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USC Trojans 2016 College Football Preview

By Erik Lambert

Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second quarter in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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USC came in below expectations are year ago, but maybe a fresh start and stability is just what they need to get off on the right foot this season.

Losing to Stanford in the Pac-12 championship and then the Holiday Bowl was not what USC had in mind for the end of their 2015 season, but it’s not surprising given the turmoil they went through. Constant upheaval with the coaching staff was bound to haunt them at some point. Now though events have had a chance to settle down and fans are eager to see how things go without so many distractions weighing the team down. Here is the 2016 college football preview.

Key Losses:

  • Su’a Cravens
  • Cody Kessler
  • Max Tuerk
  • Kevon Seymour

Of course the most notable loss for the Trojans is Cody Kessler. His exit leaves a major question mark at the quarterback position. Now 6’5” junior Max Browne is set to take his place. The center taking the snaps is also a consider loss with Tuerk while the defense is sure to miss the steady presence of Cravens and Seymour. Being one of the most prominent programs in the country means USC must deal with these sort of losses all the time, but it’s never easy to get over them.

Key Returns:

  • JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • Adoree Jackson
  • Justin Davis
  • Zach Banner

The fact that both Smith-Schuster and Jackson are juniors makes it not all that surprising they’ve returned for another year but that doesn’t mean it’s unwelcome. Those two are currently projected as 1st round picks in the 2017 draft, and for good reason. Smith-Schuster is easily their biggest playmaker on offense with his mix of quickness and agility. Jackson might be their most versatile player, pulling double duty as their top corner and also their second best receiver. Justin Davis ran for over 900 yards and scored seven touchdowns while mammoth tackle Zach Banner expects become a fixture for their ground attack as well.

Biggest Story Line:

There is no doubt fans are anxious to see what new head coach Clay Helton will do in his first full season. He took over in 2015 under less than ideal circumstances when former coach Steve Sarkisian was fired due to ongoing alcohol problems. Helton has been with the programs since 2010 when he started as their quarterbacks coach. He’s taught football at the college level since 1995 and is a former quarterback himself. Will he be the one to finally put the Trojans back on top of the college football mountain?

Most Important Games:

  • September 3rd:  vs. Alabama
  • September 23rd:  at Utah
  • November 5th:  vs. Oregon
  • November 19th:  at UCLA

There is no bigger test for a new head coach and his transitioning team than having to face the defending national champions right out of the gate. USC was dealt that tough card as they will host Alabama in a primetime matchup. Next is a visit to Utah, a team that is notorious for being an underrated but stingy opponent that is well-coached and disciplined. Of course one can’t leave a huge rivalry tilt at the start of November against Oregon and their always dangerous offensive attack. Finally, they must return to the Rose Bowl to deal with rising star quarterback Josh Rosen and UCLA.

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