USC finished the 2007 season with an 11-2 record capped off by a convincing 49-17 victory over Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Southern Cal ranked second in the nation in scoring defense as they allowed just 19 points per game. They also ranked second nationally in total defense, as they allowed just 273.2 yards per game. Two losses in October (at home against Stanford and at Oregon) ruined his bid for a perfect season and a national championship.
This season, quarterback duties will be handled by junior Mark Sanchez. Sanchez won the job in the spring over Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. Sanchez has started just three games before this season. The former NCAA Player of the Year threw seven touchdown passes and five limited-service interceptions last season.
USC possesses a deep staff of talented running backs, including Stafon Johnson, seasoned junior CJ Gable and super sophomore Joe McKnight. Johnson rushed for 673 yards on just 98 carries last season for a 6.9-yard average. He also scored five touchdowns. Fullback Stanley Havili, a solid receiver and blocker, should also help USC’s running attack.
Vidal Hazleton and Patrick Turner return as starting wide receivers. This unit needs to improve from last season’s performance. They should get help from Damian Williams, another transfer from Arkansas, and Ronald Johnson. All-America tight end Fred Davis has gone to the NFL, leaving young Anthony McCoy to try to fill the gaping void left by Davis’s departure.
Only one starter returns from last year’s offensive line and that’s left guard Jeff Byers. The good news is that many of the new starters in this group played a lot of time last season due to injuries to last year’s starters. Center Kristofer O’Dowd played extremely well last season filling in for the injured Matt Spanos. Charles Brown, Zack Heberer and Butch Lewis also received a lot of playing time due to injuries to the starters.
Head coach Pete Carroll’s specialty is defense. Earlier I mentioned some of USC’s defensive accomplishments in 2007. This year’s group has speed and athleticism at every level and should put up impressive numbers as well.
All-America candidate Rey Maualuga returns at middle linebacker and former Rose Bowl MVP Brian Cushing returns at strongside linebacker. Kaluka Maiava should be the new starter at weakside linebacker for a unit that should be among the best in the country.
It gets even better. Coach Carroll believes this year’s secondary could be the best he has ever coached. It all starts with 6’4″, 225-pound free safety Taylor Mays. Strong safety Kevin Ellison, an All-PAC 10 selection last season, combines with Mays to form what could be the best safety tandem in the country .
The biggest loss for this defense is the departure of PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year Sedrick Ellis. Ellis, a nose tackle last season, is going to the NFL. Christian Tupou and Averell Spicer have some big shoes to fill trying to replace Ellis. The rest of the defensive line consists of Fili Moala at the other tackle spot and rookie All-American Everson Griffin and Kyle Moore at the ends.
Both kickers, placekicker David Buehler and punter Greg Woidneck, return after strong 2007 seasons. Southern Cal should get excellent kicking returns from the trio of McKnight, Gable and Ronald Johnson.
In 2008, the Trojans will attempt to win 11 games and reach a BCS bowl game for the seventh straight season. QB Sanchez will have a lot to do with whether or not USC achieves that goal. USC has an easier schedule than last season. Most of the tough games are at home, including Ohio State, Oregon, and Arizona State. I look forward to USC once again competing for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.