USC Spring Game 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

USC's march to a potential College Football Playoff bid begins Saturday at the Trojans' spring game.

After a 9-4 campaign and a triumph in the Holiday Bowl, coach Steve Sarkisian's Trojans are sanction free and welcome in a recruiting class deep in talent just in time for a serious run.

The 2015 Trojans return 16 starters, chief among them quarterback Cody Kessler. Saturday will prove to be a feeling-out period for key spots, the most important of them being the void left by Leonard Williams' departure to the NFL.

2015 USC Spring Game 

When: Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m. ET

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

TV: Pac-12 Network

Live Stream:  Pac-12.com

Preview 

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sarkisian understands his sophomore campaign as Trojans head coach needs to start off on the right foot. Expectations are rampant thanks to the wealth of returning starters and the lack of sanctions holding the team's scholarships back.

"We realize what people's expectations are for the program and we're not going to shy away from them, we're going to embrace them," said Sarkisian, per USCTrojans.com. "That's the reason all of us came to USC, to be the best and to uphold the standards that have been set here."

It starts with Kessler under center. He completed a whopping 69.7 percent of his passes last season for 3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns to five interceptions.

Kessler will hit Saturday's game in search of a new No. 1 wideout with Nelson Agholor (104 catches, 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns) on his way to the NFL. Sophomore JuJu Smith is the name to watch, as he came second behind Agholor last year at 54 grabs for 724 yards and five scores.

As CBS Sports' Aaron Taylor notes, though, drops have peppered Smith's preseason thus far:

It's early, of course, and Saturday is a chance for Smith to round into form—and others behind him such as Darreus Rogers to step up and seize the No. 2 slot.

Of course, Adoree' Jackson, USC's first three-way player since 1997, is also in on the action as a receiver. He's had a nice transition to the defense too, as his main job remains cornerback as of now.

As Michael Lev of the Orange County Register notes, though, how Jackson's time is divvied up Saturday remains anyone's guess:

Cornerback is perhaps the most interesting position of all this weekend not just because of Jackson, but because of new names in the fold. Keep an eye on how the coaching staff decides to use freshman Iman Marshall, among others.

Injury makes linebacker and the defensive trenches an important focal point too.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With senior Anthony Sarao sidelined with a foot injury, inside linebacker Olajuwon Tucker has played with the first team this spring and will get the nod this weekend. He told WeAreSC.com's Greg Katz he appreciates the chance to prove himself (via ESPN.com):

“I feel very blessed and appreciated with the opportunity the coaches have given to me, and me just stepping up and really taking advantage of the opportunity given to me.”

At the least, Tucker's ability to rise to the occasion will give the Trojans more reliable depth and one of its younger linebackers live-game experience should injuries continue to plague the spot.

The problems are even worse in the trenches, as ESPN.com's Johnny Curren documents:

"

This is probably the hardest unit to get a read on right now. Pelon suffered a shoulder injury late in practice on Saturday, and if it winds up being serious, it will certainly shake things up here. When Pelon went to the sideline, Dorton took his place with the No. 1 group, while also taking reps with the No. 2 unit at nose tackle. Hill, normally a rush end, lined up on the interior at defensive end. Temple has spent the entire spring going with the No. 1 group at nose tackle in place of the injured Antwaun Woods (pectoral muscle).

"

Replacing the aforementioned Williams and others is no easy task in the first place, let alone when injuries add to the mix. If the Trojans are to improve or remain level there, a hodgepodge of names need to step up in the spring game.

As a whole, Saturday is the first step toward a new beginning for a program with its eyes set on the loftiest of goals. Expect plenty of competition and big plays as two units test one another in preparation for the season.

Info courtesy of USCTrojans.com unless otherwise specified.