The USC Trojans (8-6) endured a 2015 regular season filled with trials and tribulations, but they've got a Pac-12 South championship to lean back on as they head into their first offseason under new permanent head coach Clay Helton. With a critical eight months ahead until the start of the 2016 regular season, we're here to put together an early preview with our
Chat Sports (#19)
"The Trojans will miss QB Cody Kessler, but the surrounding talent should help compensate. Having stability with the coaching staff will help." -- Mike Spencer
USA Today (#25)
"The talent is there, as always, even if USC must settle on a starting quarterback to replace Cody Kessler. The issue is the schedule, which includes games against Alabama, Stanford, Utah, Oregon, Washington, UCLA and Notre Dame. Eight wins would merit a national ranking, but anything less than a solid weekly effort could spell trouble for the Trojans." -- Paul Myerberg
ESPN (#15)
"The Trojans dropped their final two games after Clay Helton was named permanent coach, but they might be positioned to win the Pac-12 South. USC will have a new starting quarterback; rising junior Max Browne and sophomore Sam Darnold will battle to replace three-year starter Cody Kessler. Whoever wins the job will have plenty of talented skill players to help, as well as every offensive linemen who started in the second half of '15. There are heavy personnel losses on defense, but linebacker Cameron Smith returns from a knee injury after leading USC in tackles as a freshman." -- Mark Schlabach
CBS Sports (#21)
"Clay Helton starts his first full season as head coach. There's enough talent -- as there always is in Troy -- to make a championship run. The question is activating that talent. New quarterback Max Browne will have JuJu Smith-Schuster to throw to. The season starts in Arlington, Texas, against Alabama so -- you know -- watch out." -- Dennis Dodd
FOX Sports (#17)
" Will this be the year the Trojans finally play to their potential? Coach Clay Helton and likely new QB Max Browne will enjoy a veteran O-line and skill talent like WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, two-way star Adoree’ Jackson and RB Ronald Jones. Former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast returns to help rebuild a depleted defensive line. " -- Stewart Mandel
Bleacher Report (#20)
(No reasoning given.)