USC football announces 2021 schedule

The 2021 USC football schedule was announced Tuesday, and it looks different than previous years.

The schedule features no Thursday or Friday games and, most noticeably, finishes the season against BYU as opposed to rivals UCLA or Notre Dame.

Coming off of an undefeated regular season last year, the Trojans dropped out of playoff contention quickly with a loss to Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship. The conference-only schedule ultimately hurt their playoff resumé and the Trojans are preparing to reverse their fortune in the upcoming season.

“The work that we put into spring ball, off-season, summer program, as well as training camp, we’re going to have to hit the ground running and be on all cylinders come Game 1,” coach Clay Helton said. “I love the fact we have the ability to have seven home games in the Coliseum, one of the great environments in college football and our home. It seems like a weapon when people come in there and play in that Coliseum and to be surrounded by that history, it’s a great schedule.”

Pac-12 college football analyst Yogi Roth weighed in on the approaching season and what it means for the Trojans moving forward.

“In my eyes, [USC has] a schedule that will help build a very strong resumé for them.”

Two noticeable absences from the Trojans’ schedule are matchups with the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies, traditionally two of the more competitive teams in the Pac-12.

“Overall, I like the narrative,” Roth said. “I think they miss, obviously, Oregon and Washington, but I don’t think you can knock them for that, it’s just the way the schedule is. It’s not like the Pac-12 is trying to give them a road to a title any easier than they would any other opponent.”

With or without a fan-filled Coliseum, the Trojans are preparing for a knockout season in pursuit of the 2021 Pac-12 title.