'An old-fashioned joust between Knights and Trojans': Daily Targum predicts Rutgers versus USC

The 4-0 start for Rutgers football appears to have just been a flash in the pan. After three straight bad losses, the expectations of the Scarlet Knights (4-3, 1-3) potentially epic season have shifted drastically as they now look to be a long shot for even making a bowl game.

Where does the phrase "flash in the pan" even come from? Let us educate the readers today as you ponder if Rutgers' 4-0 start was just that: a flash in the pan.

Merriam-Webster says the phrase originates "from the firing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece." Essentially, one would try to fire a musket, and the gunpowder would flare up, but no ball would fire.

You learn something new every day.

Now let's get into The Daily Targum's predictions of the Knights' Friday night road game against USC.

Josh Meyers, head sports editor:

"It has been a bad few weeks for Rutgers. After winning their first four games, the Knights have dropped three straight. I don't think that losing streak is going to change. Rutgers is heading to USC on a short week with injuries to many key players and a messed up sleep schedule on the Pacific Coast. It won't be pretty for the Knights as they lose 34-13 to a Trojan team that needs a bounce-back win even more. USC running back Woody Marks lights up the scoreboard with two rushing touchdowns and 120-plus yards while receiver Kyron Hudson hauls in his third touchdown of the year."

Camden Markel, associate sports editor:

"It has been a fall from grace for Rutgers in the last three weeks. The Scarlet Knights came into the season with a lot of hype about a potential special season, then they started 4-0 and folks began to really believe … now it's all come crashing down. My goodness, the team has looked bad the last three games."

"Everyone knows Rutgers should lose this game with the way it's been playing, so the Knights will turn the world upside down and walk out of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a win. If you had predicted Rutgers to win this game ahead of the season, you would've been picking what finally might be a program-defining win. Instead, it will just be a weird game where you can't decide which team is more of a mess. The Knights get a late-night 26-24 victory. Senior running back Kyle Monangai scores a long touchdown of more than 50 yards. Let's get weird."

Matthew Mangam, associate sports editor:

"An old-fashioned joust between Knights and Trojans. The latter will come out triumphant in this one 31-14."

Philip Jaccoma, correspondent:

"USC wins 42-28. The Trojans are a much better team than UCLA was, which doesn't bode well for Rutgers. Combined with the fact the Knights are on the road, I'm not sure the defense can do much to stop Miller Moss and company. Expect Moss' best game of the season and for the Rutgers defense to let up at least 400 yards of offense."

"A bright spot last week was the Knights' somewhat decent passing offense. Expect senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to replicate that with more than 200 yards, and two touchdowns. Monangai will have the other two."

James Mertz, contributing writer:

"USC wins 31-21. After two embarrassing losses and a roster that continues to battle through injuries, things don't get any easier for Rutgers traveling across the country on a short week."

"The offense showed significant signs of improvement last week, and against a subpar USC defense, they'll be able to put more points on the board. Kaliakmanis will lead the way with 200 passing yards and Monangai will punch in a touchdown."

"The combination of an explosive USC offense and a tired and bruised Knights defense ultimately will lead to a big day for Moss and the Trojans handily winning this game."

Jack Rabenhorst, contributing writer:

"USC beats Rutgers 35-10. The Knights are terrible and it's gonna be a terrible game to stay up late for! Monangai has a good game with at least 75 yards and a touchdown."

Nicholas Hart, contributing writer:

"Coming in with both teams on three-game losing streaks, the expectations for this game have shifted since preseason. The Knights need to play a full four-quarter game if they want to come out of USC with a win, and that is not something we have seen Rutgers do all season."

"Kaliakmanis is due for a standout game and I think he comes out of this game with two or more touchdowns and more than 250 yards passing. Senior wide receiver Dymere Miller was an early favorite target for Kaliakmanis but has not had such production over the past few weeks. This is a good time for Miller to have a breakout game, with 75 yards and a touchdown catch."

"Defensively, the story of the year has been getting after the quarterback, and the lack of that ability at times, the defense needs to step up and record at least two sacks. Overall I think Rutgers does drop its fourth straight game by a score of 24-17 against USC."

Lucas Tang, contributing writer:

"Both teams come into the game with a three-game losing streak, but I predict that USC will defeat Rutgers 34-17. The Trojans' defeats all came within one score, including an overtime loss to No. 3 Penn State. I predict that both of the Scarlet Knights' touchdowns will be scored by Monangai. He'll rush for more than 100 yards in the loss."

Jonathan Vasquez, contributing writer:

"USC wins 33-17. Kaliakmanis throws two interceptions with less than 150 passing yards. Rutgers will trail the entire game and won't score a touchdown until the second half. 'GG's in the chat, we may not make a bowl game."

Friday night's matchup will kick off at 11 p.m. EST and be broadcast on FOX.