USC has overtaken the University of Alabama as the betting favorite to win the College Football Playoff. Some people might be scratching their heads at that stat, but they truly are going to be contenders this year. After going 4-8 last year, the Trojans new they had to make a change…and not just one, but many. The first change they needed to make was bringing in a new coach. The Trojans were linked with many great coaches, but one stuck out drastically, Lincoln Riley. The amount of success that Riley had at Oklahoma made the Trojans realize that signing him was a no-brainer. USC knew that with bringing Riley to the Coliseum, he would be bringing over some of the top talent in the nation, which he did.
Caleb Williams Transfers to USC
Caleb Williams had to wait his turn at Oklahoma behind the preseason Heisman frontrunner, Spencer Rattler. Rattler struggled tremendously, therefore opening the door for Caleb Williams and he never looked back. Williams, only a freshman, made his first start against Oklahoma’s long-time rival, University of Texas. He threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown in their 55-48 victory. This was the start of his electrifying season where he finished with 1,912 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 442 rushing yards, and 6 rushing touchdowns. Williams decided to follow his head coach, Riley, and bring his talents to Southern California.
Jordan Addison Transfers to USC
As if Caleb Williams wasn’t enough for the Trojans, they acquired Jordan Addison in the transfer portal. Addison won the Biletnikoff Award in 2021, which is awarded to the nations top wide receiver. In Addison’s sophomore year at Pittsburgh, he had 100 receptions, 1,593 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns. Jordan Addison is a force to be reckoned with and will fit right in on this star studded offense that the Trojans have.
What To Expect This Year For USC
USC opens up their season at home against Rice on September 3rd. Their first true test will be on the road against PAC-12 rival Stanford. Stanford has always been a tough test for the Trojans and this game could portray what the rest of the season could look like. Their next tests will come in the last two weeks of the season where they play UCLA and Notre Dame. If the Trojans can win those two games at the end of the year, that would put them in great shape to be in the PAC-12 Championship.
Even if the Trojans have a hiccup game, but win the PAC-12 Championship, I believe they should have a very good shot at making it to the College Football Playoff. With this talented squad and coaching staff, the Trojans should be aiming for nothing shorter than a birth into the College Football Playoff. Anything besides that, should be a season to forget.
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