JR’s top 25 - #1 USC

By J.R. Hopwood  |   Friday, August 26, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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This is the no-brainer pick. I would have loved to vary off the beaten path set by every magazine and sports publication around the nation, but I can't. The USC Trojans are just stacked with talent at every position, and head coach Pete Carroll has assembled solid depth all around.

Heisman trophy winning QB Matt Leinart returns for his senior season, turning down NFL money for a shot at the three-peat. Leinart now has a Heisman vote, and he may not need to look much farther than the backfield, as all around athlete Reggie Bush returns. Joining Bush in the backfield is 1103 yard rusher LenDale White. The receiving corps is even more dangerous this season as they are now more experienced. WR Dwayne Jarrett will look to eclipse the 1000 yard mark by season's end. All this offensive firepower will have all the time in the world as the offensive line is extremely talented and should hold strong all season.

The defense loses some top talent and returns only a handful of starters. There are some question marks at D-line and LB, but the depth should allow some talented underclassmen to step up. In my opinion, there is no way this defense can match last year's 6th overall ranked squad, but they should finish in the top 20 so don't expect too much of a drop off.

The USC Trojans' offense is just amazing on paper heading into the 2005 season. The defense will be the only thing that may stop USC from a third straight title, but the depth should prevail. A fairly easy Pac-10 schedule this year should give USC a straight shot to Pasadena.
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