USC football: 3 bold predictions for Pac-12 showdown vs. California

1. Sam Darnold will be picked off again a few times by California

Sam Darnold entered the 2017 season as one of the most hyped quarterbacks in the country. He capped an electric first college season with a thrilling performance to win the Rose Bowl over Penn State. As a result, scouts at the 2017 NFL Combine were talking more about Darnold than some of the quarterbacks that were drafted this spring. The redshirt sophomore was also promoted as USC’s next Heisman winner.

So far this season, though, Darnold has failed to live up to that hype. The key cog in the Trojans offense has looked mortal in his first three games. Darnold has already thrown a half-dozen interceptions just a quarter of the way through the campaign. Last year, he threw just nine picks all season. Throwing two touchdowns per game is hardly the consistency that offensive coordinator Tee Martin was hoping for in Darnold’s sophomore campaign.

Against a tough Cal defense, Darnold will struggle to protect the football once again. The Golden Bears rank ninth in the country in interceptions, having already snagged five picks in their first three games. At home, California will grab a couple more picks to boost their standing in the FBS rankings and make Darnold’s life a little more miserable on Saturday.