Arizona State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. USC in season opener

Arizona State football is traveling to USC to face the ranked Trojans in the season opener with a chance to make some noise.

It’s that time again, folks. Pac-12 football is back and the season kicks off with an intriguing matchup that pins No. 20 USC against a talented Arizona State team.

We get why USC is ranked because AP voters always seem to love the Trojans based on talent alone despite having mediocre coaching, but why the heck isn’t Arizona State in the Top 25? With Jayden Daniels returning and an incredibly young but electric receiving corps and solid defense, this team could be a dark-horse contender in the Pac-12.

On Saturday afternoon, we’ll find out just how prepared Arizona State is to contend for a conference title this season.

Here’s what I think will happen.

3. Chip Trayanum rushes for 100 yards

Eno Benjamin is gone and Arizona State is looking for answers at the running back position.

Rachaad White transferred in as a three-star JUCO prospect, ranked the No. 50 player in that level for the 2020 class, and four-star Chip Trayanum is projected to split carries. The starting running back spot is listed as an ‘OR’ between both of those guys but I just see the younger player getting the bulk of the carries and reaching that century mark.

I could also see White having a breakout game with a little more experience under his belt but Trayanum has a higher ceiling and he’s built like a truck at 5-foot-11 and 230 pounds.

Trayanum is going to make a name for himself as USC’s defense will have a nightmarish afternoon trying to slow the freshman back from Ohio. He’s going to take control of the backfield on Saturday afternoon with a big opening game.