September 2nd at Hawaii: A complete blowout for the Trojans, something along the lines of the 56-3 win against San Jose State last year. This game enables a 13th game for the Trojans.
September 11th vs. Virginia: A repeat of the 2008 game, in which USC crushed the Cavs 52-7. Mark Sanchez helped quell any concerns in the 08 game; can Barkley show he can step up from his so-so performance last year? In this scenario, it happens as Barkley throws 4 TDs and USC rolls.
The one good UVA player in the last 5 years.
September 18th at Minnesota: Minnesota as a pretty good offense, but no defense. The offense of USC puts up 30+, and Minnesota can only muster 10 in another blowout for the Trojans.
Sucks he's in the NFL now.
September 25th at Washington State: Unlike last year, where a decently close game helped bring up the potential of the Trojan empire falling, USC puts together a performance that Coug fans are all too used too from 2008, where they were outscored by 236 in conference play. 56-0 SC.
This picture honestly creeps me out.
October 2nd vs. Washington: A suspect secondary shows signs of life against the Huskies, holding Locker in relative check (Locker still does his damage). The front 7 dominates Polk and the UW offensive line, and the Huskies only put up 20 points. Bradford runs over the UW front 7, and Barkley manages the game effectively in a 31-20 win that exorcises the demons from last year.
None of this this time, fellas.
October 9th at Stanford: “What’s your deal?” USC gets the perfect revenge over last year, as Kiffin does the same to Harbaugh as Harbaugh did to Carroll, going for 2 late in a blowout win. Taylor is no Gerhart, and the 2 missing offensive linemen prove crucial to the loss. Luck shows up like big game Luck. The Stanford defense gets plowed through in a 50 (48+2 point conversion)-13 crusher.
SO AWESOME
October 16th: vs. California: Barkley has his way with a still struggling Cal secondary, but an improve rush defense and special teams unit keeps it from being the blowout it was last year. A late Cal turnover and USC turnover gives the 28-14 final, another triumph for the Trojans to get them to 7-0. They now rank #3 in the latest poll.
Why do I do this to myself?
October 30th vs. Oregon: With a bye to prepare, the Trojans aren’t befuddled by the Duck offense like they were last year. But they do have a solid passer in Nate Costa under center, who is able to do damage to the USC defense, which has been a brick wall all year long. LaMichael James is able to get his yards, and an experienced Oregon defense does just enough. In a 3 OT thriller, James runs it in for the TD and the 2 point conversion. Barkley answers with a touchdown of his own, but Bradford comes up an inch short on the 2 point conversion. It’s labeled “The Game of the Century.” Pollsters respect the Trojans effort, as they only fall to #7.
Just replace Nebraska and Oklahoma with Oregon and USC
November 6th vs. Arizona State: USC responds from their first loss of the year by shellacking the quarterbackless Sun Devils. ASU can’t score a point, and Barkley has a field day against the suspect Sun Devil secondary. Backups play the whole 4th quarter.
This guy's not very good. Honestly. Or at least he wasn't at Michigan.
November 13th at Arizona: Many call for an upset in Tuscon, as the Trojans can’t do this well this late in the season with so few scholarship players and with sanctions on them. Those who call for that are proved wrong, as the Trojans get to quarterback Nick Foles before he can expose the only “weakness” of the USC defense, the secondary. The defensive line records 5.5 sacks, and the linebackers add 1.5 of their own. The front 7 doesn’t allow Grigsby any room, and the Wildcats can’t muster more than 10 points. Bradford runs clear through a front 7 returning 2 starters, and the Trojans roll.
This happens a lot to him against the Trojans, at least in this awful USC winning filled world
November 20th at Oregon State: “Okay,” analysts say. “This where Troy falls.” Given the fact the Beavs seemingly always beat USC, it’s a worthwhile prediction. And for 3 quarters, those analysts seem right. A 14-7 lead led by 2 Rodgers’ touchdowns and the USC offense sucking majorly leads to a deficit that could be more. But Barkley finds Johnson deep. Then he finds Butler for another touchdown. Then Bradford scores a rushing touchdown. A 21-6 run in the 4th gives SC the 28-20 lead and even more respect from the pollsters. Their record runs to 10-1. Notre Dame lurks.
OSU finally loses to USC in Corvallis.
November 27th vs. Notre Dame: For the 3rd straight week, analysts pick against USC. But this time, it’s only Lou Holtz. Everybody else is sold on the Trojans. And they prove it in LA. They run roughshod over their rival, and they just cannot be contained. It’s a statement win, but against a Notre Dame team that will miss a bowl (Yes, it’s that best case for USC).
Sorry, forgot; this never actually happened
December 4th at UCLA: At 5-6, UCLA needs a win to make a bowl. Consider it denied. Prince throws 4 picks, the UCLA running game never gets started, and Bradford runs for 140 yards on UCLA. Lane Kiffin doesn’t throw a run it up touchdown this time, and Slick Rick doesn’t call a timeout. They hand shake at center field, and USC is applauded for their class in going 12-1. The NCAA is vilified for not letting USC go to postseason play.
Postseason: Alabama wins the national title, showing a program can recover from sanctions. USC is #2 in the country. Despite the scholarship reductions, the recruiting class still ranks in the Top 20.
This was painful to write, apart from the Furd and ND predictions. Oh well. Let’s hope this never happens!
In which I tell you the future, here is the second part of this post on how USC’s season could shape out. Coming off a painful best case scenario where I had to write about them winning, now I get to talk about their worst case scenario. Normally, I would give you a short little overview, but I did that already. THE CONTENT:
September 2nd at Hawaii: A blowout is expected. Instead, Hawaii’s pass attack nearly pulls off the upset. With no returning starters in the secondary, the Trojans are ripped to shreds to the tune of 28 points allowed. But the bad Hawaii defense can’t keep up, and a late SC field goal gives them a 31-28 escape.
It's like this guy came back!
September 11th vs. Virginia: Virginia should be outmatched, but somehow they are able to stop the USC offense. They still can’t score, but the game comes down to the wire. Cavaliers just don’t have the horses, and they fall 13-7. An unimpressive 2-0 for the Trojans.
How do you give up a TD to Virginia?
September 18th at Minnesota: Minnesota’s potent passing attack and the 5 returning starters on the offensive line give the Gophers points, and a defense with only 2 returning starters (but both safeties) is able to prevent the big play. Minnesota’s home field advantage plays a part, as a rattled Barkley throws a late pick to sink the Trojans, 27-21.
He held on.
September 25th at Washington State: USC is good enough to win this game, but it comes at a price. Bradford injures his shoulder, and the running game falters. Barkley carries the load in a 27-10 win.
October 2nd vs. Washington: Barkley was hurt coming into last year’s game, and gets hurt…but this time it’s in the actual game. Barkley is hit in the first quarter and doesn’t get up, leading Mitch Mustain to get his chance. He throws 3 picks, and the backups don’t do the job at tailback. Meanwhile, Locker rips up the secondary with little experience from last year. USC falls, 31-13.
Another USC-UW, another upset.
October 9th at Stanford: “What’s your deal?” Part 2 ensues. Stanford simply outphysicals the Trojans, and with the transfer their depth fails them. It doesn’t help that Bradford and Barkley are still out. Stanford rolls, but doesn’t score as many points as they did last year. 45-17 is the embarrassing result. 3-3 is a clear sign that this isn’t the same USC we remember.
This hurts me just as much as it hurts you, USC fans.
October 16th: vs. California: Another game, another loss. Cal’s defense remembers last year’s embarrassment, and avenges it with a dominating performance. Kevin Riley redeems himself from last year, and the wounded Trojans just quit late. Lane Kiffin’s season starts 3-4 and loses 17-3 to the Golden Bears.
I like this.
October 30th vs. Oregon: The 3-4 Trojans are now fully healthy, with a bye week to heal up. For a quarter, it looks like this team is ready to turn it around. USC comes out inspired at home, and takes a 10-0 lead before 15 minutes is up. But to start the second, the Trojans muff a punt and Oregon recovers it and runs it for a touchdown. A interception and run back brings it to 14-10, and the Ducks don’t look back onroute to a 34-16 victory. 3-5 is the new mark for USC.
LOL.
November 6th vs. Arizona State: This USC team is still very talented. And they show it against the Sun Devils. Despite Bradford being shut down by Burfict and the ASU defense, Barkley does just enough to get points. The ASU offense is still awful, and USC escapes 17-6.
November 13th at Arizona: USC still has life. Sure, they do have an awful 4-5 record, but they are still a team loaded with touted recruits. And for one Saturday, Barkley looks like Carson Palmer. Bradford looks like Lendale White, and CJ Gable does a passable Reggie Bush. It is against a porous rush defense, but USC still gets a much needed W, 31-24.
November 20th at Oregon State: It’s the Rodgers’ show. Jacquizz rushes for 160, James receives for 50, and the Beavers run wild on the Trojans. Another date in Corvallis, another Trojan defeat. 31-21 is the final.
November 27th vs. Notre Dame: Fighting Irish haven’t shown much fight all year, and it shows. Sure, Dayne Crist can pass, but the run game never gets untracked. It doesn’t help that this is still a defense that is awful. Sure, it’s a rivalry between two struggling team, but USC gets the better of Notre Dame 16-10. Trojans are now a bowl-eligible 6-6, if they were actually able to make one.
December 4th at UCLA: UCLA has had a breakthrough season. They’re not Rose Bowl bound, but they’re in the upper echelon. And UCLA shows it against the 3-5 Pac-10 play Trojans, destroying them in front of the LA crowd. Many recruits are in attendance, and UCLA gets a flurry of commits. Meanwhile, USC can’t even fill the limited scholarships they have. UCLA takes control of LA, 35-10.
Postseason: As mentioned earlier, USC can’t fill their limited allotment of schollies. Bowl ban is extended for yet another year.
This was so much fun.
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