Music to listen to: Beauty in the World by Macy Gray
Last Season: The Trojans began the first year of their probation which includes scholarship limitation and bans from the postseason, including bowls. However, the Trojans did finish last year with a record of 8-5 overall and 5-4 in the conference, good enough for third in the Pac-10. USC has many close games, including a three point win at Virginia, one point win against Arizona State and a three point win at Arizona. However, the squad also suffered painful losses such as a one point loss at home to Washington, a two point loss at Stanford and a four point defeat at home against Notre Dame. If the Trojans performed up to their entire potential, they could have been a ten-win team last year.
Offense: The good news for USC is that the maturation of junior quarterback Matt Barkley has made the Trojans one of the top offensive units in the Pac-12 and arguably the entire nation. This may be his final year with the Trojans and there are even expectations of being a Heisman finalist this season.
Barkley will have plenty of options to throw to led by the 2010 Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Robert Woods, incoming freshman George Farmer, redshirt freshman Kyle Prater and a variety of others.
The running backs unit is solid led by Marc Tyler and Dillon Baxter. However, the biggest concern is on the offensive line, which must replace three starters.
Defense: While the offense will put up points this year, the defense may give up just as many. The Trojans gave up 400.1 yards per game last year, which is inexcusable for a unit that was one of the best ever for the past decade. You have to expect highly respected defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin will be able to improve the unit in his second year in Los Angeles.
The Trojans have physical talent in linebackers Chris Gallipo, Devon Kennard and safety T.J. McDonald but it has to come together if USC expects to have a double-digit win season.
Coaching: The coaching skills of Lane Kiffin will really come into focus this year as the sanctions against the program really begin to take shape. The Trojans’ roster consists of mostly players who came into the program before the probation started but the depth of the squad will become a concern for the next few years.
The Trojans will always attract top talent but when you have limited scholarships, the backup offensive guard you have may be a walk-on and what happens when your starter goes down? You get the idea.
Lane Kiffin is a polarizing figure for his off-the-field actions but with a new regime running the program, particularly a new athletic director, its imperative that the coach has a solid season this year or his job may be in trouble.
Schedule:
9/3 vs. Minnesota
9/10 vs.Utah
9/17 vs. Syracuse
9/24 at Arizona State
10/1 vs. Arizona
10/13 at California
10/22 at Notre Dame
10/29 vs. Stanford
11/4 at Colorado
11/12 vs. Washington
11/19 at Oregon
11/26 vs. UCLA
The Trojans can be 3-0 heading into Arizona State in a contest that will probably determine who will win the Pac-12 South. The trips to Notre Dame and Oregon will be tough, as well as the home game against Stanford. The rest of the schedule is not overwhelming.
Best Case: The defense comes together and the Trojans win the Pac-12 South but can’t participate in the conference title game or a bowl.
Worst Case: The defense doesn’t show much improvement, the Trojans stumble at home against Utah and get crushed at Arizona State. The rest of the season consists of winning games that they’re supposed to (vs. Washington) and losing some games that they shouldn’t (vs. UCLA), ending the year disappointed with a record of 6-6.
Alumna Crush: There’s plenty of “talent” from the women of Troy so you get THREE crushes from me.
Sophia Bush has been a winner for years on One Tree Hill but the performance in John Tucker Must Die got a standing ovation.
Robin Thicke, not only do you have a badass father who was a big part of my childhood, you’re one of the most talented singers in music today, you have a beautiful and talented wife as well in Paula Patton. Some guys have all the luck. Congrats to you brother.
Eve, along with Alicia Fox, is my favorite current WWE Diva and an alum of USC.
Alumnus Crush for the ladies and non-traditional sports fans:
Enjoy some Timothy Olyphant
Favorite Football Alum: There are many people to choose from but I’m going to take Troy Polamalu because he’s my nephew’s favorite defensive player and I like his mentality on and off the field.
Uniform Grade:
I like the traditional look and glad that the Trojans haven’t messed with it over the years. Would it be interesting to see red pants or a gold jersey? I would be intrigued but would rather not see this development. The only think that could be tweaked would possibly be the helmet to have the “SC” logo on it instead of the trojan head but that’s nitpicking. The Cardinal and Gold works for me. Grade: B+
Final Analysis: The schedule has the potential to be a 10-win lineup. However, there are too many questions on the offensive line and the defensive unit overall to proclaim that USC is back to its glory days.
Prediction: 8-4
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
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