USC Trojans Face Uphill Battle After Disappointing Loss to Notre Dame

In a disappointing turn of events, the USC Trojans faced a tough defeat against Notre Dame this past weekend, leaving their championship aspirations hanging by a thread. Their margin for error has significantly diminished as they aim to recover from a challenging loss.

Key Takeaways:

• USC entered the season with high hopes of going undefeated, clinching the Pac-12 title, and securing a championship victory.
• The 48-20 upset loss to Notre Dame has dashed their hopes of an undefeated season but hasn’t eliminated their chances of winning the Pac-12 or the championship.
• The Trojans’ defense has been a stumbling block, and upcoming games against Washington and Oregon will be crucial in determining their fate.

Despite their recent setback, the Trojans have an opportunity to rebound as they prepare to face the Utah Utes, the only team that defeated them last season. However, their path to the College Football Playoff remains treacherous, with a challenging schedule lying ahead.

“The USC defense didn’t lose the Notre Dame game, but it remains vulnerable to Washington and Oregon in November. It’s hard to say the defense is worse than last year — it seems slightly better — but it is not dramatically better, either. That defense will need to be significantly better for USC to reach a championship standard.”

Per Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire

The struggles of the USC defense have been a recurring issue this season, and while it may not have directly caused the loss to Notre Dame, it certainly did not aid their cause. With pivotal matchups against Washington and Oregon looming, the Trojans must urgently address their defensive shortcomings to avoid further blemishes on their record.

‘Washington looks like a better team. Oregon does, too. If USC doesn’t win the Pac-12, the season is a failure, period.”

Per Matt Zemek of Trojans Wire

The Trojans find themselves in a must-win scenario for the remainder of the season. Every game is now a “win-or-go-home” situation, as their championship dreams hang in the balance. The road ahead is daunting, but USC’s fate rests in their ability to rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.