The toughest thing for a major college football program to accomplish is to build and maintain momentum from one year to the next. In 2013, the University of California Trojans (USC) were able to turn around an unsettled season, playing tough down the stretch and finishing with a Las Vegas Bowl win over Fresno State. USC avoids Pac 12 North foes Oregon and Washington in 2014. The Trojans’ two toughest games of the year are at Stanford University September 6 and at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on November 22.
USC is 0-4 in the last two years against rivals UCLA and Notre Dame. New head coach Steve Sarkisian inherits 14 returning starters from a 10-win season. Three of those starters — guard Khaliel Rodgers, running back Tre Madden and cornerback Josh Shaw — will miss some games due to injuries. The Trojans had a 6-3 Pac 12 (South) conference record in 2013.
Coach Sarkisian stated that the 2014, the USC Trojans will play fast and run a high number of plays. He also stated that they will run the football on offense and stop the run on defense. It might sound simple or just like coach-speak but, contrary to popular belief, it is the essence of football and a much-needed return to tradition for program formerly known as “Running Back U.”
Cody Kessler is the school’s unquestioned starter at quarterback. In 14 starts, he completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 2,968 yards and he had 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Quarterback and teammate Max Browne played well at fall camp, but is starting the season as the number two at the position. Heading into fall camp the offensive line is being thought of as the weak link with a serious need for two players to emerge as starters at right guard and right tackle. Despite still dealing with NCAA sanctions, the Trojans have brought in a series of top recruiting classes, addressing needs and providing much-needed depth.
Throughout fall camp the number one offensive line group — left tackle Chad Wheeler, left guard Toa Lobendahn, center Max Tuerk, right guard Khaliel Rodgers and right guard Zach Banner — has started to come together. Three freshmen — Toa Lobendahn, Damien Mama and Viane Talamaivao — will play prominent roles. Guard/tackle Aundrey Walker, tackle Nico Falah, center/guard Giovanni Di Poalo, guard/tackle Nathan Guertler and guard Jordan Simmons will provide depth.
The Trojans have a three-headed monster at tailback with Tre Madden (5.1 Yards per carry in 2013), Javorius Allen (5.8 Yards per carry in 2013) and Justin Davis. Their wide receiver corps; filled with talent and depth with Nelson Agholor and George Farmer will start with veterans Darreus Rodgers and Victor Blackwell providing depth freshman Juju Smith, Ajene Harris and Adoree’ Jackson look poised to make an impact. The Trojans are thin at the tight end position, but Randy Telfair appears ready to shine in Coach Sarkisian’s offense.
The USC defense is led by defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox who led a University of Washington defense that held Stanford to two of its five lowest yard totals in 2012 and 2013. The Trojans defensive line will be led by All-American defensive Leonard Williams, nose tackle Antwaun Woods and rush end J.R. Tavai. Delvon Simmons and Claude Pelon will provide depth in the interior. Defensive end Greg Townsend, Cody Temple and Malik Dorton will provide depth at the position.
Fifth-year senior and two–time team captain Hayes Pullard (who led the Trojans in tackles in two of the last three years) will start at the MIKE linebacker position and Anthony Sarao will start as the WILL linebacker. Jabari Ruffin was lost to a season-ending ACL tear early in camp. Several thought that Quinton Powell would immediately move up the depth chart and start as the SAM linebacker, but Scott Felix is now the starter and Powell is behind both Felix and Uchenna Nwosu.
Linebacker Scott Starr was impressive in the spring and if healthy, will make an impact. There is a very good chance that Su’a Cravens will line up at SAM linebacker in some nickel and dime defensive situations against teams that run four wide receiver sets. Cravens and Washington Huskies’ safety Shaq Thompson are about the same size and have similar athletic ability.
Lamar Dawson is coming off of a knee injury suffered in 2013. Michael Hutchings, Olajuwon Tucker, Quinton Powell, Scott Starr and Uchenna Nwosu will provide depth in the linebacking unit. USC has a lot of depth in the secondary. At cornerback, due to Josh Shaw being lost indefinitely to injury, Kevon Seymour will be the only returning starter. Chris Hawkins will more than likely be the other starter. Ryan Dillard and Devian Shelton are two returning veterans that will factor into the rotation.
USC bolstered their cornerback corps in recruiting. Three freshmen — Adoree’ Jackson, Jonathan Lockett, Lamont Simmons — have all shown well in camp and are ready to make an impact. The Trojans are solid at the safety positions with the return of Cravens, Gerald Bowman and Leon McQuay III. Bowman and McQuay III have both played well in camp and are listed number one on the depth chart at free safety. Cravens will start at strong safety while John Plattenburg and Matt Lopes provide depth.
USC can now add stability to their mix of talent and depth. If the Trojans can stay healthy and some of their freshmen can make an impact, this team can ruin a few Pac 12 title runs.
Prediction: 10 – 2