Preseason Top 10 Countdown

Preseason Top 10 Countdown

At #2 I have the USC Trojans. Lane Kiffin has all the right pieces (at least now, he does) to make a Championship run.

 

  USC is coming off a 10-2 season and looks the part for a National Title Contender. Isn't it just a little scary that a team that has been in post season ban for a few seasons now, and scholarships have been reduced......and now just the first season off the bowl bans they are ready to get back to the National Championship Game.

  I know it just makes Tennessee fans sick, but you have to credit Kiffin for keeping a program focused and getting the right players at just the right time. There is no denying the amazing job he has done keeping this team together. Not just keeping them together, but having all the pieces he has in place and to have the potential to win the PAC-12 AND possibly go to the BCS Championship.

  

  Okay, real talk.  Quarterback Matt Barkley returns for his senior year. Marqise Lee was just a freshman last season and had over 1,100 yards receiving with 11 touchdowns. Robert Woods was a sophomore with over 1,200 yards receiving with 15 touchdowns. They may not have the deepest group of receivers but they have what could be the best two receivers in the country. The offensive line remains solid. Barkley is going to have plenty of time to make his throws.

 

  Here is where it gets a little more interesting. We all know that Penn State players have been given passes to go play at any school they want without penalty. And in just the last couple of days Lane Kiffin has made his catch.... Silas Redd. The highly talented running-back from Penn State has made it official. He will be a Trojan this fall.

  

  So, now the already LOADED USC offense gets even better. Now Kiffin has a running-back that is fully capable of breaking a 1000 yards in his first season at USC. I am saying it now, there will not be a better offense then what USC is bringing to the table right now. On paper, this is the most talented offense in the country. This isn't an offense that depends on any one thing. Oh, Barkley is struggling a bit, okay just hand the ball off to a studd at running-back that could be as good as Reggie Bush. Yes, I went there. One thing that made Bush as good as he was in college was his offensive line and the threat of the pass. This offense has everything you could want. It has leadership, it has mental focus, and most of all, it has something to play for this season.

  

  The defense is not as loaded, however. Depth at the defensive line is in question. The Trojan's defense ranked in the 40's in points allowed. Granted, they play in league that is known for scoring points. But this year will be a little different. The defense may not be on the field as much. The offense is primed to be that type that can sustain drives and take a good seven or eight minutes off the clock. If the offense can give that kind of rest to the defense, then depth only becomes a problem with injuries. And, again......I still strongly believe that this offense isn't going to be stopped. It is almost like the 'perfect storm'. All the conditions are right for USC to just line up and destroy whoever gets in their way.

 USC's schedule is very favorable too. Hawaii, Syracuse, @ Stanford, California, @ Utah, @ Wahsington, Colorado, @ Arizona, Oregon, Arizona State, @ UCLA, Notre Dame.

 

  Which game are they not going to be favored? This isn't Alabama or LSU, where you might have to put a question mark next to a game. There is not one game on this schedule where I feel comfortable saying they might lose. Oregon is the greatest threat, but that game is being played AT USC. Notre Dame? Please, the Irish don't match up well at all and that game is also AT USC. Stanford? No Luck for Stanford this year. (you can laugh out loud)

  Let's face it. One of the most hated coaches (mainly by Vol fans) has just put together a great team. Better than any SEC offense. Now just imagine if the defense gains some momentum early in the season. One thing I do like about Kiffin...... When he knows he has something special, he shows it when he has a press conference. He loves the attention. I don't know, that's just something I like to see in a coach. When he is confident, he is not affraid to show it.

   I have not revealed my prediction of which two teams will play in the National Championship yet, but I will reveal one. USC will be there.

 And finally my #1 team in my Preseason Top 10 Countdown, the LSU Tigers. Check back for my breakdown of LSU and see what question marks the Tigers are facing this season.

  Also, reader questions segment is coming soon. Send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com  Thanks for reading.