2016 record: 10-3, 7-2 Pac-12
Coach: Clay Helton (third year)
Sked or alive? As mentioned in the Washington comments … no Washington. But getting through September unscathed won’t be easy with Stanford and Texas on tap after Western Michigan (although all are at home). At Arizona State on Oct. 28 has trap potential on the heels of Notre Dame week.
Why they’re here: USC has the Heisman favorite in QB Sam Darnold, an uber-talented back eight on defense and momentum from the Rose Bowl comeback, which capped a nine-game win streak. But the Trojans haven’t handled great expectations well of late, and issues on both lines could hold them back.
