USC football: Trojans are No. 4 in Athlon Sports' Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2023
Coming off of an 11-3 season, the first under head coach Lincoln Riley, expectations will be understandably higher for USC football in 2023. The Trojans bring back Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and the program has added 12 impact players from the transfer portal.
USC ended last season as the No. 12 team in the country in the AP Poll.
In its annual College Football's Way-Too-Early Top 25, Athlon Sports backed up those anticipated loftier expectations ranking the Trojans as the No. 4 team in college football heading into 2023.
Read writer Steven Lassen's breakdown below:
The Trojans came within one win of a Pac-12 championship and trip to the CFB Playoff in coach Lincoln Riley’s first year. Taking the next step in ’23 is a realistic expectation, especially with Heisman winner Caleb Williams back to direct USC’s high-powered offense. The skill talent around Williams is once again a strength, and Riley bolstered this group with the arrival of Arizona transfer Dorian Singer. The line must restock after losing guard Andrew Voorhees, tackle Bobby Haskins and center Brett Neilon. Improvement on defense is also a must after this unit struggled in two losses to Utah and turned in a dismal performance against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. The Trojans ended ’22 by allowing 29.2 points a game and 6.5 yards per play. A good chunk of the two-deep is expected to return and help is on the way from the portal. However, lineman Tuli Tuipulotu (21 TFL) and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon left for the NFL.
