USC Football Has Reason To Look Forward After Back-To-Back Wins

USC football’s back-to-back victories over ASU and Colorado are impressive, but unfortunately not all remaining games will be played at the Coliseum.

Finally you can see this year’s USC team playing a winning brand of football.

It was evident against Colorado as the offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and a very aggressive defense played with heart and emotion.

And yes, a young quarterback in Sam Darnold, who is much better than advertised and appears to bring more to the party than just mobility, showed his quality even as he struggled.

Darnold’s ability to quickly analyze the defense and then release the rock is quite impressive. There is no hesitation in his game, whether launching it or tucking it to run.

The offense has a definite flow with Darnold under center and the results are very good so far. You can see the “after hours” work he and JuJu Smith-Schuster have put in. He’s not afraid to target tight windows, something that may result in an interception or two, but the reward far exceeds the risk, usually.

Look at the throw he made to Darreus Rogers in the second half of the Colorado game. The big grab by Rogers converted the third down on the go-ahead drive of the game but that ball could have easily been intercepted. You have to give the athletic USC receivers a chance to go up and  get the rock and make a play on the ball. Darnold understands this almost instinctively at times.

The defensive secondary played a very solid game against the Buffaloes. Adoree’ Jackson’s pick was simply sensational. Big plays and trick plays will happen, it’s part of the game. The Trojans just need more of them than their opponents if they want the victory.

JuJu Smith-Schuster made one of the smartest plays of the decade this Saturday. His decision to down the ball on his way to a probable TD was brilliant and if you don’t think so watch the end of the Texas A&M-Tennessee game.  Talk about synchronous events in a football game.

While the second half of the Colorado game was closer than it should have been, the team didn’t fold or lose on a last-minute play.

The offense continued to call the plays that gave them the lead in the first place and gained over 530 yards. The defense turned up the second half pressure instead of that “flex” strategy used in past games. Those steps are all encouraging and trending in the right direction.

Thinking about what this year would have been or could have been if “this team” had started the season is fair but won’t change anything. The game has to be played with passion and emotion then focused with leadership. This team now has “it” for whatever reason and has found its new identity.

How many more wins are they now capable of? There are six games left on the schedule with a chance for a couple more games if things go well.

There are no more Alabama’s on this year’s schedule, that’s the good news. But there are a couple of road games that should get your attention, including Saturday’s trip to Arizona.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

In particular, the game in Seattle against Washington will be a serious test as to just how far this year’s team has improved.

Like most Top 5 teams, the Huskies play smash-mouth football with an explosive offense. Look how they demolished the other private school in the Pac-12, Stanford, and then crushed the Ducks. USC better bring their A game on that November night or they will get embarrassed.

If the Trojans keep racking up the wins, especially against Pac-12 South teams, and Utah loses a couple more times then presto a conference title game might be on the horizon.

Either way looks like the Pac-12 Championship and a Gucci bowl game birth will go through the Huskies this year. Time to circle November 12th on the Trojan calendar.