USC Football: Power Ranking the Trojans by Unit

In a year where huge things are expected from them, the USC Trojans will take the field in 2012 as many people's No. 1 team in the nation.

After going 10-2 in 2011 and returning 19 starters, including Heisman Trophy favorite Matt Barkley, anything less than a Pac-12 championship will likely be considered a disappointment.

Top to bottom, this year's version of the men of Troy are stacked.

But what about individual units?

Which groups stand out on a team chock-full of talent?

This slide show will look at those groups and attempt to assemble them in an order of quality.

The quality of the players themselves, as well as depth, will be two of the factors considered in compiling this list but intangibles also play a part as well.

Now let's find out which groups are the best on a team full of potential greatness...

Note: Special teams have been omitted from this slide show because of the fluidity of personnel, but this in no way diminishes the importance of kicker Andre Heidari or punters Kyle Negrete and Kris Albarado.

No. 7: Defensive Line

Make no mistake about it, the defensive line has a ton of talent and would be ranked higher on this list except for one nagging problem.

Depth, or lack thereof, makes this unit awfully vulnerable going into the 2012 season.

This is especially true on the interior, where presumed starters George Uko and either J.R. Tavai or Antwaun Woods have little in the way of backups to rotate in.

On the edges, the Trojans remain strong with Devon Kennard and Wes Horton supplying NFL-caliber support, along with very capable rotation players.

No. 6: Running Backs

Much like the D-line, this group is downgraded because of depth issues.

The Trojans return 1,000-yard tailback Curtis McNeal, and fast D.J. Morgan backs him up,  but beyond that, it is a crapshoot.

The move of former linebacker Tre Madden looked like a winner, but then, he blew out his knee.

Redshirt freshman Javorious (Buck) Allen has potential, and incoming freshman Jahleel Pinner will be given a long look, but fans of the program need to pray that McNeal and Morgan stay healthy all year long.

Meanwhile, fullback Soma Vainuku looks like the real thing and will also likely get some work as the short-yardage tailback in goal-line situations.

No. 5: Offensive Line

A solid case could be made that I am placing this unit too low.

After all, the Trojans return four starters, including the best center in the nation, Khaled Holmes.

Guards Marcus Martin and John Martinez are both coming off of a solid 2011 campaign, and so is right tackle Kevin Graf.

So why aren't these guys placed higher?

Because perhaps the most critical position on the line, left tackle, will likely be manned by true sophomore, untested Aundrey Walker.

However, despite his inexperience, Walker may wind up being the best of all of these very talented Trojans.

Huge (6'6", 320 lbs) but surprisingly nimble, the only thing holding Walker back is game seasoning.

USC also has good depth as well, although experience—or lack of it—is an issue.

No. 4: Linebackers

When a group as talented as USC's linebackers only place fourth on a list such as this, you know the team is loaded.

Young, fast and athletic, this group, led by Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard—who sandwich middle linebacker Lamar Dawson—were just beginning to blossom by the end of 2011.

Though not particularly big, this group more than makes up for it by its sideline-to-sideline pursuit of any hapless ball-carrier who strays into their vicinity.

However, again, depth may be an issue, as Anthony Sarao, Scott Starr and Tony Burnett, the likely reserves, while extremely talented in their own right, are very short on game experience.

No. 3: Defensive Backs

One of the best secondaries in the nation, the Trojans will feature two "can't-miss" players in cornerback Nickell Robey and safety, T.J. McDonald.

In Robey and McDonald, the Trojans have two studs who can be counted on both in the pass game, but also as run supporters.

Athletic and savvy, Robey and McDonald are All-American candidates.

However, opponents of the Trojans should be wary of the other d-backs too.

Cornerback Isiah Wiley is big and is getting better by the day, while safety Jawanzza Starling has been showing steady improvement too.

And depth certainly isn't an issue for this group, as each position lines up solid three deeps.

No 1A: Receivers

OK, so I am a spineless waffler without the intestinal fortitude to make a stand with conviction, but really, what is a guy supposed to do?

When a group of receivers features two 1,000-plus yard players such as flanker Robert Woods and wide receiver Marqise Lee—both of whom will play on Sundays—they have to be considered as the best unit, or at least tied for it, on the team.

And although the wideouts are very impressive, those who are backing them up are extremely talented too, as oft-injured George Farmer, Jr. is a star in the making, and young Victor Blackwell, along with veteran Da'von Flournoy, are both very capable in their own right.

At tight end, co-starters Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer are both studs, and they are backed up by talented Junior Pomee while incoming freshman Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick will start some day.

No. 1: Quarterback

With arguably the most important player in Trojan history leading the way in 2012, was there really any doubt that this unit would at least tie for the top spot in power ranking each unit on an extremely talented team?

After quarterback Matt Barkley led USC through some of the darkest days in their history, the talented senior takes the field this year as the prohibitive favorite for Mr. Heisman's stiff-arming little man.

One simple slide in a humble listing cannot hope to enumerate the many reasons why Barkley has been so important to this program, but suffice to say, if there is a number that needs to be retired after his departure, it is Barkley's No. 7.

Backing up Barkley are two very good gun slingers in their own right, Cody Kessler and Max Wittek, and if Jesse Scroggins can get his head together, he may be heard from too.

But this unit is all about Matt Barkley.

One of the noblest Trojans of all-time.