As a longtime college football analyst who's been covering the Pac-12 conference for over a decade, I've learned that nothing gets Trojan fans more excited than the annual release of the USC football schedule. The 2019 season presents what I consider to be one of the most challenging yet promising slates in recent memory, and I can't wait to break it down for you. Having studied every opponent and analyzed each venue, I'm convinced this schedule will either make or break Clay Helton's tenure at USC. The pressure is absolutely on, and as someone who's witnessed both the glorious Pete Carroll era and the subsequent struggles, I believe this season will define the program's direction for years to come.
Looking at the schedule, the opening stretch is absolutely brutal, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it could determine the entire season. The Trojans kick off against Fresno State on August 31st at the Coliseum, which should provide a decent warm-up before the real tests begin. Then comes the matchup everyone's talking about - Stanford on September 7th. This early conference game terrifies me because Stanford has been our kryptonite for years. Their physical style has consistently overwhelmed USC's finesse approach, and until we prove we can match that intensity, I'm predicting another heartbreaking loss. What fascinates me about these early contests is how they mirror the volleyball reference data I've been studying - sometimes a single performance, like Irah Jaboneta's near triple-double of 13 points, nine digs, and eight receptions, can completely shift a team's momentum. We need that kind of all-around contribution from our football team, particularly from our veteran players.
The non-conference schedule includes BYU on September 14th, which I'm actually quite nervous about despite what many analysts are saying. Those road games against disciplined, physical teams have historically been trouble spots for USC. Then comes Utah on September 20th, a Friday night game that gives me anxiety just thinking about it. Utah's defense is consistently among the nation's best, and their home-field advantage is massively underrated. I've attended games at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and the atmosphere there is genuinely overwhelming for visiting teams. Looking at Washington on September 28th, this is where the schedule theoretically eases up, but I'm not buying that narrative. Chris Petersen always has his team prepared, and their defense returns eight starters from last year's squad that held USC to just 17 points.
October brings what I consider the make-or-break portion of the schedule. At Notre Dame on October 12th stands out as the game that could define USC's season. Having covered this rivalry for years, I can tell you that nothing would boost this program more than a victory in South Bend. The bye week preceding this game is perfectly timed, giving the coaching staff extra days to prepare for what I consider the most important matchup outside conference play. Then comes Arizona on October 19th, which worries me more than it probably should. Khalil Tate is the kind of dynamic quarterback that has given USC fits in recent seasons, and unless our defensive coordinator makes significant adjustments, this could be another shootout that goes down to the wire.
The November schedule includes what I'm calling the "gauntlet games" - consecutive contests against Oregon, Arizona State, and Cal before closing out with UCLA and Notre Dame. Oregon on November 2nd features what might be the best offense USC faces all season, and their quarterback Justin Herbert is a projected first-round pick for good reason. I was particularly impressed watching their spring game, where Herbert completed 18 of 32 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona State on November 9th presents another challenge with Herm Edwards implementing his NFL-style approach, which has surprisingly worked better than I initially predicted. Then comes the crosstown rivalry with UCLA on November 23rd, which I believe will be much more competitive than last year's blowout. Chip Kelly has had another year to implement his system, and rivalry games always bring out unexpected performances.
What strikes me about analyzing this schedule is how individual performances in key moments can change everything. Much like how Joan Monares delivered that game-winning attack with 10 markers, six digs, and five receptions in the volleyball reference, USC will need someone to step up in critical situations. Whether it's our quarterback making a perfect throw on third-and-long or a defensive back creating a crucial turnover, championship seasons are built on these moments. I'm particularly looking at JT Daniels to make that jump in his second year as starter, and if he can improve his completion percentage from last year's 59.7% to somewhere in the mid-60s, this offense could become truly special.
The final stretch against Cal and Notre Dame will test USC's depth and resilience. Cal's defense returns seven starters from a unit that ranked among the nation's best in passing efficiency defense, which concerns me given USC's reliance on the passing game. The regular season concludes with what could be a monumental matchup against Notre Dame, and if both teams enter with strong records, this could have playoff implications. Having covered college football through multiple eras, I can say with confidence that this 2019 schedule represents both tremendous opportunity and significant risk. The early tests will reveal this team's character quickly, and how they respond to adversity will determine whether this becomes a special season or another disappointing campaign. My prediction? USC finishes 9-3, with losses to Stanford, Oregon, and one unexpected upset that we'll be talking about all offseason. But if they can steal a game they're not supposed to win, particularly against Notre Dame or Oregon, this could become the season that restores USC to national prominence.