USC Football: 3 Takeaways from Pac-12 Championship loss to Oregon

2. Another slow start dooms the Trojans

USC has been notorious for slow starts this season and the Pac-12 championship proved to be no different except this time, USC could not overcome the double-digit deficit and the Ducks held on to the lead.

Kedon Slovis put USC in a hole early by tossing two interceptions in the first quarter and putting the Ducks in favorable field position to get the early lead.

USC’s defense did not play bad when you consider the circumstances, but they could not make any plays to swing the momentum in favor of the Trojans.

USC might be an exciting team, but they won’t be considered a championship contender if they can’t start faster and make so many mistakes. This has been another bad staple of the Clay Helton era and I would not look for it to improve as long as he is the Trojans head coach.