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

Sitting at 10-0 and just needing ti get through the final two games unscathed to basically lock up Lincoln Riley’s first playoff berth since coaching at Oklahoma, USC will get the unfortunate task of heading to Autzen Stadium to face a potentially-elite Oregon team.

Bo Nix is back, Dan Lanning is the real deal, and Autzen is borderline impossible to win in when Oregon is good.

USC takes home its first loss in heartbreaking fashion.

Prediction: Loss (10-1, 7-1)

A week after losing its first game and nearly having its playoff hopes smashed, USC must come back home to host crosstown rival UCLA for all the marbles.

A win could get the Trojans into the playoff and the Pac-12 title game and a loss might just eliminate them from both. That’s how quickly a season can change after a 10-0 start.

But without Dorian Thompson-Robinson who seemed to thrive in this rivalry game, I think USC has a distinct advantage.

Chip Kelly’s team will put up a valiant fight, but in the end, it’ll be USC keeping the bragging rights and earning a Pac-12 title berth.

Prediction: Win (11-1, 8-1)