USC has chance to make College Football Playoff through key x-factor

Once the season begins, anything can happen. Many USC fans are bracing for a difficult year, hoping for around a nine-win season. A couple of aspects need to be taken into consideration, though.

For one, there will always be teams that take a leap from the previous year. While it would not be exactly the same as Indiana, the Trojans going from eking out bowl game eligibility to making the College Football Playoff would be entirely in the cards and would be a lesser jump than what was seen by the Hoosiers. Especially when looking at the margins of the losses, USC is significantly closer than Indiana was at this point of the program's development.

The main aspect that is being overlooked and even underappreciated by people, however, is that of Jayden Maiava. Now a junior, Maiava enters the year with experience in the system and a high amount of familiarity with his receiving options.

When looking at Maiava, the way he plays the position of quarterback is about as natural a fit in coach Lincoln Riley's system as there can be. This can end up proving to be enough for the Trojans to make it to the College Football Playoff for the first time under the guidance of the USC quarterback.

Maiava does well and constantly looks to push the ball downfield. When also considering how the QB does well to move on from bad plays, the Trojans have a tremendous asset for the offense.

Needed edge for USC

Particularly in a year in which there are unknown younger options at QB throughout the nation, by comparison, this is actually an area of strength for the Trojans compared to many of the other teams.

Maiava, of course, has areas that he needs to improve in. That can be said of anybody, however. USC has someone with big-play potential on every down who is experienced and has a level of continuity within the program. These aspects should provide a certain level of trust and excitement for the USC QB.