Pac-10 Season Preview - USC
For the next ten weeks, we’ll take a look at the teams in the Pac-10 and analyze them in order of their predicted finish. Of course, by the time we get to the tenth week of the season, there should be a surprise here and there, so it’ll be a chance for readers of this article to see where I am wrong.
The team on the top of the Pac-10 will be the USC Trojans. While the cream of the crop has had a changing of the guard before this season, the team has restocked quite well. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart has been replaced by John David Booty, who comes from a football family and has had the mixed blessing of sitting and watching as the Trojans went 37-2 over the last three seasons. Booty was elected as one of four team captains for the Trojans this season, and is healthy following back surgery. Having him under center means the Trojans won’t struggle as much to start the season.
Booty has some experience with him, too. He’s got maybe the best wide receiver tandem in the country lining up on either side of him, with Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett coming back for another season. While Booty doesn’t have the luxury of big-play tight end Dominique Byrd, he’s still got Fred Davis, who will be one of the best in the country this season. And while the Trojans are sure to miss all-world running back Reggie Bush, USC has some stallions coming into the program out of high school as well as a player who was recruited with Bush and LenDale White: running back Chauncey Washington.
The T-shirts back in 2003 read “Bush and Booty”. One got to national prominence earlier than the other did, and the other one will get there soon enough.
Defense is where the Trojans stand out. Late in the season last year, there were a number of injuries that hit the Trojans hard. But this year, there is a great deal of depth on defense, including LBs Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, Keith Rivers, Oscar Lua, and Dallas Sartz, who is returning from injury. As well, the defensive secondary is deep and experienced. In the past, it’s been the offensive studs that have made this USC team a wonderful dynasty. This season’s team will be more of a Pete Carroll team, heavy on defense.
A concern for the Trojans is special teams. While their kicker, Mario Danelo, was accurate, his leg isn’t terribly strong. And USC lost a great punter in Tom Malone, who was still solid last season in spite of being hampered by injuries. Two walk-ons will compete for the punting job, which will not be handled as well as in years past. Issues on special teams will cost the Trojans yards here and there and may cost them a game late in the season.
All told, the Trojans are still deep enough talent-wise, and their coaching staff still good enough, to make a significant impact this season. They will be a top-five team in the country and win the Pac-10 title.