The Beast's 2006 USC Football

Overview: Please! Please! Don’t be Miami. The Hurricanes had the greatest team in 2001, and lost a heart wrenching title game to Ohio State in 2002. Okay, now all you Buckeyes fans can whoop it up. It is hard to stay up on top for a long time, and the Canes proved just that, with multiple winning seasons, but no title game appearances.

So, if they can get over the Miami thing, and play to their potential, USC might be playing in the title game. However, they could easily fall to 8-4. Why? New faces in key positions, but they were all High School All-Americans.

The Schedule: There are plenty of tough games, but luckily most of them are at home. While the opener at Arkansas will be tougher than it seems, five of the six road dates are against teams that didn't make a bowl game last season. The final game against the Bruins of UCLA is the exception, as the Gutty Little Bruins managed to overachieve by going 10-2 last year. Nebraska, Arizona State, Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame should all flirt with the top 15 this year and all could tag USC if things aren't clicking, but once again, all those top teams have to come to L.A. November is a bear playing Oregon, Cal and Notre Dame. But remember, a Pete Carroll team has never lost in November.

Best Offensive Player: Junior WR Dwayne Jarrett. At 6-5, Jarrett can do it all with too much size for most college corners and too much athleticism to be nullified from a double team. He was one of the best wide receiver in America last year, as a sophomore, but now he'll have to shine without Matt Leinart throwing him the ball.

Best Defensive Player: Junior DE Lawrence Jackson. He was a bit overshadowed by all the superstars on the offensive side. However, Jackson still had a fantastic season making ten sacks and coming up with big play after big play. The jury is still out on whether he can he shine when he's the focus of every blocking scheme? He's more than just a pass rushing specialist, but that's what'll get him All-America recognition.

Key game: Sept. 2 at Arkansas. Yes, its the first game, and tougher teams our on the way, but the Trojans must establish their identity early on. The Hogs are much, much better than they were last year when the Trojans won in a 70-17 laugher. With all the new starters, the Trojans must come out clicking in order to prove to themselves that the mojo is still there. A close shave, or heaven forbid, a loss to Arkansas would make for a rough two weeks before facing Nebraska.

Offense This isn't going to be anywhere near the 580-yard, 49 point-per-game juggernaut of last year. The Trojans take a big hit here, losing Matt Leinart, LenDale White, Winston Justice, Dominique Byrd, Taitusi Lutui, and Reggie Bush, but there's still hope for the explosion to continue, thanks to the nation's best receiving corps, a good foundation on the offensive line with tackle Sam Baker and center Ryan Kalil, and multiple high school All-Americans.

There is still an outside chance the wheels could come flying off. Quarterback John David Booty is hardly a sure-thing to last the season with his gimpy back, but Mark Sanchez is back on the team after sexual assault charges against him were dropped. The running back situation is full of question marks with injuries, youth, and ineligibility playing havoc with the corps. Even so, this will be one of the nation's five best attacks if everyone stays healthy.

Defense: The D lacks overall experience, but USC can make up for it with their ridiculous talent and athleticism. The linebackers, led by senior captain Oscar Lua, are by far the best in America with a third string that would form a killer starting trio for about 75 other teams. The secondary doesn't have any big names, but that’ll change quickly if some of the superstar freshmen and sophomores play well right away. End Lawrence Jackson is a great player to build around on a line that should have few problems getting into the backfield. Sedrick Ellis should be much improved after a year, of starting and Juinior Jeff Schweiger is poised for a breakout year. The return of former defensive coordinator and former Idaho head coach Nick Holt adds even more punch. Holtz and Carroll plan to run some of the 3-4 defense. It should confuse opponents and utilize the strength of their linebackers. This D is quit inexperienced, but they certainly have one of the most talented defense in the country, with a defensive master to lead them

The season will be a success if ... USC wins the Pac 10 title outright. Each year, Pete Carroll talks about owning the Rose Bowl. This is pertinent this year, beat UCLA, and go to the Rose Bowl. A trip to the BCS title game is just gravy.

However, most fans feel it’ll be only a success if the Trojans capture the title. Wouldn’t just winning the Pac 10 and going to the Rose Bowl be good enough at this point? In my opinion it is, but the bar is set ridiculously high after going 54-10 under Pete Carroll and losing two games in three years. However, I’m with Pete, “Own the Rose Bowl.

Final Prediction 11-2, Rose Bowl Win, ranked #4 in the final poll