USC Football: Ranking Trojans’ 2020 opponents by toughness
863. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Sept. 12. Los Angeles (Calif.). player. New Mexico Lobos. 12
USC’s 2020 schedule is very tough, but this was an easy choice for their easiest game of the season. One thing that USC has always prided itself on is the fact that it’s never played an FCS opponent and always strive to play division one opponents.
New Mexico is a team in the Mountain West that has not won more than three games since 2016 when they finished 9-4 and won their bowl game. USC might either be coming off the biggest win in recent memory against Alabama or licking their wounds after another beatdown at the hands of the Tide. That may be the deciding factor on how large a margin of victory the Trojans will have in this one.
Oct. 31. 11. player. Pick Analysis. Los Angeles (Calif.). Colorado Buffaloes. 857. Scouting Report
It seems like the 2016 season was an eternity ago for Colorado fans. The Buffaloes were 10-2 and playing in the Pac 12 Championship Game and enjoying their most successful campaign in quite some time. Since that magical season, the Buffaloes have managed to post one 6-6 season and back-to-back 5-7 seasons.
What is even more interesting about Colorado this season is that they will be on their third head coach in as many seasons. Mike McIntyre was fired after the 2018 season and Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker was brought in. After the Michigan State job surprisingly came open this spring, Tucker bolted for East Lansing.
Colorado has brought in former UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell to lead the program. This seems like an odd hire, but Dorrell had moderate success at UCLA and did post a 10-2 season in 2005 and he is well regarded in coaching circles and was the Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach and was going to be assistant head coach before accepting the Colorado job offer.
The 2020 season will be a rough one for Dorrell and USC should roll in this one.