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Pac-12 Football: 5 most important Pac-12 South games for 2017

By Erich Hilkert

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans eludes the rush from defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley #98 and defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa #75 of the UCLA Bruins during a 36-14 Trojan win at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans eludes the rush from defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley #98 and defensive lineman Boss Tagaloa #75 of the UCLA Bruins during a 36-14 Trojan win at Rose Bowl on November 19, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 13: Running back Justin  Davis #22 of the USC Trojans runs with the football past defensive back Tedric  Thompson #9 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 13, 2015 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 13: Running back Justin  Davis #22 of the USC Trojans runs with the football past defensive back Tedric  Thompson #9 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second quarter at Folsom Field on November 13, 2015 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

3. USC at Colorado (Nov. 11)

This is the battle of the South representative in the 2016 championship game and the Pac-12 representative in the Rose Bowl. In 2015, USC narrowly defeated Colorado 27-24 when the Trojans last visited Boulder. Last season, USC again narrowly defeated Colorado, this time at home by a score of 21-17.

On paper, the 2017 matchup appears to be a potential offensive shootout game, although recent history would suggest otherwise. Sam Darnold threw several dangerous throws in last season’s game, one of them resulting in an interception. However, he made a spectacular play on a failed handoff attempt. He managed to recover, avoided taking a sack for a significant loss, and ran to the opposite side of the field and threw for a touchdown.

In the history between the two teams, Colorado is 0-11 against USC.

The marquee matchup in this game is the Colorado receivers vs. the USC secondary. Colorado has one of the best receiving corps in the Pac-12, although USC held the passing game in check in 2016.  The Trojans lost Adoree Jackson, but they return plenty of talent in the secondary.

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