Big Ten - Game of the Week

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

Game of the Week: USC at Ohio State

So last year’s game against the Trojans didn’t work out so well for the Buckeyes as they went down hard, 35-3, and looked overmatched in just about every phase of the game. The difficulty is looking at this year’s game not as the 5th-8th quarters of last year, but as just another chapter in the rivalry. While USC cruised over, through, and around San Jose State with 342 yards rushing (surrendering just nine yards on the ground), last week’s 31-27 escape by the Buckeyes over Navy doesn’t help assuage the feeling for some that Ohio State lacks a chance against the perennial BCS contender.

On paper, the Trojans and Buckeyes share the burden of having to replace playmakers on both sides of the ball, particularly at the linebacker position. The obvious mirror of this game compared to last year’s encounter is that USC will have to roll out a freshman quarterback on the road in a BCS game with Matt Barkley. Although Barkley’s statistics were solid (15-for-19, 233 yards, one touchdown) in his debut, they were obviously inflated against a weak opponent. Likewise, he wasn’t forced to make plays early–his first collegiate touchdown pass came after USC had hit paydirt five consecutive times rushing. My suspicion is that the Trojans will be successful rushing against the Buckeyes; however, Barkley will probably need to make some plays without the luxury of a five-touchdown cushion.

If the Buckeyes have a chance to win at the end of the game, it’s because:
1. Coach Jim Tressel unlocked the playbook and rolled out more option plays for Terrelle Pryor.
2. Pryor didn’t throw the costly interception, Barkley did.
3. The Buckeyes front four got enough gap penetration to close down running lanes for Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson et al.

If the Trojans have a chance to win at the end of the game, it’s because:
1. The running back stable let their horses run wild like they did last week…
2. Which allowed Barkley to assume the “game manager role”, not be relied upon to dig USC out of 3rd-and-longs.
3. Pryor is contained by the front seven, which left free safety Taylor Mays in centerfield to lock down the secondary.

My knee-jerk reaction to predicting this game was that USC would handle the Buckeyes with a double-digit victory. However, after researching how last year played out, I found some interesting intangibles, which could impact how we perceive the balance of power between the two teams.

Call this the “Why you should think twice before handing the game to the Trojans” List:
1. USC, in preparation for their 2008 showdown against the Buckeyes, cashed in on an extra week of practice with a bye. No such luck this year.
2. All of USC’s scoring last year (five touchdowns) came from players now in the NFL (Mark Sanchez threw four touchdown passes, Rey Maualuga returned an interception).
3. Home field swings back to Columbus–at night.
4. A true freshman starts at quarterback for the Trojans this year.
5. Bad luck struck Ohio State early–running back Beanie Wells was out with an injury and a holding penalty nullified a potential Buckeye touchdown.
6. The quarterback shuffle failed Ohio State–sixth-year senior Todd Boeckman threw a pick-six (two total interceptions) and was sacked four times. Pryor, as a freshman, went 7-for-9 (for only 52 yards) and was sacked only once, but was still able to pick up positive rushing yards (40 yards on 11 carries).

Final Prediction: I thought twice about it, and after all that, I still think USC wins, but in a lower scoring game with a smaller margin of victory. If the Midshipmen can put up 186 yards rushing in Columbus, I am uncertain USC will fare worse. And that will be the difference.
USC 24, Ohio State 20

Photos Courtesy of The Ohio State Department of Athletics, College Press Box

CFI Countdown: #7 USC Trojans

2008 Record: 12-1 (Pac-10 8-1)
Bowl Game: Won Rose Bowl vs. Penn St. 38-24
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Stadium (92,000)
Head Coach: Pete Carroll
Overall: 88-15 (9th season)
@ USC: 88-15 (9th season)
Link to USC Football Page

Since arriving in sunny Southern California, Pete Carroll has been so successful it has become difficult to truly appreciate the high standard of excellence he has established. An average season ensures they will be in the mix for a national championship, and who is better in big games? With only three starters back on defense and a true freshman set to start the season under center, this could be Carroll’s most challenging campaign since taking over as the Man of Troy.

When the Trojans Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: John Morton (1st season)
Scheme: Pro Style Offense
Starters Returning: Seven
Key Losses: QB Mark Sanchez, WR Patrick Turner, K David Buehler

Most of their losses from last season come on the defensive side of the ball, but the biggest individual loss is likely that of quarterback Mark Sanchez. The eventual top-five pick surprised many by declaring for the NFL, including Carroll who voiced his concerns over the decision. So instead of getting ready for a Heisman run for the Trojans, Sanchez will be starting in the NFL. This is new territory for Carroll, which is why we are seeing a first under his command—a true freshman starter in Matt Barkley, who beat out other highly-touted signal callers in Aaron Corp, as well as Mitch Mustain. Many rate Barkley as the top freshman coming into this season. Working in his favor is a strong offensive line and a stockpile of skill players. Senior left tackle Charles Brown will protect his blind side and the man snapping him the football, sophomore center Kristofer O’Dowd (may miss opener with knee injury), could be the best in the game. The rest of the line consists of a nice blend of solid veterans, such as sixth-year senior Jeff Byers, and talented youngsters, like tackle Tyron Smith. Their best receiver from a year ago, former Razorback, junior Damian Williams, returns to provide a go-to target and big play option. However, with Ronald Johnson going down (broken collarbone) over the weekend there are some concerns regarding depth at the receiver position. They need junior David Ausberry to start playing up to his high school accolades. Picking up some slack will be tight end Anthony McCoy who is a dangerous weapon in his own right. To say there is depth at tailback is an understatement. Stafon Johnson, C. J. Gable, Joe McKnight, and Allen Bradford are all talented and capable starters. Gable is shifty and a solid pass catcher, Bradford brings power, McKnight is the home run threat, and Johnson may have the best combination of running skills. Not to be forgotten is junior fullback Stanley Havili, who can run, block, and catch—one of the nation’s most underrated players.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) C Kristofer O’Dowd (JR), 2) WR Damian Williams (JR), 3) OT Charles Brown (SR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Rocky Seto (1st season)
Scheme: Multiple 4-3
Starters Returning: Three
Key Losses: LB Rey Maualuga, LB Brian Cushing, LB Clay Matthews Jr., S Kevin Ellison, DT Fili Moala, DE Kyle Moore, CB Cary Harris, LB Kaluka Maiava

Eight Trojan defenders were drafted last April, including four linebackers, with starters Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Clay Matthews Jr. going in the first two rounds—that’s a lot of talent to replace, even for a program like USC’s. This might be the toughest challenge to the reloading vs. rebuilding model—normally USC does the former. Stepping in will be juniors Michael Morgan and Malcolm Smith and they’ll flank sophomore MIKE Chris Galippo. They could follow their predecessors into the NFL, but it is hard to believe they will be as good from day one. Up front, senior defensive tackle Averell Spicer and junior end Everson Griffen do have experience, with many expecting an All-American type season from Griffen, a pass-rushing demon. The undisputed leader of the secondary, and the entire defense for that matter, is senior free safety Taylor Mays. The Trojans are happy he decided to return after many assumed he would be headed for the league where they play for pay. Mays looks the part and possesses excellent speed despite the fact he is bigger than many college linebackers. It would be safe to say that no defensive back hits harder than Mr. Mays. Josh Pinkard, who’s had an injury riddled career, looks to slot in next to Mays at strong safety, with corners Kevin Thomas ready to take over full-time as long as he can stay healthy. Shareece Wright was slated to join Thomas until it was announced yesterday that he is academically ineligible to play this season.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) FS Taylor Mays (SR), 2) DE Everson Griffen (JR), 3) LB Chris Galippo (SO)

The Schedule

The Men of Troy have one of the toughest travel schedules of any team in the country. Out of conference they make the trip to the Horseshoe in Columbus to take on a group of Buckeyes smarting to knock off a big time program in week two. The same could be said of Notre Dame, who hopes to use a victory over USC in South Bend to catapult into BCS Bowl territory. In conference, the consensus challengers are California and Oregon, with USC making trips to both Berkeley and Eugene. That’s four road games against pre-season ranked teams. They also travel to Tempe to take on the Sun Devils. They do host rival UCLA and Oregon St. in a revenge game.

Pivotal Point

We can talk about the talent they have to replace at linebacker or the durability and depth concerns at defensive back, but when they a named a true freshman as the starting quarterback, he became the pivotal point of the season. Talk to anyone who has seen Barkley play and they will tell you the talent is there, but the fact he is a true freshman can’t be overlooked until he proves himself on the gridiron. There is legitimate concern that Barkley is playing a year too early, and he could have been red-shirted had Sanchez returned to USC. There are also questions whether or not he would have beaten out talented sophomore Aaron Corp had Corp stayed healthy throughout fall camp. No one doubts Barkley’s bright future, but his present could be a little hazy. We should also mention that the Trojans are breaking in new coordinators on both sides of the ball.

CFI Final Analysis

Everyone knows the Trojans have as much talent as any team in the nation. What they lack is experience. The last time they had to replace this many key players on defense was in 2005, when they allowed 360.9 yards and 22.8 points per game and were lit up by Texas for 41 points in the BCS Championship game. Since 2004, they have not allowed more than 16 points or 295.8 yards per game in any one season (other than 2005). The most points allowed in another BCS game under Carroll? Last year, when Penn St. scored 24 in the Trojans’ 14-point win, which is also the smallest margin of victory in their six BCS wins under Carroll. But, you say, they did make the BCS Championship game. True, but in 2005 they also returned the likes of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White, and Dwayne Jarrett—that was a proven and dynamic offense. Expect the 2009 Trojans to take a step back, which in Pete Carroll land means a fall all the way to number seven.

College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans
#20 Utah Utes
#19 Oregon Ducks
#18 Florida St. Seminoles
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#16 Boise St. Broncos
#15 North Carolina Tar Heels
#14 Penn St. Nittany Lions
#13 Mississippi Rebels
#12 Oklahoma St. Cowboys
#11 California Golden Bears
#10 Iowa Hawkeyes
#9 Virginia Tech Hokies
#8 Georgia Bulldogs

Photos Courtesy of College Press Box, Illinois Sports Information

College Football Insiders Preview: Pac-10

The Pac-10 conference looks to bounce back after what was an extremely disappointing season as a whole. The lone bright spot, USC, shouldn’t be the only team shining in 2009. Several other teams look poised to having promising years and are looking to be crowned the new Pac-10 champs. This conference is loaded with talent and should be an exciting conference to watch this upcoming season.

The Favorite: USC: No surprise here. USC has been the perennial powerhouse of the Pac-10 for years and has not finished second in the conference standings since 2001. That will likely not change this year even though the Trojans will have a couple of tough conference contests. They play all of the other contending teams, Cal, Oregon, and ASU away from the Coliseum. They also have to travel to Columbus to play the Buckeyes on September 12th and South Bend on October 17th to play Notre Dame. Even though they lost many key players in the draft last season, notably Mark Sanchez, Clay Matthews, Rey Maualuga, and Brian Cushing, they seem to always have a new crop of incredible athletes to replace them. Pete Carroll is the best in the business at recruiting players that will fit nicely into his system. He is always thinking ahead and this season’s group will be the poster child of that concept. He has only nine seniors on offense and defense combined, but just about every position seems to be stacked with talent. Tailback, for example, has Stafon Johnson as the starter. But if he needs to be spelled or replaced due to performance then he can bring in Joe McKnight, who is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Therefore, injuries shouldn’t be too much of a factor for this Trojan team. The offense will be run by true freshman Matt Barkley, who was the prize quarterback coming out of high school. He has made great strides in learning the intricacies of the offense and was rewarded with the starting job. The fact that a true freshman is running the offense may worry some, especially after Jimmy Clausen came to Notre Dame and had little success in his first season. But one must remember that Notre Dame didn’t have the same talent surrounding Clausen as Barkley now has with the Trojans. He should be able to settle in nicely and utilize the weapons he has on offense. On the other side of the ball, their stout defense shouldn’t miss a step. Taylor Mays, arguably the best defensive back in the country, will control the secondary while defensive linemen Everson Griffen and Averell Spicer will look to control the line of scrimmage. The only way the Trojans don’t win the conference is if they have a collective mental lapse, but with Pete Carroll running the show, that would be a stunner.

The Contender: California: California looks to be the top contender to knock off the mighty Trojans this season. Tailback Jahvid Best may be the top playmaker in the country and will be a vital part of the Golden Bears’ offensive success. The Trojans have had a tough time dealing with smaller tailbacks, shown last season when Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers tore up USC’s defense for 186 yards and two scores in the Beavers’ upset victory. Senior wide out Nyan Boateng will be the primary receiver for quarterback Kevin Riley and that could be the combination needed to slice up the strong Trojan secondary. Cal does have more experience than the Trojans, with seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense. This could play a large role if their October 3rd matchup with USC becomes a tight contest. If Cal truly wants to play the dark horse of the conference and upend USC, they need to get the running game going with the best back in the conference. They would then end the Trojans’ seven-year run as Pac-10 champs.

The Sleepers: ASU & Oregon: ASU is a veteran squad that could be the surprise of the conference. With 14 returning starters on both offense and defense experience runs deep with the Sun Devils. The entire offensive line is back from 2008 and should be able to protect quarterback Danny Sullivan long enough to keep him from forcing the ball and making mistakes. They have good possession receivers in Kyle Williams and Chris McGaha and should be able to control the clock and tempo of the game. But their defense will have to step up for them if they are to make a move in the conference. Having only five seniors on defense and five players getting their first full-time gigs could prove costly, but if they can force turnovers and have their offense hold on to the ball, ASU could be the ones to take the title away from USC. This year’s Oregon squad looks ready for the challenge. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and running back LeGarrette Blount could prove to be the lethal dose that downs the Trojans. Blount is built like Brandon Jacobs, at 6’2” and 229 pounds he can absorb contact and run over just about any defender that gets in his path. Masoli started settling in nicely toward the end of last season, throwing for 572 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in his final two regular season games. The veteran defense knows what is expected of them and they should be one of the most solid units in the conference. If all these pieces come together, this will be a team no one wants to deal with.

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Jahvid Best (California) vs. RB LeGarrette Blount (Oregon): Everyone loves a good running back battle and this conference brings one, featuring two of the best college football has to offer. One back offers speed and finesse, while the other offers brut power and a downhill running style. The different style of these two backs is what makes this matchup so appealing. Fans will get to see which (if either) can take down mighty USC. Jahvid Best is a complete back in a small package. He managed 1,580 yards on just 194 carries—that’s a tremendous 8.1 yards per carry. He also grabbed 27 catches for 246 yards, showing he can be a receiving threat out of the backfield. He will be the player defenses key in on, but may end up leaving them with one mighty headache. LeGarrette Blount played back-up to Jeremiah Johnson last season, but still managed 1,002 yards rushing on just 137 attempts. He also served as the Ducks’ goal line back, scoring 17 touchdowns. He takes over the starting role this season and will showcase his skills as a punishing runner, one who never shies away from contact and requires several players to bring him down. Both backs can get yardage and score with ease, but the question here is—which style is best suited to take down a giant? If one back can have their way with the Trojan defense like Rodgers did a year ago, then they will be the front runner of this matchup.

Honorable Mention: QB Jeremiah Masoli (Oregon), QB Jake Locker (Washington), RB Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State), RB Stafon Johnson (USC)

Defensive Player of the Year: S Taylor Mays (USC) vs. CB Syd’Quan Thompson (California): Two of the most exciting defensive backs in college football will go head to head for this honor. Both have incredible speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability that have opposing quarterbacks aware of their presence on nearly every play. Taylor Mays is considered by many to be the best overall defensive player in the country. He had 53 tackles and eight pass deflections last season, but failed to register an interception. This year, with all of the defensive stars of 2008 gone to the NFL, he should thrive in the secondary and feast on shorter pass plays. Syd'Quan Thompson is considered to be one of the best shut-down corners in football. He totaled 70 tackles to go along with four interceptions and two sacks. If teams get smarter this season, they will stay away from Thompson at all costs. Both players will be stars in the secondary, but total team defense and their head-to-head matchup will be the determining factors on who brings home this award.

Honorable Mention: DE Dexter Davis (Arizona St.), DE Everson Griffen (USC), LB Reggie Carter (UCLA), Alterraun Verner (UCLA), CB Walter Thurmond (Oregon)

Breakout Seasons: RB Jeremiah Masoli (Oregon), RB Joe McKnight (USC), QB Matt Barkley (USC): Jeremiah Masoli will be let loose this season after playing a more conservative role in 2008. He is a dual-threat quarterback with great instincts, gaining 718 yards on the ground last season. His ability to throw an accurate ball or tuck it and run makes Masoli a nightmare for opposing defenses. During the final four games of last season, he totaled 14 touchdowns (rushing and passing), only one interception, and posted a 170.75 efficiency rating. He has the offensive skill set and the smarts to be a top quarterback in the conference and will likely turn the tables on an abysmal 2008 season. Joe McKnight is a speedster with good change of direction. He will play the backup role to Stafon Johnson, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get his touches. Pete Carroll likes a two-back system (think Reggie Bush and LenDale White), especially when he has runners with two different styles. McKnight can be utilized as a third-down back thanks to his pass catching ability. He has totaled 44 receptions for 396 yards and two touchdowns in his short two-year career. He has yet to crack the 100 carry mark in his two seasons with the Trojans, but look for that to change in 2009 and for McKnight take full advantage of the increased workload. Matt Barkley steps in as USC’s starting quarterback after the departure of Mark Sanchez. He is a true freshman running one of the most prestigious programs in football, but the Trojans’ coaching staff is great at turning good quarterbacks into great ones. He also has good wide receivers and a two-headed monster in the backfield to work with so he will not be short of offensive weapons. Barkley will have to become the leader of the group immediately, but should pick up where seemingly all recent USC quarterbacks have left off…leading his team toward a national title.

Best Pro Prospect: S Taylor Mays (USC): At 6’3” and 235 pounds, Mays possesses the size NFL teams would kill for at the safety position. He is one of the best, if not the best, defensive playmakers…and that was said about him in 2008. Now he will have another season to fine tune an already-potent skill set. He has incredible closing speed and hits like a Mack truck. It is his lack of interceptions that worry some, but when you have played on a dominant defense that is so good at getting to the quarterback, there is really not much you can do when the opportunities aren’t there. Those skills will be there when the NFL comes knocking, and if they aren’t then that is why there are coaches and practices. Either way, he was NFL-ready last season so there shouldn’t be many questions remaining about him when he enters the 2010 draft.

College Football Insiders' Picks:

Conference Champion: USC Trojans: (Yawn)…Yes the Trojans will win another Pac-10 title this year to make it eight straight. There is too much talent and athleticism here to go with a different team in a conference that was criticized a year ago for being weak. The fact that a true freshman will be running the show on offense shouldn’t scare you, mainly because Pete Carroll knows what he is doing and if things start to get dicey, he has two very capable quarterbacks waiting in the wings. It may not look as easy for them this year, but the ending is inevitable.

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Jahvid Best, California: Jahvid Best is too quick to defend and always seems to make something out of nothing. This year will be no different, except the size of his workload. He will receive more touches on offense, thus eclipsing his stats from 2008.

Defensive Player of the Year: S Taylor Mays, USC: Whoever didn’t see this one coming must have skipped this entire preview…or been hiding under a rock for the past year.

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Photos Courtesy of GoldenSports.com and College Press Box

Decision Time: S Taylor Mays, USC

By ANDREW GARDA - PAC-10 INSIDER

Why Mays Should Play on Saturdays in 2009:

1. Finish what you started – Mays has had an outstanding career at USC, but the one thing he hasn’t done is capture a National Championship. Returning to a team that will likely retain a vast majority of its starters on both sides of the ball would give Mays an outstanding shot to go out on top.

2. Prove it to me – Mays was named one of the top two ‘workout warriors’ by ESPN the Magazine prior to the 2008 season. While he has been good in his first two full seasons as a starter, the more time he can spend shutting down wide receivers, the more scouts will see that he’s not just good in the weight room.

3. Experience and Conditioning – While Mays slipped into a starting spot as a freshman, he’s still learning every day. Part of that is in the film room and on the field under the excellent USC defensive coaching staff, but more of it is off the field. Mays has worked hard to get his body into shape for the rigors of the NFL and another year would put him in even better shape, both mentally and physically.

Why Mays Should Play on Sundays in 2009:

1. Momentum, go with it – You could argue that there are one or two safeties who are better than Mays, but the finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award can only really go downhill. A National Championship, while nice, won’t raise his stock any, and an injury would kill it.

2. He’s got the tools, he’s got the talent… – While it wasn’t the Combine or Pro Day, ESPN The Magazine’s article about the top workout guys in college raised Mays’ profile. His numbers are staggering and scouts love his measurables. Mays also showed his toughness by stepping into a starting position freshman year and his leadership ability by mentoring younger players.

3. …. And he’s shown it on the field too – While Mays’ numbers aren’t gaudy and he’s not running pick sixes back often, he is very consistent at his spot. That consistency – and the de-cleating hits he loves putting on opposing players – will make him a welcome addition to an NFL team and allow him to step in and contribute early.

Garda's Take: There just isn’t much left for Mays to prove. He’s a hard hitting, speedy player poised to excel at the next level. While the ‘workout warrior’ label has some people worried, Mays has proven that he has what it takes on the field as well as in the weight room.

Photo Credit: College Press Box(USC Athletics)

CFI RANKINGS: #5 USC TROJANS

2007 RECORD: 11-2; PAC-10: 7-2
Won Rose Bowl vs. Illinois 48-17
LOCATION: Los Angeles, California
STADIUM: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000)
HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll
OVERALL: 76-14 (7 seasons)
AT USC: 76-14 (7 seasons)

USC won the Pac-10 and reached 11 wins—the sixth consecutive year they have reached those benchmarks. The Men of Troy finished the season third in the final AP Poll which was their, you guessed it, sixth straight top four finish in the AP Poll. So in other words…they had an average season by Pete Carroll’s standards. What does this year have in store? No team lost as much as talent as the Trojans: they had two players selected in the top ten, four in the first round, seven on day one and ten in total. Yet, the expectations are for more of the same—at the very least.

WHEN THE MEN OF TROY HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steve Sarkisian (2nd Season/4th at USC)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 4
KEY LOSSES: John David Booty, Chauncey Washington, Sam Baker, Chilo Rachal, Fred Davis, Drew Radovich

Everyone knows about the stockpile of four- and five-star recruits USC has on this side of the ball, especially in the backfield. Stepping in at quarterback is Mark Sanchez, a strong-armed signal caller who beat out a pair of highly-touted QBs in Mitch Mustain and Aaron Corp. Sanchez’s status for the opener remains up in the air, but once healthy he will be the man leading the way. When Sanchez does return, he will have a plethora of talent to work with. Wide receivers Vidal Hazelton, Patrick Turner, Ronald Johnson, David Ausberry and Damian Williams all have size and they can all run, which also sounds a little like their backfield. If speedy sophomore Joe McKnight is the next Reggie Bush with his array of moves in the open field and explosive running ability, then junior Stafon Johnson is the LenDale White, more of a power back who pounds away at defenders. C. J. Gable was the starter last season before his injury and at FB they have Stanley Havili, one of the nation’s most underrated players. The biggest question mark on the offensive side of the ball is the O-Line, where they have one of the least experienced lines in all of college football. That can hinder any offense, even Pete Carroll’s.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) RB Joe McKnight (SO), 2) RB Stafon Johnson (JR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Nick Holt (3rd Season)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
KEY LOSSES: Sedrick Ellis, Lawrence Jackson, Keith Rivers, Terrell Thomas, Thomas Williams

As talented as their offense is, the defense is where the Men of Troy are most gifted. Their linebacking crew is likely the best in the nation—MIKE Rey Maualuga could be the best player in the country regardless of position, with amazing size and speed for a linebacker. Flanking him is Brian Cushing, who has as much potential as Maualuga, with the ability to be a tremendous pass rusher. Their safeties are among the best, if not the best in the nation—both Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays can run, and with Ellison checking in at 225 pounds and Mays 230 pounds, the duo is bigger than many linebackers. The Trojans must replace first round picks Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson, but appear to have done just that with senior DT Fili Moala and sophomore DE Everson Griffen, who looked every bit the man as a true freshman a year ago. Replacing Ellis’ penetrating skills will not be easy. They also could be somewhat vulnerable at corner.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) MLB Rey Maualuga (SR), 2) OLB Brian Cushing (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

They will play as big of a game as one can in September when they host the Ohio St. Buckeyes. The winner will take the early lead in the race to make the BCS Championship game, which is what the Trojans are playing for every season. They do benefit from the fact the Buckeye’s come to the Coliseum, as do the Trojans’ top three Pac-10 challengers Arizona St., California and Oregon. Their first five games could dictate whether or not they will compete for a national championship this season. Oregon, ASU and OSU all stop by for early visits while the Trojans make trips to Virginia and Oregon St.—all five were bowl teams in 2007. Of course, it’s not always the tough ones that get the Men of Troy—last season they lost to 41-point underdog Stanford, and two years ago they lost to unranked foes Oregon St and UCLA (with three wins over ranked opponents in between).

PIVOTAL POINT

Potential = Production: Here is the list of five-star recruits among the offensive skills positions (according to Rivals.com): QB Mark Sanchez, WR Patrick Turner, RB Joe McKnight, RB Allen Bradford, RB C.J. Gable, RB Stafon Johnson, RB Marc Tyler, WR Vidal Hazelton and WR Ronald Johnson. Wideouts David Ausberry and Damian Williams, and tight ends Anthony McCoy and Blake Ayles are only four-star recruits. That is a lot of talent, unmatched by anyone. However, Sanchez has thrown seven touchdown passes and six interceptions in his career, none of the backs has rush for as much as 700 yards in a season, and no receiver has had as many as 600 receiving yards in a season. The offensive line doesn’t have much more of a resume, with senior Jeff Byers the only one with more than three career starts entering 2008. Voters (present company included) are buying the Trojans on spec.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

The Trojans continue to win at high level…just not as high as the days of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White. It is an unfair standard, but it is their standard. A seventh straight Pac-10 title, 11-win season, BCS Bowl appearance and maybe even a top four finish should be in the offing. However a third national championship for coach Carroll to add to the mantel might be out of reach for a third straight season. But raw talent isn’t the issue and if they can hold off the Buckeyes in game two, the Men of Troy could win it all.

Photo Credit: Sam Haythorn (Ray Maualuga), Chris McGuire (Patrick Turner)