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Easier schedule might place more pressure on USC

LOS ANGELES >> With three of its first four games against Top 25 teams, this week begins the respite for USC. Or so everyone thought a month ago.

Many predicted the Trojans might be 1-3 today but the manner of those defeats makes no game on the rest of the schedule a gimme. That means Saturday’s game against Arizona State starts a period of must-win games to salvage the season, make a bowl and ease talk about Coach Clay Helton’s future.

Because if USC loses to any underdog, it could get even uglier for Helton, a nice guy who sometimes seems unequipped to deal with the nasty atmosphere that surrounds the program after a loss.