What Will It Take To Beat USC?

Texas will have its hands full with USC QB Sam Darnold.

"In the pass game, just his athleticism just creates and buys more time for guys to get open," USC coach Clay Helton said Tuesday during the Pac-12 coaches teleconference. "I can't tell you how many times, with those 26 passes he had in the game (against Stanford), how many times all of a sudden he created, bought time, kept his eyes downfield and made accurate throws. His athleticism goes a long way to our success."

Tom Herman is not shying away from the Horns’ underdog status.

"We are an underdog," Herman said. "They've been doing this a while at Southern Cal. We haven't. Great season last year. Quarterback is as good as there is in the country. Skill position players all over the place that are as good as there is in the country. Coaching staff and a scheme that's as good as there is in the country. I would say they're definitely the favorite."

What will it take for Texas to beat USC?

#1 ... I'm convinced Texas' best chance to move the ball against USC this week is going to a two-back set withChris Warren III and Kyle Porter and running a bunch of counter and power with fly sweep action and the same combination of Sam Ehlinger and Jerrod Heard at QB.

#2 ... Texas fans had better hope Todd Orlando hasn't shown his true, pass-rush package and has been saving it for Sam Darnold.

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Not fake news. The Los Angeles Times remembers that Texas did actually beat USC in a game a couple of years ago.

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