2006 record: 11-2, 7-2 (1st in Pac-10)
2006 bowl: Beat Michigan 32-18 in Rose
2006 final AP/coaches' ranking: 4/4
Coach: Pete Carroll (65-12, 6 years)
Offensive coordinator: Steve Sarkisian (1st year, 6th at school)
Defensive coordinator: Nick Holt (2nd year, 5th at school)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 10
Location: Los Angeles
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (grass, 92,000)
Last league title: 2006
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: What’s not to like? Senior quarterback John David Booty, who bided his time as Matt Leinart’s understudy, was efficient in his first season as starter. He will only improve. The offensive line returns three starters, led by All-American left tackle Sam Baker. The USC tailback tradition appears in good hands (feet?) with ridiculous depth, including senior Chauncey Washington, last season’s leading rusher, and sophomore C.J. Gable. Don’t be surprised if versatile true freshman Joe McKnight — yes, there will be voluminous Reggie Bush comparisons — plays a key role in the backfield. Potential concern: The receivers are young. Junior Patrick Turner and sophomore Vidal Hazelton, once big-time recruits, will be asked to step up, following the loss of stalwarts Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. But with Booty’s experience, a deep running game and protective blocking, their on-the-job training could be seamless.

Defensive: On paper, this could be one of the best college defenses we’ve seen this decade. How often do you see 12 returning starters on one unit? OK, we’re having some fun with numbers. One of them is junior safety Josh Pinkard, a 2005 starter who missed most of last season with a knee injury. By season’s end, it’s possible for USC to have an unthinkable FIVE first-team All-Americans on defense – senior outside linebacker Keith Rivers, junior middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, senior defensive end Lawrence Jackson, senior nose tackle Sedrick Ellis and sophomore free safety Taylor Mays. Junior Brian Cushing moves from defensive end to linebacker, beefing up an already formidable unit.

Specialists: The offseason death of exceptional place-kicker Mario Danelo leaves the job for junior David Buehler, who has kicked one career field goal. Gable and possibly McKnight will handle return duties.

Coaching: Why would Pete Carroll even think about returning to the NFL? After starting off his Trojan career 2-5, he has gone a mind-boggling 63-7 in six seasons, which includes a with a share of two national titles (and a third that was stolen away by Vince Young incomparable night at the Rose Bowl). Carroll has kept the Trojan machine cranking, whether it’s in recruiting and retooling his coaching staff (Steve Sarkisian takes over as offensive coordinator following Lane Kiffin’s shift to the NFL’s Oakland Raiders).

Game of the year Dec. 1, vs. UCLA Last season’s 13-9 loss to the Bruins cost USC a shot at the national title. As heavy favorites, the Trojans have shredded most foes. Payback? Oh, my. What will that be like?

Heisman Hopefuls: If the Trojans meet expectations — going 12-0 and playing for the national title — Booty could become the third different USC quarterback in the past six seasons to claim the Heisman.

Overview: The Trojans appear to have it all. There will be some contrarians around the nation, but it’s difficult to see any other team than USC at the top position as we enter the season. Sure, there are some dicey road games (Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, California, Arizona State) — including four in a six-week stretch during the season’s second half — but USC won’t flinch. The Trojans are No. 1 until proven otherwise and we’d be shocked if they weren’t in New Orleans on Jan. 7.

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