They are one of the best predictors of the Oscars out there and what they pick could carry over to the Oscars. Look for their winner to possibly carry over to the Oscars, though BlacKkKlansman and A Star Is Born weren’t nominated here, so that might be the only fly in the ointment.

USC SCRIPTER AWARDS

Best Adapted Screenplay

Black Panther
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Thomas, RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp)
The Death of Stalin
If Beale Street Could Talk (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Leave No Trace

Wesley Lovell: This group honors both the screenwriter and the original author, which likely gives If Beale Street Could Talk the advantage. Although the novel author, James Baldwin, died over thirty years ago, he is the most notable author on this list and Barry Jenkins should easily claim the prize. The only real competition here is co-Oscar nominee Can You Ever Forgive Me? based on the memoir of the same name by the subject of the film, Lee Israel. Israel died more recently than Baldwin, but her literary forgery is a compelling subject. Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty could win for their screenplay, but I think Jenkins and Baldwin have the advantage.
Peter J. Patrick: I see the adaptation of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk an easy winner here, with Can You Ever Forgive Me? the closest also-ran.
Tripp Burton: The literary pedigree of Beale Street seems a solid leader in this pack. The other four are running behind.
Thomas LaTourette: With some of the other Oscar nominees not listed here, it probably comes down to a race between If Beale Street Could Talk and Can You Ever Forgive Me? I was more entertained by the more personal Forgive, and will predict it to win here, even though I doubt it could prevail at the Oscars.