O/NSO: 2022 USC Trojans Game-by-Game Predictions edition – Part 1

The Obvious: With the early 7 a.m. Friday morning start of Lincoln Riley’s first USC Trojans football training camp, it seems appropriate that the O/NSO releases our early game-by-game predictions for the rapidly approaching season, a season in which hope and high aspirations have returned to the USC fan base, as well as to the national college football conscience. The Not So Obvious: In Part 1 of our 2022 season prognostications, the O/NSO looks at the first half of the season, and once again we have invited back our three good friends: The Optimist, The Pessimist, and The Realist. With the elimination of Pac-12 North and South Divisions, the Trojans will again get a schedule break in 2022 by not having to play Oregon or Washington during the regular season. So, let’s get started with a look at the first half of the Trojans’ schedule, which includes in order Rice, Stanford, Fresno State, Oregon State, Arizona State, and Washington State.