USC Trojans Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

USC Trojans Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 8-5 PAC 12 Record: 5-4 (T-3rd) 2011 Returning Starters: 12; 6 offense, 6 defense

Offensive Coordinators: Lane Kiffin Defensive Coordinators: Monte Kiffin

2011 USC Players to Watch: QB Matt Barkley, RB Marc Tyler, WR Robert Woods, LT Matt Kalil, DE Nick Perry, DT Armond Armstead, LB Devon Kennard, FS TJ. McDonald

2011 USC Strengths:
USC should be able to score points freely with so many talented skill players. Barkley-to-Woods will be the Trojans’ calling card all season. The defense looked sharper in spring practice, especially on the line, with Perry primed for an impact season.

2011 USC Weaknesses:
Look at the depth chart and notice an offensive line hampered by Pete Carroll’s failure to recruit the position adequately in his final two seasons. If there are injuries along the line, USC will really be in trouble. Linebacker remains a sore spot for the second year in a row unless Kennard is comfortable in the middle.

2011 USC Offense:

Lane Kiffin’s specialty is offense, and in his second season as head coach, he will try to return the Trojans to the good, old, high-scoring days. Any team located just a couple of deep post patterns from Hollywood needs star power, and the Trojans will have their share. Quarterback Matt Barkley, who improved dramatically as a sophomore, will attempt to raise the bar again, with the help of what could be his most skilled set of wide receivers yet. Robert Woods, the 2010 Pac-10 Offensive Freshman of the Year, becomes his new go-to guy. The other receiver position is wide open, but look for freshman George Farmer a bigger, faster Woods clone from the same high school to get an early shot at the job. Redshirt freshman Kyle Prater also should be a major contributor, if he’s healthy. USC is no longer Tailback U, but that doesn’t mean it lacks gifted runners. Senior Mark Tyler should get the majority of the carries, although shifty sophomore Dillon Baxter and swift redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan will both get their opportunities. Fullback is a mystery, with true freshman Soma Vainuku the only non-walk-on listed on the roster. The real key is an offensive line that has been badly depleted. Among the returning linemen, only left tackle Matt Kalil and center Khaled Holmes were starters a year ago. A talented but raw group of kids will have to figure it out quickly, or it will be a problem.

2011 USC Defense:

This is the unit that has everyone worried. A year ago, the defense gave up 400.1 yards per game, the most in recent school history. It certainly didn’t resemble any of the famous defenses previously directed by coordinator Monte Kiffin, Lane’s 71-year-old father who was a legendary NFL assistant. If there is a strength to this unit, it is up front, where there is a talented core of experienced players led by end Nick Perry. The linebacking was something less than credible a year ago, and if such players as Chris Galippo and Devon Kennard don’t take it up a notch, watch out for freshman Lamar Dawson. The secondary is led by All-Pac-12 candidate T.J. McDonald at free safety, pesky cornerback Nickell Robey and spring star Tony Burnett, a former walk-on who looks like the other starter at corner.

2011 USC Special Teams:

Inexperience is everywhere as two freshmen handle punting and kicking duties. Placekicker Andre Heidari enrolled in the spring semester, but was inconsistent. Punter Kris Albarado averaged 45.3 yards per attempt in high school. Barkley will be the holder this season, which means the Trojans might try even more two-point conversions.

2011 USC Football Schedule | USC Football Sportsbooks

2011 USC Predictions:

By the old Pete Carroll glory day standards, USC has been in something of a slump for the past two seasons, Carroll’s last and Kiffin’s first. The surprising record over that span is an undistinguished 17–9. For Kiffin to get the Trojans’ mojo back, he will need his questionable offensive line to mesh early and provide the strong-armed Barkley with the kind of protection he needs. If that happens, the Trojans featuring Tyler, Morgan, Woods and Farmer could score plenty of points. Defensively, though, there has to be a major improvement, especially with the schedule calling for road trips to Oregon and Notre Dame. At least the first-year Pac-12 schedule allows Kiffin to play five conference home games and seven overall. The problem is, in order to return to 10 victories, he might have to win all of them.

2011 USC Betting Odds:

USC Current odds to win a National Championship: +5000

Will USC go to a Bowl Game this season or will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy USC Football Betting at our feature sportsbooks. College Football Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of loot placing informed, smart Utah bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.

NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.

Bet on USC

If you are looking for the best Online Sportsbook to bet on the USC this season, then BetOnline.com with their Better Bonus Guarantee, is the place for you. BetOnline.com has NCAA Football Betting Lines and Odds, along with a tons of futures on the 2011 Season, so get your college football bets in early while the lines are hot!