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College Football: Grading each top 10 team’s Week 1 performance

By George Wrighster III

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 31: Johnnie Dixon #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 02: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans wipes his forehead after a 49-31 Trojan win over the Western Michigan Broncos at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 02: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans wipes his forehead after a 49-31 Trojan win over the Western Michigan Broncos at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 4 USC beat Western Michigan 49-31

Offense: C+
Defense: C-
Overall: C-

This was a toss up game until the last five minutes. At no point in time did USC look like the #4 team in the country offensively or defensively. The Trojans got in a dogfight with Western Michigan. This type of game doesn’t look good for USC’s playoff resume or Sam Darnold’s Heisman hopes.

Offensively, running backs Ronald Jones and Stephen Carr saved the day with five touchdowns. Both backs were explosive and impressive. Their speed will be difficult to any team to deal with. Miss one tackle and either Jones or Carr can be in the end zone. Sam Darnold unimpressively finished with 289 passing yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Trojan defense was below average, at best. The one positive is they were stingy against the pass. However, they were porous against the run. They allowed the Broncos to rush for 263 yards with 5.5 yard per carry. The Trojans better fix their run defense as soon as possible or Pac-12 teams are going to feast on them.

Overall, I wanted to give the Trojans a D, but they won. I picked USC in my top four to make the playoff so I’m mad it looked so bad.

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