When one thinks of a traditional football power, many teams may come to mind. Teams like Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Miami, and certainly the University of Southern California. The Trojans. USC has won national titles, has Heisman Trophy winners, Rose Bowl wins, and Hall of Fame players many times over. Well, that is all nice and good, but as the old adage says "What have you done for me lately?" The Men of Troy are coming off sanctions that decimated the program and it's ability to compete the last few years. So, what can we expect in 2015 with the Trojans?
Around the USC campus and around the Los Angeles area expectations are sky high. With the sanctions being lifted and the ability to go out and recruit on a level playing field with everybody else the Trojans should have no issues getting back to what alumni and college football fans believe is their rightful place in the college football world. Now, there are certainly some strengths that the Trojans possess and some concerns that they will have to work on, but things are going up for the Trojans.
First of all, the Trojans have a quarterback to lead them to great things. In college football if you don't have a quarterback who can be consistent, you have nothing. Cody Kessler is that guy for the USC. He leads a team that averaged 35 points per game in 2014. One could argue that Kessler had one of the best under-the-radar type of seasons in the last 10 years. Kessler only went out and completed 69.7% of his passes, threw 39 touchdowns with ONLY 5 interceptions. He isn't a spread type of quarterback, he can go under center, make checks at the line, go through progressions, but just to keep the defenses off of him, the Trojans have put in a zone-read package to help Kessler. Kessler will be looking for sophomore receiver JuJu Smith, who was a Freshman All-American last season. Cody also has a new slot receiver to throw to. Steven Mitchell is his name and should provide some excitement with his shiftiness and elusive type of running. Kessler will take all the weapons he can get to help stretch the field, especially since highly talented Nelson Agholor left for the NFL.
The running game will be a bit of a question mark because the Trojans will be missing Buck Allen and his 1,489 yards of offense. From all accounts, it will be a two headed monster in the backfield, and maybe a third with 270 pound fullback Soma Vainuku who will be brought in those short yardage situations to convert something into a first down. A man of that size coming out you doesn't sound good to me. Look out on those short yardage situations Pac-12 defenses. To help keep defenses off balance with their running game, the Trojans will feature a slashing, speedy back in Justin Davis who has that ability to break off a big run at any moment. Then to run between the tackles, the Trojans will bring in Tre Madden. Like I said, he likes to rumble between the tackles and go after those "tough" yards.
The thing that should help the running game of the Trojans is an offensive line that is very good and experienced. When the big boys up front are experienced that means very good things for the running game. This offensive line just might be the deepest and strongest unit on the Trojan team. They are lead by All-Pac 12 center Max Tuerk. This group is as active as it is physical and when people who follow the history of Trojan linemen think of USC linemen, they think of big, physical players who impose their will on the opposition.
Offense wins games, defense wins you championships. One of the big question marks on the defensive side of the ball will be who replaces All-American Leonard Williams who left for the pros. The Trojans also need to replace leading tackler and linebacker Hayes Pullard. For a team that struggled at times to stop opponents late in games (ASU game comes to mind), these two guys will tough to replace. However, there is no shortage of star power for 2015. Su'a Cravens who led the team in interceptions and tackles for a loss. He is a hybrid type of player. He flows between being a safety/outside linebacker. He's a big safety and that means some big hits for people trying to come across the middle or he runs down guys trying to get to the corner and turn it up field.
Up front, Antuan Woods will try and impose his will on the offensive line. The linebacker positions will be good as well. They are a solid group of players. Delvon Simmons, Scott Felix, Claude Pelon will lead the linebacker corp and the secondary will be one of uniqueness with two-way player Adoree' Jackson. He's athletic and tough and one of the best cornerbacks in the country. On offense he will probably be utilized as a pass catcher only, but it does say something about him that he can go both ways on the field.
In the end, I believe the Trojans will vie for the South Division title in the Pac-12 and will be in the mix for the Pac-12 Championship. They have a solid O-Line, a very good quarterback, a defense that will be solid and continuing to grow and get better. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian will be looking to get to 10 win mark and with his ability to recruit talent to the L.A. I expect 10 wins to be a regular thing, but as any coach will tell you. You still have to play the games.
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