Breaking Down the Top 25: #23 USC

Courtesy of sportressofblogitude.com

About everything that could go wrong for the mighty men from Troy during the offseason DID go wrong. their head coach left, they were punched repeatedly in the face by the NCAA (metaphor) and now have suspended freshman Dillon Baxter for the game versus Hawaii. Lane Kiffin aims to please and discipline, and it seems like he will be doing a good amount of both while in his "dream job". The beginning of the 2010 season takes away all pressure during the offseason, and what a way to get rid of some stress the Trojans will have to begin the season. USC head down to the beautiful Hawiaan Islands to get their tan on, and win a game as well. Even though they are unable to participate in a bowl game at the end of the season, the expectation for a Pac-10 championship still remains.

#23 USC Trojans

2009 Record: 8-4

Better or Worse in 2010: Better

September 2nd: @Hawaii-- W
Why: This is not Colt Brennan's team from way back when, and USC (sans Dillon Baxter) will enjoy the beautiful weather while going 1-0 to start off the 2010 season

September 11th: Virginia-- W
Why: USC have a weak Virginia team at home this year. Last year, they traveled to Charlottesville and beat the Cavs 52-7. UVA are arguably better this year, but good enough to encroach on a 45 point deficit? I don't think so.

September 18th: @Minnesota-- W
Why: In the past two years, USC was able to play a Big Ten team in the first few weeks of the season. That Big Ten team was Ohio State, and they pose a much greater threat to USC than Minnesota (2010's opponent). USC rolls.

September 25th: @Washington State-- W
Why: No comment

October 2nd: Washington-- W
Why: UW snuck up on USC last year and beat them with a last minute field goal. Matt Barkley did not play in that game with a shoulder injury. Up in Seattle, Washington shocked the college football world and beat the Trojans. Coming back LA for this game, Monty Kiffin and his defense have the ability to stop a Locker led offense and possibly shut down Jake's heisman bid.

October 9th: @Stanford-- W
Why: Stanford's crowd usually consists of alumni that graduated from the prestigious University circa 1960. The atmosphere will not strike fear into USC and they are able to take care of business up north with some solid quarterbacking by Barkley.

October 16th: California-- W
Why: This year could very well be UC's best chance in a while to beat their counterparts in LA, but a good USC defense should be able to stop Shane Vereen for at least one more year.

October 23rd: BYE
October 30th: Oregon-- L
Why: USC lost two home games last year. This year they will most likely only lose one, but a loss to Oregon could determine the Pac-10 champion. Oregon had USC's number last season with the zone read. No Masoli, no problem. The Ducks win by a lesser amount, but a win is always a win.

November 6th: Arizona State-- W
Why: Yes, USC is good this year. No, Arizona State is not.

November 13th: @Arizona-- L
Why: Nick Foles was able to turn a few heads with his preformance against USC with a very good preformance as he lead the Wildcats to victory while visiting the Trojans. AU brings the fight home with them and is able to give them the edge over a vicious USC team.

November 20th: @Oregon State-- W
Why: After being knocked off of the #1 spot by the Beavers in 2008, USC was able to avenge their loss last season with a solid win at home. This year, OSU is a little weaker and USC will smell blood once the 4th quarter begins.

November 27th: Notre Dame-- W
Why: Taking emotion out of this we have to be honest with ourselves. USC has owned this series home AND away since it began. This game will mean more to Notre Dame to USC, but Lane Kiffin knows that he has an image to uphold. Losing to ND would not paint a pretty image his first year in office.

December 4th: @UCLA-- W
Why: The Trojans have held UCLA to 7 points in each of the last three years. UCLA has the ability to score more than that in 2010, but to no effect in the W column.

2010 Prediction: (11-2) (7-2)