USC is still not trusted by many to be a contender in college football this season. Prior to last week getting a victory over Illinois in Week 5 would have been a huge statement victory for the Trojans. After Illinois got blown out and embarrassed by Indiana, maybe not so much.
In our Southern California Football Roundtable, we take a look at the matchup between USC against Illinois Saturday. We each touch on whether the impact of a possible victory would be reduced by last week’s blowout loss for Illinois. Here are our thoughts on whether the Illinois face-plant meaningfully changes how we see this game:
Editor Matt Zemek
No it doesn’t. Indiana is good. Very good. Curt Cignetti is a stud. The Hoosiers maxed out. Illinois ran into a buzzsaw. Illinois now will be even more motivated, not less, to play and beat USC. The Illini must win this game. They are at home on Fox Big Noon Saturday. Nothing about this game really changes for me in terms of how hard the Illini will play. Chances are they will be a lot better than they were against Indiana.
Trojans Wire Writer Micah Huff
I would have much rather seen USC take on an Illinois team that was 5-0. This game could have been a signature win for the Trojans. The statement win that could have put the Trojans in the top 15. Now if USC wins this game the Trojans will still be ranked in the 20s. USC still has to win this football game and cannot be the opponent that helps Illinois bounce back.
Trojans Wire Writer Adam Bradford
It changes my overall attitude about Illinois for sure. After their splattering against Indiana, I no longer view the Illini as a legitimate CFP contender. But they are still a very good team that is very much capable of beating USC on Saturday. If anything, the result makes me more nervous for the Trojans, as Illinois is going to be returning home with a massive chip on its shoulder after the embarrassing road loss.
UCLA Wire Writer Ryan Lorenz
Big time. The Fighting Illini took a big shot to their reputation with their blowout loss to Indiana, which makes this week’s game against the USC Trojans an interesting one. Illinois is fighting to save face as they attempt to prove to themselves and college football fans that they belong as a top team in college football. Whereas, USC is trying to prove that their name deserves to be in the conversation as one of the best rather than as an afterthought.
UCLA Wire Writer Dylan McNeill
Last week’s blowout loss changes my season-long outlook for Illinois, but less so for their chances next week against USC. It’ll be an early game for the Trojans against a team that’s looking to restore some pride after getting shellacked by the Hoosiers last week. I expected a better performance from Illinois against Indiana. Now the team is in crucial need of a quick turnaround against the Trojans this week.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: SoCal Football Roundtable–Can a victory over Illinois still be a statement win for USC?
Reporting by Micah Huff, Adam Bradford and Matt Zemek, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
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