College Football Rankings 2020: Projected AP Top 25 for Week 11
By Zach Bigalke
1-0. USC Trojans. 20. Pick Analysis. won 28-27 vs. Arizona State. player. 808. Scouting Report
USC pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback at the Coliseum to win their season opener 28-27 against Arizona State. The win validated voters that had locked the Trojans into the top 20 of the AP Top 25 before Clay Helton’s team even played a snap this season, and ensured that USC will be the team to beat moving forward in the Pac-12 South race.
Kedon Slovis had a hot-and-cold day, throwing for 381 yards and two touchdowns on 40-of-55 passing while also losing an interception. The Trojans backfield put in a strong committee effort, with Vavae Malepeai leading the way with 60 yards on eight carries. Stephen Carr notched 45 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Markese Stepp added 53 yards and a score. USC’s defense largely contained Jayden Daniels and prevented the Arizona State quarterback from exhibiting his explosiveness as he finished with 134 passing yards and 111 rushing yards.
With perhaps their toughest test of the regular season now in the rearview mirror, USC turns its attention to a Week 11 road trip to Tucson to square off against Arizona. They remain on the road the following week to take on Utah in Salt Lake City. As long as they get past that hurdle, the Trojans have the inside track to take the South’s spot in the Pac-12 championship game.