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2009 USC College Football Predictions

Written June 27, 2009 by InfoPlays

USC 2009 Football Predictions USC has been in the national title hunt every season under Pete Carroll, and that won’t change this season. If the Trojans can get consistent play at quarterback and linebackers, and they’re able to stop the run, there’s no reason for a drop-off and every reason to expect an eighth consecutive Pac-10 title. USC fans won’t be happy unless they make a National Championship run in 2009. College football lines show the Trojans listed at +700 to win the 2010 BCS National Championship.

Offense: Whether Aaron Corp keeps the job or freshman phenom Matt Barkley plays quarterback, the situation will be more clear than it is at tailback. The committee approach seems likely again with the backs at Pete Carroll’s disposal. There’s Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable all expecting to play. Allen Bradford also returns from hip surgery and wants a chance. Sophomore Marc Tyler might eventually be the best back, but he’ll have to overtake the veterans in practice before he gets to prove it on the field. Then there’s freshman Curtis McNeal, who impressed Pete Carroll in the spring with his toughness despite being just 5-6. The likely scenario is Johnson starting and getting the conventional carries while McKnight gets used in different parts of the field for his speed, kind of like Reggie Bush did.

The position is important because Carroll wants a balanced attack and the running game needs to take the pressure off of whoever is under center. That could certainly happen due to the luxury of a deep, experienced offensive line. There’s much less confusion at receiver where junior Damian Williams is the clear go-to-guy after catching 58 balls for 869 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago. Things might even be improved here since the other starter, junior Ronald Johnson, is USC’s best deep threat. Assistant coach Jeremy Bates will call the plays after spending the past three seasons with the Denver Broncos. To take advantage of Corp’s good wheels, Bates called a lot of bootlegs in the spring to get him on the move.

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Defense: The USC Trojans return only 3 starters on defense, with one of those starters likely playing a backup role this season. Former super recruit Everson Griffen locked down a defensive end spot, but sophomore Malik Jackson should also find a role in the rotation with his quickness off the ball. The other big move in the offseason was switching defensive tackle Armond Armstead to end without sacrificing speed or quickness. The interior features last year’s starter Christian Topou, who shares the spot with emerging star Jurrell Casey. Averell Spicer starts at the other tackle.

The linebacking corps will be a complete overhaul consisting of new starters Chris Galippo, Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan. They do have two years in the system under their belts, but not significant playing time. The secondary is so experienced, it could almost function on auto pilot. Besides All-American safety Taylor Mays, Josh Pinkard returns. He has started at safety and cornerback. The corner position is also stacked. The team’s fastest player, Shareece Wright, is back after missing last season with a neck injury. Kevin Thomas, a fifth-year senior, should have the other corner spot wrapped up, unless Pinkard switches back to cornerback after starting there last year.

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