2007 USC Trojans Team Preview
by Jerald of Predictem.com
Head Coach Pete Carroll, 6th year
2006 Record 11-2 straight up, 6-6 ATS
Returning Offensive Starters 7
Returning Defensive Starters 10
Conference 2007 Pac-10 Champion
Offense
In 2006 the offense averaged 138 yards rushing (4.20 yards per rush) and 250 yards passing while scoring an average of 30.3 points per game. The Trojan offense will be led by Senior QB John David Booty. Booty was a first team Pac-10 QB last year in his first year of starting. USC has a stable of quality backs and look to have a running back by committee look this year. One intriguing prospect is Freshman Joe McKnight who is being compared to Reggie Bush and may be used as a change of pace back to give the Trojans a home run threat. The Trojans lost there top 2 recievers to the NFL draft in Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith; however, there is plenty talent available where the only weakness will be inexperience.
Defense
In 2006 the defense gave up an average of 98 yards rushing (3.15 yards per rush) and 196 yards passing while giving up 14.9 points per game. The Trojan defense is led by a terrific Linebacking corps. In 2006 the secondary was a concern heading into the season but they performed well and all 4 starters return for 2007.
Grading the units:
Offense A
Defense A
Special Teams B
Prediction
The bookies have the over/under on the season wins at 11 wins. USC has non-conference road games at Nebraska and Notre Dame and tough road conference games at Oregon and Arizona State. The Trojans are certainly capable of running the table but with a tough schedule it is hard to envision them going through the season undefeated. The most likely scenario is a 11-1 record but it would seem that 10-2 would be more likely than expecting a 12-0 record. We recommend a wager on the under 11 win total but realize that it is very likely that this wager will be a push.