Photo: USC Trojans

By Chris Asbrock

For the first time in years, the USC Trojans are sanction free and are ready to reestablish themselves as one of the nations best. The recent NCAA sanctions, where the Trojans received a two-year bowl ban and a loss of 30 scholarships over three years, make the Pete Carroll era seem like forever ago. Last season, they played with a roster of only 50, making them thin in a lot of positions and causing them to tire out late in games. They managed to survive and came away with a solid 9-4 record in 2014, culminating with a 45-42 win over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl. The depth still isn’t fully there but it is close.

Second year head coach Steve Sarkisian, has a team that is led by returning starting quarterback, Cody Kessler. Kessler is coming off a tremendous 2014 season where he tossed for 3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns, while breaking numerous school records. The third-year starter comes into this season as an All-American and Heisman Trophy candidate. The Trojans also have key returnees on the offensive line and on defense. With the depth almost at 100%, the Trojans come into this season with a ton of talent.

The Trojans suffered the loss of two of the best players from last seasons team, DL Leonard Williams and WR Nelson Agholor. Losing players of that caliber only allow for more players to step up to fill their shoes. Along with Kessler, the Trojans will be led by returnees, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, CB Adoree’ Jackson and LB Su’a Cravens. Those four have the Trojan faithful excited about what is to come this season. With Smith-Schuster looking to be Kessler’s top target, look for Steven Mitchell to be the top breakout player for this season. Mitchell has had some bad luck his first two seasons in Los Angeles, as they have been littered with injuries. Mitchell looks to change his luck this season and rise as up as one of the best receivers this season.

The Trojans have the talent to go undefeated this season and win the National Championship. As we know, that is extremely difficult to pull off, especially in the tough Pac-12. Many believe the Pac-12 is the nations top conference, surpassing the famed SEC. The toughest game for the Trojans is a trip to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks. With that game being on the road, that is a tough task. They could also trip up in another game this season but expect the Trojans to win the Pac-12 South and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Final Prediction: 12-2 (Pac-12 South Champions)

2015 USC schedule:

9/05/15    vs. Arkansas State
09/12/15  vs. Idaho
09/19/15  vs. Stanford *
09/26/15  at Arizona State *
10/08/15  vs. Washington *
10/17/15  at Notre Dame
10/24/15  vs. Utah *
10/31/15  at California *
11/07/15  vs. Arizona *
11/13/15  at Colorado *
11/21/15  at Oregon *
11/28/15  vs. UCLA *