By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
In a hectic college football offseason packed with coaching changes, recruiting investigations and suspensions, USC's was perhaps the most dramatic.
A two-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions, among other penalties, have left the Trojans vowing to achieve one simple goal in 2010: to win all 13 of their games.
And while a perfect regular season is unlikely, USC remains one of the few programs that can intimidate with just its name, colors and presence.
EXTRA: 2009 Images: USC at Ohio State | USC at Cal | USC at Oregon
New coach Lane Kiffin takes over and surely he's hoping to convert some of that Pete Carroll currency into new-era victories.
Quarterback Matt Barkley returns to lead an offense that, despite losing several players to the NFL and others who transferred after the NCAA dropped its hammer, still boasts an impressive talent pool. Running back Allen Bradford could bang his way to 1,000 yards and wideout Ronald Johnson will lead a group that includes several big-time recruits looking to contribute immediately.
Defensively, the Trojans return much of their front seven, and adding Kiffin's dad, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, will help a unit that allowed 20 points per game in 2009. But losing star safety Taylor Mays and cornerback Kevin Thomas could leave the secondary struggling a bit, at least early.
Who's back? QB Matt Barkley, RB Allen Bradford, C Kris O'Dowd, DE Nick Perry, LB Chris Galippo
Who's gone? RB Joe McKnight, WR Damian Williams, S Taylor Mays, DE Everson Griffen, TE Anthony McCoy
Why they'll win: Even with limited scholarships and no postseason to play for, a Trojans team with a chip on its shoulder seems a pretty dangerous one.
Why they'll lose: Heavy personnel losses, no California-cool Pete Carroll manning the sidelines and fewer scholarship players could leave USC struggling.
Get your tickets: at Stanford (Oct. 9), vs. Oregon (Oct. 30), vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 27), at UCLA (Dec. 4)
Prediction: 11-2 (7-2, second place PAC 10)