Baylor Romney (6-2, 194) or sophomore Jaren Hall (6-1, 205), neither of whom is ready to be called the next Zack Wilson. However, by this time of the season, BYU could also surprise at QB with freshman Jacob Conover (6-1, 205), once recruited by Alabama but elected to go on an LDS mission in Paraguay.

On both sides of the line of scrimmage, the Trojans will be challenged, but will the USC lines at this point in the season be able to challenge BYU’s mature units? Offensively, the Cougars do have standouts in running backs Tyler Allgeier (5-11, 220, Soph) and Lopini Katoa (6-1, 210, Jr.) and a good tight end target in freshman Isaac Rex (6-6, 247). Defensively, BYU returns a group of young linebackers in sophomores Payton Wilgar (6-3, 245), Max Tooley (6-2, 215), and Keenan Pili (6-3, 233). The secondary has a good one in junior Chaz Ah You (6-2, 206). The Cougars have outstanding special teams led by sophomore kicker Jake Oldroyd (11 for 11 in field goals last season and 60 of 62 PATs), and freshman punter Ryan Rehkow (45 yds. per punt).   

It figures that the Cougars overall will be improved from Game 1. A lot of this game revolves around the quarterbacks for both teams and where each team is in terms of the post-season. If Kedon Slovis is healthy, you have to like the Trojans. If the Trojans are no longer headed for the conference title game, it could have an emotional effect against BYU. And, of course, there will be the status of Clay Helton and his situation, which can greatly affect a team one way or the other. And don’t underestimate how many BYU fans will be in the Coliseum as compared to USC fans. This game could go in a lot of directions. However, we’ll take the game at face value and both teams having motivation to play.   

The O/NSO prediction: USC 38, BYU 20

Comment: If the Trojans beat the Bruins from the previous week, there will be plenty of juice for BYU, especially if the Trojans still have a shot at a Pac-12 South Division title and a CFP chance. However, a loss to UCLA the week before could possibly be enough for BYU to sneak out of L.A. with an upset.

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The Obvious: And finally, there you have it, a final 12-game prediction.

The Not So Obvious: Overall,the final 2021 regular season depends on your point of view.

The Optimist prediction: The Trojans will finish the season 12-0

The Pessimist prediction: The Trojans will finish the season 7-5

The Realist prediction: The Trojans will finish the season 9-3  

The O/NSO’s prediction: 8-4

Comment: To be honest, the O/NSO is not all that convinced the Trojans will realistically go 9-3. The gut feeling here is 8-4, and that there will be another loss along the way where a win was predicted. But that’s why we play the games, right?