The USC Trojans<\/strong> are set to enter the 2015-16 NCAA Football season with high expectations. We’ve seen this from them before in recent years, but there’s reason to believe that this is the time they live up to those lofty predictions.<\/p>\n Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian<\/strong> At this point in the offseason, with spring camp behind us, the Trojans are a top-five team in terms of 2016 National Championship odds. They’re fifth at 16\/1 odds, placing them behind only the Ohio State Buckeyes (3\/1), Alabama Crimson Tide (15\/2), Auburn Tigers (9\/1) and TCU Horned Frogs (10\/1).<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63738&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Last season, USC went 9-4, with their losses coming against Boston College, Arizona State, No. 19 Utah and No. 9 UCLA. They did win impressive contests against No. 13 Stanford and No. 10 Arizona, and they capped off the year with a barn-burning 45-42 victory against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the National University Holiday Bowl.<\/p>\n The Trojans have the luxury of bringing back 14 starters from last year’s squad. Continuity won’t be tough to come by on this roster, but the one to focus on first is quarterback Cody Kessler.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Led by Kessler, this group has a chance to be one of the most potent offenses in the nation. In his junior year last season, Kessler completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. he also tossed for 39 touchdowns to just five interceptions.<\/p>\n Along with Kessler, USC has one of the best receiving core-offensive line combos in the country.\u00a0Nelson Agholor has left, but\u00a0JuJu Smith, who was a Freshman All-American last season, will be a new No. 1 option. There’s\u00a0also\u00a0Steven Mitchell, and\u00a0Adoree\u2019 Jackson — another Freshman All-American.<\/p>\n Javorius Allen leaves a hole at\u00a0running back after leaving, but the team\u00a0hopes to use\u00a0Justin Davis and Tre Madden as a tandem replacement.<\/p>\n As for that offensive line, it could very well be the deepest and strongest aspect of this roster. Needless to say, Kessler and crew will have plenty of protection in the backfield.<\/p>\n The Trojans will have to deal with the loss of one of the best\u00a0defensive ends in the country in\u00a0All-American Leonard Williams — as well as the team’s leading tackler Hayes Pullard.\u00a0USC\u00a0isn’t without talent on that end of the field,\u00a0but it’s never easy to replace a core cog from within your system.<\/p>\n Another area of question is at placekicker. New guys Matt Boermeester and Alex Wood will both compete for the position, but it’s tough to say who will land the job for Week 1.<\/p>\n The other area we’re going to consider a weakness is a bit more subjective, and it may be a bit unfair, but we’re going to hit it anyway.<\/p>\n This team has not lived up to expectations the way fans and boosters would like to see. The program has recovered about as well as it can following the down years as a result of NCAA violations, but we just can’t completely count them as favorites until we see them avoid losses to less-talented programs.<\/p>\n With fall football camp nearing, USC is pegged at a projected season win total of 8.5. I know we haven’t seen an elite Trojans squad hit the field in quite some time, but that number seems low, even given any negative speculation.<\/p>\n [dfads params=’groups=63739&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Arizona State, Oregon, (possibly) Stanford and UCLA look like the biggest chances for USC to either prove themselves or walk away with losses this season. Assuming the team doesn’t drop any contests against lower-level opponents, you’re probably looking at a nine- or 10-win program this year.<\/p>\n Check out our Updated College Football Odds<\/a>.<\/b>\n
NCAA Football Gambling Lines<\/h3>\n
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Pac-12\u00a0Lines<\/h3>\n
Pac-12\u00a02015-2016 College Football Preview – USC Trojans<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n2014 Record: 9-4<\/strong>
\nOdds to Win College Football Championship (from Bovada): 16\/1<\/strong>
\nOdds to win Pac-12\u00a0(from GTbets): 9\/5<\/strong>
\nSeason Win Total (from 5Dimes): 8.5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\nTeam Strengths<\/h3>\n
Team Weaknesses<\/h3>\n
USC Trojans\u00a02015-2016 Prediction: 10-2<\/h3>\n
USC Trojans\u00a02015 Football Schedule<\/h3>\n
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