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2008 USC College Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

With a 49-17 thrashing of Illinois in the Rose Bowl, Pete Carroll became the first head coach to lead a team to 11 or more wins in six straight years. He has an excellent opportunity to do it again and this one could end in a national championship. Get the inside scoop with the college football predictions in Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 USC Trojans season preview.

Offense

With John David Booty now on to the NFL, Mark Sanchez, who started three games last season when Booty was injured, is the natural replacement at QB. He is still relatively unproven and so are the tailbacks and wideouts, but history tells us that stars will emerge. USC will try to make Joe McKnight the next Reggie Bush by playing him at tailback, wide receiver, and kick returner. He was one of the most hyped freshman in the country last season and finally lived up to that hype in the Rose Bowl with over 200 all-purpose yards. Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable, and Broderick Green will also be sharing some carries in the backfield. Vidal Hazelton, Patrick Turner, and David Ausberry all have experience at the wide receiver spots as all three started last season. Arkansas transfer and All-SEC freshman Damian Williams and the speedy Ronald Johnson will also be a part of the rotation. It is not apparent which of these receivers will step up to be the go-to guy yet, but they are all talented. The offensive line could be a bit of a weakness with four new starts joining guard Jeff Byers.

Defense

The defense may not be able to find a replacement for star nose tackle Sedrick Ellis, but USC still has the best defense in the league regardless. Carroll is pushing for an even faster defense this season so you may seem him stick linebacker Clay Matthews at defensive end in passing situations. USC also expects sophomore end Everson Griffen to live up to his hype as one of the nation’s top recruits this season. USC’s linebacker unit is as strong as you’ll find with Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga. Cushing was the Rose Bowl MVP in 2007 and Maualuga took home the same honor in 2008. Kaluka Maiava smoothly replaced first round draft pick Keith Rivers when Rivers was hurt at the end of the season. The secondary is also stacked. Safeties Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison lead the way.

Special Teams

With kicker David Buehler and punter Greg Woidneck returning, the kicking game is in good hands. The return game should come alive again this season as well with Joe McKnight assuming the role of return man.

Prediction – 1st Pac-10

Pete Carroll has been able to reload, rather than rebuild, better than anyone in the country. While Mark Sanchez does not appear to be a Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, or even a John David Booty, he is still good enough to get the job done. There’s no way the defensive line can be as good without Ellis, but the linebackers and defensive backs are as solid as ever. USC will rule the Pac-10 again and be knocking on the door of another BCS Championship Game. Arizona State and Oregon should offer the most competition with California and UCLA further down the line. Bet the USC Trojans at 1-3 odds to win the Pac-10 Conference at BodogLife.com.

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