College Football 2011: USC's 10 Worst-Case Scenarios for 2011

A week or so ago, I published a slideshow that offered 10 dream scenarios for 2011.

Now it's time to look at the other side of the coin and entertain the possibility that things may not go as planned for the Trojans this year.

While this author doesn't believe for a moment that these gloomy escapades will occur, it does merit considering the notions if, for no other reason, it will make USC's success all the sweeter in the upcoming year.

Of course, just as some of the dream scenarios could come true, so could some of the nightmare situations depicted in the following slides.

The hope for Trojan fans is that whatever bad occurs is mitigated by an excess of good.

But if any of these gloomy scenarios do come true, don't fault me.

The editor made me write this slideshow.

Blame him.

No. 10: Injuries Deplete Depth on the Defensive Line

If all goes right, the Trojans defensive line stands a chance of being very, very good in 2011.

The main core of interior linemen—DaJohn Harris, Christian Tupou and George Uko—are all studs, and if they remain healthy, the Trojans' run-stopping aspect of the defense should be fine.

But if any of those guys goes down, the depth needed for rotations becomes troublesome.

The first option if this occurs would be to turn to Armond Armstead, but he is already a question mark due to a medical condition that prevented him from participating in spring practice.

If Armstead is unavailable, then the Trojans would likely be forced to go with one of the incoming freshmen, such as Christian Heyward or Antwaun Woods.

That would be a problem on many fronts, not the least of which is that in a perfect world, head coach Lane Kiffin would prefer to redshirt the aforementioned youngsters.

The good news is that USC is pretty well stocked at defensive end, but if the interior has issues, it definitely would qualify as a worst-case scenario.

No. 9: Defensive Backfield Continues 2010 Struggles

As the Trojans head into the 2011 season, they know that in order for this season to be a success, one thing that has to improve is the performance of their pass defense.

Statistically one of the worst units in the nation in 2010, the defensive backfield was most often seen grabbing for air as their opponent raced by them.

That has to change this year.

Fortunately for the Trojans, a very young unit in 2010 should be a seasoned group in 2011.

Nickell Robey, the diminutive but effective corner, and T.J. McDonald, who may be one of the best safeties in the nation, are both back, and the rest of the unit should be better simply because they are a season wiser in Monte Kiffin's defensive scheme.

They better be.

Otherwise, pass defense, or a lack thereof, would be a worst-case scenario come true in 2011.

No. 8: Rhett Ellison Is Injured

In 2010, the Trojans snagged themselves three very good tight end prospects from the high school ranks.

At the time, it was thought that this trio could be brought along slowly because the Trojans already had seasoned veterans Blake Ayles and Rhett Ellison in the fold.

Then Ayles transferred to Miami, and the tight end unit suddenly wasn't so secure.

Ellison, who was going to be tabbed the starter over Ayles (which is probably why Ayles transferred), remains, but beyond him, USC has no one with any game experience.

Those three youngsters still remain, and their potential is off the charts, but if anything were to happen to Ellison, they would be forced to learn on the fly.

With a Trojans offensive line already in flux, the steadying influence and blocking talent Ellison brings to the table would be sorely missed.

No. 7: Freshmen Who Should Redshirt in 2011 Are Forced to Play Due to Injuries

With the upcoming scholarship reductions due to be in place for 2012, the redshirting of young players is now more than a matter of convenience for Lane Kiffin and his staff.

Typically, a program will redshirt freshmen to allow them to physically and mentally mature in their first season of college ball.

But for the Trojans, with a smaller roster mandated for the next three years due to the sanctions handed down by the NCAA, keeping that extra year of eligibility for these players will be a strategic ploy by the coaching staff to ensure a more capable roster as USC deals with the scholarship reductions for next three years.

However, if injuries to starters deplete unit depth in 2011, Kiffin will be forced to use some of these players that he would otherwise like to shelve for future use.

How Kiffin uses his 2011 freshmen will help dictate how the next four years play out for the Trojans.

Losing those precious future eligibility years in 2011 simply to provide depth would be a worst-case scenario for the upcoming years to be sure.

No. 6: The Trojans Lose to Either Notre Dame, UCLA or, God Forbid, Both

For most good Trojan fans, losing to Notre Dame or UCLA is always a worst-case scenario.

But for the purposes of this slideshow, it only represents singular games, and this piece looks at the entirety of the whole season.

Still, losing either of their rivalry games is bad.

Losing both would be a nightmare.

Fortunately for the Trojans and their fans, UCLA, as has been the case in recent years, is horrible.

But Notre Dame is on the upswing, and this year's game will be played in its house and under the lights for the first time ever.

Expect fans in South Bend to go crazy, especially after the Irish broke their eight-game losing streak to the Trojans in 2010.

Of course, the Trojans will be looking to reverse last year's embarrassing loss to the Domers, and they would love nothing more than to escape with a win on the road.

Beating Notre Dame and UCLA in the same season is always a dream scenario.

Losing to both of them, though?

Not so much.

No. 5: The Kicking Game Disappoints

In 2011, the Trojans kicking game will depend on the feet of two true freshmen, punter Kris Albarado and place kicker Andre Heidari.

Last year's placekicker, Joe Houston, was woefully inconsistent, and as a result, the Trojans offense was hamstrung by having to go for it far too often when a field goal would have been the preferred avenue of strategy.

While both Albarado and Heidari bring impeccable résumés to the Trojans, they are both young and unproven as well.

It may very well be that both kickers step on the field and deliver from the moment of the first kickoff against Minnesota, but that remains to be seen.

If, however, either or both struggle, the Trojans offense (in the case of Heidari) and the defense (in the case of Albarado) will feel the effects of their inadequacy.

That would be an ongoing problem of monumental proportions.

No. 4: Lane Kiffin Suffers Excessive Punishments at Hands of the NCAA

The witch hunt continues.

The NCAA, not satisfied with simply screwing USC in the Reggie Bush scandal, now has its eyes firmly set on Trojan head coach Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin has already testified in front of college football's governing body for secondary violations committed while he was at Tennessee and now awaits its judgment.

If past history is any barometer, that ruling should come somewhere around spring of 2017, but if it does come earlier, there is no telling how severe possible punishments could be.

Although Kiffin has admitted to committing some of these secondary violations, his compliance record at USC is unblemished, and he has the full support of athletic director Pat Haden.

Still, there is no telling what the NCAA will finally do, and it could very well decide to throw the book at Kiffin.

That could entail no contact with recruits for a period of time or even a suspension.

Remember, the NCAA plays by its own rules, and college athletics are subject to its whims.

If it decides to hammer Kiffin at a time when USC's football program is still reeling from its punishments stemming from Bush, it could be the topping on a worst-case scenario for the men of Troy.

No. 3: Linebacker Chris Galippo Hurts Back Again

In 2010, USC's linebacker woes were well documented, and deservedly so.

Far removed from the dominant unit of Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews and the rest, last year's linebacker corps was often confused and ineffective.

Now with former middle linebacker Devon Kennard moving back to defensive end, the Trojans will be counting on new/old middle linebacker Chris Galippo to provide stability and leadership to what will be mostly a new and inexperienced unit.

The problem is that Galippo has a history of back issues.

He has already undergone surgery twice for a herniated disc, and though he has bounced back admirably from those, this spring he was held out of practice due to...you guessed it...a bad back.

The Trojans not only need Chris Galippo to play; they need him to play well.

If not, the linebacker unit could be worse in 2011 than it was in 2010.

Believe me, that would be a worst-case scenario.

No. 2: The Offensive Line Disappoints

As has been widely documented for the 2011 edition of the USC Trojans, the offensive line is its biggest question mark.

Largely inexperienced and with players trying new positions (former guard Khaled Holmes will be moved to center), the Trojans' offensive prowess hinges on the effectiveness of the "big uglies."

If the O-line can provide time for Matt Barkley and his talented offensive cohorts to operate, the Trojans stand a chance to be very good.

If not, well...

The fact of the matter is that a potent offense takes the pressure off every other facet of the team.

But it all depends on an offensive line that has a lot to prove.

If that proof is less than what is expected, it could be a long year for USC.

No. 1: Matt Barkley Is Injured

They say that a football team is bigger than just one individual.

Well, whoever "they" are, generally, those people are right. A football team is much more than any one player.

Having said that, just watch what would happen if quarterback Matt Barkley were to go down.

Beyond the fact he is an outstanding signal caller, the Trojans just don't have anyone who can step in and take his place.

The next in the succession line would most likely be redshirt freshman Jesse Scroggins, who, despite incredible potential, has zero experience at the college level.

If not Scroggins, then the Trojans would likely turn to one of the true freshmen, Max Wittek or Cody Kessler, both of whom also will be heard from in the future but not now.

Or perhaps it would be redshirt sophomore John Manoogian, who is the most seasoned of the reserves but also the least celebrated.

This is truly a team that rides on the golden arm and football acumen of its talented signal caller.

If Matt Barkley were to miss any significant playing time, the Trojans would suffer.

Big time.

Conclusion

No self respecting fan of the program, which I unabashedly admit I am, would ever wish for anything bad to happen to the Trojans.

Nonetheless, it would be folly for those responsible for the team, such as coach Kiffin and his staff, not to entertain and plan for the worst case scenarios.

Most of the nightmare scenarios listed in this slide show could be mitigated through strategic innovation by the coaching staff but not all.

For unit failures, such as a poor performance by the offensive line, remedies may be more difficult to implement as you know the coaches already have their best players out there.

As for individuals, pray for Barkley to stay healthy.

Still, every year offers its own unique set of hardships and how the Trojans deal with them will provide a barometer on how this season will unfold.

The Trojans have dealt with their share of nightmares recently.

Those experiences should get them through 2011.

Perhaps not unscathed but at least with their head held high.