USC Football: Is 2021 the year the Trojans play up to their talent level?

If you just looked at the talent on the roster and nothing else, then you would think that USC football would be a no-doubt top-10 team, the favorite in the Pac-12, and a possible contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff. That hasn’t been the case, however.

The thing that is holding the Trojans back is the uncertainty of Clay Helton being able to lead the team to where they want to get and until he proves he’s the guy for the job, USC is going to be looked at as an 8-9 win team at most.

This is the perfect year for Helton to prove his many doubters wrong.

The Trojans are losing some key contributors from last year’s team, but this is a really talented squad that’s still mad over a really poor performance in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon that ruined their chance for a perfect season and a shot in a New Year’s Six bowl, which would have been a big deal for this program.

With a schedule that does not include games against Oregon and Washington, USC needs to take advantage and have a big season that gives Helton more job security.

The biggest question from a personnel perspective for the Trojans is the health of quarterback and Heisman hopeful Kedon Slovis. He did not look right for most of last season with a shoulder issue and had some issues in the spring game that have some nervous about his future.

For USC to achieve what they want this season, they need Slovis to be at full strength and play how he was playing in 2019. If Slovis is good to go, the Trojans could be in for a big season.