According to this article, USC should be a power, the CFP, whatever format, should be a part of USC's schedule. But that's always been the case, hasn't it?

USC valued at $1.4 billion as Trojans tap into Big Ten money and L.A. market | Sporting News

LOL......USC right now is like a helium filled balloon all set to explode.......unfortunately it has a Lincoln Riley anchor tied to it. The Riley anchor is historically one of the most dense, heavy and deceptive anchors ever created in college football. So.....other programs will continue to enjoy a 10 point per game handicap advantage for at least another year or two or three until the folks with the wallets figure out they have been robbed....again. Fool me once shame on you....fool me twice shame on me.

The next headline should be that because of USC’s new football valuation inflating values in South Central LA, the area has become a hot bed for crime and homeless issues.

Oh wait, that isn’t anything new.

Their toughest games this season are in South Bend, Lincoln and Eugene. If they can win one of those and beat Michigan at home, they could probably be a playoff team. They have a lot of talent, but their success will depend heavily on the play of their QB Maiava. I think OBD are in the same boat with two pretty difficult away games (PSU, Iowa) and a new QB and OL.

USC lost a TON of experienced players to the portal, (Our Beloved Ducks have two of them) and at crucial moments--that lack of experience will hurt them in 2025, IMHO.

He is their Mark Helfrich; a great OC and

QB Coach, but he is not a leader...

Until I see a Riley led U$C team that doesn't bumble, stumble, fumble, crumble and get humbled, I will be hard pressed to believe they can rumble.

1 hour ago, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

Their toughest games this season are in South Bend, Lincoln and Eugene

If the Trojans have a tough game in Lincoln, they aren't ready to rumble.

Riley’s lack of CEO-type leadership gifts and skills didn’t surface in Norman where he was shored-up by a focus and faith in Sooner football that never seems to waiver. In LA, those shortcomings are all too apparent.

4 hours ago, 30Duck said:

If the Trojans have a tough game in Lincoln, they aren't ready to rumble.

USC will be coming off a bye week, but Nebraska will be their second road game in a row after going to South Bend. USC will be Nebraska’s second home game in a row after playing Northwestern the week prior. Nebraska has a better QB situation and they’re playing a blue blood at home in front of their fans. They’re also playing November 1st so weather might favor them as well.

USC has more talent and I think they will win, but they do have some factors working against them.

7 hours ago, 30Duck said:

According to this article, USC should be a power, the CFP, whatever format, should be a part of USC's schedule. But that's always been the case, hasn't it?

USC valued at $1.4 billion as Trojans tap into Big Ten money and L.A. market | Sporting News

Thanks, 30. The valuation of a team's worth included a separate valuation for football revenue.

One B1G problem is that the folks who put this together included the 2023 COVID season, a season when the B1G only played six games. Thus, the revenue numbers for football are skewed in favor of the SEC.

An interesting exercise by amateurs and not by a private equity group.

3 hours ago, Washington Waddler said:

Riley’s lack of CEO-type leadership gifts and skills didn’t surface in Norman where he was shored-up by a focus and faith in Sooner football that never seems to waiver. In LA, those shortcomings are all too apparent.

Great point. Riley was also shored up by having one of two Blue Chip rosters in the B12, and Texas not having its Sierra together.

On the other hand, and I don't like giving Riley another hand, last season USC went 1-5 in one-score games. Conversely, 10-win Illinois went 5-1 in one-score games. I think SC has a good shot at going 9-3 this season and possibly 10-2.

Michigan, Michigan State, and Iowa play SC in LA. SC is odds-on to lose in South Bend and Eugene, but has a shot of winning road games at Illinois and Nebraska.

SC will be odds-on to win games vs. Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, and UCLA. SC was 4-2 at home last season, with a loss in OT to Penn State and two late in the 4th quarter 90+ yards pick-sixes versus Notre Dame. SC put up more yards against Notre Dame in 2024 than any other Irish opponent.

The bowl win over an A&M team that had a 17-point lead late in the 3rd quarter was a terrific comeback victory that will help with QB Jayden Maiava's confidence coming into 2025. Last season, Riley too often went away from a very good run game, but did not do so versus A&M.

In 2025, SC plays three teams: Michigan, Notre Dame, and OBD, with rosters equal to or better than the Trojans Blue Chip roster.

In the penultimate game in the 2025 regular season, SC could be coming into Eugene in contention for a PO spot.