Your Complete Guide to the 2019 USC Football Schedule and Key Matchups

As a lifelong USC football fan and someone who's been covering college sports for over a decade, I've learned that understanding a team's schedule isn't just about marking dates on a calendar. It's about recognizing the narrative arcs, the potential turning points, and those special matchups that could define an entire season. When I look at the 2019 USC football schedule, I see more than just a list of opponents - I see a story waiting to be written, much like how individual performances in other sports can shape a team's destiny. Take volleyball, for instance, where I recently watched Irah Jaboneta deliver that phenomenal near triple-double performance with 13 points, nine digs, and eight receptions, while Joan Monares came through with those crucial 10 markers, six digs, and five receptions including the game-winning attack. Those numbers tell a story of balanced contribution and clutch performance - exactly what I'm hoping to see from our Trojans this football season.

The season kicks off against Fresno State on August 31st, and honestly, I'm both excited and nervous about this opener. Having watched Fresno State's development over the past few seasons, I can tell you they're no pushover. Their defensive coordinator has implemented some sophisticated schemes that could test our new offensive line early. What I'm particularly interested in seeing is how our quarterback handles the pressure - whether it's JT Daniels or whoever emerges from camp. The numbers from last season show we averaged 28.6 points per game against non-conference opponents, but I suspect we'll need to push that to at least 35 to feel comfortable against this improved Fresno State squad. What makes college football so compelling to me is these early tests that reveal character before we even get into conference play.

Looking ahead to September, the Stanford matchup on September 7th stands out as what I consider the first true measuring stick game. The Cardinal have been our nemesis for years, and their physical style has often given us trouble. I remember sitting in the Coliseum back in 2017 when we lost that heartbreaking double-overtime game, and I've been waiting for proper payback ever since. Their defensive front returns about 78% of their production from last season, which concerns me given our offensive line questions. But here's where I think we might have an advantage - their secondary lost two starters to the draft, and if our receivers can create separation early, we might be able to establish a passing game that opens up everything else. This is exactly the kind of game where we need someone to step up like Joan Monares did with that game-winning attack - a player who might not have the biggest stats all night but makes the crucial play when it matters most.

The Utah game on September 20th is another one that jumps off the page at me. I've always respected Kyle Whittingham's program - they're tough, disciplined, and they've beaten us in three of our last five meetings. What worries me is their rushing attack against our front seven. Last season, they averaged 4.8 yards per carry against us, and I've noticed they've added some new wrinkles to their option game during my film study. However, I'm optimistic about our chances if we can force them into obvious passing situations where our secondary can make plays. This feels like a game where we'll need the kind of all-around contribution Irah Jaboneta provided - solid across multiple categories rather than relying on one superstar performance.

When we get into October, the schedule really heats up with Washington, Notre Dame, and Arizona in consecutive weeks. The Notre Dame game on October 12th is personal for me - as someone who grew up in Southern California, this rivalry means everything. The Fighting Irish have had our number recently, winning four of the last five meetings, and their quarterback Ian Book returns with another year of experience. But I've noticed some vulnerabilities in their secondary that I think our receivers can exploit if given time. The key stat that jumps out at me is third-down conversions - last year we converted just 32% against them, and that simply won't cut it if we want to win this time around. This is where coaching adjustments throughout the game will be crucial, something Clay Helton has been criticized for in the past.

The November stretch brings what I believe could be the most challenging part of our schedule with Oregon, Arizona State, and UCLA to close out the regular season. The Oregon game on November 2nd scares me more than any other on the schedule, if I'm being completely honest. Their speed on both sides of the ball is elite, and Autzen Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the country. I've been tracking their recruiting classes, and they've accumulated athleticism that matches or exceeds ours at several positions. However, I think we match up well against their secondary, which gave up 265 passing yards per game last season. If our offensive line can hold up - and that's a big if - we might be able to attack them through the air in ways other teams haven't.

What strikes me about this schedule is the balance between home and away games, with six at the Coliseum and six on the road. The timing of certain matchups creates what I'd call "swing points" in the season - those clusters of games that could either propel us toward the Pac-12 championship or derail our hopes entirely. The three-game stretch against Washington, Notre Dame, and Arizona in October is particularly brutal, followed by another difficult trio in November. The team will need depth and resilience to navigate these stretches successfully, much like how a volleyball team needs multiple contributors rather than relying on one superstar.

As I reflect on the entire schedule, I count seven games that I'd classify as likely wins, three as toss-ups, and two as probable losses based on returning talent and historical performance. But college football rarely follows scripts, which is why we love it. The beauty of this sport lies in its unpredictability - the emergence of unexpected heroes, the development of players throughout the season, and those magical moments that defy all projections. While I've analyzed this schedule from every angle, what ultimately matters is how the team grows from week to week, how coaches make adjustments, and whether players can deliver in critical moments. My prediction? I think we finish 9-3 with losses to Oregon and Notre Dame, plus one upset somewhere we shouldn't lose. But what do I know - that's why they play the games, and why I'll be watching every snap with the passion of someone who truly loves this program.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-17 16:01