{mosimage} Better judement tells me that the 2008 USC Trojans should not be a pre-season top 5 team: then reality sets in so I'm putting them at #4. USC should theoretically be down this year. They've lost 6 starters on offense and 4 on defense (5 and 7 return). They have to break in a new quarterback (Mitch Mustain), or at least one (Mark Sanchez) who struggled a bit last year. But then reality sets in and it's hard to deny the USC machine led by Pete Carroll. So instead of talking about why USC will struggle, I think it'll be easier to talk about why they'll be really good, as in better than last year.

RB Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable are all very good running backs. McKnight in particular shows flashes of brilliance, comparable to how solid-to-great NFL running backs looked when they were in college. He is special.

Wide Receivers Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton return to give USC solid experience at the top, while sophomores Ronald Johnson and David Ausberry provide depth they lacked in 2007.

Linebacker Brian Cushing is an incredible athlete and football player. I remember his HS film and he was a tougth receiver as well. The dude is tough. Rey Maualuga is a freak nasty mofo.

The defensive secondary nearly returns in full. They finished strong last year and could be a very tough unit in 2008. DT Sedrick Ellis and OLB Keith Rivers headline the losses, along with John David Booty but USC is restocking their talent shelves like a well oiled housewife.

To go further, the O-Line will be young but very talented in a couple of spots. They could struggle early but I expect solid play.

The QB position could be tricky. Mitch Mustain is an Arkansas Transfer and thought by most to be a solid back up to Mark Sanchez. Sanchez thew for 695 yards (69 of 114-60.5%) but his 7 touchdown/5 INT ration hurts. I've heard from USC diehards who claim Mustain is looking great in practice. Hmmmm....all I know is the competition is good for the teams progress.

Whatever happens next year, count on USC to finish toward the top, if not at the top. The host Ohio State the second game of the season, which is a tough way to break in a largely inexperienced QB but even if they lose, expect them to contend for a title until the bitter end.

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