USC is hoping for a complete game against Colorado.

The eighth-ranked Trojans (8-1, 6-1 Pac-12) welcome the lowly Buffaloes (1-8, 1-5 Pac-12) to the L.A. Coliseum on Friday for a weeknight game under the lights. After a couple uneasy wins, USC has spent the week talking about finishing games and playing more complementary football. The offense has played well while the defense has given up yards and points in bunches.

Coach Lincoln Riley and the team’s leaders have been sure to say all the right things this week with regard to not overlooking the Buffs, but few expect this game to be close. 

Bill Connelly’s SP+ would agree with that sentiment. 

The predictive model is calling for a 50-14 USC win. It gives the Trojans a 98% chance of winning.

That would move the Trojans to 9-1, what would match the best record through 10 games the program has enjoyed since the 2008 season. That campaign ended with a trip to the Rose Bowl and a win over Penn State. USC

“Reminded the guys in the locker room, 11 months ago we came out to a practice and watched a game with our future team, and a lot’s changed since then,” Riley said after the Cal win. I think first and foremost for our team, whether this is years down the road and we had a great season and won the national championship before, or you’re in Year 1 coming off 4-8 the previous year, the first thing we’re going to do is we’re going to appreciate winning. Winning is hard. For us, our program, our players, finding ways to do that is still paramount. So I’m extremely proud of the win.”

They’ll look to do it again Friday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on FS1. If SP+ is right, it should be a satisfying evening.