USC Football: 3 takeaways from Pac-12 South victory over Arizona
By Zach Bigalke
1. Ronald Jones II is among the nation’s best running backs
When we talk about the top running backs in the nation, names like Saquon Barkley and Bryce Love continue to be touted among the best of the best. Even in the Pac-12, guys like Love, Oregon’s Royce Freeman, Washington’s Myles Gaskin, and Colorado’s Phillip Lindsay are inclined to get more ink for their exploits.
But the best back in the conference might just be Ronald Jones II, who has been instrumental to USC’s surge back up the Pac-12 standings and the College Football Playoff rankings. Coming into the #Pac12AfterDark showdown against Arizona, Jones ranked 17th nationally with an average of 111 rushing yards per game and 10 touchdowns in eight games.
Against the Wildcats, Jones boosted his numbers in a big way. The junior running back nearly topped the 200-yard rushing mark for the second straight week. In Week 9 against Arizona State, Jones put up 216 yards and two touchdowns. This time, Jones piled up 194 yards on the ground and gashed Arizona for three scores.
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It was yet another standout performance in a career filled with big games. He has been a catalyst for USC’s resurgence in 2017, and Clay Helton and the offensive staff will need Jones to continue putting up big performances if they hope to win the Pac-12 and force their way into the College Football Playoff.