USC Football: Way-too-Early Game-by-Game Predictions for 2022

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Lincoln Riley gives quarterback Caleb Williams #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners some feedback after his 74-yard touchdown run against the Iowa State Cyclones in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners won 28-21. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Sept 3. player. 2404. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1. Los Angeles, CA. Rice Owls

To open up the Lincoln Riley era at USC, the Trojans will be welcoming the Rice Owls to Southern California. The Owls have had some success in recent years as a program after being towards the bottom of Conference USA. However, it is hard to see the Trojans not wanting to run up the score on Rice and make their presence known in week one. Look for USC to score early and often in this one and for this game to be wrapped up by halftime.

Final Score: USC 63, Rice 13 (1-0)

player. Pick Analysis. Sept 10. Stanford Cardinal. 2. 871. Scouting Report. Stanford, CA

The first PAC-12 game under Riley will be against one of USC’s main rivals. Stanford and USC usually play at the start of each season and this year will be no different. The Trojans will be looking to start PAC-12 play off on the right foot and make an early-season impression.

USC entered last year’s game against the Cardinal as big favorites, but Stanford was unstoppable on offense and eventually blew out USC. The Trojans are going to remember that game and go on the road and return the favor to Stanford.

Final Score: USC 42, Stanford 17 (2-0, 1-0 PAC-12)

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