No. 9 Southern Cal

Coach: Pete Carroll
Record: 88-15, 8 years
Last season: 12-1, 8-1 Pac-10
Bowl game: Beat Penn State 38-24 in the Rose Bowl

Overview: Coach Pete Carroll arrived at Southern Cal the same year Jim Tressel arrived at Ohio State. Both teams have been a near fixture in the BCS title game. USC won the BCS title in 2004 and lost to Texas in 2005. Last season, the Trojans’ only blemish was a 27-21 loss to Oregon State.
Key returnees: WR Damian Williams, Jr.; WR Ronald Johnson, Jr.; C Kristofer O’Dowd, Jr.; DE Everson Griffen, Jr.; S Taylor Mays, Sr.
Why USC is dangerous: The Trojans return two game-breaking receivers, Damian Williams and Ronald Johnson. Williams had 869 yards in receptions and Johnson had 570 yards and averaged 27.1 yards per kickoff return. Every starter on the offensive line returns. Free safety Taylor Mays had a chance to enter the NFL Draft, but chose to return. He has a linebacker build, but is fast enough to play safety.
Why USC is vulnerable: The Trojans will break in a new quarterback because Mark Sanchez skipped his senior season and was taken fifth in the NFL Draft after passing for 3,207 yards and 34 touchdowns. Sophomore Aaron Corp, who had only 14 yards passing last season, won the job in spring practice. But he suffered a small crack in his left knee earlier this week and will be out two weeks. Freshman Matt Barkley, who graduated from high school early and participated in spring practice, could supplant him. The Trojans also will replace all their linebackers and much of their defensive line. USC will have two new coordinators; when offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian was selected the new head coach at Washington, he took defensive coordinator Nick Holt with him.
Prediction: With the loss of Mark Sanchez and most of their defensive starters, it’s hard to imagine the Trojans being in the BCS title mix. The schedule looks brutal, too, because USC has road dates with Ohio State, California, Notre Dame and Oregon. But they are so loaded with talent, it’s hard to count the Trojans out.