Greg McElroy believes USC will have good season, has Trojans #11 in preseason poll

The preseason is a time in which people can freely form opinions, hoping to be proven right later on. In truth, for USC, as with all teams throughout the nation, the way in which the team will perform has many unknowns. Even so, there is room for well-reasoned projections, making it so that there can be healthy discourse surrounding what the USC team may look like in 2025.

As shared on X by Arrogant Nation, ESPN's Greg McElroy is someone who does in fact believe that USC is going to be in a great position to move the needle and show marked improvement. The analyst and former Alabama quarterback has the Trojans listed in his preseason top 25 list at number 11.

McElroy's reasoning is focused on the anticipated improvement from the defense. Even among USC fans, there are many voices that are oddly skeptical about that unit. These opinions are based on some of the prior teams of coach Lincoln Riley, with the potential negative consequences of an air-raid system in mind.

It needs to be remembered, however, that the Trojan defense is under the control of coach D'Anton Lynn. Add, then, too, that USC has done well to supplement the trenches with highly skilled athletes and big bodies, and the concerns of the defense become less and less valid.

What to look for from USC's defense

The key for the Trojans, as is the case for any other team, will be their ability to get off the field on third down and to produce turnovers. It is entirely unreasonable in today's game and with the current rules to expect any defense to pitch a shutout or anything close to that. Instead, being able to produce opportune moments in which they can get the offense back on the field is what USC fans will be hoping for this upcoming season.

McElroy believes that USC can and will show the improvements that are needed to be a competitive team. Soon enough, it will be up to the Trojan players to prove opinions like those of McElroy right.