Will history repeat for USC? In 2025

USC opened this season against two cupcakes. Scoring 135 points and surrendering 33.

they then went into Purdue. 9/20 road game against perhaps the conferences worst opponent.  and had a competitive game  until a late interception return of about 75 yards by a fat defensive tackle sealed a 33–17 victory

the Trojans came home the next week to an equally unimpressive two touchdown victory versus a struggling Michigan State Spartan team   while four and oh those two big 10 games showed us that the Trojans were not back to being a top 10 team and portended their subsequent road loss to number 23 ranked Illinois

they would go on to lose to top five teams Notre Dame, and Oregon essentially beating the teams on their schedule they should beat and losing to ranked opponents  other than number 15 Michigan

fast forward to 2026  the Trojans have had comfortable victories versus Louisiana Fresno State and San Jose State  once again, they’ve scored about 130 points  once again, they opened their Big Ten schedule on the road against a conference, doormat

I don’t see the Trojans losing this game, but I do think we can learn a lot from the experience today  if this game still has starters on the field in the fourth quarter  if this game is still a 10 point game with 15 minutes, left  if this is not a convincing physical blowout of three touchdowns or more, I think that we can draw many of the same fears and parallels to the Purdue game last year

more than the offense I think we are all curious how the defense will hold up. I am cautiously optimistic. I believe we are looking at a 38 to 17 maybe 45–17 victory. I think anything over 40 is a victory for the offense, and I think anything under 15 is a victory for the defense

I have not been impressed with the Trojan running game so far nor the play of their safeties. I am hoping the defensive line gets pressure and seals off the run and I am hoping the offensive line can impose their Will and we can see a running game with two or three explosive plays

we shall see how it turns out