2010 Preview – USC Trojans

Last year, USC finished at 9-4, going 5-4 in the Pac 10, losing three of their last five games.  With Lane Kiffin taking over for Pete Carroll, who has left for the NFL, it should be interesting to see in which direction he takes them.  In 2009, USC had an 8-4 record against the spread.

Offense

Matt Barkley had a bit of a tough time down the stretch last year, playing as a true freshman for one of the nation’s premier programs.  Now entering his sophomore year, he has more experience than most quarterbacks his age and the potential to become a superstar.  Perhaps the team’s biggest weakness is in the offensive line depth, as they are sporting only two non-freshman tackles.  With Damian Williams going to the Titans in the draft, they will need a new playmaker to emerge at wide receiver.  Smart money is on Ronald Johnson, the 6’0” senior out of Muskegon, MI.  Senior Allen Bradford will take most of the carries on the ground.

Defense 

The biggest question on defense is in the secondary as they lost starting safety Taylor Mays and starting cornerback Kevin Thomas to the draft.  However, they will look to Shareece Wright who missed all of 2009 to academic ineligibility, and most of 2008 with an injury.  He shows a lot of promise and could emerge as one of the country’s best cornerbacks if he can stay on the field.  This year, sophomore Devon Kennard is moving from outside linebacker where he played in the last four games of 2009 to middle linebacker a position at which he will be one of the most athletic players in the country.

Overall

There are some promising members of the Trojan roster, but 2010 will be a transition year for USC, especially in a very deep Pac 10.