Alabama Crimson Tide: 2020 Opponents rated better or worse than 2019

Better than 2019 – Southern Cal Trojans (Sept. 5 in Arlington, TX)

According to Bill Connelly, the Trojans return 87 percent of their 2019 defensive productivity. USC also returns 77 percent of offensive productivity. Losing wide receiver Kyle Ford to a serious knee injury will drive the 77 percent down only slightly. Ford saw limited action as a redshirt last season. He was counted on to be a 2020 starter.

The Trojans went 8-5 last season, including a Holiday Bowl loss to Iowa. Before the bowl defeat, the Trojans won five of six games as the offense took off, led by QB, Kedon Slovis. Slovis is a big-time passer. The Trojans have wide receiver shoes to fill and will not have Kyle Ford. Still, USC will field a talented receiver group.

Last season’s problem for USC was defense. Oregon scored 56 points on then. Iowa put up 49 in the Holiday Bowl. Statistically, the best, team defensive stat in 2019 was Pass Defense at No. 64 in the FBS. Total Defense and Rushing Defense were No. 78. Worst of all, USC was No. 90 in Red Zone Defense.

Clay Helton hired Todd Orlando to repair and rebuild the USC defense. The USC offense will score plenty of points. Slovis will a tough challenge for every opposing defense. Against an inexperienced Alabama football secondary, the Trojans should score on the Tide. The Trojans’ defense will be better than it was last season. The teams’ biggest problem against Iowa was not the defense. The Trojans gave up 328 yards, but the USC offense out-gained the Hawkeyes. Three USC turnovers, to none for Iowa, made the game a blowout.

Southern Cal Prediction for Sept. 5 – Better than last season, not enough defense to stop the Crimson Tide.

Note: All 2019 Team Stats were sourced from the NCAA.