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USC Football: Four questions USC must answer going into the 2017 season

By Jason Elbaum

Nov 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton enters the field before a NCAA football game against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Clay Helton enters the field before a NCAA football game against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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It is creeping closer and closer to the beloved college football season. Before we get there, what are four questions the USC football program needs to address?

The USC football program is trending in the right direction again as fans are still giddy over their come-from-behind victory against Penn State in the 2017 Rose Bowl. This year’s version of the Trojans will face high expectations with preseason Heisman frontrunner Sam Darnold under center and as talented a defense since Pete Carroll’s “bend but don’t break” units of the mid-2000s.

The Trojans are expected to begin the season ranked in the top five of almost every poll,  but still, face some questions that head coach Clay Helton must address heading into the 2017 season.

1. Will QB Sam Darnold live up to all the hype?

Unlike last season, the Trojans know exactly who their starting quarterback will be when they take the field against Western Michigan on September 2nd. Sam Darnold led the Trojans to nine straight wins to close out last season, including a record-breaking performance in the Rose Bowl.

He might have been the most talked about prospect at the NFL Combine this season, and he wasn’t even in attendance. With the Trojans’ opponents well-aware of Darnold’s arm strength, creativity, and patience in the pocket, it’ll be up to the redshirt sophomore to adjust his game and become a more vocal leader in order for the Trojans to run the table.

2. How do they replace the weapons who left for this year’s NFL Draft?

The Trojans were dealt a blow to this year’s roster when both Juju Smith-Schuster and Adoree Jackson opted to forego their senior seasons and declare for the NFL Draft. Smith-Schuster had been the Trojans leading receiver the past two seasons, while Jackson’s blazing speed will be missed on offense, defense, and special teams.

The thing about USC is that there’s always talent waiting in the wings. Junior Deontay Burnett had a breakout game in the Rose Bowl and has shown great chemistry with Darnold. The Trojans will need Michael Pittman and Jalen Greene to step up and be reliable targets, while tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe will look to improve on a solid season as the starter.

3. Can an inexperienced offensive line avoid injury and protect Sam Darnold?

The offense line loses a few key pieces from last season, namely Zach Banner and Chad Wheeler. The good news is that senior Toa Lobendahn is expected to return from his ACL tear to play center this season.

The rest of the projected starters on the offense line leave a lot to be desired. Junior Viane Talamavaio is set-in-stone at right guard, but the other positions still need to be sorted out. You can expect intense battles in Fall camp for the left guard position, while Clay Helton needs to clarify specific positions for a few other big guys up front.

4. Who will take over for departed senior Michael Hutchings as the leader of the front seven?

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Clancy Pendergast returns to USC as the defensive coordinator after spending the last season with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. The key loss on the defense side of the ball is senior captain and outside linebacker Michael Hutchings, who was second on the team in tackles for loss.

The Trojans have a talented group of returning linebackers led by Cameron Smith and Porter Gustin. Defensive tackle and former 5-star recruit Kenny Bigelow will look to stay healthy, as he has the talent to lead this Trojan defensive line. Someone will have to step up and be the vocal leader of this speedy defense.

It’s another national title or bust season for the Trojans, and with a handful of Pac-12 teams on the rise, the Trojans will need to be sharp from the start of the season if they want to qualify for their first College Football Playoff.

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They definitely have the talent to answer all of these questions, it’s just a matter of whether Clay Helton can get the most out of his players so they can live up to their lofty expectations.

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