2008 USC Trojans College Football Team Preview

USC finished the 2007 season with an 11-2 record capped by a convincing 49-17 victory over Illinois in the Rose Bowl. Southern Cal ranked second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 19 points per game. They also ranked second nationally in total defense, allowing just 273.2 yards per game. Two losses in October (at home to Stanford and in Oregon) ruined his bid for a perfect season and a national championship.

This season, the quarterback duties will be handled by junior Mark Sánchez. Sanchez won the job in the spring on Arkansas transfer Mitch Mustain. Sánchez has started just three games going into this season. The former national prep player of the year threw seven touchdown passes and five limited-service interceptions last season.

USC has a deep corps of talented running backs, including Stafon Johnson, seasoned junior CJ Gable, and super sophomore Joe McKnight. Johnson rushed for 673 yards on just 98 carries last season for an average of 6.9 yards. He also scored five touchdowns. Fullback Stanley Havili, a solid catcher and blocker, should also help USC’s running game.

Vidal Hazleton and Patrick Turner return as starting wide receivers. This unit needs to improve from last season’s performance. They should get help from Damian Williams, another Arkansas transfer, and Ronald Johnson. All-America tight end Fred Davis has left for the NFL, leaving junior Anthony McCoy to try to fill the huge void left by Davis’ departure.

Only one starter returned from the offensive line last year and that is left guard Jeff Byers. The good news is that many of the new starters in this group saw extended playing time last season due to injuries to last year’s starters. Center Kristofer O’Dowd played very well last season replacing the injured Matt Spanos. Charles Brown, Zack Heberer and Butch Lewis also received a lot of playing time due to injuries to the starters.

Head coach Pete Carroll’s specialty is defense. Earlier, I mentioned some of USC’s defensive accomplishments in 2007. This year’s group has speed and athleticism at all levels and should also have some impressive numbers.

All-America candidate Rey Maualuga returns as center linebacker and former Rose Bowl MVP Brian Cushing returns as strong side linebacker. Kaluka Maiava should be the new starter as a linebacker on the weak side of a unit that should be among the best in the country.

It gets even better. Coach Carroll believes this year’s high school could be the best he has ever coached. It all starts with 6’4 “, 225-pound free safety Taylor Mays. Strong safety Kevin Ellison, an All-PAC 10 pick last season, teams up with Mays to form what could be the best safety tandem in the league. nation.

The biggest loss to this defense is the departure of PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Sedrick Ellis. Ellis, a nose tackle last season, is going to the NFL. Christian Tupou and Averell Spicer have some big shoes to fill to try and replace Ellis. The rest of the defensive line consists of Fili Moala at the other tackle spot and All-American rookies Everson Griffin and Kyle Moore at the ends.

Both kickers, kicker David Buehler and punter Greg Woidneck, return after strong 2007 seasons. Southern Cal should get excellent kicking returns from the trio of McKnight, Gable and Ronald Johnson.

In 2008, the Trojans will attempt to win 11 games and reach a BCS bowl game for the seventh consecutive season. QB Sánchez will have a lot to do with whether or not USC achieves that goal. USC has an easier schedule than last season. Most of the tough games are at home, including Ohio State, Oregon and Arizona State. I look forward to USC challenging again for a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

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