Challenges Abound: A Preview of Southern California's 2009 Schedule

Each game on USC’s 2009 schedule presents its own challenges. Whether it’s because the game is at home or on the road, against a great team or one with just one or two stars, early in the season or late—each challenge is different.

Furthermore, I know that USC does not always lose to the team that you would expect them to have trouble with (see Stanford 2007). Also, they often wallop teams that are supposed to be their equal (see Ohio St. 2008).

You can bet that every one of these teams will be circling the SC game on their calendars. This is the “make or break” game for every team scheduled; a way for a new or up-and-coming coach to make a name for himself, or a veteran to prove he still has what it takes.

For this slideshow I have divided the Trojans’ schedule into four levels with three games each: Moderately challenging, Challenging, Very challenging, and Extremely challenging. There are no easy games—USC doesn’t play FCS schools (cough-Georgia Southern–cough).

So from the least challenging to the most, here goes.

San Jose St.—September 5, at home—Moderately challenging

Dick Tomey is a good coach, and the Spartans have improved each year he’s been there. Their defense is solid. The Spartans have nothing to lose. They can afford to take chances, because everyone expects them to lose big.

On the other hand, USC has never lost to a current WAC team during the regular season. Also, the Trojans have won every season opener in the Pete Carroll era. Oh yeah, and the talent variance is overwhelmingly in favor of USC.

Washington St.—September 26, at home—Moderately challenging

As the only home game in a six week, five game period, SC may take this game too lightly. The Cougars were really banged up in key positions, especially O-Line and Quarterback, last season. They are unlikely to be in such bad shape this year.

On the other hand, Wazzu is widely considered to be the worst team in the PAC-10. The Cougs didn’t get past their own 45 yard line last year in Pullman.

Stanford—November 14, at home—Moderately challenging

The last time the Cardinal paid a visit to the Coliseum, the Trojans were a 40-plus point favorite, but came away with a victory. Jim Harbaugh has recruited well, and Stanford’s overall talent level is higher than two years ago.

On the other hand, the likelihood that Pete Carroll will let his quarterback play a half with a broken finger on his throwing hand again is nil. The game is in November (The Trojans have not lost in November under Pete Carroll), and at home.

Arizona—December 5, at home—Challenging

Mike Stoops took the Wildcats to a bowl last year for the first time in a decade. The Trojans may be looking towards the bowl season like they were in 2006 when they lost to UCLA.

Were this game in Tucson, I would rate it tougher, but it’s in L.A., and SC is awfully tough to beat at home. Arizona may be looking towards their bowl game too, or they may have already been knocked out of bowl consideration, and just phoning it in.

UCLA—November 28, at home—Challenging

This is a rivalry game. Rick Neuheisel and Norm Chow will want to show that they can compete with the guys across town. You can bet that hey will pull out all the stops. Phil Steele is touting the Bruins as one of the most improved teams this year.

On the other hand, it’s still November, and undoubtedly, this will be a key game to show off for local recruits. The Trojans will have two weeks to prepare and nurse injuries before this game.

Washington—September 19, at Washington—Challenging

Some may be curious as to why I rank this game against a team that did not win a game last year, as more challenging than the tilts against the Wildcats or Bruins. Well, it’s the first Pac-10 road game of the year.

Under Pete Carroll the Trojans have generally fared poorly in such games. Washington St. in 2002, Cal in 2003, and Oregon St. in 2008 were all first conference road games.

Furthermore, no opposing coaching staff knows SC’s personnel and plays better than the Huskies’ Sarkisian and Holt. The Huskies poor season last year was not indicative of their overall talent. They welcome back QB Jake Locker and LB E.J. Savannah, neither of whom played against SC last year.

On the other hand, while I am sure Sark will have the Huskies competitive soon, this is too much to expect this soon. Also, look for Taylor Mays to make his last trip to his home town area a memorable one.

Arizona St.—November 7, at Arizona St.—Very challenging

Two years ago, the Sun Devils were riding high and it looked like they might win the Pac-10 in Dennis Erickson’s first year in Tempe. In waltzed the Trojans and exposed them.

Well, the Sun Devils will be seeking revenge this time around, and Erickson will be better prepared. This will be the Trojans’ sixth road game in nine weeks (one bye) and their second in a row. They may be weary and battered by this point in the year.

On the other hand, as was pointed out earlier, the Trojans just don’t lose in November. The Sun Devils have improved on Defense under Erickson, but their O-Line play has been mediocre at best, and that just won’t due.

Still, this could well be the game where SC plays down to its completion, and has its annual “oops” game.

Oregon St.—October 24, at home—Very challenging

This is the toughest home game of the season for the Trojans. Mike Riley is one of only two coaches to have beaten Pete Carroll twice (Bill Snyder of Kansas St. being the other). The Beavers have beaten the Trojans (why does that sound dirty?) two of the last three years.

On the other hand, the last time Oregon St. beat the Trojans in the Coliseum, Dwight Eisenhower was president and Keith Richards wasn’t old enough to drink.

Notre Dame—October 17, at Notre Dame—Very challenging

If the Irish are having a good year (and with their schedule up to this point, that’s easy to visualize), this could be the game where they set out to prove that they belong in the National title picture. If they have lost a couple, you can bet Charlie Weis will want to win this one to keep his job.

Either way, the Irish will be plenty motivated in this rivalry game.

On the other hand, the Trojans have won the last two games by a combined score of 76-3. The Trojans get their first bye the week before, so they get a chance to regroup and prepare, and if either team has a “decided schematic advantage” it’s the Trojans.

Ohio St.—September 12, at Ohio St.—Extremely challenging

The Buckeyes have more talent than any team on USC’s schedule. They feature a mobile Quarterback, which is often a problem for the Trojans. The game will be held at the Horseshoe in front of 100,000-plus fans. The SC quarterback (Corp or Barkley) will be in his first road game as a starter, and the Buckeyes will be looking to disrupt anything he tries to do.

This will be a tall order for the Trojans. The inexperience in SC’s quarterback is undeniable, but their receivers, running backs, and O-Line are veterans, leaving the QB to manage the game. OSU also has inexperience in the passing game, but their inexperience is at receiver. Those receivers will be going against the heart of SC’s D in 09, the secondary.

California—October 3, at California—Extremely challenging

The Bears are the second most talented team on the Trojan’s schedule. Memorial stadium fans are the most obnoxious fans in the Pac-10, and if the Bears are in a position to go to their first Rose Bowl in 50 years with a win, they will be there en-masse.

In a conference filled with great running backs this year, the Bears have the best in Jahvid Best. Jeff Tedford has been able to solve Pete Carroll’s defensive schemes in the past.

The Trojans will need to hope their new linebackers are fully versed in their assignments and healthy, so as to bottle up Best. They also have to hope that Kevin Riley hasn’t morphed into Aaron Rodgers. The Bears’ biggest weapon on Defense, their D-line should be neutralized by the SC O-line.

Oregon—October 31, at Oregon—Extremely challenging

The game is at Autzen, the stadium that Lloyd Carr called the loudest he’s ever played in. It follows the Trojans toughest home game against the Beavers the week before. It’s late enough in the season so that the Ducks will have been able to get their young secondary and young O-Line some needed experience.

However, it won’t be in the Trojans undefeated November time frame. Other than a trip to the smurf-turf to start the season, the Ducks get all their tough games at home, so they may well be undefeated in conference play, and looking to wrestle the Pac-10 title from the Trojans. Adding to Southern California’s woes, they’ll have to face the ugliest uniforms in college football.

If this game were early in the year, it would drop way down in difficulty. The Ducks are the only team in the conference to return fewer starters than the Trojans. Alas, the young lines, secondary and receivers should be a well-oiled machine by Halloween. That and the aptly nicknamed Autzen Zoo, look to give the Trojans their toughest challenge of the year.