College Football Futures: The Lane Kiffin experiment is now mercifully over as he proved unable to meet the challenge of successfully leading USC through a transitional period of NCAA probation in which scholarships were reduced and his roster lacked depth. Beyond that however Kiffin lacked imagination on offense and the ability to make football fun. Steve Sarkisian used to serve as an assistant at USC with Kiffin in the Pete Carroll glory years and has returned after a solid but unspectacular run as head coach at Washington. With 14 starters back Sarkisian has a solid shot at a good season but depth remains a concern. USC opened at 25/1 to win the BCS national championship and was at 5/1 to win the Pac 12 Conference championship. The Trojans opened with an over under win total of 8.5.
Reason for Hope
Junior QB Cody Kessler leads an offense that has a total of 7 starters returning while the defense returns a total of 7 starters as well. The Trojans season could very well come down to their November 22 game at arch rival UCLA in what could be a matchup for the Pac 12 South Division title.
Handicapper’s Notes
USC has covered just 3 out of their last 13 away games against the spread with 9 out of their last 15 away games going over the total. The Trojans have covered the spread in just 4 out of their last 9 home games with just 3 out of their last 16 home games going over the total. USC has come away with the money in 11 out of their last 20 games as a dog with 4 out of their last 5 games as a dog going under the total. The Trojans have covered the spread in just 8 out of their last 20 games as a favorite with 6 out of their last 10 games as a chalk going under the total.
Our Prognosis
Sarkisian took over a Washington program that was winless the season before he arrived and was able to build it into a consistent bowl team although unable to contend with Oregon and Stanford in the Pac 12 North. The NCAA sanctions finally ended for USC over the past off season but it will take years to fully staff up the roster. It should be another good but not great year for the Men of Troy.
