USC National Championship Odds Shorten Significantly Following Caleb Williams Announcing Transfer to Trojans

• Former Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams has announced his transfer to USC
• The Trojans’ National Championship odds have shortened at all online sportsbooks
• Read below for analysis on USC’s National Title odds with Williams transferring

Former Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams is transferring to USC. The star pivot will be reunited with head coach Lincoln Riley, who joined the Pac-12 program in November.

The Trojans saw immediate improvement in their National Championship odds following the announcement. USC’s Title odds immediately shortened at most online sportsbooks in the wake of Williams’ decision.

Now that Riley and Williams are reunited, is USC worthy of a National Title wager in 2022-23?

2022-23 National Championship Odds

Odds as of February 1st on FanDuel Sportsbook App

USC was listed at +5500 at FanDuel ahead of the announcement. They can be found as short as +2500 currently at DraftKings Sportsbook after this announcement from Caleb Williams. Williams’ Heisman Trophy odds also shortened in most places after news broke.

Williams Announces Transfer to USC

After much speculation, Williams officially announced his plans to transfer to USC on Tuesday. The move reunites the former Oklahoma signal-caller with his previous coach Lincoln Riley.  UCLA, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wisconsin were among the other schools favored to land Williams.

Game on 😎💯 @CALEBcsw #FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/hkjh8MLssR

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) February 1, 2022

Williams told ESPN that gaining familiarity with Riley and his offense at OU played a part in his selection. The starting pivot excelled in his first CFB season with Riley, throwing for 1,912 yards and 21 TDs with four picks. Williams rushed for an additional 442 yards and six TDs on the ground.

The Riley-Williams reunion should have bettors salivating at what the Trojans can cook up in 2022. Riley helped develop two No. 1 overall NFL picks in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, while coaching another promising NFL starter in Jalen Hurts.

Are the Trojans Legit National Title Contenders?

USC is still listed as a National Title longshot despite landing one of the highest-profile transfers in college football history. Since the news broke, the Trojans have seen their National Championship odds shorten from +5000 to +4000. Those odds could shorten further this offseason.

✌️

— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) February 1, 2022

USC went 4-8 in the Pac-12 last season, so oddsmakers know it may take some time for Riley to get this program turned around. The Trojans ranked third-last in the conference in total defense and were blown out by top teams like Utah and Notre Dame.

The good news is Williams will have weapons on offense to work with. Riley has now added 13 transfers from the transfer portal since arriving at USC, including Williams’ favorite target at OU in Mario Williams. Cornerback Latrell McCutchin also followed Riley to USC.

Recent Transfer Additions Reload Trojans for 2022

Does USC have a talented enough roster to contend for a National Championship in 2022? Riley is certainly assembling a powerhouse for his first year in Los Angeles. In addition to the 13 transfers, the Trojans return four of their top five receivers from last year’s team.

𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱‼️#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/msNgtIACM7

— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) February 1, 2022

One of USC’s biggest offseason splashes was landing former Oregon running back Travis Dye out of the transfer portal in January. Dye has been one of the best RB’s in the Pac-12 over the last several years, rushing for 3,111 yards and 21 TDs in four seasons with the Ducks.

USC has lost quarterbacks Kedon Slovis and Jaxson Dart to the transfer portal, but Williams is an immediate impact player. According to ESPN, Williams signed the necessary paperwork to register for classes on Friday, the school’s deadline to be considered a student this spring.

Does Caleb Williams Make USC Worth a Bet to Win National Title?

The Trojans might be the preseason Pac-12 favorite entering the 2022-23 season and should be considered darkhorse CFP contenders. While the defense needs major work, the arrival of Williams given them the most potential out of any team in the Pac-12.

Riley is making Southern Cal a premier destination for blue-chip players. This is very reminiscent to the Pete Carroll days when USC became a superpower in the 2000’s. Players like Carson Palmer, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart all bought in to Carrol’s vision early on.

✌🏽 #FightOn pic.twitter.com/vBSwi86gpb

— Caleb Williams (@CALEBcsw) February 1, 2022

While it’s tempting to bet USC at a longshot price to win the National Title, the Trojans are likely 2-3 years away from having a potential National Championship-calibre roster. OU had an even more talented roster last season and Riley couldn’t take them to the CFP.

Alabama and Ohio State are expected to have the most complete teams in 2022, but USC could be worth a look in the Pac-12 odds. The Trojans have a tough road game at Utah in October that could determine the Pac-12 South, but Williams’ arrival gives them a solid shot.