“It’s one of those weeks where you’ve got to embrace and love the grind,” Helton said. “This is what it’s all about.”
If Helton and his Trojans feel any resentment toward the process that landed them in this patchwork matchup Friday night at the Coliseum instead of being declared the conference’s champion outright, they aren’t sharing it. USC is playing its third game in 13 days against a well-rested opponent, but the Trojans are only thinking about the opportunity to earn a conference title and a January bowl game for the second time under Helton.
“When you face adversity, what defines you is when you overcome it,” USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said.