Trojans will be difficult to evaluate in 2024

USC received an unpleasant reception in the Big 10

USC’s first season as a member of the Big Ten was an arduous and bumpy journey.

Entering the final week of the season, the Trojans had five conference losses. The toughest stretch for Lincoln Riley during his third year in Los Angeles was a three-game stretch that saw USC lose away games to Minnesota and Maryland, with a home loss to Penn State in between.

USC found out the hard way that a Big Ten schedule is much more difficult week to week than old Pac-12 schedules. Add in harsh travel and late-season weather conditions the Trojans aren’t accustomed to and you have a first-year beast in a new conference.

Two of college football’s most storied programs renew their rivalry Saturday when Notre Dame and USC face off.

First meeting: 1926

Series record: Notre Dame 49-37-5

Notre Dame visits the Coliseum as a 7.5-point favorite. Who will win this year’s battle and what will the score be? pic.twitter.com/AFIqTbhcrE

– College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) November 26, 2024

USC’s five-game losing record is nuanced

While no one within the USC program is happy or satisfied with a five-loss season, there are some interesting details to consider that make the Trojans a difficult team to read. In true Hollywood fashion, reality is sometimes difficult to decipher.

Of USC’s five losses, the Trojans led in the fourth quarter in every game. On top of that, every game was ultimately decided by one possession. This indicates that USC frequently ran out of gas and could not finish games. But it also indicates that USC was good enough to be in every game with a chance to win it late.

Irish fans are certainly hoping that Notre Dame can be the team to hand its arch-rival a sixth loss and do it by more than one score. That being said, USC teams still have talent and won’t be a pushover. The Irish will have to deserve this victory, it will not be given to them.

For more Irish news and notes, follow John on Twitter @alwaysirishINC, Always Irish on Youtube and/or your favorite audio podcast provider.

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