USC Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Oregon State in Week 6

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of a game against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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2. Sam Darnold rebounds with 400-plus yards

Last Friday’s loss to Washington State fell squarely on the shoulders of Sam Darnold, even though it might not be fair. Most team’s live and die by the quarterback’s play, and USC was no different at Wazzu. The Cougars put pressure on the sophomore and he wasn’t able to effectively sling the ball around like he had been used to.

Darnold had passed for at least 285 yards through his first three games before a 223-yard performance against Cal. He looked to bounce back against Washington State, but he struggled and went for just 164 yards and no touchdowns with an interception on 15-of-29 completions.

Although Darnold did have two rushing touchdowns against the Cougars, including the game-tying score with just minutes left, it was arguably his worst collegiate game yet. He has now thrown at least one interception in every game this season.

Facing off against a defense that allows 288 passing yards per game this season, Darnold will go wild and rebound for a 400-yard performance. He’s going to finally look like the Heisman-caliber quarterback we have all come to expect and, get this, he won’t throw an interception.