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)

Countdown to #1: 25-20

Seeing some of these storied programs all the way down at 25-20 may pain some fans, but it begins to show the change in scenery that is occuring in the world of College Football. I have created the Top 25 here at W TO C and this is how they pan out with the first 5 on the list

25) USC- After an extremely shaky offseason where Pete Carroll ended his reign in Pasadena and Lane Kiffin has returned as the head coach. Matt Barkley is back after a solid freshman year and is ready to lead USC back to glory. 9-5 would be an outstanding achievement for any university, but the University of Southern California is not just any university. They look to return to prominence in 2010. A Pac-10 title may be on the way if all stays steady and comfortable in and out of the Coliseum.
24) Clemson- No prideful Clemson fan would admit to the reliance of one player this fall, but Kyle Parker’s return to Memorial stadium could vault the Tigers to the top of the ACC. Without Parker, Clemson would have to turn to Tajh Boyd who still has some room to grow when it comes to being a #1 quarterback in the ACC. His supporting cast is more than talented enough to bring another ACC Atlantic title back to Clemson.
23) West Virginia- New faces on offense bring the West Virginia Mountaineers into the 2010 season. Noel Devine is the star of the offense without a doubt, and may need to contribute more than his share of touchdowns if WVU looks to get back and take the Big East title. As the Mountaineers begin at #23 on our board, their BCS hopes may lie in week four, as they are pitted against the LSU Tigers. Linebacker Pat Lazear needs to improve on a solid junior season for WVU to compete against other volatile offenses like Pittsburgh and Rutgers.
22) Oregon State- Brothers Jaquizz and James Rogers are once again vital to the success of the Beavers this season. After being dismantled by BYU during bowl season, the beavers seem to walk into the 2010 season with a chip on their shoulder. They will need a great run to start off the season if they plan on staying in our Top 25. OSU kicks off the season against TCU and they will have to play on the blue turf against Boise State in Week four. Two BCS contenders in four weeks could spell disaster for the Beavers, or find them higher on the Top 25 ladder after week four.
21) Texas Tech- After Mike Leach’s ungraceful departure from Lubbock, TX, Tech found refuge in Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville will have a difficult decision in choosing his quarterback for 2010. Seniors Steven Sheffield and Taylor Potts are fighting for the right to run the offense. Both quarterbacks have in-game experience and you could make a case to start either one of them. Solid defense could easily bring the Red Raiders back to the glory of 2008.


20) Oklahoma- Sam Bradford is officially gone but luckily for the 2010 version of the Oklahoma Sooners, they have known that since the 2009 version of the Red River rivalry against Texas. “Wait till’ next year” became a common theme around Norman, and next year is finally here. Landry Jones has in-game experience that will be worth its weight in gold this fall. The loss of Gerald McCoy to the defense was obviously an enormous blow, but their defense is still extremely strong to go the distance. I predict this team will begin their journey well, and quickly ascend to the top of College Football this season.