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USC Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The USC Trojans have massive expectations under quarterback Sam Darnold in 2017, but how does their weekly schedule stack up?

The USC Trojans have the ability to make a run at their first National Championship since 2005 with superstar quarterback Sam Darnold leading the team. One of the bigger questions for the Trojans lies with head coach Clay Helton. Can Helton be the next Pete Carroll or will he be the next in line among failed USC football coaches?

This year is likely either National Championship or at least College Football Playoff berth or bust for USC. With another top-four ranking in the Amway Coaches Poll, they have sky-high expectations to finally succeed.

The sanctions from the Reggie Bush pay and Heisman scandal still had an effect on USC until very recently. However, the Trojans looked like their old selves during the stretch run of the 2016 campaign. Darnold went 9-1 in 10 games as the starting quarterback after taking over for Max Browne.

Darnold is not only receiving Heisman hype in 2017, he’s also the No. 1 overall pick in almost every mock draft for the 2018 NFL Draft. That’s a lot of pressure on one quarterback who does not even have a full season of starting experience. However, the tape definitely shows the potential to be the next great USC quarterback.

Related Story: Is it time to pump the brakes on the Sam Darnold hype?

USC’s 2017 slate is as tough as almost any team’s schedule in the country this season. They face tough out of conference tests against blue blood programs like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Texas Longhorns. They also have the usual in-conference battles against the Stanford Cardinal, Washington State Cougars, Utah Utes, Colorado Buffaloes, and UCLA Bruins.

Now, let’s take a look at the game-by-game predictions for the USC Trojans in 2017.

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