LOS ANGELES – We are so back.
Back in the version of reality where USC is USC.
A signature win followed by a statement win and it’s apparent: This team has what it takes to make some real noise.
So strike up the marching band, Trojans. Pump up the volume, DJ Mal-Ski. USC is coming at you fast.
First the Trojans marched themselves into 2024 and promptly put the nation on notice by dismissing SEC power LSU in a 27-20 Sunday night thriller before a TV audience of more than 9 million. And Saturday they followed up by smothering Utah State, 48-0.
What, you might ask, can anyone take from the 13th-ranked USC blowing out a Mountain West school?
Yes, you might typically ask that. But against the grizzly backdrop of higher-ranked teams stumbling and struggling and being made to sweat Saturday, USC’s capacity to lock in against a lesser foe says plenty.
Just ask Oregon. The Ducks, despite being ranked No. 7 in the nation, needed a last-second field goal to survive Boise State’s upset bid. The Mountain West’s Broncos humbled their more-heralded hosts, out-gaining Oregon 369-353.
Meanwhile, under the on-and-off Saturday night lights at The Coliseum, the mood was brighter; USC out-gaining the Aggies 544-190 as it pitched a shutout that felt like a no-hitter, it was such a clinic, as stifling as any day during this brutal heat wave.
Compare and contrast, check out what happened at Notre Dame, which succumbed to Northern Illinois, whose 16-14 victory in South Bend was the first against a top-10 ranked team ever.
And then there were the Trojans, who after a disappointing 2023, started the season ranked No. 23. After leaping 10 spots up the rankings last week, Saturday’s shellacking has them knocking on the door, ranked No. 11 (too low, a testament I bet to the 11 p.m. start on the East Coast) in Sunday’s new AP polling.
Moving on up because they didn’t get ahead of themselves. They didn’t disrespect Utah State or the 68,100 fans scattered generously around the…
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