USC Football 2012: Silas Redd Does Not Eliminate the Biggest Issue with USC

Word is official, as Silas Redd has released a statement to the media (via The Advocate) explaining the details of his transfer across the country to the University of Southern California. It's a done deal, as Dennis Dodd says over at CBS Sports, and it really was the only logical choice for the rising junior to make in light of the situation.

USC fans are excited, and as we said a week ago, they should be; Redd helps add depth at the running back position, and that is a plus. 

However, with the injury to Devon Kennard, the Trojans have absorbed another blow their 75-man roster can ill afford. Kennard, sidelined with a pectoral tear, wants to get back on the field, as reported by Reign of Troy, but it does not look too promising.

With the loss of Kennard, the Trojans are staring at just one returning starter on the defensive line in Wes Horton. George Uko has some experience at the 3-technique, and from there, Ed Orgeron will be working with less than seasoned players.

The issue is not "depth" at the base level. The fallacy is that the Trojans just have no one to man the defensive line positions, and that is just not true. They have bodies; those bodies just don't have much in the way of experience, and that becomes the issue. 

USC has enough talent and bodies, barring massive injuries, to beat its schedule. That includes taking down Oregon at home in November and beating the Fighting Irish to close out the regular season. The players are good enough, and getting Oregon and Notre Dame late helps those young, inexperienced players get accustomed to the speed and physicality of the game.

The issue for USC is going to be beating Oregon twice (should they play again in the Pac-12 championship game) and beating a team that prides itself on physical play in the trenches like, say, Alabama or LSU in the title game.

Oregon is going to tax USC, whether the Trojans win the first game or not. If they have to play the Ducks again in the Pac-12 title game, expect Oregon's team to continue to wear on USC—especially after playing a physical, run-first Notre Dame team the week before.

In a game against a physical, run-first team, the depth will be interesting to watch. How much will the Trojans lose with each substitution? Are they able to get past that mid-third quarter point that has given them trouble recently and where Alabama and LSU have excelled thanks to pounding on teams?

Even with Silas Redd those questions remain. The positive is the run game will be strong enough to extend drives and buy the defense time to catch a blow. Orgeron has his hands full trying to develop the younger players to be consistent performers in order to spell the top of his rotation.

Losing Kennard is as big a negative to USC's title hopes as Silas Redd's addition is a positive; depending upon how the season progresses, it may prove to be bigger.