2007 Preview: USC Trojans

The personnel and coaching staff may change, but the beat goes on at Troy because of two constants, Pete Carroll and recruiting classes packed with more blue chips than a casino. Trojan fans held their collective breath for another off-season as Carroll fielded interest from half the NFL teams with openings, but opted to stay where he's rebuilt the program into a perennial top-10 factory.

USC is loaded with talent and experience on both sides of the ball, so it's not hyperbole to suggest the second team could win the Pac-10 this fall. The departures of receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith just means there'll be a new wave of young stars on the horizon, but it's on defense that the Trojans will be freakishly good. Good luck finding a weakness on a unit that's a who's who of future draft choices and welcomes back 10 starters, 11 counting safety Josh Pinkard, who missed 2006 with an ACL tear.

For USC, the 2007 campaign kicked off with a 32-18 Rose Bowl domination of Michigan that was eerily similar to the 2004 game, which wound up being the launching point of a perfect season. There are a couple of question marks on offense and a nasty road gauntlet to navigate, but the Trojans once again have the horses to go wire-to-wire for a national title.