Five reasons to be optimistic about USC football in 2019

Identity on offense

One reason USC was incapable of taking advantage of their talent gap in 2018 was because they lacked an identity, particularly on offense.

A veteran offensive line, a gifted receiving corps and capable running backs where wasted because the Trojans were interested in trying too many things, without appearing to master any of them.

It’s Graham Harrell’s job to change that.

Harrell is bringing his version of the Air Raid to USC from North Texas. The system is built on fundamental principles that the Trojans desperately need: Keep it simple and don’t think, play.

The idea is to get the most out of USC’s athletes by unshackling them. The offensive line has spent more time focusing on technique because they only have a few blocking schemes to learn. The quarterbacks are being asked to get the ball out more quickly. The receivers are being put in position to use their athleticism. The running backs are catching the ball out of the backfield. The tight ends are more involved in general.

Even if the changes aren’t enough to transform the Trojan offense into a juggernaut, the simple approach should be enough to improve on USC’s dismal 26.1 points per game from 2018.

Trojan teams that have averaged better than 30 points per game in the last 10 years have averaged nine wins per season with no less than seven total.