Even though the season won't kick off until early September, I thought it would be fun to take a look around the conference for a quick preview of the other eleven teams -- in no particular order. We'll get more in depth during the week before the Cardinal plays each team, but for now we've got a quick overview of how the team looks at this point as seen through the eyes of a blogger who knows that team best. Enjoy.
USC Trojans (Pac-12 South)
Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (40-45)
2010: (8-5, 4-5, T-3rd)
Lost to Stanford, 37-35
Allen Bradford rushed the ball into the end zone from three yards out, giving USC a 35-34 lead over Stanford with only a minute and eight seconds to play. It was only the second Saturday of October, and both teams were still looking to establish themselves, not only within the conference, but on the national scene as well. Both teams had entered the game with identical records, 1-1 in the Pac-10 and 4-1 overall. The winner would continue on towards its goals, while the loser would be forced to reevaluate things.
We know how the game ended. Andrew Luck and the Cardinal drove down the field for a game-winning field goal and didn't lose again.
USC, on the other hand, was mediocre the rest of the way, winning four of their final seven games en route an 8-5 record. Good enough for most teams, but not quite what Trojan fans have come to expect. NCAA sanctions kept them out of a bowl game for the first time in ten years.
The NCAA finally ruled on USC's appeal of their original sanctions, so at least the Trojans know what they're up against. They're still ineligible for the conference championship, they won't be able to play in a bowl game this season, and their scholarship numbers will be limited, but they'll certainly be allowed to beat most teams in the Pac-12. (And by the way, I think it's pretty clear that the NCAA overreacted a bit here. If this is the precedent, I'd be pretty worried if I were an Oregon or Miami fan.)
Andrew Luck is everyone's early front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, but USC quarterback Matt Barkley will definitely give him a run for his money. He had his best statistical game in that Stanford loss, throwing for 390 yards and three touchdowns, and tossed five touchdowns in two other games, contributing to his season total of 26. He threw for a total of 2,791 yards, but he could top that by a thousand this year.
This year he'll team again with sophomore wide receiver Robert Woods. Stanford fans have probably done their best to forget that name, but allow me to reintroduce you: he torched the Cardinal last season with 12 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown. He was named Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year, and I'm guessing he'll build on that success and claim a spot on the All-Pac-12 team this year. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kyle Prater will make his long awaited debut, and true freshman George Farmer is also talented enough to contribute.
The outlook for the running game is a bit cloudier (something that could also inflate Barkley's numbers) as Marc Tyler is currently suspended and the returner with the most experience is sophomore Dillon Baxter, who carried just 59 times for 258 yards.
There will be more experience on the defensive side of the ball, as 14 of the top 18 tacklers all return, including junior safety T.J. McDonald, who was named Second-Team all Pac-10 as a sophomore and has already been listed on various pre-season All-Pac-12 lists.
USC has been the top program in college football over the past decade, and they've measured success not in wins but in championships. By far the biggest question here will be whether or not the Trojan players will be able to maintain their focus week in and week out without those championship carrots to hold their attention. If head coach Lane Kiffin can put together eight or nine wins this year, then convince Barkley to return for his senior season, the Trojans just might be challenging for championships again in 2012.
From here, I'll hand it off to Jim from the USC blog Conquest Chronicles. He answered a few of my questions about the team as they get ready to open the season. Enjoy.
GoMightyCard:
What are fans excited about for this season?
Conquest Chronicles:
I think it's less about excitement and more about how the team will be now in year two of Lane Kiffin. Of course there are some players we want to see on the field: George Farmer, Kyle Prater, Aundrey Walker, etc. But I think USC fans want to see the team and coaches perform better in the areas where we struggled last season, like on defense, play calling, clock management, and, of course, Matt Barkley.
GMC:
What are the biggest concerns facing the team?
CC:
Depth and experience. It isn't always about numbers. It is how the numbers perform on the field. As much as I love Pete Carroll, his great recruiting and development dropped off a bit the last couple of seasons. That happens, but when coupled with the sanctions going forward it will make it much more difficult for USC to recover to the levels that we have been accustomed to.
GMC:
What's the best-case scenario for the team?
CC:
9-3. This team needs some smart wins instead of bone head losses.
GMC:
What's the worst-case scenario for the team?
CC:
7-5. The bone head losses and the areas of concern that I listed above in question #1 not being addressed positively.
GMC:
Realistically, how do you expect the season to pan out?
CC:
I will go with 9-3. I am being optimistic. Kiffin has put his stamp on the team. The effect of the sanctions are now known so the team knows it needs to come together, and I know they will police themselves and not allow any "me first" attitudes to permeate the team's chemistry. The question will be how the talent will come together. We won't know that until the team is actually playing in a meaningful game.
Previously previewed:
- Arizona Wildcats
- California Golden Bears
- Colorado Buffaloes
- Oregon Ducks
- Oregon State Beavers
- Utah Utes
- Washington Huskies
- Washington State Cougars