“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.
No. 13 USC rolls with unpredictable Pac-12 title week
By GREG BEACHAMDecember 14, 2020 GMT
LOS ANGELES (AP) No. 13 Southern California’s reward for completing a perfect regular season last weekend was the opportunity to host the Pac-12 championship game.
Only the Pac-12 wasn’t totally sure who the Trojans (5-0) would play in that game Friday night, so they would have to prepare for two or maybe three opponents.
Oh, and they would also have to do it on their second consecutive short week of short rest.
USC’s opponent was Washington for about 36 hours, only to become Oregon on Monday when the Huskies determined they had too many COVID-19 cases in a critical position group.