The splashiest head coaching hire in college football and maybe the most anticipated team in all of college football, USC is a narrative gold mine this season. Everyone wants to know if this can work in Year 1.

Can Lincoln Riley’s rapid roster overhaul lead to immediate results? Can all the first-year Trojans coalesce and play like a team, a group greater than the sum of their parts? We’re close to getting some answers, as USC is set to kick off against Rice on Saturday at 3 p.m. PT.

Ahead of that game, Pac-12 Network’s Yogi Roth offered his thoughts on the Trojans in the new season. Check it out below.

The Trojans aren’t expected to be challenged by Rice in their opener. The point spread is huge. USC’s offense has best-in-class potential, and its Week 1 matchup with the Owls doesn’t figure to test it all that much. But it’ll be our first look at this new USC, so there will be plenty to learn.

The game kicks off on Pac-12 Network at 3 p.m. PT.