A better team overall but little difference in the record.
Defensive will be surprisingly decent. They have quietly recruited well on the line with some nice young talent that has the size to add quality depth. Secondary looks good too. And linebackers, while a thin group, will be better.
The Offense will be the downfall this year. zero ready to play depth on the offensive line. Terrible recruiting by Riley. In year 3, the line shouldn’t be this thin. This will expose our decent but not great QBs and RBs. Receivers, while young, are almost freakishly talented. I just don’t see consistent enough line play to make this offense anything more than average.
Best to hope for is a fast start against LSU and see if they can start the first month 3-1 before depth gets exposed. The team doesn’t have the depth and top-tier talent overall to win a lot of games with this schedule.
Prediction is 7-5 at best, 5-7 at worst.
Riley won’t be fired but how will a season of close losses affect recruiting? Hard to see how SC catches up with Michigan and Ohio St. anytime soon.
Who are the 5 schools you see USC losing to?
Nice assessment. I agree with most of it but I think our D will be good and our Oline will be much improved which will make our QB, RB even better. Our great WR group will help a lot. I am encouraged by our bowl performance. This post was approved by the office of El Doctor. Right SC?
I'm predicting 9-3 or 10-2. Having the defense from the Holiday Bowl would have won at least two more games last year which was a tough sled in its own right. Moss playing within the system will mean more consistent (but less explosive) play and our OL will be much improved due to continuity and fewer audibles. Team chemistry was off last year and already that seems to have been addressed.
That having been said there are no gimmes and every game will have to be taken seriously. The new defensive staff has a very stout feel to it and will challenge the offense to match their intensity. CLR's more recent interviews already feel different with more straight shooting and a more relaxed yet focused demeanor.
9-3 but I’m an optimist
I have no idea and less expectations. Beat UCLA and give the domers a battle makes my year. If we see improvement during the season, we may at last have a staff instead of wife best friend flopper. OOOORRRRAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!
7-5 or 6-6. Entz is the wild card. If Riley stays away and let's him manage practices, game planning, travel and prep and clock management, I could see 8-4 or 9-3. Plenty of talent vs almost every team in the schedule.
Been at 7 and 5 for a while now. Very difficult season to predict. Really tough schedule with all kinds of new travel. CLR keeps everything so secretive. Zero hype around the program.
Only thing of interest is to see the new defense and who can stay healthy.
going to need to print out a roster for the first came to see who the hell some of these guys are. sc
Agree, 7-5 is a good number. Look for UCLA to win 5 games, and 2 of those wins will be shockers.
BLAH.......BLAH.........BLAH......