2004 Statistics

Quarterback
USC will have the most valuable QB in the country, thanks in part to the $1 million insurance policy Bob Leinart took out on son Matt, a first-team NC.net all-American. Finances aside, there's a reason Heritage Hall heard its loudest cheers when the Heisman Trophy winner and sure-fire number one pick announced his return to LA. Leinart has Tom Brady-like cool in the pocket; just ask the Sooners who boasted words like "overrated" before the senior shredded them. The amazing thing about Leinart's near-flawless Heisman campaign was how decimated his receiving core was to start 2004 (what if Mike Williams had still been there, huh?). Given healthy playmakers, Leinart will be even scarier down the stretch and is odds-on favorite to do something no QB has ever done: win three national titles. Don't forget a possible second Heisman trophy as Leinart, who throws the deep ball as well as anyone, will get plenty of publicity for his highlight-reel tosses. Oh, but he doesn't run well - maybe his only knock besides losing Norm Chow - though he scored three ground TDs. With an outstanding line, he will stay well protected after off-season surgery; but, even an injury wouldn't decimate USC at QB as RS sophomore phenom John David Booty has been well-groomed. Remember, no one thought Leinart could replace Carson Palmer, but now here we are…

Running Back
Nicknamed "The President," 2004 was a vote-of-confidence for (NC.net second-team all-American) junior Reggie Bush, the incumbent 2005 "most exciting player" in the nation. The extra-terrestrial Bush changes games in a way numbers can't quantify - via mismatches and open-field instincts. The team's second leading rusher and receiver makes the most of any touch he gets (6.3yds-per-carry) and will lead the country in "how did he do that?" big gainers (he had 33 20+yd plays). If teams don't double Bush, just strike up the USC fight song now (13 TDs). Forming the other half of the nation's best one-two punch is the bruising LenDale White. The fellow junior is the workhorse, but opponents ostensibly cannot key on just him. While the 235lb White gains over 70% of his yards after contact, he still possesses 4.4 speed that makes him impossible to fully contain for a all 60 minutes. Injured Hershel Dennis will redshirt, but USC can still run on anyone, especially in the Pac-10. Brandon Hancock, fully recovered from his own season-ending knee injury, regains his starting FB spot with tough blocking and surprising receiving skills.

Receiver
Without Mike Williams and Steve Smith, who did Leinart throw to? Enter sophomore Dwayne Jarrett who has the body of Williams (6'5", 195) and his knack for scoring lead the '04 corps. After overcoming homesickness and a case of the drops, Jarrett emerged as the country's most productive freshman wideout and the deadliest on jump-balls. "High and deep to number eight," has become Leinart's rallying cry. And with Steve Smith returning from injury to eventually cram a season's worth of highlights into the Orange Bowl, that now means the corps is complete (his one-hand TD grab with his other arm being dragged down is the stuff of legend). The junior's deceptive speed and improved route-running could make him an all-America favorite, if not for splitting catches with Jarrett and the other Trojan horses. Junior Chris McFoy is healthy and runs well after the catch but will lose his job mid-season to one of two playmaking blue-chippers: sophomore Fred Davis has Jarrett's height and a stronger frame (but moonlights at TE) while recruit Patrick Turner can run by anyone. The young corps has the talent and depth to become the nation's best.

Offensive Line and Tight End
If you're searching for even one weakness on the Trojans' offense, avert your eyes. The line is still downright dominant. Counting pseudo-starter, go-to TE Dominique Byrd (known now for the other stunning one-hand Orange Bowl TD grab), five of six return up front. Jeff Byers, the lone "new face," started at LG in four key late games - he was Gatorade's high-school Player of the Year in '03. He's an extremely agile pass-blocker (zero sacks allowed in prep career) and with a bit more bulk, will help the Trojans continue to open gaping holes. Top three in Pac-10 pass and rush offense, there's not much this line of supposed question marks won't continue to do well. Aggressiveness has led to improvement every year under Pete Carroll (a high of 4.7ypc in '04) and with the experience on Leinart's blindside, expect this crew to allow even fewer than 2004's 25 sacks. As strong as senior RT Taitusi Latui is, he must still beat out former preseason all-American Winston Justice, who had been suspended all of last season. Freshman Thomas Herring, a former No.1-rated OT (Rivals.com), is expected to add to this unit's superiority. Added experience and chemistry, plus a 260lb. stud TE like Byrd (37 catches) makes this big unit impossible to dominate.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Personnel-wise, across the board, no one's in the same league as the Trojans offense. It's reasonable to think Leinart, Bush and White will all go early in the NFL draft. The questions surround the coaches. Replacing coaches on the line, at QB, and most notably their offensive coordinator genius Norm Chow is Carroll's challenge for continuity. Expect some drop off at first - without the "oil" of Chow's insights greasing this yard-eating machine, it will struggle to find identity, thought this struggle shouldn't result in any losses. Really, Leinart & Co. could draw up plays in the dirt and still continue USC's streak of 39 straight games of 20+ points. Depth at WR gives the Men of Troy one more way to beat teams. USC won't truly feel the loss of Chow's wizardry for a year or two; for now, talent alone makes this still the best offense as we look to September.

Defensive Line
DE Lawrence Jackson's rapid emergence showed the world how the RS sophomore's a step quicker than most blockers (11 TFLs out of his 32 takedowns). He'll improve on his six sacks and be a/the Pac-10 leader. Senior Frostee Rucker is the leader and a smart "contain" end on the opposite side. Jeff Schweiger, a top DE recruit in '03, will be a star with his powerful tackling. Inside, junior DT Manuel Wright is a force and would have started anywhere else after sitting behind Cody and Mike Patterson. Forget holes -teams must open canyons to run by this 6'7" monster who is, too, quick enough to lead the team in TFLs. While interior depth is an obvious concern after such key losses, USC's scheme is so successful because it assigns holes and requires only that the lineman plug them. This allows young guys like speedy DT Sedrick Ellis to achieve via superior athleticism. Ellis will be another guy worthy of two hats, but who will have a huge campaign due to too many guys like him playing together. Expect only a few growing pains, and then look out for a juggernaut.

Linebacker
The unexpected departure of Lofa Tatupu forces Oscar Lua to step in at MLB. The RS junior saw limited action, but played in every game and brings more size than Tatupu. But he has yet to prove he can achieve at Tatupu's omniscient levels, and his security as the starter could change with so many eager blue-chippers (Powdrell, Cushing, and Maualuga). He'll be helped by the striking physique of WLB Keith Rivers, the all-everything prep player with many kudos in his limited experience. Rivers can cover too, making him (at this point) the breakout LB to watch. Senior stalwart Dallas Sartz, a strong-side (part-time) starter from both championship seasons, will be in on almost every tackle (expect 80+) and is also excellent in coverage. It's an attacking, speedy unit that only lacks proven depth. USC will play its elite freshmen but must realize it won't quite be the nation's best run stuffers again, and they may not match 2004's 10 LB INTs either. But this is a strong group that will be amongst the top five crews all-around.

Defensive Back
NC.net third-team all-American Darnell Bing leads a superlative secondary that allowed the fewest TDs in the conference. Bing's only a junior, but has played like a senior since he arrived. The strong safety combines unlimited cover range, great lateral movement and linebacker-style hitting. He'll not only lead the Trojans in tackles, he is a Thorpe-award frontrunner already. The fact that senior FS Scott Ware made 12 tackles v. Cal when he should have been on crutches is only further evidence that there's no tougher safety tandem in the country. The Trojan corners are often overlooked, but have the speed to match up with any Pac-10 receiver. Their three combined INTs will improve. Senior Justin Wyatt led the Trojans with seven pass break-ups and oft-injured Eric Moore, when healthy, adds a stable, physical presence. The corners won't get beat deep, allowing the ball-hawking Bing to grab even more TOs in '05. Another deep DB recruiting class means the only weakness could be matching up with 6'5" receivers.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Unlike on offense, the Trojans do take a number of hits to graduation and the NFL, meaning the defense will be as good as its young stars make it. Plenty of freshmen will see action from this year's class, meaning the two-deep will be inexperienced but freakishly athletic. The line has been hit hardest, but USC has the wares to still be amongst the best defenses in I-A. More coordinator losses, namely d-line coach Ed Oregon, suggest a drop-off may occur from allowing league-lows in points (13) and yards (279) per game. Expect a few more lapses and not quite 2004's stellar 50 sacks. But this is still the conference's scariest defense, and it is worth watching this phenomenal talent provide yet another seamless turnover during one of college football's great dynasties.