A Preview of the 2009 USC Trojans Football Team's Schedule

This is the second of 10 articles I'll be writing detailing the schedules of each Pac-10. In this analysis I will be going over perennial powerhouse USC. Yet, there are question marks coming into the season for the Trojans.

For one, who will start at quarterback for the Trojans? Mitch Mustain is the likely pick for Pete Carroll's squad.

The even bigger question for the Trojans is replacing the eight defensive starters. Although, Taylor Mays is arguably the best defensive back in the country. Yet, even though the Trojans have to replace a variety of positions on defense, the Trojans are still the likely favorite to win the Pac-10.

USC offers three talented running backs in C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, and Joe McKnight. Gable and Johnson are the tougher runners and McKnight is the shiftier of the three and each will see time in the backfield for the Trojans.

In fact on ESPN's Web site Johnson was ranked as the most complete running back in the Pac-10, but truly he isn't in the top five. Though Johnson could have a huge year.

Looking at their schedule the first game for the Trojans is on Sept. 5 at home against San Jose State. This game is handled with ease by the far superior Trojans who open the season 1-0.

For the Trojans their first big test comes on the road against Ohio State in Buckeye Country on Sept. 12. I for one believe that this game will be closer than it was last year when the Trojans annihilated the Buckeyes. Even with that, though, the Trojans will come out on top starting the season 2-0.

Sept. 19 is when the Trojans take on the Washington Huskies on the road. Even with a much improved Husky team from a year ago the game really won't be that close. The Trojans improve their record to 3-0.

The next game for the Trojans, which will run their record to 4-0, is against the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 26. The Trojans will not score as much as they did last year against the Cougars but the Trojans will win with relative ease.

Now, comes the second big game for the Trojans on the road on Oct. 3 against the California Golden Bears. With the Bears returning a majority of their defensive starters and having the best running back in the Pac-10 in Jahvid Best, I believe this game will be a well fought battle, with Cal knocking off USC. The Trojans fall to 4-1.

The good news for the Trojans is their next opponent on Oct. 17 on the road against Notre Dame. The Trojans pound the Fighting Irish and win easily, improving their record to 5-1.

The next game on the schedule is Oct. 24 against Oregon State at home. The Trojans will not forget Jacquizz Rodgers' performance against them last year when the Beavers pulled off the upset. This year it will go differently for the Beavers and the Trojans pull away rather easily from the Beavers. With the win the Trojans improve to 6-1.

In another tough matchup on the road the Trojans travel to Autzen Stadium on October 31 to face the Oregon Ducks. Even with the homefield advantage the Trojans take the crowd out of it early and the Ducks never recover. The Trojans improve to 7-1.

Arizona State is their matchup on Nov. 7 on the road. With no proven quarterback for the Sun Devils the Trojans win big and improve to 8-1.

Stanford visits the Trojans on Nov. 14. The Cardinal will do their best to use their featured running back Toby Gerhart, but in the end Gerhart gets bottled up and the Trojans win going to 9-1.

After a week off the Trojans return to action on Nov. 28 to face the UCLA Bruins at home. The Bruins will put up a fight against their rivals, but in the end it's the Trojans easily defeat the Bruins. The Trojans record improves to 10-1.

Finally the Trojans end their season up at home against Arizona on Dec. 5. The Wildcats are going to have an off year because like a lot of the Pac-10 teams there are question marks at quarterback and the Wildcats also lost their best wide receiver. The Wildcats offer two talented running backs, so the game maybe closer than most would expect.

USC should end the year 11-1. Although, there's an outside chance that the Trojans do go undefeated as well. I do not foresee them losing more than one game this year.