In what could only be described as “saving the best for last”, we conclude our Pac-10 team previews with the highly anticipated 2007 USC Trojans. A team for whom most offseason debate has centered around whether they’ll be “thoroughly dominant” or “all-time great.” A team whose biggest challenge seems to be not getting buried under the weight of ludicrously high expectations. Oh, and that schedule, which, despite the assertions of Les Miles, is yet again one of the toughest in the nation. Here’s how we break down the Trojans in ‘07…

WHY THEY’LL WIN
Considering Pete Carroll made his name on defense, it’s high time that he field a squad that’s actually more talked about for its D than it’s O.

With returning starters galore and an athletic, experienced linebacking corps of Rivers, Cushing and Maualuga (the latter two pictured, left) that surely gave Pac-10 offenses nightmares all offseason, the Trojans defense more loaded than the guests at a Matt Leinart birthday party.

The ’07 Trojan defense is so loaded in fact, it’s managed the impressive feat of making people forget about the USC offense, which returns a Heisman hopeful quarterback and has a fleet of ten nine former high school All-American running backs. The Trojans can kill you on both sides of the ball, and plan to – early and often.

WHY THEY’LL LOSE

As the Trojans experienced last season, upsets in college football can lurk around any corner, where you least expect them. (In case you forgot, the ’06 team lost not to their highly-touted opponents like Cal, Oregon, Notre Dame or Michigan, but to Oregon State and UCLA.)

With the offseason hype this year, not to mention last few seasons of Trojan dominance in the Pac-10, there’s a target on the Trojans backs that’s visible from space. Teams can go out and stink it up all season, and one win against USC will make the whole year a success.

The Trojans are going to see a lot of teams working to bring their A-game, and will have little room for first half slumbers like last year in Corvallis.

Continue reading Pac Ten Football Preview ’07: USC

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(via FanHouse)