Hey Jim Harbaugh, THIS is the Best USC Team of all Time!

Hello everyone, welcome to my very first article, ever!

Remember last year's Pac-10 Media day? Then first-year Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said the 2007 unit, led by John David Booty, could be the best USC team ever.

After strolling through Idaho, Nebraska, and Washington State, USC struggled on the road against Washington (27-24 was the final score) and lost at home for the first time since 2001 against Stanford. Ironic?

USC has lost two Pac-10 games (three on the road) in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The loss against Oregon State was because of bad special teams play (but give credit to Sam Stroughter's punt return TD).

The Trojans' offense finally kicked into gear in the middle of the third quarter, but couldn't finish the job on the two-point conversion in the final seconds to tie the game.

However, after several weeks of upsets, USC climbed back into the No. 2 spot after Ohio State after a nice series of beatdowns at home in November on three consecutive ranked opponents (Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame).

Playing against the No. 1 Troy Smith-led Buckeyes was an easy assumption. All we had to do was beat 6-5 UCLA the very next week, the same team USC blasted 66-19 the year before.

Unfortunately, USC really overlooked the Bruins, and I blame the USC offense for losing the game. The Bruins front four overwhelmed the offensive line, completely stifling the running game.

Pete Carroll, usually a genius at making halftime adjustments, had no answer. The offense kept on trying to run the ball when we should've opened up the passing game. Trojans lose, 13-9.

One year later in 2007, USC again started off strong. During the second game, USC, on some people's upset alert, ran all over Nebraska's blackshirt defense. Quickly, we realize that Nebraska was overrated to begin with, and perhaps the Trojans as well.

USC cruised the following game against Washington State but struggled against Washington due to several penalties. It was quite apparent the Trojans were continually getting ahead of themselves.

The Stanford game explained it all. Booty's broken finger that game wasn't the fault. What about giving up fourth and 20 against... Stanford's backup freshman quarterback? Another fourth-and-nine on the same drive? The Trojans knew they were the 41-point favorite and their attitude was shown during the game.

I will not consider the Oregon loss as a disappointment. After all, the USC defense allowed "only 24 points" to the Dennis Dixon-led offense. Oregon could've would've should've cruised into the BCS Title game, but the Heisman candidate went down with an ACL tear against ASU and Arizona.

Finally, USC wins the rest of the games by showing up with effort and will to win. Apparently, destiny of college football does not favor those that are too cocky.

After their humble defeats, USC cruises to the Rose Bowl after avenging Oregon State, taming the Cal Bears, blasting the Sun Devils at the desert, and beating crosstown rival UCLA.

The great momentum is carried into the Rose Bowl after doing what Pete Carroll does best: beating a Big 10 opponent by more than double digits.

And now it is 2008. Four starters are back on offense and seven return on defense, after losing how many to the NFL last year? 10 starters? No worries.

This unit is led by Mark Sanchez, who is much more mobile than predecessor Booty and has a bigger arm, thus capable of vertical passes. When was the last time we saw USC throwing up and down the field? 2005.

Questions on the offensive line were answered last Saturday. Mark Sanchez got sacked only once by the same unit that welcomed back 17 starters from a year ago. USC receivers are finally stepping up, and oh boy, all but Pat Turner return next year as well. So far so good.

As for the defense, USC has allowed 10 total points to foes whose combined record from last year was 20-6 (Virginia was 9-4 while OSU 11-2).

The D-line wouldn't stop pushing around the veteran O-line unit of the Buckeyes. The linebackers are as deep or could be even better than the 2004 champion unit led by Lofa Tatupu. The secondary is as unstoppable as ever with Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison. Need I say more?

This year's unit, unlike 2006 and 2007 (and perhaps 2005), is balanced on all sides of the ball, including special teams. Parallel to the 2004 team, USC has the dangerous passing and rushing attack, an immovable wall known as the defense, and finally, a special teams that should not allow any more return TDs or give up good field position.

Unlike the 2005 unit, this team fields an experienced defense that should suffocate any opposing offense. All USC needs to fear is USC itself. The remaining tough games are against Oregon, Arizona State, and Cal. Those three are at home.

Notre Dame still has offensive struggles (260 total yards against Michigan last week) and UCLA just lost 59-0 against BYU. Stanford on the road is the game to watch.

My prediction: USC definitely goes undefeated into the BCS game. Their opponent: the Big 12 champion: either Mizzou or Oklahoma. When that game comes, USC will remember the 2006 Rose Bowl (and the 2005 Orange Bowl).

Fight On, my fellow readers.

Phew! Just complete my very first article in my life.