What are USC football's national championship odds for 2023 season?

Coming into 2023, the Trojans bring back Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams as well as a large number of difference makers on both sides of the ball

Earlier this week, FanDuel Sportsbook updated its national championship odds ahead of the 2023 college football season. The USC Trojans currently have the fifth best odds of any team in the country to win the title at +1600. The top four consists of Georgia (+220), Alabama (+500), Ohio State (+700) and Michigan (+1000).

Here are the other 15 teams in the top 20: Florida State (+1800), LSU (+1800), Clemson (+2000), Penn State (+2000), Washington (+3000), Tennessee (+3000), Notre Dame (+3000), Oregon (+3000), Texas (+3000), Texas A&M (+6000), Utah (+6000) and Oklahoma (+6000). Four schools have +10000 odds: North Carolina, TCU, UCLA and Wisconsin.

USC went 11-3 last season in the first year under head coach Lincoln Riley. The team was most likely a Pac-12 championship win against Utah away from the College Football Playoff, but USC fell 47-24 in that game. In the Cotton Bowl a month later, the Trojans lost to Tulane 46-45. USC ended last season at No. 12 in the final AP Poll.

Coming into 2023, the Trojans bring back Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams as well as a large number of difference makers on both sides of the ball. USC has also bolstered its roster, especially its defense, with double-digit transfer portal additions. Having the fifth best odds to win the National Championship makes sense. 

One area of concern though is that USC's schedule for next season is noticeably tougher than it was a year ago. In the back half of 2023, the Trojans play at Notre Dame, against Utah, against Washington, at Oregon and then against UCLA.