For any college football team to win a national title, first and foremost they must have a strong defense. As they say, offense sells tickets but defense wins championships. Certainly, the men of Troy will be selling some tickets what with the leading Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback and a tandem of receivers who will both likely be All-Americans. But what about the defense?
USC is being picked to go undefeated this year. As the prohibitive favorite to win the national championship in 2012, the University of Southern California Trojans will have to offer up stiff resistance on the defensive side of the ball. The secondary looks improved and may be the best unit on defense. The linebackers are young but quick and very talented and will cause havoc for offenses all season. But what about the front line on defense?
The defensive line for the Trojans lost some talent to the NFL after last season, including defensive end Nick Perry who left a year early to become a first round draft choice. And there's inexperience at tackle ... but, inexperience shouldn't be viewed as necessarily a problem. In other words, there is talent. And also remember that USC often rotates the line so there are players with regular playing time who haven't started.
Talent
Up the middle at tackle, the likely starters will be redshirt sophomore George Uko and sophomore J.R. Tavai. Redshirt sophomore Zach Kusnir and redshirt freshman Antwaun Woods will be in the regular rotation. More redshirt freshmen, Christian Heyward and Cody Temple, could see playing time.
At the defensive ends, it's more clear as to who the starters are: seniors Wes Horton and Devon Kennard. Backing them up in the rotation will probably be a trio of redshirt freshman Greg Townsend Jr. and juniors Morgan Breslin and Kevin Greene. Don't be surprised if incoming freshman Leonard Williams (who was a high school All-American) finds some playing time somewhere on the line as well. And don't forget Devante Wilson and Charles Burks, who are backups at defensive end.
Tackle Uko might be a potential superstar while Tavai has been a pleasant surprise with a tremendous spring to grab the nose tackle position. Right end Horton is anticipated to be the leader of the line and a lot is expected of him. Left end Kennard made the switch from linebacker before last year and should be a force this season.
Depth not a concern?
There's prospective talent at each position but until these men in the trenches meet up with live action against opposing offenses, nothing is certain. If depth is a concern of the Trojans, it's not visibly noticeable. Woods will probably be a starter before the year is out and when you team him with Uko, plus Tavai getting plenty of playing time, the middle of the USC defense looks daunting.
Sure, injuries to a couple of key players like Horton and Uko may thin the talent level but still, there are guys on the bench who could be just as capable of filling in. Again, the USC Trojan rotation scheme will keep fresh bodies on the field and that in-turn should help limit injuries.
The Trojans prospects will need to step up. Saying they're talented doesn't mean anything until you prove it on the field. If USC can play to their potential along the defensive line, the rest of the defense looks more than capable of holding their own against anyone in the country.
If this unit stays injury free, the Trojans could be heading to the national championship. Yes ... if.
Sources - USC
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Daryle lived in Los Angeles Ca. most of his life and has been a longtime fan of USC, having closely followed the Trojans since he was just a youngster. Fight On!
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