USC Trojans - 2021 College Football Season Preview & Win Total Predictions

In 2020, the USC Trojans were 5-1 overall and in the Pac-12. Head coach Clay Helton returns for his seventh season and is 45-23 since taking the reins. Last season the Trojans scored an average of 33 points and gained  an average of 417 yards per game. Kedon Slovis returns at quarterback for USC after last year throwing for 1921 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Slovis lost two of his top receivers from last season but Drake London returns and caught 33 passes for 502 yards last season and Bru McCoy was fourth last season in receptions. Two transfers Tahj Washington and Kd Nixon from Memphis and Colorado respectively add speed to the receivers corps.

USC will be average in the running game with Vavae Malepeai leading the way. Last season Malepeai rushed for 238 yards with three touchdowns averaging 4.4 yards per carry. The rushing game is secondary to the USC passing game of Slovis. The pass protection last season was poor allowing an average of 2.5 sacks per game but four starters return with another year of experience led by tackle Jalen McKenzie and center Brett Nailon.

Defensively, USC allowed 26 points and 370 yards per game last season and will have to fill plenty of holes from departed players. The defensive front will be led by Nick Figueroa at one end. Figueroa was the leader in tackles for loss and sacks last season. Linebacker/defensive end Drake Jackson will anchor the other end of the defensive line for USC. The Trojans lost a tackle to the NFL and one to the transfer portal,  and Brandon Pili has been lost with a leg injury, making the interior line a big question mark.

The linebacker corps will be led by Ralen Goforth in the middle and Kana’i Mauga, who was the second-leading tackler last season with 41. The Trojans lost outside linebacker Palaie Gaoteote to the transfer portal but have several young talented but inexperienced players ready to take over a starting position. The secondary is USC’s strength on defense. Isaiah Pola-Malo had 40 tackles last season and will one day play in the NFL. At the corners, the Trojans have two of the best in the Pac-12 in Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Chris Steele.