USC Football Team Picked as Preseason Favorite to Win Pac-12 Title
In the recently released preseason poll, the USC football team has been selected as the favorite to win the Pac-12 title. This is a significant recognition for the Trojans as they enter their final season in the conference before moving to the Big Ten in 2024. The poll, conducted by conference media members, saw USC receive 25 of the 36 first-place votes, accumulating a total of 413 points.
Following USC in the poll were Washington, who received four first-place votes and 367 points, and defending champion Utah, who garnered six first-place votes and 359 points. Oregon secured one first-place vote and 340 points to claim the fourth position.
The Trojans’ impressive performance last season, under the guidance of Coach Lincoln Riley, where they recorded 11 wins before falling to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game and Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, has raised expectations for the team this year. With Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams leading the offense and a strong supporting cast returning, USC is poised to make a strong push for the conference title.
However, the Trojans will face a challenging schedule this season, including road games against Oregon and Notre Dame, and home games against Utah, Washington, and UCLA. These matchups will test the USC defense, which encountered difficulties last season and lost Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Tuli Tuipulotu to the NFL.
Utah, led by senior quarterback Cam Rising, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is expected to provide a stiff test for USC. The Utes have 12 players on the Pac-12 preseason all-conference team, including first-team tight end Brant Kuithe and first-team defensive tackle Junior Tafuna.
Oregon, with its strong recruiting classes and consistent success over the past few years, winning two of the last four Pac-12 titles, will also be a formidable opponent.
Meanwhile, Washington, under the guidance of Coach Kalen DeBoer, will look to build on their impressive 11-win season. With quarterback Michael Penix leading the offense, the Huskies will provide another challenge for USC’s defense.
If USC does manage to capture the Pac-12 crown, it will strengthen their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff, adding to the significance of their final season in the conference.
It is worth noting that the media has accurately predicted the conference champion in previous preseason polls, including six times in the 12 seasons since the implementation of the conference championship game.
The much-anticipated Pac-12 title game is scheduled for Friday, December 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and will feature the two teams with the best conference winning percentages.
The USC football team has a golden opportunity to solidify its dominance in the Pac-12 and leave a lasting legacy as it prepares to transition to a new conference. The Trojans’ preseason favorite status is a testament to their talent and potential, but they will need to navigate a challenging schedule and overcome worthy opponents to achieve their goal.
