As a longtime college football analyst who's been covering the Pac-12 conference for over a decade, I've learned that preseason predictions often get completely rewritten by unexpected developments. When I first sat down to map out USC's 2019 football schedule, I anticipated analyzing quarterback battles and defensive schemes. But then news broke about Kat Tolentino's emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, sidelining her indefinitely, and it reminded me how quickly a team's fortunes can change due to factors beyond the playbook. That Flying Titans offense situation got me thinking about USC's own vulnerabilities and how injuries could reshape their entire season trajectory.
Looking at USC's 2019 schedule, what strikes me most is the brutal opening stretch. They face Fresno State on August 31st, then travel to Stanford just one week later. Personally, I think that Stanford game will tell us everything we need to know about this Trojan team. The Cardinal have dominated this rivalry recently, winning 3 of the last 4 meetings, and Stanford's physical style has often overwhelmed USC's finesse approach. If the Trojans can't establish their running game early against that formidable Stanford front seven, we might be looking at another long season for Clay Helton's squad. I'm particularly concerned about USC's offensive line depth - they're only returning two starters from last year's unit that allowed 29 sacks.
The September 21st showdown against Utah stands out as what I'd call a season-defining game. Utah returns 14 starters from last year's team that finished 9-5, including quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss. What worries me is how USC's relatively inexperienced secondary will handle Utah's play-action passing game. I've watched Huntley develop over three seasons, and when he's protected, he can pick apart defenses with precision. USC's young cornerbacks will need to grow up fast - I'm looking specifically at sophomore Isaac Taylor-Stuart, who showed flashes of brilliance last season but struggled with consistency. If Taylor-Stuart can elevate his game, USC might just pull off what I predict will be a 31-28 victory in a back-and-forth thriller.
October brings what I consider the most challenging stretch of USC's schedule. They face Washington on October 12th, followed by a road trip to Notre Dame on October 19th. The Washington game particularly concerns me because the Huskies return 78% of their defensive production from last season. USC's offense, which averaged 26.1 points per game last year, will need to find creative ways to move the ball against what I believe is the best defense in the Pac-12. Then comes Notre Dame - a rivalry game that always brings extra intensity. Having covered this matchup since 2012, I've seen how the Irish's physical brand of football can overwhelm USC. The Trojans have lost 4 of their last 5 meetings against Notre Dame, and unless they can establish dominance in the trenches, this trend might continue.
November features what could be the most entertaining game of USC's season - the November 2nd matchup against Oregon. I'll be honest, this is the game I'm most looking forward to covering. Oregon's quarterback Justin Herbert, a potential first-round NFL draft pick, will test USC's defense in ways few other quarterbacks can. Having watched Herbert dismantle defenses with his arm strength and decision-making, I'm concerned about USC's ability to generate consistent pressure. The Trojans recorded only 28 sacks last season, ranking 9th in the Pac-12, and they'll need to improve those numbers significantly to contain Herbert's explosive passing attack. My prediction? Oregon wins 38-31 in what becomes an offensive showcase.
The regular season concludes with the annual rivalry game against UCLA on November 23rd. This matchup has lost some of its luster in recent years with both programs struggling, but as someone who's attended this game every season since 2008, I can tell you the intensity never diminishes. UCLA's Chip Kelly will have had a full season to implement his system, and by November, the Bruins could be significantly more dangerous than their preseason projections suggest. USC's ability to handle UCLA's up-tempo offense will likely determine the outcome. I'm predicting a 34-27 USC victory, but this game makes me nervous because rivalry games often defy logic and statistics.
What strikes me about analyzing this schedule is how much depends on USC's ability to stay healthy - something that brings me back to that Kat Tolentino situation I mentioned earlier. The Flying Titans learned how quickly a key absence can derail an entire offensive system, and USC faces similar vulnerabilities, particularly at quarterback. With JT Daniels entering his second season as starter, his development will be crucial, but if he goes down with injury, the Trojans don't have proven depth behind him. Having watched USC struggle through injury-plagued seasons before, I'm concerned their lack of depth at certain positions could undermine what otherwise looks like a promising roster.
When I step back and look at the full picture of USC's 2019 schedule, I see a team facing what I'd rate as the third-toughest schedule in the Pac-12. The combination of early tests against Stanford and Utah, followed by that brutal October stretch, will either forge this team into a contender or expose its weaknesses. My overall prediction is an 8-4 regular season, with losses to Stanford, Washington, Oregon, and Notre Dame. But what makes college football so compelling is its unpredictability - much like that unexpected appendix surgery that reshaped the Flying Titans' season, USC's fortunes could change with one play, one injury, or one breakout performance from an unexpected contributor.