Clay Helton
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, 5, pressures USC quarterback Kedon Slovis in the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
No. 13 Southern Cal latest Pac-12 team to opt out of bowl

Dec. 19, 2020 09:40 PM EST

Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) is tackled by Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game for the Pac-12 Conference championship Friday, Dec 18, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Too many mistakes add up to No. 13 USC's first loss

By Joe Reedy Dec. 19, 2020 01:23 AM EST

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, right, of Oregon, intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Tyler Vaughns, center, of USC in the first half of an NCAA college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
Oregon holds off USC late, grabs Pac-12 title with 31-24 win

By Greg Beacham Dec. 19, 2020 12:00 AM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2019, file photo, Alabama coach Nick Saban reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against LSU in Tuscaloosa, Ala. As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders.. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
Bama, Ohio St add 5-stars while preparing for champ games

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 16, 2020 06:34 PM EST

Southern California safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (21) catches an interception during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
No. 13 USC rolls with unpredictable Pac-12 title week

By Greg Beacham Dec. 14, 2020 03:44 PM EST

Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
No. 17 USC gets back to work with Sunday visit from Wash St

By Greg Beacham Dec. 03, 2020 06:51 PM EST

UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, right, throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California in Los Angeles, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Keep it Simple is the mantra for game-planning in the Pac-12

By Anne M. Peterson Dec. 02, 2020 06:04 PM EST

Southern California head coach Clay Helton looks on in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
USC resumes team activities, Helton sees path to play Sunday

By Dan Greenspan Dec. 01, 2020 03:26 PM EST

Southern California head coach Clay Helton looks on following an NCAA college football game against Utah Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Colorado-USC canceled by COVID cases; Buffs book SDSU

Nov. 26, 2020 09:26 PM EST

Washington State coach Nick Rolovich walks along the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Oregon in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Rolovich believes Washington State will be able to play USC

By Tim Booth Nov. 25, 2020 07:07 PM EST

Southern California linebacker Kana'i Mauga (26) reacts after making a tackle during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Slovis, dominant defense power No. 20 USC past Utah 33-17

Nov. 22, 2020 02:20 AM EST

Quarterback Kedon Slovis #9 of the USC Trojans passes against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. USC Trojans won 28-27. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
3rd time charm? Utah hosts No. 20 USC after 2 cancellations

By Pat Graham Nov. 19, 2020 12:07 PM EST

Stanford head coach David Shaw walks on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Is time right for USC to hire Franklin?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 14, 2020 09:47 PM EST

Arizona quarterback Grant Gunnell (17) prepares to stiff-arm Southern California linebacker Ralen Goforth (10) in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
No. 20 USC rallies again to beat Arizona 34-30 on late TD

Nov. 14, 2020 08:35 PM EST

Arizona State wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) catches a pass for a touchdown that was tipped by teammate wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (8) as Arizona State defensive back DeAndre Pierce (2) and defensive back Timarcus Davis (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Los Angeles, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)
No. 20 USC faces Arizona after escape against Arizona State

By The Associated Press Nov. 12, 2020 05:00 PM EST

Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin is shown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. Sumlin could be on the hot seat this season after going 9-15 his first seasons at Arizona. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
No. 20 USC gets another test against Arizona in road opener

By John Marshall Nov. 12, 2020 03:10 PM EST

Orlando's new USC defense set to debut after pandemic delays

By Dan Greenspan Nov. 04, 2020 05:34 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Todd Orlando has plenty of experience arriving at a new school and installing his defensive scheme for the first time. ...

FILE - This Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, file photo shows Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrating with head coach Herm Edwards after an NCAA college football game win over Washington State, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won seven games and played in a bowl game in 2018, exceeding outside expectations in its first season under Edwards, the former NFL player, coach and commentator. The Sun Devils took another step last season, winning eight games and the Sun Bowl. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Pac-12 embarks on short season with lots of new faces at QB

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 28, 2020 05:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Southern California quarterback Kedon Slovis throws against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Los Angeles. Slovis was selected as The Associated Press Pac 12 Conference team Newcomer of the Year and will start his sophomore year in November. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Loaded No. 21 USC grateful to be in Pac-12 title chase

By Greg Beacham Oct. 28, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Clemson, S.C. Clemson is preseason No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Hoping for best amid uncertainty

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 02:49 AM EDT