The way I see it, no matter how you break it down, next season is going to come down to two factors: (1) The competency of the offensive line, and (2) The accuracy of Mark Sanchez. The rest of everything is not too much to worry about. USC has as much depth at tailback as any team in the nation and the talent at receiver to boot (if Turner, Hazelton, Williams, Ausberry or RoJo would just step up). The D-line is battle tested, the linebacker corps are probably the best in the ol’ US-of-A and the defensive backfield…fuggedaboudit. But while USC has been landing a top-3 placement in the barrage of pre-season media polls, the team has some grave areas for concern.

Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. You’re about to enter the Trojan DePo.

Sam Baker (LT), Drew Radovich (RT), Chilo Rachal (RG), Matt Spanos (C), Fred Davis (TE). Replace one: do-able. Replace two: you’ve got yourself a task. Replace three: now you’re getting into trouble. Replace all of them, returning only two starters and keep a serious shot at national title contention? Are you f*&king out of your mind? But that’s exactly what the Trojans aim to do. Not impossible.

With coaches Carroll, Ruel (offensive line), Chris Carlisle (strength and conditioning), a number of eager play-hungry reserves and the o-line heavy 2008 recruiting class, the USC Trojans have a lot to work with. Battle-tested Jeff Byers (LG) and Kris O’Dowd (C) will bring versatility, strength and experience to the new crew. Both have overcome serious injuries and adversities to earn their starting positions. But for USC’s offense, with all its special talents and weapons, to get anything going at all…they’re first going to need solid protection and a runway to take off from. And without the holes for the tailbacks or a solid pocket for Mark, the Trojans might be in some serious trouble.

Which brings me to Mark. After the Stanford debacle, when the masses were shouting to impeach Booty and replace him with Sanchez, I wasn’t so keen on the idea. Now the world seems to be touting Sanchez as USC’s next golden boy. I say let him play a season, then decide. This is my reasoning: despite how much I want Sanchez to lead USC to victory, all I can base my opinions on are his playing record, which is mediocre at best. Take out the statistical fluke of Notre Dame (it was like playing against a pee-wee team), and Sanchez has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in every game of his career (3 career tds to 6 interceptions) with the exception of the Oregon loss where he managed to break even (2 for 2). Not the most reassuring stats in the world.

But all hope is not lost. Booty only excelled after he took the starting reigns. And last season Sanchez showed flashes of possibility, including a promising final drive against Oregon that could have made the difference in a national champion berth. That is until he flubbed it with an interception with only 17 seconds left on the clock. Another wild card…Sanchez is a scrambler. Palmer, Leinart and Booty weren’t scramblers, they were pocket guys. Sanchez has a wild streak, that could end up helping or hurting. If he can run north-south, or make the sideline (i’m thinking clock)…more power to him. He could add a Dennis Dixon/Patrick White element to keep the defense guessing. So long as he doesn’t fumble or get himself killed.

So as long as Sanchez can keep it cool under pressure, and the O-line can form a cohesive bond…USC should be a serious contender. Oh, yeah… and they have do it by September 13th. The national title game could be decided by as early as the Trojan’s second game vs. pre-season title contender Ohio State.

It’s possible. With this team…anything is possible.

And now that I’ve depressed you with my ’08 season worries, I will give you something to raise your spirits: my favorite O-Line ever.