USC football 2024 projections: Bowl game forecast, breakout stars, record predictions and more

The USC Trojans will enjoy 2024 in the Big Ten conference. Yes, they will play in conference road games at Michigan, Minnesota and Maryland.

Third-year coach Lincoln Riley had a successful 2022 campaign, but the Trojans took a step back in 2023 with an 8-5 season. In a new league with a new schedule, there's plenty of mystery around USC. Here's an attempt to bring some clarity to USC's 2024.

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USC football 2024 projections

USC quarterback Miller Moss is a likely breakout star in 2024. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

Breakout stars

QB Miller Moss has bided his time behind Caleb Williams over the past two years. The six-foot-two Moss was highly recruited and has played well in his brief action over the past two seasons. Last season, he completed 71 percent of his passes for 681 yards and seven scores. He had a higher QB rating than Williams and will be a standout to watch.

WR Zachariah Branch is an outstanding sophomore who could break through. Last year, he did well as a kick and punt returner and cuaght 31 passes for 320 yards. He could easily double or even triple those totals this fall.

TE Duce Robinson is another potential star. Now a sophomore, Robinson averaged 21.9 yards per catch as a freshman. The six-foot-six Robinson is a tough matchup for any defense and could shine in 2024.

Junior nose guard Bear Alexander had a solid season after transferring in from Georgia. In 2023, he had 47 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss. He could have an All-American season in 2024.

Incoming transfer linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was the leading tackler a year ago at Oregon State and could shine in the Trojan defense at the middle linebacker spot. The veteran was an excellent portal addition for USC.

Record Prediction

Safe wins: Utah State (9/7), Wisconsin (9/28), at Minnesota (10/5), at Maryland (10/19), Rutgers (10/26), Nebraska (11/16), at UCLA (11/23)

Season swinging games: at Washington (11/2), Notre Dame (11/30)

Likely losses: LSU (9/1, neutral site), at Michigan (9/21), Penn State (10/12)

ESPN's FPI predicts a 7-5 season for the Trojans. With seven safe wins, that means USC would either have to be incredibly unlucky outside of those seven games or would lose one or more of the projected safe wins.

A more likely scenario would be 8-4, with the Trojans losing the likely losing games and splitting the swing games. A loss to Notre Dame would drop USC to 8-4, with a 9-3 outcome more likely than 7-5.

Bowl game forecast

A 7-2 Big 10 season - with the two other losses noted above - would land USC likely outside the Playoff picture. The Alamo Bowl against a Big 12 foe is the most likely scenario. A possible Big 12 opponent could be Oklahoma State or Iowa State.

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