As a longtime college football analyst who's been covering the Pac-12 conference for over a decade, I've learned that nothing captures the rhythm of a season quite like examining the schedule itself. When I look at USC's 2023 football calendar, I see more than just dates and opponents—I see a narrative unfolding, a story of redemption and ambition that reminds me of how crucial momentum shifts can be in any sport. Just last week, I was watching the Rain or Shine basketball game where their guards completely dominated Game Two, with Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, and Anton Asistio combining for 57 points in that 114-104 victory. That performance got me thinking about how certain players step up when it matters most, and how USC will need similar standout performances throughout their challenging 2023 campaign.
The Trojans open their season on September 2nd against San Jose State, what should be a comfortable 38-10 type victory to build confidence. But here's where it gets interesting—the following week they face Nevada, and I'm particularly watching for how Lincoln Riley manages his quarterback rotation during these early games. Having covered Riley's teams since his Oklahoma days, I've noticed he likes to establish offensive rhythm early, but he'll need to be careful not to reveal too much of his playbook before the bigger tests arrive. The non-conference slate concludes with what I consider their first real challenge: BYU on September 16th. This matchup makes me nervous, I'll admit—BYU's physical style has troubled USC in recent years, and I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up being a 31-28 kind of nail-biter that could go either way.
When conference play begins, the October stretch will define their season. Starting with Arizona State on October 7th, followed by a crucial Friday night game at Notre Dame on October 14th—this is where we'll learn what this team is made of. The Notre Dame rivalry always produces drama, and having attended the last three meetings between these teams, I can tell you the intensity at South Bend is unlike anything else in college football. Then comes the real gauntlet: Utah on October 21st, followed by California on October 28th. Utah particularly worries me—their defensive front dominated USC last season, and I'm not convinced our offensive line has improved enough to handle that pressure. This back-to-back against physical teams reminds me of how Rain or Shine's guards had to assert themselves in their playoff series—USC will need their star players to step up similarly during this brutal stretch.
November brings no relief, beginning with what I consider the most intriguing game on the schedule: Washington on November 4th. Michael Penix Jr. against Caleb Williams could produce basketball-like scores—I wouldn't be shocked if this ends up 45-42 with multiple lead changes. Then comes Oregon on November 11th in what might be the Pac-12 game of the year. Having analyzed both rosters extensively, I give Oregon a slight edge simply because of their defensive depth, but rivalry games often defy logic. The regular season concludes with UCLA on November 18th, and if recent history holds, this could determine who represents the Pac-12 South in the championship game.
What fascinates me about this schedule isn't just the high-profile matchups but the potential trap games. Stanford on September 23rd seems straightforward, but they've stunned USC before. Colorado on September 30th looks easier on paper, but Deion Sanders has already changed the energy around that program. The bye week comes unusually late on November 25th, which I think is poor scheduling—teams often need that break earlier to recover from midseason injuries. Looking at the entire calendar, I count 7 games USC should win comfortably, 3 that could go either way, and 2 where they'll likely be underdogs. In my estimation, they need to win at least 2 of those 3 toss-up games to reach the conference championship.
The parallel with that Rain or Shine game keeps coming back to me—just as their guards needed to total 57 points to secure victory, USC's key players will need to deliver extraordinary performances in specific games. Caleb Williams might need 4 touchdown passes against Utah, the defensive line might need 5 sacks against Oregon, special teams might need a return touchdown in a close game. Championship seasons aren't about consistent mediocrity—they're about spectacular performances when everything's on the line. As I look at this schedule, I see opportunities for players to become heroes, for coaches to prove their strategies, and for a team to either crumble under pressure or forge an identity that carries them to glory. The 2023 USC football schedule isn't just a list of games—it's an invitation to greatness, and I can't wait to see who accepts that invitation when the season begins.