USC Football: Trojans Have a Shot to Make the Rose Bowl or Even Better in 2012

Whether you love Lane Kiffin or hate him, no one can deny the fact he has done a great job in Los Angeles this season.

Heading into tonight's matchup against rival UCLA, the Trojans are 9-2 and 6-2 in conference.  The Trojans beat the conference's best team, Oregon, and took the Stanford Cardinal to overtime.  The fact that USC even has a shot at a 10-win season while starring down the barrel of NCAA sanctions and a bowl ban, is impressive.

Their success, however, all begins with Junior Matt Barkley.  Barkley has passed for 3,105 yards, 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.  In fact, Barkley tops Stanford quarterback and Heisman front runner Andrew Luck in all three of these categories.  Why isn't Barkley getting more Heisman attention?

With the numbers Barkley has been putting up in 2011, there is no reason to believe that he will put up equal or even better statistics in 2012.  That is, if he does not declare for the NFL Draft.

The Trojans also have talent outside of the quarterback position returning. USC is likely to return all five starting offensive linemen from 2011.  Receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee will be back in 2012, who have combined to catch for over 2,000 yards this season.  The Trojans are also likely to return nine of 11 defensive starters, as well as their kicker and punter.

Outside of the Oregon Ducks, the competition in the Pac-12 next season will also go downhill.  Andrew Luck will be gone at Stanford, and no other team besides USC and Oregon will make significant improvements, leaving the window open for USC.

The key to the Pac-12 Championship in 2012 for the Trojans?  They need Matt Barkley to return next season.