Oregon and Notre Dame will be USC's most important games
ESPN analytics are predicting the Trojans to have a 21% chance to make the playoff and a 4% chance to win it all. These are fair projections placed on the Trojans after last season's disappointing finish. Even with an improved roster, the Trojans will still have to prove this year's team is different.
Here are ESPN writer Heather Dinich's thoughts on what matchups will be the most important games for the Trojans this season:
"USC is a borderline at-large CFP team that's going to have two tough road trips to rival Notre Dame and Oregon. If those are the Ducks' only two losses, it's hard to imagine the committee excluding the Trojans, but right now USC has much to prove after last year's 7-6 finish."
Dinich believes that Oregon will be USC's toughest matchup this season, a game that will greatly affect the Trojans' level of success this year.
"Nov. 22 at Oregon," Dinich wrote. "This earned a small edge over the game in South Bend simply because of the Big Ten implications. Both Oregon and USC should be looking up at Ohio State and Penn State in the league standings, but the Ducks will be looking to protect their shot at returning to the Big Ten title game, and Autzen Stadium will be unforgiving."
The Trojans have a better shot at making the College Football Playoff if they can take out the Oregon Ducks, because at the end of the season it could come down to them or the Ducks for the last playoff spot. The Big Ten is a loaded conference, so the Trojans have to make their case in the games versus Oregon and Notre Dame.
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