College Football Playoff: USC can absolutely jump into things this season
By Keith Rivas
USC has every right to have its eyes on the College Football Playoff this season.
A lot of attention this college football season will be on USC quarterback Sam Darnold and whether not he can perform. As seen in the preseason rankings, the Trojans stack up as the fourth best squad in the collegiate game as of right now.
Getting off to a good start is the key for USC to crash the college football playoff. Usual suspects such as Clemson and Alabama could be in for a rude awakening from Southern California.
Opening up the season versus Western Michigan, Darnold and company have to careful not to fall as a victim of an upset in the early goings. Third ranked Florida State clashes with first ranked Alabama in the first week, so either way, the Trojans have an immediate chance to make up ground if they beat WMU.
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Where USC is really going to have to make it work is the final four games of the year. Two home games and two road games featuring division opponents Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado, and then the grand finale versus UCLA.
If the Trojans can prove themselves before these games, that’s one thing. However, it’s just as important, if not moreso, for them to finish strong and on a good note than anything else.
Especially when you consider the fact that Josh Rosen could be a huge question mark for the Bruins, and playing them in the final regular season game is a chance for Darnold to officially leave his mark as the better quarterback in town.
Once they’re in the College Football Playoff, it’ll start to feel much more like a free for all. Anything goes at that point, and that’s because more is on the line than before.
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If the Trojans were going to have a breakthrough season to be a legitimate challenger to Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, and any other top teams, now is the time.