USC football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) rushes for a touchdown in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 29, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; USC Trojans linebacker Shane Lee (53) sacks Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura (7) during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

A third straight Pac-12 team facing a major rebuild awaits at the end of September as USC will play its second straight road game.

Deion Sanders has taken over the Colorado football program after a nightmarish era of Karl Dorrell and a 1-11 season in 2022. He has a big rebuild ahead of him, but unlike the previous two opponents facing a rebuild, he has brought in some elite talent from the portal and 2023 recruiting class that will have an immediate positive impact.

This game will be much closer than people think.

Prediction: Win (5-0, 3-0)

Arizona was one of the most improved teams in the Pac-12 last season, going from laughingstock to 5-7 with Jedd Fisch at the helm. It’s clear that he has the Wildcats trending back in the right direction.

But if anyone expects Fisch to go from 1-11 in his first season to beating playoff-contending USC on the road in his third season, they need to get a hefty dose of reality. Arizona is more competitive, but this game is going to be all USC.

Prediction: Win (6-0, 4-0)

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