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College Football Previews - NCAA Football Handicapping - Preview 2006 Betting

USC Trojans 2006 Preview

Online Predictions By: Matt Fargo
USC Trojans Football Preview
Matt Fargo remains the NUMBER ONE handicapper in 2005 at the Professional Handicappers League --- get his premium plays here.

Fall camps are under way and the regular season will be here soon so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

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#3 – USC Trojans 12-1 SU; 6-7 ATS

Fargo’s Take - Any other team that loses the trio of Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and LenDale White would be in for a long rebuilding year. At USC however, there is no longer rebuilding but instead reloading. The Trojans are no doubt the most vulnerable they have been in years but talent is in abundance and another run at the National Championship is in their future. The young offense might be overshadowed by the defense that had a rare down season in 2005. A reemergence of that defense will make the transition of key players on the offense run more smoothly. Leading the offense will be prep standout John David Booty, who has just 42 collegiate pass attempts to his credit. The running game is even murkier now as two projected starters are out for the season with injuries. The offensive line and receiving corps are the Trojans’ strengths. If there is a year that USC does not win the Pac Ten, this is that year. There is a ton of balance in that conference and a number of teams can take the Trojans down on nay given day. But until that happens, the Trojans remain at the top.

Returning Starters on Offense – 4 Booty beat out Mark Sanchez, another prep star, for the starting quarterback position and both have the ability to be as good as predecessors Carson Palmer and Leinart. It will obviously take some time to get comfortable in the offense and that is where the running game comes into play. Projected starter at tailback Hershel Dennis and projected starter at fullback Brandon Hancock are both gone for the season. The injury to Hancock means that Ryan Powdrell, who was moved to tailback must move back to fullback. Junior Chauncey Washington is the likely starter now. The offensive line replaces three starters but there is solid depth along the two-deep chart. Receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith team up to form the best combo in the Pac Ten and they will take some of the pressure off Booty because of their dependability. USC was tops in the country in total offense last season but with the numerous losses, that will no doubt come down. The play of Booty decides how much.

Returning Starters on Defense – 6 After finishing 3rd in scoring defense and 6th in total defense in 2004, the Trojans slipped to 35th and 48th respectively last season and head coach Pete Carroll brought in Nick Holt from Idaho to take over as defensive coordinator. Carroll was in charge of the defense before and now with a dedicated coach, the unit should regain its dominance. Six starters are back on the defense that goes into the season ranked as number one on the Pac Ten thanks to the top defensive line and linebacker units. The Trojans have six players from the front seven within the All-Pac Ten 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams showing how much strength they have. The weakness, if it can even be called that, is in the secondary where three starters need to be replaced. No worries though as three players are also on those All-Pac Ten lists led by cornerback Josh Pinkard. The Trojans allowed 41 and 42 points in two of their last three games last season after not allowing more than 28 in all of 2004. Expect more of the latter in 2006.

Schedule - With the Pac Ten becoming stronger from top to bottom, the Trojans have more teams that can give them a challenge. The good news for them this season is that the three toughest teams, California, Arizona St. and Oregon all must come to L.A. Coliseum this year. The toughest road game in conference play could be either Arizona or UCLA in the season finale. The non-conference portion of the slate is difficult starting off with a road game at revenge-minded Arkansas followed by a home contest against improved Nebraska. The final out of conference game doesn’t come until the end of November but it’s a good one as Notre Dame pays a visit. Playing Oregon, California and Notre Dame in consecutive weeks is a brutal stretch but all are at home where USC has won 27 straight games.

You can bet on… This is still the best coached and most talent rich team in the country and if the Trojans can get by some of the early tough games, they could be peaking at the end of the year when the meat of the schedule kicks in. Three of the first four games are on the road which does not help most young teams but this isn’t your everyday young team. USC has been a dominant force in the Pac Ten under Carroll as it has gone 27-13 ATS in conference games. It is starting to trend the other way however as the Trojans are just 8-8 against the number over the last two years and with a lot of possible bumps in the road this year, a sub-.500 conference record is possible. The Trojans will be overvalued like they have been in each of the last two campaigns.

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