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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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TUCSON, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the USC Trojans makes a catch for a touchdown pass over cornerback Dane Cruikshank #9 of the Arizona Wildcats during the third quarter of the college football game against at Arizona Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. USC won 48-14. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the USC Trojans makes a catch for a touchdown pass over cornerback Dane Cruikshank #9 of the Arizona Wildcats during the third quarter of the college football game against at Arizona Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Tucson, Arizona. USC won 48-14. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

The Arizona Wildcats are having a little bit more success than their in-state rival Arizona State. However, both Arizona schools are no match for the USC Trojans and a Sam Darnold on a huge hot streak. Darnold now has the chance to eclipse 30 passing touchdowns and get past his 2016 mark of 31.

One of Darnold’s best performances in 2016 came against Arizona. And if he has shown anything, Darnold plays the same way against most opponents in 2017 than he did in 2016.

Ronald Jones II, Aca’Cedric Ware, and Dominic Davis all struggle to find running room against the Arizona defense. However, that just opens up the secondary for Darnold to shred the Wildcats. He throws for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

Darnold’s quick decision-making does cost him on two occasions but the USC defense does not let up. USC’s second half lead by the score of 44-13 means some more playing time for Jalen Greene who throws for two more touchdowns.

With another huge victory for USC, they look like the hottest team in the nation. Three convincing victories against Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Arizona after their loss to Utah has them back in the Playoff picture and right in the thick of the Pac-12 Championship hunt.

Final Score: USC 58, Arizona 16 (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12)

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