At 5-2, the Trojans are just past the halfway point of the season. Here's my take on how each unit has stacked up to preseason expectations...
(Photos by Jon SooHoo)
Quarterbacks
Preseason: Matt Barkley needed to improve last year's decision-making breakdowns and mobility issues.
Midseason: He has played as well as any quarterback in the country and yet there is still room for improvement. Bonus points to the staff, they've kept Mitch Mustain engaged by using him on special teams, so he'll be ready if called upon.
Second Half: If USC can get hot, including a high-profile upset of Oregon, Barkley could ride a similar Heisman campaign to New York that Carson Palmer did in 2002.
Running Backs
Preseason: Marc Tyler won the starting competition, but Dillon Baxter was raising all the eyebrows.
Midseason: Allen Bradford and Tyler have pushed each other back and forth with strong, but inconsistent performances. Baxter has been forced to deal with the adversity of a suspension and an injury for the first time in his young career. Stanley Havili has been hindered by a shoulder problem.
Second Half: Ball security! The Trojans running game has only been slowed by backs putting the ball on the turf. Squeeze it high and tight and the numbers will come.
Wide Receivers
Preseason: Ronald Johnson was a constant, but Lane Kiffin called the rest of the corps "specialists."
Midseason: Robert Woods has emerged as the best freshman receiver in the nation. The RoJo/Woods combo is as good as any duo in the conference, but no one has grabbed hold of the #3 spot.
Second Half: As long as Woods does not hit the wall, the top two will continue doing their thing. David Ausberry will continue to get his chances in the red zone, but the coaching staff would love to see Markeith Ambles grow into the third receiver position.
Tight Ends
Preseason: Who are these guys? Lane Kiffin complained that his roster lacked a complete tight end.
Midseason: Starter Rhett Ellison has been solid, but Jordan Cameron is the pleasant surprise. He is a legitimate weapon on third down. Blake Ayles finally broke the seal with his first catch of the season against Cal.
Second Half: Everyone continues to wait for Ayles to live up to his potential. In a perfect world, he will use last week's big play as a springboard into a strong finish.
Offensive Line
Preseason: Without much depth, the offensive line needed to gel together as a unit.
Midseason: They have been the most underrated group in 2010. Barkley has been sacked just seven times and they have maintained a consistent running game with a rotating cast behind them. Knock on wood, the same five have started every single game.
Second Half: Stay focused. When they mentally slipped against Virginia, the results were ugly. If they keep Barkley clean, he will pick apart Pac-10 secondaries.
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(Photos by Jon SooHoo)
Quarterbacks Preseason: Matt Barkley needed to improve last year's decision-making breakdowns and mobility issues.
Midseason: He has played as well as any quarterback in the country and yet there is still room for improvement. Bonus points to the staff, they've kept Mitch Mustain engaged by using him on special teams, so he'll be ready if called upon.
Second Half: If USC can get hot, including a high-profile upset of Oregon, Barkley could ride a similar Heisman campaign to New York that Carson Palmer did in 2002.
Running BacksPreseason: Marc Tyler won the starting competition, but Dillon Baxter was raising all the eyebrows.
Midseason: Allen Bradford and Tyler have pushed each other back and forth with strong, but inconsistent performances. Baxter has been forced to deal with the adversity of a suspension and an injury for the first time in his young career. Stanley Havili has been hindered by a shoulder problem.
Second Half: Ball security! The Trojans running game has only been slowed by backs putting the ball on the turf. Squeeze it high and tight and the numbers will come.
Wide ReceiversPreseason: Ronald Johnson was a constant, but Lane Kiffin called the rest of the corps "specialists."
Midseason: Robert Woods has emerged as the best freshman receiver in the nation. The RoJo/Woods combo is as good as any duo in the conference, but no one has grabbed hold of the #3 spot.
Second Half: As long as Woods does not hit the wall, the top two will continue doing their thing. David Ausberry will continue to get his chances in the red zone, but the coaching staff would love to see Markeith Ambles grow into the third receiver position.
Tight EndsPreseason: Who are these guys? Lane Kiffin complained that his roster lacked a complete tight end.
Midseason: Starter Rhett Ellison has been solid, but Jordan Cameron is the pleasant surprise. He is a legitimate weapon on third down. Blake Ayles finally broke the seal with his first catch of the season against Cal.
Second Half: Everyone continues to wait for Ayles to live up to his potential. In a perfect world, he will use last week's big play as a springboard into a strong finish.
Offensive LinePreseason: Without much depth, the offensive line needed to gel together as a unit.
Midseason: They have been the most underrated group in 2010. Barkley has been sacked just seven times and they have maintained a consistent running game with a rotating cast behind them. Knock on wood, the same five have started every single game.
Second Half: Stay focused. When they mentally slipped against Virginia, the results were ugly. If they keep Barkley clean, he will pick apart Pac-10 secondaries.
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