written by Bill Canter

STRENGTHS: Carson Palmer has shown signs of field generalship and significant improvement at quarterback. He is hoping to reach the full potential trumpeted by Trojan fans when he first arrived. USC proved at times they could move the ball via the pass very effectively against some good defenses. Speedster Kareem Kelly heads a deep but young receiving corps. The running game seems ready to improve with the arrival of heralded hometown transfer Justin Fargas back from Michigan. Blazing speedster Sultan McCullough, who ran for nearly 1200 yards as a sophomore, returns from an injury marred junior season. The offensive line returns four to five starters and is experienced. There is excellent line depth and the feeling is the line will get with healthy tailbacks and a good passing mix. Magical offensive coordinator Norm Chow has had a year to acquaint himself with the personnel and big things may occur if the running game returns to respectability.

CONCERNS: For better or worse, this is the culmination of the "Carson Palmer era" at USC. With all the right computer specs available to NFL scouts, Palmer has only shown glimpses of those initial quarterback intangibles. His play will remain the focal point of a recently non-kind offense. Last year, USC's heralded "student body right" running attack morphed into "student body light". Proud SC ranked a miserable 109th in the nation in rushing. The running game generated over 150 yards in only two games, their ineptitude punctuated by a rushing total of exactly one yard against the trouble defense of the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. Help may be on the way in terms of Michigan transfer Justin Fargas. However, Fargas was unspectacular in Ann Arbor and suffered a broken leg which required a years rehab and found him so low on the depth chart, that he ended up playing safety his last season there. A healed Sultan McCullough is still the likely choice at tailback.

written by Bill Canter

STRENGTHS: The Pac Ten's leading scoring defense, which also scored eight touchdowns, returns five capable starters. Last year's rugged outfit was kept busy due to the anemic running attack, but performed well throughout the season. The Trojans were noticeably more aggressive and physical on defense. Two outstanding sophomores, Shaun Cody and Kenechi Udeze, anchor the line. Two starters return at linebacker, which was a stellar unit in 2001 and quality depth still remains. One starter returns in the secondary, but he is All American Troy Polamalu. The cornerback position must develop fast if USC is to approach its fine defensive showing of last season. Look for special teams star Kevin Arber to emerge from among a talented young group.

CONCERNS: Six starters have departed from a fine 2001 defensive unit, including two excellent cornerbacks. Can six new starters step in and match the aggressiveness and opportunistic motivations of last fall's defense? In a passing conference, solid cornerback play and a consistent pass rush will be vital. In short, this year's less experienced unit will be hard pressed to match the outstanding effort of a year ago. Although a better suited running game will help keep them off the field. The defense will be pushed to improve rather quickly through mid-season with a brutally challenging four game opening sequence against four potential top 25 teams.