USC Trojans 2016 NCAA Football Preview

USC TROJANS

PAC-12 Conference – South Division

2015 Record – 8-6

ATS – 6-8

2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank

South Division #3

Conference #6

2015 Recap

Last season had a little bit of everything. They started the season winning the first two games by a combined 114-15. They crushed rival UCLA. They lost twice to Stanford and came up on the short end vs Washington and Notre Dame. Not to mention the Pac-12 Title Game. And the Holiday Bowl. Did we mention their HC got fired for drinking on the job?

2016 Preview

OFFENSE

The Trojans scored 34 points a game last season and with everyone returning other than the starting QB – USC should be moving up and down the field with relative ease in 2016. Now of course, this depends highly on how QB Max Browne fares in his first season as starter. Frankly, we are more worried about the mistakes he will make due to inexperience and the loss of Kessler’s leadership, as opposed to his ability to make plays and MATRICULATE down the field in the passing game.

The offensive line should be fantastic. Tons of raw talent and experience to work with – and they lured OL coach Neil Callaway away from WKU who should be able to mold this unit into something special. Running behind this OL are a couple of guys (Ronald Jones II, Justin Davis) who tallied over 900 yards last season. Pretty much the entire receiving core returns including 2^nd Team AA Juju Smith-Schuster. All he did watch catch 89 balls for 1,454 yards and 10 TD (16.3 per catch).

JUGGERNAUT ALERT – DB/WR/KR/PR Adoree’ Jackson is a weapon. 414 yards receiving, 1^st team PAC-12 CB, 2 punt return TDs, 690 kick return yards. We can only hope he doesn’t get hurt with all those snaps as a 3-way player in 2016.

“TEXAS TESLA” ALERT – Ronald Jones II did not get the touches he should have last season – but WHOA – he is an absolutely electric RB who had us watching his 2015 YouTube hi-lights multiple times. RoJo 2.0 set the USC frosh rushing record and will be one of the most exciting players in all of college football in 2016.

DEFENSE

In 2015, The Trojans allowed 25 points and over 400 yards per game for the 2^nd straight season. They put some pressure on opposing QBs but were torn apart at times by the pass (63% completions, 9^th in PAC-12 pass efficiency defense). DC Clancy Pendergast returns this season and the hope is that they become more aggressive and make use of the raw talent and speed lining the roster. USC only returns 5 starters to this unit, and while the secondary should be very good, and they return PAC-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in LB Cameron Smith, there is a lot of inexperience in the front 7. It may take a while for the defense to gel despite all of the young talent on the roster.

SPECIAL TEAMS

USC had a pretty average special teams group in 2015. This season they must find a new PK and a new P. The return game should be in good hands with Adoree’ Jackson. Special teams guru John Baxter returns to coach the unit but we do have concerns about the kicking game.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0

MEGALOCKS says:

For all the bumps in the road last season – USC still managed to trounce UCLA and make the PAC-12 Title Game. The Trojans have an absolute KILLER of a schedule and it all starts with Alabama in week 1. They also have road game against Stanford, Utah, Washington and UCLA. Oh, and they finish with Notre Dame. It is going to be difficult to go +11 in turnover margin for a 3^rd straight year breaking in a new QB. They have the talent to get to a more prestigious bowl game in 2016 (Sun, Las Vegas, Holiday and Holiday last four seasons) but it may not be realistic to expect more than 8 wins. But what about against the spread?

Overall, we give the TROJANS a 5.0 ATS Value Rating (Average) this season. USC has had only one season since 2008 were they ended with a winning record against the spread (2011 – 8-4). Herein lies the issue. Everyone loves to bet on USC. The lines are often shaded to reflect that fact making it difficult to find spots to pounce. Surprisingly, the Trojans have been doing their best work against the number as HOME favorites (8-5 last two seasons; last losing record ATS as HF in 2010). They have enough talent to be considered every week – but we need to see how the new QB and young defense performs early in the season before giving them strong consideration.

Want more Trojans Football?

Website

http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/usc-m-footbl-body.html

Forum

http://www.wearesc.com/forums/forum/main-category/main-forum

http://www.scout.com/college/usc/forums/1720-trojan-football

http://usc.247sports.com/Board/Trojans-Message-Board-29

News

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/usc-trojans

http://bleacherreport.com/usc-football

https://reignoftroy.com/

http://www.conquestchronicles.com/