BasinBictory
OUT with the GOUT
I know it's only Sark's second year, and this is most assuredly fan hyperbole, but I do think this is a make-or-break season for Sark's Trojans and will determine the overall direction and climate of his program in the next several years.
Last year was a good, but not great season. USC went 9-4, with a nice beat down over Notre Dame and an exciting finish against Brasky in thr Holiday Bowl. However, losses against Utah, Boston freaking College, ASU (again) and fucking UCLA (A-gain) showed how far USC still needs to climb to be worthy of the prediction that they'll take the South division (and some say the whole conference).
There's much to be optimistic about, since USC had some really exciting freshmen come through and really become players last year, especially Adoree Jackson, who is the kind of speed threat that USC really has not had since, well - since Marquise Lee. Seriously, though, Jackson is on a different level than Lee as far as overall dynamism, and seems in the class of a DeSean Jackson or DAT. Meaning - he's also a smallish guy where you gasp every time he gets tackled because you think he'll be broken in two (or three). Juju Smith looks like the kind of dependable WR threat (and is a big guy) that the Trojans have needed for a while. On the O line, my predictions that Damien Mama would become the next big star didn't quite pan out, but Toa Lobendahn, who also started as a true frosh, DID become a productive starter.
On defense, the loss of Leonard Williams is, well - irreplaceable. Senior Hayes Pullard leaving was also a big blow, but Su'a Cravens is a beast. Wilcox looks like a competent, if not spectacular DC, and I was happy to see that, aside from the BC game, the Trojans defense played decently and fundamentally well.
Any optimism for USC to really have a breakout year, however, need to be tempered by QB Cody Kessler. He had a tremendous year last year, but nobody is talking excitedly about him because he, quite frankly, is not NFL material. He has weapons galore around him, but he's not the type of player that you'd have confidence in winning a game when you're down 14 with 10 minutes to go.
Last year was a good, but not great season. USC went 9-4, with a nice beat down over Notre Dame and an exciting finish against Brasky in thr Holiday Bowl. However, losses against Utah, Boston freaking College, ASU (again) and fucking UCLA (A-gain) showed how far USC still needs to climb to be worthy of the prediction that they'll take the South division (and some say the whole conference).
There's much to be optimistic about, since USC had some really exciting freshmen come through and really become players last year, especially Adoree Jackson, who is the kind of speed threat that USC really has not had since, well - since Marquise Lee. Seriously, though, Jackson is on a different level than Lee as far as overall dynamism, and seems in the class of a DeSean Jackson or DAT. Meaning - he's also a smallish guy where you gasp every time he gets tackled because you think he'll be broken in two (or three). Juju Smith looks like the kind of dependable WR threat (and is a big guy) that the Trojans have needed for a while. On the O line, my predictions that Damien Mama would become the next big star didn't quite pan out, but Toa Lobendahn, who also started as a true frosh, DID become a productive starter.
On defense, the loss of Leonard Williams is, well - irreplaceable. Senior Hayes Pullard leaving was also a big blow, but Su'a Cravens is a beast. Wilcox looks like a competent, if not spectacular DC, and I was happy to see that, aside from the BC game, the Trojans defense played decently and fundamentally well.
Any optimism for USC to really have a breakout year, however, need to be tempered by QB Cody Kessler. He had a tremendous year last year, but nobody is talking excitedly about him because he, quite frankly, is not NFL material. He has weapons galore around him, but he's not the type of player that you'd have confidence in winning a game when you're down 14 with 10 minutes to go.