2009 USC Trojans Football Preview
2009 USC Trojans season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official USC Trojans football preview as well as the 2009 USC Trojans Football Schedule. Haven't had much luck beating your bookie? This season up your chances and order Maddux's winning college football picks.
Coach: Pete Carroll (9th year at USC)
Team Name: Trojans
2008 Overall Record: 12-1
Returning Starters: 12
The USC Trojans (12- 1 overall, 8- 1 Pac-10) continued their dominance of the Pac-10 by finishing first in the conference and their premium post-season performance by winning their third straight Rose Bowl. In the 2008 classic, the fifth ranked Trojans met the sixth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, beating them 38- 24. This season most folks expect more of the same from USC.
For the offense, which averaged 37.5 PPG (14th nationally) last season, there’s great news upfront as the entire line returns. They’ll be making way for a running unit that offers six fine performers, including senior Stafon Johnson (138 CAR, 728 YDs, 9 TDs), junior Joe McKnight (89 CAR, 675 YDs, 2 TDs) and junior C.J. Cable (107 CAR, 644 YDs, 8 TDs). McNight averaged 7.4 YPC. As for the quarterback spot, it looks to go to sophomore Aaron Corp who had a tough time beating out true freshman Matt Barkley for the job. Barkley has a better arm than Corp, but Corp can run and makes wiser decisions. The receiving group is also stellar. It includes juniors Damian Williams (58 REC, 869 YDs, 9 TDs) and Ronald Johnson (33 REC, 570 YDs, 8 TDs). At tight end, senior Anthony McCoy (22 REC, 256 YDs, 1 TD) is another sure-handed pass catcher.
The USC defense was first in the nation in 2008, allowing only 9.0 PPG. The pass defense was especially effective, giving up just 134.4 YPG (first nationally). The D-unit has lost eight starters, and their experience and skill will be difficult to replace. But there is a lot of talent waiting to be tapped. The secondary features returning SS Josh Pinkard (39 TKLs, 2 INTs), a senior, and FS Taylor Mays (53 TKLs, 0 INT), another senior. Safety Drew McAllister and corner Kevin Thomas had three picks each last season. MLB Chris Galippo will anchor the linebacking unit. On the line, junior defensive end Everson Griffen (18 TKLs, 4.5 SKs, 1.5 TFL) will be the stabilizing force.
On kick returns, Ronald Johnson averaged 27.1 YPR and C.J. Gable earned 28.0 YPR, garnering one touchdown. The punt return game is also solid as Stafon Johnson was good for 9.2 YPR. Both kickers are gone and that means either walk-ons Billy O’Malley or Joe Houston will do the job or junior college All-American Jacob Harfman will prove to be the real thing. The USC special teams look to be an asset.
Chances are that head coach Pete Carroll (88- 15 in eight years with USC) will guide the Trojans to their fifth straight Rose Bowl appearance. Carroll’s program continues to garner the best recruits around. Last season, the team lost just one game. That was to Oregon State 27- 21. This season, as they did last, the Trojans play Ohio State in the second week of the season. Last year, they handily beat OSU 35- 3. That was a home game. In 2009, USC travels to Ohio. That’s a big game that will go far in determining where both teams fit into the national puzzle. It looks like another repeat year for the Trojans.
USC Trojans Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | USC | San Jose St. | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | USC | Ohio St. | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | USC | Washington | away | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | USC | Washington St. | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | USC | California | away | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | USC | Notre Dame | away | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | USC | Oregon St. | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | USC | Oregon | away | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | USC | Arizona St. | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | USC | Stanford | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | USC | UCLA | home | ||||
| 12/5/2009 | USC | Arizona | home |
For more info on the 2009 USC Trojans football program, view the Trojans football site or you can read about other Pac-10 teams below.
