USC Football Schedule 2011: What to Know for Each Game

As the Trojans embark on what they hope is a successful upcoming season, there are certain things exclusive to each game that Trojan fans need to know about those specific games.

This slide show will look at some of those things that will be important factors in those games and how they may affect the outcomes or game plans that will be instituted.

While many things go into how strategies are formulated and how these plans affect the games themselves, this list will look at some of the underlying components that may affect the story lines of these games.

Some may affect how the game is planned for coaching-wise or perhaps how historical precedent may offer insights to the games themselves.

Regardless, here are some tidbits on each Trojan game in 2011 that every fan should know for the upcoming season.

Sept. 3: Minnesota

Pity the poor Golden Gophers.

When the 2011 USC Trojans roll out of the Coliseum tunnel, they will be looking to wash away the ugly taste of a disappointing 2010 season, and Minnesota will be the first to feel their wrath.

But what about the Gophers? What should USC fans know about the team whose colors bear a close resemblance to the cardinal and gold of the Trojans?

Well, for one, Minnesota will be playing its first season under new head coach Jerry Kill who took over for Tim Brewster in the offseason.

Thus they will be experiencing the same growing pains that the Trojans went through last year under then first year head coach, Lane Kiffin.

They should also know that the Gophers will be lead by a dual threat quarterback, MarQuis Grey, a 6'4", 230 lb. former wide receiver who played quarterback in high school.

These are the kind of signal callers who have given the Trojans fits in the past.

However, in this game, under these circumstances, the Trojans should be fine against a team that is in way over their heads playing their first game against a motivated USC team at the Coliseum.

Sept.10: Utah

Welcome to the Pac-12 Utah.

Oh, and welcome back to the Coliseum Norm Chow.

In a delicious bit of irony, USC's former offensive coordinator will return to face the coach that took over for him in the middle of the last decade.

Now Utah's offensive coordinator, Chow will lead a Ute's team that features a good quarterback, Jordan Wynn and a potentially very good offense.

But he will be running a new offense with Chow replacing the spread with a more pro-style offense that will have Wynn under the center far more often.

Utah will also have to replace both cornerbacks, and that should be welcome news for Trojan quarterback Matt Barkley and his cadre of talented receivers.

While coach Chow will always hold a special place in the hearts of Trojan fans, don't expect it to affect this game where USC should provide a hostile welcome to Utah in its first conference game.

Sept. 17: Syracuse

Last year, the Orange finally pulled themselves up from the Big East scrapheap finishing 8-5 like USC and unlike the Trojans, who were in the first year of their bowl ban, managed to win the "Pinstripe Bowl" over Kansas State.

However, this year Syracuse will be looking to a somewhat unknown quantity, quarterback Ryan Nassib, who had a nice game in their bowl game but was a rather under utilized weapon throughout the regular season.

The Orange will have to develop the passing game because their top rusher is no longer around.

More importantly for the Trojans, Syracuse will be breaking in two new linebackers who will be replacing the best players on their defense last year.

If USC has asserted its running game by this time, look for the Trojans to wear down Syracuse and win going away late.

Sept. 24: At Arizona State

The Trojans first big test of 2011 comes on the road at Tempe versus the Sun Devils.

ASU, led by linebacker Vontaze Burfict, is expected to be one of the finest defenses in the nation and a lot will have to go right for USC to score with any regularity.

Although ASU's defense will be stout, the same probably can't be said for the offense which has line problems and a decent quarterback (Brock Osweiler) but absolutely no depth at the position.

Still, the Sun Devils lost four games last year by a handful of points combined, and they have the talent to not only win the South but make national noise if they get on a roll.

Oct. 1: Arizona

If you think the Trojans have offensive line problems take a gander at the Wildcats.

Arizona will be breaking in five, count 'em, five new starters charged with protecting Arizona quarterback Nick Foles and opening holes for their running backs.

And that's not all.

Their defensive line will also undergo major changes as well and with both trenches getting face lifts, the Wildcats will have the added pressure to find its way early or sink underneath the weight of an impossibly difficult early schedule.

After an early season gimme against Northern Arizona, UA plays Oklahoma State, Stanford and Oregon before traveling to the Coliseum to play the Trojans.

Oct. 13 (Thurs.): At Cal

With inconsistent Bear quarterback Kevin Riley finally gone, coach Jeff Tedford will be looking to Buffalo transfer Zack Maynard to lead a Cal offense that will also being operating without running back Shane Vereen who has moved on to the NFL.

For Tedford, who may be facing added scrutiny due to the Bears recent struggles, the timing couldn't be worse.

However, its not like they don't have talent.

They do, but unfortunately, it's all very young.

Tedford has brought in a very impressive 2010 recruiting class, especially on defense, but will it mature in time to save his job?

Look for the Trojans to win big at AT&T Park and further Tedford's angst as the naysayers calling for his job reach a crescendo.

Oct. 22: At Notre Dame

With a little luck, both of these teams could be undefeated as the Trojans roll into South Bend to play the Irish under the lights at their place for the first time in their storied rivalry.

Notre Dame, who has wallowed in unwanted attention since the end of last season, will be looking to quarterback Dane Crist, who is returning from a knee injury, to lead a potentially dangerous offense that features a good running back in Cierre Wood and a great wide receiver in Michael Floyd.

Their defense will be very good as well, especially the front seven.

The Trojans will be led by quarterback Matt Barkley who missed last year's game, and he will focus on a suspect Irish defensive secondary.

If USC can establish any kind of running game, they should be well placed to pull off the upset in Notre Dames backyard.

Oct. 29: Stanford

The Trojans would love nothing more than to get a measure of revenge against the Cardinal who beat them at the last moment in Palo Alto.

This year, Stanford returns a veteran team but not one without flaws.

Three-fifths of the offensive line will be new although two of them, David DeCastro and Jonathon Martin are All-American candidates.

And though Heisman front runner, quarterback Andrew Luck, has some dynamic weapons in tight end Coby Fleener and wide receiver Chris Owusu, they have little proven depth, and Owusu has been injury prone in his career.

Look for the Trojans to try to assert their running game early opening up things for Matt Barkley late while keeping the ball out of Luck's hands.

A simple game plan but effective if the Trojans can pull it off.

Nov. 5: At Colorado

Some interesting side notes accompany this game where the Trojans might find themselves in the unusual position of playing in--gasp--snowy conditions.

One, like Minnesota earlier in the season, Colorado will be playing in a new system with head coach Jon Embree taking over for the disappointing Dan Hawkins.

Unlike the Gophers however, by this time in the season, the Buff's should be fairly well acclimated to that system.

If the weather permits it, Barkley should light up the Colorado secondary which was one of the worst in the nation last year.

As a defensive maven, Embree should have his squad much improved but not enough to win this one at home.

Nov. 12: Washington

There are two things you need to know for this game.

1) Quarterback Jake Locker no longer roams in the Huskie backfield.

2) The Trojans desperately want to win this game.

When these two consideration are made in conjunction with USC's overall superior talent, it should result in former Trojan assistant Steve Sarkisian's first loss against his old team.

Although Washington running back Chris Polk may be the most talented runner in the Pac-12, he won't be able to do it by himself.

Nov. 19: At Oregon

Had this game taken place in September or early October, the Trojans would have been primed for a major upset of the Ducks.

With Oregon having lost so many critical players to graduation, an early matchup would have played favorably for USC as the Ducks high tempo offense still would be looking for the depth that Oregon coach Chip Kelly enjoyed in 2010.

However, by the time this game rolls around, Kelly should have a pretty firm grip on his rotation although it may not be as effective as last year's edition.

Though the task at hand, winning at Eugene, is a big one, the Trojans may have a few surprises up their sleeve for the Ducks.

In any event, look for USC to try to control the line scrimmage by establishing a solid running game thus keeping the quick strike Ducks offense off the field.

Nov. 26: UCLA

By the time this game rolls around, Bruin fans will know whether they will have a new head coach in 2012 or that their current coach, Rick Neuheisel, will get to stay for another year.

The smart money is on the former.

UCLA is not expected to do much in 2011 and given the state of their injury riddled roster, chances are very good that when the last game of the upcoming season is played at the coliseum, this will be "Slick Rick's" last as the head man in Westwood.

Although the Bruins have some talent, especially on defense, they have far too many holes to make much noise in the inaugural Pac-12 season.

Of major concern is their offensive line which has been depleted by injury, Mormon missions and failing grades.

Even if Bruin quarterback Kevin Prince is able to stay injury free—not a given by any stretch of the imagination—will he be able to stay upright behind a patchwork offensive line?

Look for the Trojans to feast on Prince and his fellow offensive cohorts as USC puts the final nail in Neuheisel's Bruin head coaching coffin.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, the only thing you need to know about the Trojans of 2011 is that they control their own destiny this year.

Fans of the program expect USC to be much better this year, especially given the remarkable strides they have made since the disappointing 2010 season when they finished 8-5.

Now sporting a full roster of hungry players, the Trojans have a new look to them, and it is accompanied by an old swagger.

If the fall camp is any indication, the men of Troy will be dramatically better in 2011.

Deeper, more talented and certainly reaping the benefit of the 2010 experience, this year's squad looks to recreate the success of last decades incredible Trojan teams.

The Trojans appear to be on the right track for that return to glory and judging by what the coaches have seen in fall camp, it should be sooner rather than later.

And at the end of the day, that is all Trojan fans really need to know.