The USC Trojans' schedule is full of games where they get a great opportunity to prove themselves worthy of being viewed as a high-quality team. This year, facing the Ohio State Buckeyes and the defending champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, will be very tough matches. However, the Trojans' most important game still stands as their game vs the Oregon Ducks.
It would be more than reasonable for USC to fall to the likes of the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers. 2 teams that have a title win in the last 2 years. The Trojans can not afford another blowout loss to their biggest rival, the Oregon Ducks. This year, I think their recent fate vs the Ducks will pan out differently.
On paper, the Trojans have the talent to match up well vs the title favorite Oregon
Ducks. Jayden Maiava has the talent to compete vs Dante Moore. The addition of Gary Patterson will make it challenging for the Ducks' offense. Something that USC hasn't done before. USC has what it needs to pull off the upset.
The most important factor that will come into play is when the Trojans are playing their rival. USC gets to face off vs the Ducks in Week 5 as the first real test for the Ducks. The Trojans can catch the Ducks slipping early in the season, as opposed to after they get a big win like last year vs Penn State. The Ducks will most likely be coming off a blowout win vs Portland State. While USC will be at home, ready for a must- win battle.
This game will make or break the season, and Lincoln Riley and Gary Patterson have so much to gain from winning a ballgame like this one. If USC can pull off the biggest upset in the Riley tenure, they will set themselves up for a run to the College Football Playoff. Many experts have their doubts about USC, but I believe those doubts will get erased quickly in Week 5.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Trojans will get their biggest win in recent years this season
