When the four Pac-12 teams moved to the Big Ten -- USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington -- there was much debate about whether the western schools could handle the physicality of the Big Ten.
Oregon has adjusted, knocking off the Big Ten's finest, Ohio State Saturday night. Washington is in a rebuilding phase after their successful season last year, so expectations are low for them. Both California schools are facing difficulties and are currently positioned at the lowest ranks of the Big Ten standings.
USC, in particular, was expected to adjust similarly to Oregon, but so far, the Trojans are at the bottom of the Big 10 standings.
After Saturday's loss to Penn State, the Trojans fall to 1-3 in the Big Ten. The Trojans played well in the first half, but Penn State outscored them 27-10 between the second half and overtime. This resembled their previous loss to Minnesota where they gave up 14 points in the fourth quarter, resulting in a three-point loss.
The Trojans' second half mistakes seems to be a recurring problem at present.
The remaining Big Ten schedule for the Trojans has opportunity for them to have a winning record in their season apart of the Big Ten. Their next game will be an East Coast trip to take on Maryland. Maryland is still seeking their first conference win of the season, so that could be another inspired football contest. In the last three conference games, the Trojans will face familiar opponents with a trip to Washington and a match against cross-town rival UCLA.
The Trojans are unlikely to win the Big 10, but they have an opportunity to make a strong push in the final month of the regular season.
