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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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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Corey Davis #84 and Michael Henry #83 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrate in the fourth quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 02: Corey Davis #84 and Michael Henry #83 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrate in the fourth quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Western Michigan Broncos will not be as good in 2017 as they were in 2016. However, if USC does not come out of the gates in a positive fashion then Western Michigan could give them a scare. Just because P.J. Fleck left for the Minnesota head coaching position, it does not mean that the Broncos will not be good in 2017, just not New Year’s Six Bowl good.

USC running back Ronald Jones II starts the season off great with 85 yards and one rushing touchdown in the first half of the game. Sam Darnold tacks on two more passing touchdowns in the first half to wide receiver Deontay Burnett and tight end Tyler Petite.

Western Michigan responds in the second half with two touchdown passes through the air to bring the Broncos within 10 points. The game would be much more interesting if Tom Flacco, brother of Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Joe Flacco, was still starting under center.

Yet, USC pulls away at the end of the third quarter as Darnold throws for his third touchdown and rushes for his first. Western Michigan notches one more field goal, but that’s all they can manage.

Final Score: USC 38, Western Michigan 17 (1-0)

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