USC Football Roundup: Toughest three-game stretches (6/5)

ESPN looks at the toughest three-game stretches in 2018 while Tyron Smith gets some NFL ranking love. Here’s the USC football roundup for June 5.

Who has the toughest three-game stretch in 2018? ESPN’s Chris Low gives that unfortunate honor to Oregon State, with a killer November slate featuring road trips to Stanford and Washington followed by a Friday night rivalry game with Oregon.

The Beavers may boast the most difficult stretch, but they’re not the only Pac-12 school to make the 10 toughest trios of games. Cal checked in at No. 8 having to battle Washington, Washington State and USC in consecutive weeks.

The Trojans also make an appearance at No. 9. USC’s opening month is certainly a challenge, including back-to-back road games against Stanford and Texas, then a Friday Coliseum contest versus Washington State.

If ESPN was thinking about four-game stretches, it only gets worse for the Trojans who will head back on the road to end September with a pivotal Pac-12 South tilt against Arizona.

Three road games in four weeks is tough enough without those three opponents being among the toughest USC will face all season.

Tyron Smith recognized

NFL Network’s rundown of the Top 100 Players in the pros this offseason has Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith at No. 39.

That’s the fifth-straight appearance for the former Trojan lineman. He’s the second Projan to make the cut, with Titans’ defensive lineman Jurrell Casey at No. 66.

Meanwhile, Smith also earned a mention on Pro Football Focus’ countdown of the Top 50 NFL players. The stat guys rated Smith 46th in their listing though.

No 5-7 bowls

On Monday, the Pac-12 passed a rule requiring it’s members to win six regular season games in order to gain bowl eligibility. That means 5-7 squads from the Pac-12 which could be eligible under NCAA rules will not be going to bowls going forward.

One would hope USC is never in that boat to begin with.

Hall of Fame candidates

Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu and Dennis Thurman are candidates to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2019.

It’s the first year on the ballot for Palmer and Polamalu.

Trojan Trivia

USC has 43 representatives in the College Football Hall of Fame. That number is likely to continue to grow, but it won’t be including two-time national champion Pete Carroll if criteria stays as is. Head coaches must have 10 years of experience in the college ranks to be eligible. Carroll coached nine years.