USC football schedule and analysis

Entering their first full season under Clay Helton, the Trojans face one of the nation’s toughest schedules, a slate that includes six teams ranked in the Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll. A closer look:

Saturday vs. Alabama

5 p.m., AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

It marks the schools’ first meeting since 1985. Alabama is looking to repeat as national champion for the second time under Nick Saban after accomplishing the feat in 2011 and 2012.

Sept. 10 vs, Utah State

11 a.m., L.A. Coliseum

The last time Utah State visited the Coliseum in 2013, it nearly pulled off an upset before USC narrowly survived, 17-14.

Sept. 17 at Stanford

5 p.m., Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto

For the first time since 2012, Stanford will break in a new starter at quarterback, as it looks to replace Kevin Hogan. In a mild upset, Ryan Burns beat out Keller Chryst to start in the season opener, though Chryst may rotate in.

Sept. 23 at Utah

6 p.m., Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah

Last season, the Utes were tough to beat at home, as they went 6-1 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Their lone loss there came against UCLA, 17-9, late in the season.

Oct. 1 vs. Arizona State

TBA, L.A. Coliseum

The Sun Devils’ 38-34 win over USC on a Hail Mary two years ago was their first in the Coliseum since 1999. Jaelen Strong caught the 46-yard touchdown pass as time expired.

Oct. 8 vs. Colorado

TBA, L.A. Coliseum

USC has not lost to Colorado since the Buffaloes joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Colorado has only five conference wins the past five seasons, including two in three years under Mike MacIntyre, who figures to be on the hot seat.

Oct. 15 at Arizona

TBA, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz.

Don’t expect the Wildcats to be much of a reprieve, even as the schedule lightens up in October. Arizona returns 15 starters and is only two years removed from wiing the Pac-12 South Division.

Oct. 27 vs. Cal

7:30 p.m., L.A. Coliseum

Quarterback Davis Webb, the newly arrived graduate transfer from Texas Tech, takes over for Jared Goff. He threw for 5,557 yards in three seasons with the Red Raiders and 441 in Cal’s opening win Friday against Hawaii in Australia.

Nov. 5 vs. Oregon

TBA, L.A. Coliseum

Oregon has a new quarterback, Dakota Prukop, a graduate transfer from Montana State. But offense hasn’t been an issue against USC. In the past two meetings, the Ducks have scored 48 points and 62 points.

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Nov. 12 at Washington

TBA, Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash.

This will be USC’s first trip to Husky Stadium since 2009, when the Trojans, coached by Pete Carroll, were upset in the Huskies’ first season under Steve Sarkisian. The teams met in Seattle in 2012 at CenturyLink Field while Husky Stadium underwent renovations.

Nov. 19 at UCLA

TBA, Rose Bowl, Pasadena

USC’s last two trips to face crosstown rival UCLA in the Rose Bowl did not go well, with the Bruins wiing by 18 points in 2014 and 10 points in 2012.

Nov. 26 vs. Notre Dame

TBA, L.A. Coliseum

The Fighting Irish cap the grueling November slate that includes four ranked teams that won a combined 34 games last season. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly is 4-2 against USC since arriving in South Bend.