Stanford Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018

Here we are at the annual Stanford vs. USC rivalry game. The two teams usually play solid games each season, but the Trojans currently have bragging rights, winning the last two meetings. David Shaw has a winning record against USC since taking over as head coach, though, going 5-4 in his nine seasons.

This one could get the Cardinal back on track in the series. USC will be without starting quarterback Sam Darnold who was considered a Heisman front-runner to begin the 2017 season but fell short of that thanks to turnover issues and a lack of a playoff berth for USC. He will be replaced by either sophomore Matt Fink or Jack Sears or freshman JT Danies — the latter is the current favorite.

If it’s Daniels, he will be playing just his second career game which could give the Cardinal an advantage, especially at home. The defense will be the best he has seen in his career and the former five-star will struggle a bit.

Stephen Carr will have a decent game in the backfield, replacing Ronald Jones II, but USC lost too much production on the offensive side of the ball from 2017 to go on the road this early in the year and beat a tough opponent like Stanford.

KJ Costello will have another big game and, to no one’s surprise, Bryce Love will break 100 yards again.

Final Score: USC 28, Stanford 34 (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12)