Pacific-10 Preview Extravaganza: USC Trojans

Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentlemen as we take you on a four-state tour from the rainy terrain of Pullman, Washington, to the arid desert of Tucson Arizona. Only two years remain for the Pac-10 as we know it. In the near future, Colorado and Utah will join the conference and change the landscape. With them, they will bring divisions, a revised schedule, and a conference championship game. For now, sit back and enjoy the extravagant ride as we take a look at each team in the conference.

1. USC Trojans

 Location:

Coach:

2009 Record:

Schedule:

Projected Starters:

Offense:        QB                                Defense:   DE

                        RB                                               DT

                        FB                                                 DT

                        WR                                          DE

                        WR                                                   LB

                        TE                                                LB

                        LT                                                         LB

                        LG                                                 CB  (SR) 

                        C                                                      CB

                        RG                                           SS

                        RT                                                   FS  

Last Bowl:

Projected 2010 Record:

Outlook:

did

Coaching: After Pete Carroll bolted for the Seattle Seahawks, athletic director Mike Garrett scrambled to find a replacement. Even though his first few choices turned him down, Garrett has found a good replacement in Lane Kiffin. His staff is among the best in college football. Kiffin must find a way to win in the face of NCAA sanctions. So far, he has recruited exceptionally well. Now, it is time for him to dig deep and find a strategy to motivate his players. Lane’s record as a head coach is less than impressive, but he has never had the talent on his roster that he has now. 

Schedule: Unfortunately for USC fans, there isn’t a hallmark out of conference game on the schedule as there has been in years past. As such, three of the games should be gimmes. Hawai’i and Virginia are two teams that struggled in 2009 and haven’t vastly improved in the offseason. Minnesota gave California a good game last year, but they sputtered at the end, and seem to be even worse in 2010. All the pundits have USC running through the non-conference at 4-0 and running away from opponents. Do not, do not underestimate Notre Dame. Brian Kelly will have this team fired up and ready to play, unlike Charlie Weis. USC will win, but it won’t be the big win most expect. In conference, USC has four games that will push them and five that they should win with ease. The trips to Stanford, Oregon State, and Arizona will be USC’s toughest tests, along with the home date against Oregon. It is likely USC will split the four games and finish 11-2. At the end of the day, the sanctions and the defections will just be a bump on the road. USC still has its star players on the roster and recruiting hasn’t dropped off that much. Until a major star like Dillon Baxter, Kyle Prater, or Matt Barkley leaves, USC will be ok. This team will be motivated by proving their worth and will play with the focus and discipline that seemed to be lacking in 2009.

Lane Kiffin left Tennessee after one season to take his "dream job" at USC. Source:Yardbarker.com