Ever since the Trojans tore through the Michigan Wolverines in last season's Rose Bowl; they've been the favorites to play for the 2008 National Title in New Orleans.
For the last 6 years, USC has worn the pre-season crown and rightfully so. Give head coach Pete Carroll credit for resurrecting USC's dominate tradition in college football. In addition to Carroll's national recruiting success, perhaps the most rewarding coaching decision he's made was switching the Trojans uniforms to a style that harkens back to the era of the 1960s. A simple marketing tool, but an obvious intimidation factor.
If last season's Rose Bowl victory is any indication of things to come during the post Leinart/Bush era; we can look forward to seeing more Heisman winners and National Championships for the men of Troy.
Or Can we?
Pete Carroll's Trojan teams are built around menacing defenses and exceptional performances from the offensive skill positions. USC has produced a Heisman winner in three of the last five seasons.
Similar to the start of the '07 season; the Trojans have tremendous shoes to fill on offense with the departure of All-American wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. However, after one season at the helm; QB John David Booty has proven he has the skills to help nourish a young talented receiving core. There's still a question mark at the running-back position with the recent departure of second leading rusher Emmanuel Moody. This could be considered only a minor setback with the abundance of yard rushers the Trojans keep in their stable.
However, the Pac 10 remains one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. Pac 10 contenders UCLA and Cal appear to be more concerned about beating the Trojans than actually winning the conference crown. USC struggled at mid-season; and Oregon State was able to expose the Trojan's weaknesses. UCLA took advantage of the Trojans inconsistencies and were successful in their rivalry win last year in Pasadena.
But every college program starts a new season with question marks. Even the great ones like USC.
Could the holes on the offensive side of the ball be a sign of vulnerability for the Trojans, and cause them another National Title?
That's a question being discussed in coaches' staff meetings.
USC holes are quite different from holes in other programs. Replacing All-Americans, Heisman trophy winners, and 1st round draft picks is a very difficult thing to do. However, replacing them with 5 star high school blue-chips isn't a bad place to start.
Yet, how fast those 5 star high school athletes develop and can live up to their expectation is what will determine how dominant USC can actually be.
If there's any team on USC's schedule that's going to identify a weakness, they're more than likely going to come from the Pac 10. The Trojans will eventually find their way to the Rose Bowl this season, but it will probably come with 1 or 2 losses.
If any Pac 10 team smells blood from the Trojans, look for them to go for the kill.
4 DOWNS WHY USC WILL NOT BE PLAYING FOR THE TITLE IN NEW ORLEANS
1st Down: UCLA
Much like the Trojans, the Bruins will field one of the toughest defenses in the country. Although they are not as talented or athletic as the Trojans; they are an experienced group that plays with a lot of emotion. The Bruins are suspect on offense; which will likely cause them 1 or 2 losses this season.
The Pac 10 title could very well be decided in LA. USC is undefeated at home in the new millennium; and will be out for revenge against the Bruins this season.
2nd Down: Cal & DeSean Jackson
You could make the argument that most 4 and 5 star California recruits that turn down the Trojans; usually end up at Cal. Perhaps Cal's biggest recruit in recent years WR DeSean Jackson; has put knocking off the Trojans this season over winning the Heisman Trophy. Ever since Jackson became a Cal Bear in '04, there's been a lot of animosity built between these two teams. To bad for Jackson, he'll be triple teamed again this season and QB Nate Longshore won't be able to find him because he'll be on his back.
Better luck next year in the NFL for Jackson.
3rd Down: Running back by committee
"Tailback U-S-C" has been remarkably balanced with both its passing game and running game. In the past 5 seasons the Trojans have produced (3) Heisman Trophy Winners; (2) at the quarterback and (1) at running back. QB John David Booty stepped up big in '06 by replacing record setting QB Matt Leinart. But inconsistencies in the running game might have caused the Trojans a trip to Arizona last season. With Moody gone, USC is now down to what--19 running backs on scholarship? Look for Coach Carroll to go with the best (2) backs by mid-season. If the Trojans are playing 4 or 5 ball-carriers by the sixth game of the season; there could be some uncertainty with in the offense.
4th Down: Patrick Turner and the USC receiving core
First Mike Williams; then Dwayne Jarrett; now Patrick Turner. With only (2) career touchdown receptions and (0) starts; Turner has more pressure in him than perhaps any receiver in USC history.
After the 2004 season, the Trojans were forced into making a decision between California's top recruit WR DeSean Jackson and Tennessee native Patrick Turner. The deciding factor would be which player would wear #1. Turner would get the decision, but has yet to produce the spectacular numbers that most star athletes envision while wearing a single digit number. Meanwhile, Jackson got his #1 jersey; only it's in a Cal uniform. Jackson has also exceeded all expectations; and although it's likely he won't see a victory against the Trojans; he'll have two invitations to New York after the season. One as a possible Heisman candidate and the second for the NFL Draft.
But apparently, in USC's case you don't need much experience at the skill position. Not when you're replacing one blue chip after another. In 2004, the Trojans won the national title without All-American WR Mike Williams. Let's hope Pete Carroll's fixation for big receivers pays off a third time.
The USC Trojans were the second luckiest team in 2006 behind the Florida Gators.
After their 13-9 lost to the the Bruins, Head Coach Pete Carroll was asked during a post-game interview; "What do you tell your team now, after you just lost an opportunity to play for the National Title?" Coach Carroll simple replied, "We're going to go to the Rose Bowl".
Must be nice to have those kind of options.
