USC Football: Why the Trojans Will Win the 2012 BCS National Championship

Before getting crushed by NCAA sanctions handed out in the Reggie Bush case, USC was in the national championship conversation every year. Since then, the Trojans have endured a postseason ban, a loss of scholarships, an exodus of recruits and a coaching change.

However, despite all of the above, USC has come out ready to play in all but one game this season. Even with a loss of scholarships and talent, the Trojans hung tough with one of the most developed college quarterbacks ever in Stanford's Andrew Luck for four quarters and three overtimes.

Next year, the postseason ban is lifted and USC is once again eligible for college football's most coveted prize—the BCS National Championship trophy. Here's why the Trojans will take it home.

1. Matt Barkley

Ever since Matt Barkley took over the starting quarterback job as a true freshman under Pete Carroll, he has had to live up to enormous expectations. In his third year at the helm, Barkley has become the Heisman candidate and projected first-round draft pick everybody had hoped he would be.

However, most people think Barkley will leave for the NFL after this season. But here's a thought: Why would Barkley sit through two seasons without bowl games, three years of second-tier Pac-10/12 play and a coaching change just to leave a year early?

Matt Barkley wants to have a shot at a BCS national championship, or at least a BCS bowl berth. He hasn't ruled out a return, and seems to be enjoying his time at USC thus far. With USC back in the title hunt next year, Barkley can solidify his name among the great Trojan quarterbacks by leading the Men of Troy back to the BCS National Championship game.

2. Robert Woods

Yet another reason for Matt Barkley to return is wide receiver Robert Woods.

Woods is already starting to break USC receiving records, and he's only a sophomore. He's currently tied for second in the nation in receptions with 81 and is fifth in receiving yards with 991. His nine touchdown catches are third best.

The Barkley-Woods duo can be easily compared to the Brandon Weeden-Justin Blackmon duo of Oklahoma State. That team is currently undefeated, and if they pull out a victory against Oklahoma, they could end up in this year's BCS National Championship game.

Having a great receiver to complement a great quarterback is something many championship teams have, and Robert Woods will be essential to USC's title run next year.

3. Defense

The Trojans' defense has been average at best this year. They rank 16th in rush defense, but pair that with a 102nd-ranked pass defense, and you know you're going to have to win through offense.

Next season, however, the defense could be a strength. There are two freshman linebackers for the Trojans to be excited about: Hayes Pullard and converted safety Dion Bailey. Both are already making an impact as starters and will only continue to grow.

Any deficiencies in the defense will be well-covered up by Monte Kiffin, the defensive coordinator and head coach Lane Kiffin's father. Monte is best known for innovating the "Tampa 2" defense, which emphasizes linebacker speed—something USC definitely has. It also requires little personnel change, something that will heavily benefit a team with lost scholarships.

4. Coaching Staff

There's no doubt that losing Pete Carroll to the NFL in 2010 was a huge blow to the USC football program. However, the staff that replaced him has the experience and potential to produce results similar to those seen during the Pete Carroll era.

As controversial as Lane Kiffin can be in the media, he and Monte Kiffin have saved USC's recruiting and put a system in place that is primed for success. Lane Kiffin was also the offensive coordinator for the 2005 USC team that won the national championship.

The Kiffin family has experience at USC and, under their leadership, the dynamic players on the Trojans' roster can come together to win it all in 2012.

5. Easier Pac-12 Schedule

A team generally has to go undefeated to get to the BCS National Championship game. That means winning all conference games and, in the case of the Pac-12, the conference championship game.

This season's favorites are clearly Stanford and Oregon, but both squads will be losing key players next year, like quarterback Andrew Luck and running back LaMichael James.

That leaves the Pac-12 title up for grabs.

With both of these schools experiencing down years in 2012, USC won't be facing the same kind of challenges it normally would en route to the BCS. The Trojans could easily run the table and finish undefeated. The only question is how they will compare to any other possible undefeated teams.

6. Motivation

It's easy to overlook motivation when analyzing Xs and Os, but it will play a major part in USC's national championship campaign.

For the first time in two years, the Trojans will be able to participate in a bowl game, something that every college football player works toward. If the BCS National Championship game is the goal, then the motivation only increases.

The evidence in this can be found in last week's game against Stanford. Essentially, this was USC's bowl game and their only chance to face a highly ranked opponent—and all they did was force three overtimes and nearly upset one of the best teams in the country.

If USC is sitting at 6-2 and ranked 21st in the AP Poll this year, then watch out for next year when they actually have something to play for.