USC Football: Midseason Report Card for the Trojans

Well, the Trojans first half of the season is in the books and for USC fans, the question is this:

Is the football glass half empty or half full?

Going into the 2011 campaign, it was understood that the easy part of the schedule would be in the beginning, and based on the Trojans 5-1 record at the half way mark, there was truth to that assumption.

Now the tough part of the season is on the horizon and both USC and their fans will find out just how good their team is.

In the meantime, lets take a look back on how the Trojans got to their first half record and how each unit performed to get them there.

Quarterback

Based strictly on statistics, Matt Barkley has had a fine 2011 year for the Trojans.

Completing almost 69 percent of his passes for 1,782 yards, along with 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions, those are numbers that almost any quarterback would love to have.

Then why does it feel like Barkley is under achieving?

Perhaps it is because he had a horrible game in USC's only loss to Arizona State.

Or maybe his mediocre game against Cal last Thursday is fresh on peoples minds.

But more likely, Matt Barkley is a victim of his own incredible potential.

When you have that much talent, when you are so skilled, it is difficult to reach the lofty heights of expectations week in and week out.

And despite being surrounded by superior talent at receiver, such as Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and the like, the lofty goals others are looking for may be unrealistic.

Whatever the case, the Trojans are going to need Barkley to meet those expectations, unrealistic or not, if USC is going to reawaken memories of the salad days of the recent past.

Because so far he has been good.

Nothing more.

Grade: B-

Running Backs

It is difficult to get a handle on just how good (or bad) the Trojans running backs have been because of the tenuous nature of the offensive line.

If you go strictly by numbers, the Trojans rushing attack has left much to be desired.

Marc Tyler has had a couple of nice games but he may be sidelined for the foreseeable future and when he wasn't, he was inconsistent.

Perhaps the most intriguing of the running backs is Curtis McNeal who has done everything asked of him when he has gotten a chance to play.

We will find out soon if he is a No. 1 back now that Tyler is likely out.

Meanwhile, D.J. Morgan started pretty well but "fumbleitis" has rendered him an afterthought and Dillon Baxter would just like an opportunity to return from his coaches "purgatory."

Look for Baxter to open up a scholarship for the Trojans as he bids his fickle coach adieu after the season.

Finally, Trojan fans are eager to see how George Farmer can do running the rock but he is a work in progress and both the coaches and USC's fans will have to be patient.

Grade: C

Receivers

This unit is probably the deepest on the team and when you have a talent like Robert Woods, you can't help but be good.

However, this group of receivers, including the tight ends, are more than just their incredible sophomore.

True freshman Marqise Lee has had a great 2011 and Brandon Carswell has chipped in with 14 catches for 122 yards as well.

Brice Butler has also contributed but has anyone seen Kyle Prater?

As for the tight ends, both Xavier Grimble and Randall Telfer have had their moments but neither has really taken hold of the position and made it theirs.

Expect this group (receivers and tight ends) to get better as the season progresses and if the Trojans expect to make noise in the second half, they will need this unit to shine.

Grade B+

Offensive Line

The unit that began the year with most questions remains the one still looking for answers.

With three new faces on the line, including one that (Khaled Holmes) changed positions, Lane Kiffin and his staff knew there would be growing pains.

And while the season has borne out those expectations, there also has been growth.

Kevin Graf has mostly been steady at right tackle and although the guards continue to be in a state flux, both John Martinez and Marcus Martin are beginning to assert themselves at their respective positions.

Still, the Trojans need improvement in the running game and development in that area continues to be slow.

For the Trojans to be where they want to be, this portion of the line responsibility needs to improve rapidly.

Yet, it should also be acknowledged that this group has done well protecting Matt Barkley which helps their overall grade.

Grade: C

Special Teams

Let's start with bad...

Cut out the gimmick plays coaches Kiffin, Baxter, etc.!

The litany of failed two point efforts, fake field goals and the like, have worn out the patience of their fans and have made Lane Kiffin the object of scorn nationally (thanks to ESPN).

Now that we have that out of the way, the rest of the special teams unit has been pretty darned good.

Despite not having any Trojans return kicks returned for touchdowns, the special teams unit has covered their opponents returns well.

Punter Kyle Negrete has been steady if not spectacular but place kicker Andre Heidari has been a revelation.

Finally giving the Trojans a reliable option for field goals, Heidari has reintroduced a segment to the offense that has been missing for years and he has been effective on kickoffs as well.

The only thing holding this group back from an "A-" is those trick plays but overall, this has been an effective unit.

Grade: B

Defensive Line

Going into the 2011 season, if you asked most in the know which would be the best unit on the defense, many would have said the D-line.

Six games into the season, those assumptions have been wrong.

Despite promises by defensive end Nick Perry to get 15 sacks this year (we'll settle for five, Nick), the Trojans have been less than scintillating up front.

Though they have been adequate against the run, the pass rush has been almost non-existent.

Defensive tackle DaJohn Harris has had a nice year and George Uko has had his moments but by and large, this unit has been a big disappointment.

Grade: C-

Linebackers

Unlike the defensive line whom so much was expected of, the linebacker unit was considered a weakness going into 2011.

And unlike the defensive front, the 'backers have been productive, even under trying circumstances.

Middle linebacker Chris Galippo has been steady while being forced to play almost every down recently with true freshman Lamar Dawson hobbled by an ankle injury.

But it is the play of new linebackers Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard that has been a pleasant surprise.

Bailey, a converted safety and undersized at 215 lbs., has been outstanding while leading the Trojans in tackles.

And he is getting better by the week as evidenced by his two interception and a fumble recovered against Cal.

Bailey leads the team in tackles too just for good measure.

Pullard is second on the team in tackles and he too is getting better as the season progresses.

Shane Horton has done a nice job in a reserve role and the aforementioned Dawson is going to be the next great Trojan linebacker (if Bailey and Pullard aren't already).

Grade: B

Secondary

This is another unit that was expected to make big strides in 2011 but so far, the results have been disappointing.

Ranked 98th in the nation for passing yards allowed, the defensive secondary has leaked like a sieve all season.

Safety T.J. McDonald, who some thought was All-American material, has been largely a non factor except for when he was drawing stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the Trojans only loss at ASU.

Nickell Robey, the Trojans diminutive cornerback, has had an unremarkable year and so far, Lane Kiffin has been unable to find any production from anyone else.

USC needs to improve in this area and they need to do it fast.

Grade: C-

Coaching

So far, Lane Kiffin's coaching has been uneven at best.

Too many gimmicks that haven't worked have been matched by game plans that have been exploited by some teams leaving the Trojans vulnerable.

To top it off, Kiffin's personnel decisions in some cases have been questionable (some players get sat for fumbling while others do not) and others, such as running back Dillon Baxter, are left shaking their heads wondering what they have to do to see the field of play.

On the other hand, this is a young team that isn't deep.

And because of that, any indictment of Kiffin and his coaching style must be tempered by the reality of the situation.

As for Lane's dad, Monte, the same things apply although the defensive line doesn't have much of a excuse for their shoddy efforts in 2011.

Grade: C

Conclusion

If you asked most Trojan fans if they would be happy if their boys were 5-1 at the halfway mark, I would venture to say that the answer would be a resounding "yes!"

So why does this record feel so unsatisfying?

With the exception of the Syracuse game, USC has been terribly inconsistent this year and it is that unevenness that has left Trojan fans concerned for how the rest of the year plays out.

Now heading into the tough part of the schedule, both USC and their fans know that they will have to improve significantly if they want to finish the season on a high note.

Because if they play the rest of the season the way they have so far, the Trojans will be lucky to get to eight wins this year.

Overall Grade at the Halfway Mark: C+