USC Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans looks on from the sidelines against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The Trojans come in red-hot after the win against Washington State. Expect them to be in the top 10 heading into this game. They go up against a new regime with Kevin Sumlin taking over in Arizona and go up against one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football in Khalil Tate.

In this offense, Tate could put up huge numbers as a clone of Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M. He will have to do a lot to keep the Wildcats in this game. Does Arizona have enough talent around him to stay on the field? That will be the important question in this game.

This will be a tough road test for the Trojans. I expect the key players in this game to be the linebacker corps. Cameron Smith will be in the backfield multiple times during this game and will stop Tate from breaking long runs. Free safety Marvell Tell should stay in Tate’s kitchen all night.

This will be closer than you might think but will still be another Trojans win.

Prediction: USC 35, Arizona 20 (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12)

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