The USC Trojans finished the season with an 11-3 record, losing to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl 24-7. With quarterback Sam Darnold declaring for the NFL Draft, the Trojans will need to find a new leader on offense. The Trojans have a top 10 recruiting class entering 2018 and will look to win the Pac 12 again. Here's how they rank in the way-too-early top 25 polls published by major publications:
If you'd rather visit the Coliseum in Los Angeles rather than Rome, you'll fit in great here ---> USC Trojans by Chat Sports
Chat Sports
Ranking: 18th
Breakdown: "With no Sam Darnold or Ronald Jones in 2018, the Trojans face plenty of questions. Clay Helton has recruited to a level that should keep USC at the top of the Pac-12, but plenty of new faces will be seeing significant playing time for the first time. Will they sink or swim?"
USA TODAY
Ranking: 17th
Breakdown: "The Trojans will move forward without Sam Darnold and face a major position battle during the spring and summer. While the talent is there, the program needs to be finetuned before retaking the field in September — and that starts with the coaching staff."
ESPN
Ranking: 15th
Breakdown: "The Trojans won at least 11 games for the first time since 2008 and won their first Pac-12 title in nine years. But given their lofty expectations last summer, the season felt a little empty, especially after a 17-point loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Replacing Darnold, a potential No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, will be USC's biggest priority in the offseason. Rising sophomore Matt Fink, redshirt freshman Jack Sears and incoming freshman J.T. Daniels will battle for the unenviable job of succeeding him. The Trojans will play at Stanford, Texas, Utah and UCLA next season."
Sporting News:
Ranking: 12th
Breakdown: "Sam Darnold is leaving for the NFL, so the focus will be on the quarterback battle among Matt Fink, Jack Sears and Thomas Holden. Running back Stephen Carr should have a breakout season, however, and coach Clay Helton has reestablished a winning culture within the program."
CBS
Ranking: 13th
Breakdown: "It's never a good sign when your coach (Clay Helton) wins the Rose Bowl and Pac-12 in consecutive seasons and gets a vote of confidence from his athletic director (Lynn Swann). Depending on how Sam Darnold's replacement plays out, the Trojans will be favored again to win the Pac-12. "
Athlon Sports
Ranking: 23rd
Breakdown: "With quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones off to the NFL, the race to win the Pac-12 South is wide open. Coach Clay Helton’s team is also awaiting a draft decisions from receiver Deontay Burnett. With Jones off to the NFL, and Burnett considering an early jump, the Trojans will have to rely even more on a pair of promising freshmen poised to take on a larger role next season in receiver Tyler Vaughns and running back Stephen Carr. The offensive line had its share of ups and downs in 2017 but all five starters are slated to return next fall. Assuming they don’t jump to the NFL, linebacker Cameron Smith and lineman Rasheem Greene will be the leaders for Helton’s defense in 2018. However, this unit will miss linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and must tighten up in the secondary after giving up 13 pass plays of 40 or more yards (tied for 10th most in the Pac-12)."
Yahoo Sports
Ranking: 14th
Breakdown: "The Trojans have already lost quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones to the NFL and more offensive talent could declare before the early-entry draft deadline. Redshirt freshman Matt Fink is the favorite to take over at quarterback and he’ll have Tyler Vaughns and Michael Pittman to throw to among others. If USC can replace what it loses up front in Uchenna Nwosu, the Trojans could be higher."
Sports Illustrated
Ranking: 11th
Breakdown: "Without Darnold, the Trojans will grapple with a new identity in 2018, likely taking a step back in the process. Still, there’s enough talent up and down the roster for USC to contend for the Pac-12."
Want to watch the #1 CFB show on Facebook Live? LIKE College Football by Chat Sports on Facebook to be notified when the CFB Daily goes live at 6:30 p.m. ET every Tuesday and 3 p.m. ET every Thursday!
Mitchell Renz is the Senior Writer & On-Air Host at Chat Sports check out his article archive and live videos on Chat Sports Facebook page. Please follow him on Twitter @MitchellRenz365.
Back to the USC Trojans Newsfeed