2008 Previews: USC
By Tim Cottrell
Sports Writer/Designer
Published: June 18, 2008
USC is ninth in our preview lineup. Previews of all 65 BCS conference schools, plus Notre Dame and state school, will be posted daily in no particular order. To view all previews, click here.
I’ve been racking my brain for days on what to make of this Trojan squad.
They will, of couse, be among the most talented teams in the country yet again. They should be outstanding on defense with seven starters returning from a pretty good unit last year.
The questions lie on offense.
Mark Sanchez takes the reins for good at quarterback. I was not particularly enamored with him in his three starts last season when John David Booty was injured, and wouldn’t be incredibly surprised to see a few Mitch Mustain sightings over the course of the year.
And compounding the problems for a young quarterback will be just one returning starter on the offensive line.
Of course, they have about a bajillion superstar running backs they can hand the ball off to to take the heat off Sanchez, but will they be able to find running room behind the young line?
Their wide receivers were also a bit disappointing last season.
They get all their toughest games at home, where they’ve lost only once since 2001, so they’ll be in good shape there. I can’t quite decide how I think they’ll do, so let’s look at the schedule:
Aug. 30: at Virginia
This will be a good tuneup for the Super Bowl two weeks later ...
Sept. 13: Ohio State
One of the bigger non-conference games in recent memory could well decide one of the national championship game participants in just the third week of the season. I really can’t see the Buckeyes going West and winning this one, but with USC’s youth on offense there’s no telling. But we really do need USC to spare us another “Ohio State getting drilled by Team X” national title game.
Sept. 25: at Oregon State
They couldn’t beat the Beavers in Corvallis last time around, and could be coming off a tough loss (or huge win) so this is certainly a mild upset alert.
Oct. 4: Oregon
USC gets revenge for the loss in Eugene last year.
Oct. 11: Arizona State
Look out for the Sun Devils. If they’re going to lose one at home this would probably be it (assuming the Sun Devils have someone who can block this time around)
Oct. 18: at Washington State
Trojans cruise on the road
Oct. 25: at Arizona
And if they’re going to have some random stumble, this is probably the best candidate.
Nov. 1: Washington
Blowout city
Nov. 8: California
Cal has played USC tough almost every year in the last few years (including their triple-overtime win in 2003), but I don’t think they’re going to have enough to come into LA and win.
Nov. 15: at Stanford
There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth in this one after last year.
Nov. 29: Notre Dame
ND’s not stopping this six-game losing streak.
Dec. 6: at UCLA
Pete Carroll vs. Rick Neuheisel. There’s bound to be some guitar playing once this one’s over.
There’s really no possible way USC goes worse than 11-1. They probably should be 12-0, but I have a feeling they’re going to stumble somewhere (but not against Ohio State).
