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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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PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Adoree’ Jackson #2 of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass intended for Francis Owusu #6 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Adoree’ Jackson #2 of the USC Trojans intercepts a pass intended for Francis Owusu #6 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of their NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

USC and Stanford have gone back and forth over the last four seasons with two wins going to each team. The Cardinal have won two straight, though, but not in convincing fashion. And Stanford promises to be a tough test once again in 2017.

After USC notched a convincing win for themselves in Week 1 against Western Michigan, USC has considerable momentum and also a top-four ranking heading into the Stanford game. Sam Darnold kicked off his Heisman campaign in style with four total touchdowns and zero turnovers. However, Darnold will not be so lucky in the second game of the year.

Darnold throws an interception on the first drive of the game to senior Stanford cornerback Alijah Holder. Stanford running back Bryce Love rushes for his second touchdown of the season and gives the Cardinal an early 7-0 lead.

Ronald Jones II matches Love’s early score with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Wide receivers Steven Mitchell Jr. and Michael Pittman Jr. both get in the end zone to give USC a 21-10 lead heading into the half.

Stanford quarterback Keller Chryst has an up and down game but finally gets his first passing touchdown of the game in the third quarter to get the Cardinal within four points of USC. However, that’s as close as Stanford would get as the Trojans get a field goal from redshirt freshman kicker Michael Brown to seal the victory.

Final Score: USC 24, Stanford 17 (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12)

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