Will USC Win the Pac-12 South in 2015?

Nov 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian (left) shakes hands with quarterback Cody Kessler (6) after the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 USC football season will mark the fifth time that the Trojans have competed in the revamped Pac-12. And despite originally being touted as a regular in the Pac-12 Championship Game, they have yet to get an invite to the conference’s holy grail by way of winning the Pac-12 South.RELATED: Top 50 Trojans of the Last 50 Years

The Trojans will try to change that this year, returning Heisman Trophy candidate Cody Kessler, along with the likes of Su’a Cravens and Adoree’ Jackson. But can they over come a brutal conference schedule that sees them travel to Arizona State and Oregon?

Our staff at Reign of Troy offered some Pac-12 South predictions, expanding on our game by game predictions, which were posted on Tuesday. Here’s what we had to say:

Who wins the South?

Alicia de Artola: USC

Michael Castillo: UCLAThis is a perfect storm season for the Bruins. They have not only a much better roster than last year, but a significantly easier schedule, all while being doubted by the media and having virtually no offseason hype out of fear of backing a freshman quarterback. That, plus USC’s key loss of Leonard Williams and a tough schedule make the Bruins the safer pick to win the division since we don’t know how the Trojans will respond to hype. Don’t discredit Arizona or ASU either, with the Cats finally having a returning quarterback for Rich Rod and ASU getting every tough game but UCLA at home.

Max Meyer: USCUSC, but via tiebreaker. I don’t think any Pac-12 South team wins more than nine games. USC’s schedule is really tough, but the Trojans have the most talent and should make its first appearance in the Pac-12 Championship game.

Nick Cox: USC

Nick Conley: USC

Dustin Jacobs: USC

Who will win the Pac-12 South in 2015?

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