By their standards, the Trojans stumbled in conference play in the past two seasons, going 14-4 during that span. Still, USC will be in line for a seventh consecutive league title behind a dominating defense. But Pete Carroll's crews has dreams of winning more than just a Pac-10 Championship. Get inside for an in-depth look at the Trojans, who cap off our preseason countdown. [details]

USC free to gear up for Buckeyes

USC has marched through the South the past five years in a manner even Civil War Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman could admire, with season-opening blowouts at Auburn, Arkansas and Virginia.

The average margin of victory was 35 points, but unlike Sherman's victorious battles, there is not a lot of lasting impact by routing an SEC or ACC team in the first game of the season.

Two years ago, when USC blew out Arkansas, few thought the Trojans would eventually lose to Oregon or UCLA. When the Trojans embarrassed sixth-ranked Auburn, 23-0, in 2003, who predicted that four weeks later USC would lose to California?

Perhaps that is why USC coach Pete Carroll kept things under control Sunday night, especially with second-ranked Ohio State visiting the Coliseum in two weeks.

Pete Carroll turns the focus on youth at USC

Trojans' coach will use this week's open date to take a closer look at freshmen who could play key backup roles as the season wears on....

On defense, Armond Armstead could work into a backup role behind tackle Fili Moala and end Malik Jackson also will play more with the first unit, Carroll said. Both played in the opener against Virginia, Jackson making two tackles, Armstead one.
 

Youth Movement ... The defensive line historically shoulders quite the load at USC, and expectations remain sky-high for the 2009 season.

These expectations, however, seemed uncertain just months ago. The solution to this equation, the arrival of four highly regarded freshmen defensive linemen, who seem on track to occupy the holes left by those before them.

One look at this USC roster and it is easy to see how some players get lost in the shuffle, although freshmen Armond Armstead, Jurrell Casey, Wes Horton and Malik Jackson have discovered a way to stand out in a crowded field.

“Well I think what you hear about these guys is absolutely right,” said defensive coordinator Nick Holt. “These are some really good football players and since day one picked up the defense.”

“They don’t make a lot of mistakes and you can tell they really love football.”

Armstead, a 6’5 290 lbs. defensive tackle, spent the majority of his youth terrorizing opponents on the hardwood.

It wasn’t long before his body had transformed from an undersized interior post player to one of the country’s most sought after prospects on the gridiron. read more