USC Football: End of the Year Report Card for the Trojans

Having plenty of time to digest the Trojans season since their demolishing of crosstown rival UCLA, this report card, unlike the others offered throughout the season, will reflect an entire year's worth of work from a squad that went 10-2 in 2011 and was as hot as any team in the nation when the regular season ended.

Though USC was deprived of a chance for postseason play, there was still much to celebrate for Trojan fans, especially when quarterback Matt Barkley surprised everyone by announcing his decision to return for his senior year.

With an eye squarely fixed on the future, let's take a step back to 2011 and see how the Trojans were able to build so much momentum for next season...

Quarterback

On so many levels, quarterback Matt Barkley made the 2011 season remarkable for the Trojans.

You want statistics? How does a 69 percent completion rate to go along with 3528 yards an 39 touchdowns grab you?

Poise? Only seven interceptions.

Leadership? Barkley will be a three-time captain for a team that he left millions on the NFL table to return to.

Barkley's main challenge in 2012 will be to recapture the excellence he offered this year as he guided the Trojans to a 10-2 record.

If he can duplicate this year's production, next season the Trojans have a chance to be very successful indeed.

Grade: A

Running Backs

For the Trojans' rushing attack, 2011 was a tale of two halves.

The first part of the season found USC sadly lacking in that portion of the offense as the running game waited patiently for the Trojans young offensive line to gel.

When it did, the running part of the offense became a significant part of Lane Kiffin's overall scheme and Matt Barkley became that much more effective as opponents had to play honest in all aspects of their defense.

It took a while for Kiffin and Kennedy Polamalu (running backs coach/offensive coordinator) to settle on a go-to guy at tailback, but eventually Curtis McNeal took the reigns and made the starting job his own after rushing for over 1000 yards in little more than seven full games.

In doing so, McNeal averaged an eye-popping 6.9 yards per rush and just for the heck of it, scored six touchdowns.

McNeal's backup, Marc Tyler, had 568 yards in 2011 and both Amir Carlisle, the true freshman, and D.J. Morgan had their moments.

Grade: B

Receivers

2011 was an extremely productive year for all of the receiving positions but especially at flanker and wide receiver, where Robert Woods and Marqise Lee ripped it up at their respective spots.

At flanker, Robert Woods was named an All-American after going for 111 receptions (a Pac-12 record) and almost 1300 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns.

Lee was named a freshman All-American by blowing everyone away with 73 catches for over 1100 yards and 11 scores.

Woods and Lee will be the nation's No. 1 receiving tandem in 2012.

At the tight end position, Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer combined for over 40 catches and nine touchdowns in 2011.

With literally over 90 percent of their receiving corps back next year, USC will dominate through the air in 2012.

Just like they did in 2011.

Grade: A

Offensive Line

If this were a second half of the season grade, the Trojans would have received an "A" for their efforts, as this unit really found their way later in the year.

But it isn't, and in considering the overall mark, you can't overlook—although you can certainly justify—the first half of the season when USC was breaking three new linemen and one returner (Khaled Holmes) that was changing positions from guard to center.

During that portion of the season, the run offense was spotty at best and although the pass protection was excellent, it took awhile to get the ground game going.

However, by the end of the year, USC's offense was hitting on all cylinders. Going into 2012, the offensive line is expected to be a strength.

Grade: B

Special Teams

Having the nation's finest special teams coach in John Baxter can take you only so far.

You also have to possess the critical personnel to get the job done and in freshman kicker Andre Heidari and punter Kyle Negrete, Baxter had two good ones.

Heidari kicked 15 field goals and showed great range along with the consistency the Trojans had lacked in the last few years.

Meanwhile, Negrete averaged over 40 yards per punt and was clutch all year long.

The only thing that keeps this grade from being an "A," was a few breakdowns in coverage which resulted in a few long kickoff and punt returns from opponents.

Grade: B+

Defensive Line

The defensive line was integral in stuffing opponents' run games, which was evidenced by USC ranking in the low 20's of the nations best in that particular statistic.

However, the pass rush was inconsistent at best, and while the departed Nick Perry delivered 9.5 sacks, overall they were not dominant in this portion of their duties.

Towards the end of the season, when the make of the defense was better defined, the pressure delivered by the defensive line improved. As said before, though, this report card must look at the overall picture.

With a new D-line being constituted for 2012, this unit will be the main concern going into next season.

Grade: B

Linebackers

Another unit that underwent a major facelift in 2011 and came out looking very good for 2012.

With three freshmen (Hayes Pullard, Lamar Dawson and Dion Bailey) gelling toward the end of the season, the sky is limit next year.

For this year, Bailey and Pullard tied for the team lead in tackles and Dawson, a true freshman, was asserting himself by the year's conclusion.

Senior Chris Galippo was steady and made contributions throughout the season and even true freshman Tre Madden got some experience at critical junctures when injuries plagued the linebacking corps.

Grade: B

Secondary

The Trojans knew that they had two good ones going into 2011 in safety T.J. McDonald and cornerback Nickell Robey and both players had good seasons even though McDonald struggled early.

Beyond that, it was anyone's guess who would fill the other spots.

By the end of the season, Isiah Wiley had stepped up to be that big cornerback opposite the diminutive Robey and Jawanza Starling found the consistency to pair up with McDonald at safety.

Still, the Trojans finished in the lower echelon nationally in pass defense and while next year should be a very good one for this unit, this report card must deal with 2011.

Grade: C+

Coaching

Has there ever been a tougher assignment for a coaching staff than the one Lane Kiffin's team has had to face since his return to USC?

With no bowl game to play for, the spotlight of sanctions and the knowledge that his scholarship allotment would be severely reduced for the next three years, it is a wonder that the Trojans were able to keep their heads high, much less post a 10-2 record for 2011.

And the credit must go to Lane Kiffin and the amazing coaching staff he has assembled.

Sure, there were some small stumbles along the way (if only that timeout had been called a bit sooner in the Stanford game), but overall, this was a great effort by a much maligned head coach and his staff.

The only thing preventing an "A" is that the defense struggled early.

Grade: A-

Conclusion

What a year it was for the Trojans.

Coming out of nowhere with a 10-2 record and No. 5 ranking in the AP poll, it was a memorable season to be sure.

And with a top-three ranking expected going into the 2012 campaign, there will be large expectations for USC to be certain.

But if the Trojans are wildly successful next year, they will look back to 2011 to see where the seeds were planted.

Overall, the Trojans came on strong by the end of the year, and I doubt there is a USC fan who would say that they couldn't play with anyone in the nation.

For their efforts this season, the Trojans are rewarded with a great grade but one that allows for a bit of improvement for next season, when perfection may be required to get USC to where they want to go.

Overall Grade: B+