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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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EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 21: Running back Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-28. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 21: Running back Ronald Jones II #25 of the USC Trojans runs for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 21, 2015 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-28. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Under first-year head coach and former South Florida head man Willie Taggart, the Oregon Ducks are officially back. Quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Royce Freeman are one of the best QB-RB duos in the country. The Ducks have a 10-2 (7-1 Pac-12) record that probably puts them just outside the Playoff picture, even if they defeat USC.

The Trojans are the only hope for the Pac-12 to send a representative to the Playoff. However, USC needs to focus on winning their first Pac-12 Championship in nearly a decade before they can think about a Playoff berth.

Sam Darnold also needs a strong performance to solidify himself as the Heisman Trophy favorite. He does just that with three total first half touchdowns compared to just one for Herbert. Ronald Jones II has the quite the battle in front of him as well against Freeman, one of the best running backs in the country.

USC carries a 24-13 lead into halftime. Darnold fumbles the ball early in the second half to give Oregon a real chance to get right back into the game. Herbert throws his second touchdown of the game to bring the Ducks within four points.

However, Jones II rushes for his first touchdown of the game and Michael Brown tacks on a field goal to give USC a 14 point lead. Freeman responds with a late rushing touchdown, but it’s too little too late for the Ducks. USC finally wins a Pac-12 Championship and locks up a spot in the Playoff.

Final Score: USC 34, Oregon 27 (12-1, 9-1 Pac-12)

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