My Thoughts On USC Football and Their Upcoming Season

Another new starting quarterback.

Four linebackers about to be drafted, three in the first round.

Nine starters returning on the offense.

The secondary returning with all the experience in the world.

Expect USC to go 12-0 in the regular season for 2009.

After going 12-1 in 2008, I am more than proud of my alma mater's football team.

With only 11 total starters returning, USC managed to finish second in the Coaches Poll and third in the final AP ballots.

Every college football fan can bet that USC will finish at least in the top five every season.

Since 2002, USC finished no worse than No. 4 (2007), and that was the year when the Trojans lost to Stanford and Oregon.

Face it, this dynasty reminds you of the Crimson Tide of the 60s, Miami of the 80s, and Florida St of the 90s.

USC has the most wins this year, and along the way beat the ACC Champs (VA Tech), the Big 12 Champs (Oklahoma), the Big 10 Champs (can you name them all?), the SEC West Champs (Arkansas), the preseason SEC favorite and top-10 foe Auburn, the Big 12 North Champs (Nebraska), Fiesta & Sugar Bowl participant Notre Dame, and came either 19 seconds or a few inches away from becoming the very first three-peat National Champions.

Has any other school in this decade accomplished this feat?

Lately, USC has been plagued by their own conference.

Who could blame the Trojans after the Pac-10 has been quite successful in bowl games recently? Even before that, USC were seconds away from losing a few nail-biters as well, such as Fresno State (2005), Notre Dame (2005), ASU (2005), Stanford (2004), and Oregon St (2004).

What's the difference between the 2003-2005 dynasty to present?

Not parity, but rather a lack of passion.

USC elevated itself to prominence until the end of the 2006 Rose Bowl. Afterward, the Trojans seemingly assured themselves that there is no where to go up once you're on top.

At Oregon St (2006)—Fumbles on offense, confusion on defense. Add those two and the result is a terrifying two-point loss.

At UCLA (2006)—After defeating three top-25 opponents (two of them top 10) at home against Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame, USC is ranked No. 3 and would have played the winner of No. 1 Ohio St and No. 2 Michigan in the BCS Title Game.

The Trojans forgot about their 12th opponent. The offense could not move the football. The offensive line was called for holding and false starts penalties every other play. The running backs were sacked upon handoff.

Was this the greatest Trojan upset of all time?

Yes.

Stanford (2007)— I consider this the second greatest Trojan upset of all time.

A game prior, USC escaped with a 27-24 win over Washington and freshman Jake Locker. USC also was penalized over 100 yards in that game.

They followed up with a flat performance against Stanford who was breaking in a new starting quarterback.

Destined? Not a chance.

This was Pete Carroll's fault for continuing to play Booty with a broken finger. He also threw four interceptions that game. The defense could not stop fourth-and-20, and fourth-and-goal from the nine-yard line on the same drive.

Oregon (2007)— USC was playing No. 6 Oregon, the team lead by Heisman hopeful Dennis Dixon who was remarkable that season. (I'd bet money Dixon would have won the Heisman award if he hadn't injured his knee.)

On the opening kickoff to Oregon, the Ducks fumbled in the redzone.

On fourth-and-one from the inside 20-yard line, the call was a Joe McKnight fly sweep that ended in a loss of yards.

Another horrible play call, especially when the defense told the media that they were expecting that play once McKnight was set in motion.

Another reason why it was horrible—every Mark Sanchez QB sneak goes for three-plus yards. Oregon regained momentum and won the game by a touchdown.

Oregon St (2008)— As the top 10 most penalized team in the nation, the USC defensive line plagued the Trojans with unnecessary fouls that kept meaningless drives alive.

Also, the offense couldn't get a score until the third quarter.

After that, it's recent history.

Regular season losses

2009: My guess—0

How and why?

It all starts on the offensive line—ALL FIVE starters are returning.

Whoever the next great quarterback is, he's going to have the luxury to have that kind of protection, as well as handing the ball to a five-star running back or throwing it to probably the next best receiving duo since Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett— Ronald Johnson and Damien Williams.

Their backups (David Ausberry, Travon Patterson, etc.) are not too bad either.

The next quarterback will either be a 2006 HS Parade All-American (Mitch Mustain) or 2007's No. 2 HS QB Aaron Corp who happens to be a dual-threat.

My choice is Mitch Mustain.

On the defensive side, the "Air Patrol" returns four players that have shared starting duty last season.

This includes Taylor Mays—four-year starter who could wind up as the Thorpe Award winner as well as the No. 1 defender in the nation.

Josh Pinkard received sith year of eligibility. The No. 1 passing efficiency defense will definitely remember to shut down the likes of Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Derek Masoli of Oregon, Kevin Riley of Cal, or Terrelle Pryor of Ohio St.

All three new linebackers filling in for Kaluka Maiava, Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthew, assuming USC goes back to the 4-3 defense, have as much potential as their predecessors.

Michael Morgan, Malcom Jenkins, and Chris Galippo were top linebackers in high school. Chris Galippo was the No. 1 inside linebacker of 2007.

This new trio should have no problem stopping star running backs such as LaGarrette Blount, Jahvid Best, Toby Gerhart, and hopefully they stop Quiz Rodgers too.

After all, they are coached by perhaps the best linebacker and linebacker coach of all time—Ken Norton Jr.

The defensive line will feature Everson Griffin as well as three other players that have yet to step up in spring practice.

History shows that there will always be an NFL-caliber or two on the D-line, such as the Lawrence Jackson and Sedrick Ellis combo.

During this dry football period, I am as optimistic as the next Trojan fan. And I have every reason to feel that way.

USC's lone loss in 2008 was on the road against Oregon St. The Beavers normally do not fare well in the Coliseum.

As for going on the road against Ohio St, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Cal, I believe USC will be favored by double digits in each of those games.

The Big 10 somehow cannot touch the Trojans, the same Notre Dame players have scored three points against USC since 2007, Pete Carroll will find a way to break the losing streak of playing in the state of Oregon.

Although Cal-USC games are very close, Jeff Tedford still has not found a way to close a game against USC since 2003.

Wake me up when September gets here.