USC Loses JT Daniels for the Season; National Championship Odds Sink to +8000

• USC beat Fresno State 31-23 in Week 1
• But the Trojans lost starting QB JT Daniels to a season-ending knee injury in the game
• USC’s odds to win National Championship have fallen to +8000, on average

The USC Trojans are coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and are looking to rebound in 2019 under fourth-year head coach Clay Helton.

The Trojans prevailed over Fresno State in Week 1, but they lost starting quarterback JT Daniels to a knee injury in the second quarter. Daniels reportedly tore his ACL and is done for the season.

With USC now at around +8000 in the updated National Championship Odds, how should you bet on the Trojans moving forward?

National Championship Odds

*Odds taken 09/01/19

Impact of JT Daniels Injury

It was already going to be tough for the Trojans to turn in a rebound season this year, but an injury to their starting quarterback makes things even tougher.

Daniels had to be carted from the field during the second quarter of USC’s home opener against Fresno State after he was tackled during a sack. Reports now say Daniels tore his ACL and is done for the season. This is devastating news for USC and anyone with money on the Trojans.

JUST IN: #USC quarterback JT Daniels is done for the season, according to multiple reports saying the QB tore his ACL against Fresno State.https://t.co/EdpaVe9ujN

— Reign of Troy Radio (@ReignofTroy) September 1, 2019

Prior to the injury, Daniels was 25-of-34 for 215 yards and a touchdown with one interception in the first half. The Trojans’ starting QB recorded 2,627 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 2018.

This is a major loss for Helton and the Trojans. USC already wasn’t a great bet to win a title this season as they have to compete with Pac-12 powerhouses Oregon, Washington and Utah. The injury to Daniels makes their value as a potential longshot even worse.

True Freshman Kedon Slovis Takes Over as Starter

The Trojans looked good in the first half against Fresno State with Daniels, but when it got to the second half, we saw some familiar traits that contributed to USC’s losing season in 2018.

The Trojans entered the second half leading 17-10 and things started to get sloppy. Backup QB Kedon Slovis missed targets on his first few plays and ended up throwing an interception on a first down due to an overthrown pass. USC also hurt themselves with additional turnovers and almost gave up the lead.

Slovis did seem to settle in later on, showing some poise and connecting with redshirt junior Velus Jones Jr. for a 41-yard TD.

We saw Kedon Slovis make a lot of throws like that in practice. What a dime #USC

— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) September 1, 2019

Despite Slovis improving during the game, he’s inexperienced and likely won’t fare well against talented teams such as Utah and Washington. The Trojans do catch a break with their Week 2 opponent, Stanford, also losing their starting QB, K.J. Costello, to a head injury. But USC’s play in the second half versus Fresno State is concerning.

Verdict on the 2019 Trojans

The Trojans had little hope to win a National Championship this season before the injury to Daniels.

USC has to play Stanford, BYU, Utah, Washington and Notre Dame next on their schedule. None of those games were great matchups for the Trojans at the best of times.

Despite USC’s odds to win the CFP falling to +8000, I don’t see value in betting on the Trojans as a longshot. Having a true freshman with no experience as your starting QB combined with a tough schedule is a recipe for disaster.

The Pac-12 powers will feast on Slovis. Just imagine what a team like Alabama or Clemson would do to the youngster.