The USC Trojans went into last season as the number one team in the country and while it appeared they had the talent in 2012, things never came together and the team ended up finishing just 7-6 and now the school enters the season with high expectations despite losing quarterback Matt Barkley to the NFL.
The Trojans will have a new quarterback, with both Max Wittek and Cody Kessler getting time with the first team, but one thing that will remain the same is wideout Marqise Lee, who is coming off one of the best seasons in history after making 118 catches for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns last year and the team will be relying on him again this year, especially Lane Kiffin, as his job could be on the line if they lose.
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Lee has Pac-12 records to his name and some see him as a sleeper pick for the Heisman this season and the Trojans will be looking to bounce back after losing in the Sun Bowl 21-7 against Georgia Tech and everyone wants to get the sour taste out after last season. Kiffin's team lost five of their last six and just looked bad at times after Matt Barkley was injured and now the team will get the chance to try for a national championship again, this time as the 24th ranked team in the nation instead of the first.
Robert Woods and Barkley are now in the NFL and Lee and Wittek will be looked at as the new stars for the Trojans and despite not looking so great last season, Kiffin is excited about Wittek. The team plays Washington State next on Fox Sports before playing Boston College and the next two games will be against Utah State and Arizona State. The Arizona Wildcats are next and then the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are waiting in what is always an anticipated game.
USC has tough games heading down the stretch with road contests against the Irish, Oregon State, Cal as well as California and tough home games against number four Stanford and number 21 UCLA.
