Nation’s Toughest Schedule?

Posted on by

usc-alabama-hurts-2Is it time to revisit the assumption USC plays the nation’s toughest schedule?

Stanford’s been outscored 86-22 by the Washington schools. The Cougars outrushed Stanford, 101-61. Oregon (2-4) was another highly regarded opponent, currently in last place in the Pac-12 North, behind lowly Oregon State.

And then there was the tough final two games against UCLA and Notre Dame. The Bruins are 3-3 while the Irish are a disaster at 2-4. Not quite what everyone imagined in August. So maybe USC should really go 8-4 based on how teams are playing today.

48 thoughts on “Nation’s Toughest Schedule?”

  3. Alabama #1
    Stanford, Utah, Co and ASU have all spent time on the top 25

    UCLA, Notre Dame and WSU have also as has Oregon at one point Ca was in the 25..

  4. Washington (5) and Utah (21) are the only AP top 25 teams from the near irrelevant Pac-12. Go Huskies!

    Boy, that USC loss to the Utes was a heartbreaker, even though with the way USC’s D looked all game long, it’s hard to assert we should have won it.

  5. That’s because these assumptions are made before any games are played. This silliness would be more relevant at the end of the season after all the games are played.

  6. On paper on the first day of the season every game looks like a tough win or a tough loss. When schedules are voted tough before the actual team emerges the vote is based on reputation (for both teams)
    At the end of the season is when the toughest schedule should be decided. USC shoulda won at least two of their three losses and shoulda been in it to win it on the third. They had the talent but played not to lose.
    However only trolls and UCLA fans play woulda coulda shoulda. Right?

  8. Like I said in the beginning of the season, USC does not have the toughest schedule in college football. The media and some rah rah fans base their opinions on how the Trojans opponents are ranked at the end of the prior season, and sometimes on the most recent recruiting, classes. Nobody takes into consideration the teams that graduated several starters, and are breaking in new quarterbacks. I knew Oregon was on the down slide, and Stanford was replacing their quarterback, and three offensive lineman. But the media never does their homework on little things like that, they just talk out of the sides of their mouths. When SC went into the Arizona State game two weeks ago, the announcers were pumping up the Sun devils, undefeated record, and saying it was another reason why USC had the toughest schedule in college football. …Really ? Did they take a look at who the sun devils defeated to get that 5-0 record? Of course not!

    • You’ve gotta admit Fred. I gave you your chance. Before the season and even 2 weeks ago or so, I gave you your chance to name even one school with a tougher schedule than SC’s and you wouldn’t name even one school. Now you’re talking about all these things you knew.

      Truth is, you didn’t and don’t know more than anyone else did and you said you’d have to wait until the end of the season to name schools with the toughest rides. Unfortunately, by then no one cares about last season’s strength of schedule which becomes obvious to all.

      • No need to name a school with a tougher schedule, I just know it’s not USC, and I said that from day one. How can they have the toughest schedule, when the majority of the teams they play are in a grossly week Pac 12, conference ? You and I will never agree on this one, Jack…lol but nevertheless, we are entitled to our own opinions.

        • I actually think the Pac-12 will look okay in the end. There’s only 1-3 good schools in each conference IMHO.

          I have very high hopes for UW, UTAH, WSU, CU and even USC by the season’s end. ucla basically killed off STAN with injuries. They just aren’t the same team as when we played them. Now that we have Darnold (and Swann’s active involvement), we could win out. It’s not that far-fetched.

          • I can’t get a grasp on what the Pac 12 is all about, especially after last weekend .

          • It’s gonna be a mad scramble with only one dominant team. I actually like it. I predict there will be some very big surprises during the last half. Have no clue who will win the South but it doesn’t matter. Huskies will abuse anyone they play in championship.

        • The media declared USC had the toughest schedule. How can you not agree

          Alabama R
          Stanford R
          Utah R
          Color R
          ASU R

          Washington R
          Oregon R
          UCLA R
          N.D R

          All these team were expected to challenge for conference titles and the playoffs.

          You tell me?

          • If you based your opinion on the traditionally tough teams on the schedule, then yes, I can see it. But if you based it on the current state of those same programs like I did, then no way!! UCLA, Oregon, and Notre Dame are all jokes this year.

          • It turned out that way, based on roster issues.. Realistically USC should be 5-2 .. Stanford is crap like Utah.. Those games were given away..

          • 27-10 and coasting but Stanford gave it away LOL … nice rah rah persective. SC was beaten in every way in that game.

          • Trolling for dummies.. Had Sam started the game.. It may have had a different outcome.. I understand the game, the Def was lost the first 3- games .. I’m not the woulda coulda shoulda guy.. Its just my opinion.

          • Another Trolling for dummy, hey sock puppet.. I never said woulda coulda shoulda..learn to read idiot!

          • Why on earth would I care about Cal Poly since I never went there? #Rapeboy22?Splain Rapist?

          • CowPolyFan3.0 only knows soccer. Ask him who will win the big Blue-Green Rivalry Game this Saturday!

          • I don’t think there’s any way we can lose to ORE this year, but rivalry games…with all these coaches and their backs against the wall, I don’t think either ND or ucla will be easy. Not with our OL/DL I don’t. Biggee Marshall is VERY vulnerable too.

          • And the Cardinal has imploded and the Sun Devils are done after losing their 1st and second string quarterbacks.

    • Don’t buy it, Fred. Stanford blasted a good Kansas State team and dominated, out coached, every aspect of our game.

      • Kansas State is not a very good team.

        Neither is/was Stanford. Two things happened since Stanford that has helped USC: Darnold is now the starter and Zack Banner got hurt.

  9. Game results often do not match preseason rankings –seems to be particularly true with schedule rankings. Regardless of the rankings the results of the first 3 games clearly demonstrated this Trojan team was woefully inadequate and had a lot of work to do to take at least a little out of the sting of the first 3 losses.. I don’t think they can beat Alabama now; but I think their improvement suggests they would not be as thoroughly embarrassed as they were week one. . I know others might or will feel differently–and I will not argue any dissenting opinion..

  10. SW, shape up. Stanford has been destroyed by injuries SINCE the USC game. We lost to the 7th ranked team in the country. If you print the TRUTH when submitting your blog, your reputation may skyrocket..

      • Mission Accomplished for Nikias- fans are happy being the Stanford of the Southwest. How ”bout that women’s sand volleyball!

  12. And even if SC goes 8-4 this year SW will rip the program and Clay Helton to shreds….ridiculous!!!!

  13. One game at a time for Gomer until he is canned ( he will be relieved, not beg on a tarmac like Kiffin or on the curb in tears with the shakes like Snark ) … Gomer will look back on the SC gig like we do ‘ how the hell did I get that job ‘

  14. USC’s “toughest schedule” was based on last year’s record of the teams USC was going against. Bama won the championship, Stanford had one or two losses, Oregon had one or two losses. So, before the season started, yes USC did have the toughest schedule. As of today, they may or may not. But you are comparing history (preseason) with present time. It should not be done that way. Now, to say USC does not have the toughest schedule presently, is a different matter.
    Besides, with Thug U aka ugly flopping like a fish out of water yearly, this will always affect USC’s rankings.

Comments are closed.