USC Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

After being banned from the postseason for two seasons, the USC Trojans return 17 starters from last year and have huge goals for 2012. Quarterback Matt Barkley put the NFL on hold and returns for his senior season to lead this team to a national championship and to compete for the Heisman Trophy.

This USC team is loaded from top to bottom on both sides of the ball and will have a great chance to accomplish its dreams, especially with a subpar Pac-12 schedule. There are a few teams that can give the Trojans problems this year, but overall, this is a team that should be favored in pretty much every matchup they have this season.

With college football right around the corner, let's take a look at the easiest and most difficult games for the 2012 USC Trojans.

12. Vs. Hawaii

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 10

The Trojans got off to a slow start last season, but that shouldn't be a problem against a Hawaii team that was ranked 80th in scoring defense. USC is 5-0 against the Warriors all time, and three of those victories have come by 28 points or more. The home team should roll easily in the season opener.

11. Vs. Colorado

Last year's record: 3-10

Returning starters: 12

The Buffaloes do return six starters on each side of the ball, but that is not saying much heading into 2012. Last season, Colorado could simply not score the football or prevent the other team from scoring. USC is 6-0 all time against Colorado, and you can guarantee that it will remain undefeated when this matchup is over and done with.

10. Vs. Syracuse (In East Rutherford, NJ)

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 12

Much like Colorado, Syracuse does return a good portion of last year's squad, but it is simply not good enough to beat USC. The only concern Trojan fans should have is that their team will be traveling across the country to play this game. With that said, I don't see the Orange staying in this game, let alone pulling off an upset.

9. Vs. Arizona State

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: Eight

USC was embarrassed last year by the Sun Devils, losing by 21 points. I'm sure the Trojan players have not forgotten about that loss and will show Arizona State what they are made of in Los Angeles. The Sun Devils have lost nearly the entire 2011 team, including seven players on defense, the starting quarterback and a top wide receiver.

8. At UCLA

Last year's record: 6-8

Returning starters: 14

UCLA is doing a terrific job with recruiting and appears to be quickly turning the program around under head coach Jim Mora. But he is still a first-year college coach, and this is still a Bruins team that lost last year to USC by a score of 50-0.

7. At Arizona

Last year's record: 4-8

Returning starters: 11

The last five meetings between these two teams have been decided by a touchdown or less. There is still talent on this Arizona roster, but can quarterback Matt Scott do enough to keep up with this Trojans offense? He has only thrown 177 passes throughout his three-year career.

6. Vs. Cal

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 11

USC has won 10 of the last 11 meetings against the Golden Bears, but this Cal team has the potential to surprise many in the Pac-12 this season. The defense did a decent job throughout the season, but Cal is one of the few teams that is returning its starting quarterback, leading rusher and leading receiver. The only way to keep up with the Trojans is to score a lot of points, and the Golden Bears have enough firepower to give them a chance.

5. At Utah

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 16

This is a game that the Trojans simply can't afford to overlook. Utah went toe-to-toe with USC last season, only losing by nine points at the end of the fourth quarter. The Utes return 16 starters, including nine on offense and will have the privilege of playing this game in Salt Lake City. Utah has a defense that can slow this attack down, as the Utes were ranked 19th in scoring defense last year.

4. At Washington

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 14

The Trojans beat down the Huskies last season by a score of 40-17, but Washington still has one of the better quarterbacks in Keith Price and will play this game in Seattle. The Washington defense must improve drastically if this team is to stand any chance, but having a playmaker at the quarterback position gives this team a puncher's chance.

3. Vs. Notre Dame

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 14

USC has won nine of the last 10 meetings against Notre Dame, but this is still one of the more talented teams it will face all season. The Irish have a solid defense and a couple of playmakers on offense; they just need to figure out the quarterback position. Of course, the Trojans will be the favorite in this game, but you can never sleep on the end-of-the-year rival.

2. At Stanford

Last year's record: 11-2 

Returning starters: 13

Stanford may have lost Andrew Luck and company, but this is still a talented team on both sides of the ball. The Cardinal still have a two-time 1,000-yard rusher on offense and arguably the best linebacker duo in the country—not to mention this game will be played in Stanford Stadium, a place where USC is 6-4 in the last 10 games. This will be the first true test for the national championship contenders.

1. Vs. Oregon

Last year's record: 12-2

Returning starters: 11

Was there any question as to who the toughest opponent is going to be in 2012? USC and Oregon are without a doubt the best two teams in this conference, and they both matchup extremely well together. The Ducks are the team that can match the Trojans score for score and get a few important stops on defense as well.

You can expect another close game like last season and for these two teams to meet up again in the Pac-12 Championship.