Bold denotes Conference Game
USC Trojans 2009 Football Schedule Overview
| Schedule At A Glance | |
| Home Games | |
| 6 | |
| Away Games | |
| 6 | |
| Defining Game | |
| Every Game | |
| AP Top 25 Games | |
| 3 | |
| Predicted Finish | |
| 10-2 | |
| Predicted Bowl | |
| Holiday or BCS at-large | |
The Trojans come into 2009 with the same expectations that accompany the nation’s best program of the decade every year. National title or bust. Lately, it’s been bust as USC has had trouble navigating its Pac-10 schedule.
Losses to Stanford, Oregon, Oregon State (twice) and UCLA have sealed the Trojans fate in three consecutive seasons, so much to the point the Rose Bowl has become something of a nuisance to the storied program.
Other than the Oregon game, all losses have been considered major upsets. USC has thrived in the biggest games, but can’t seem to keep its focus for the entire conference schedule.
Looking at the 2009 lineup, one figures to have @ Cal and @ Oregon circled. The Trojans haven’t won in the state of Oregon since 2005 and Cal is predicted by many to contend for the conference title. It’s hard to say there is any one pivotal game for a program that demands perfection so they all matter equally.
It’s a funny thing predicting a second place finish for a team that has won its conference 7 straight seasons. It doesn’t feel right and it feels like there is a lot of homerism at work. But given Oregon’s schedule and USC’s unusual uncertainty heading into the season, this feels like the year it will happen. Oregon was locked in to the title in 2007 and has the tools to finish what it started in 2009. USC can delight in a new bowl experience.
