The USC Trojans made the Cotton Bowl last season, but the defense gave the game away. Alex Grinch was retained, and the Trojans brought in a ton of talent on both sides of the ball.
Bear Alexander and Mason Cobb are a couple of the big defensive additions in the portal, and Caleb Williams and Dorian Singer look like a talented QB-WR duo once again.
However, the defense is going to make or break the Trojans’ season, as Brad Crawford of 247Sports mentioned.
“It’s become an Achilles’ Heel for Lincoln Riley against quality competition over the years,” Crawford wrote. “Will his defense ever play with enough tenacity and poise to get over the hump? At USC, you’re judged by conference championships and being in the national title conversation and Riley’s first year passed the eye test in that regard. However, the Trojans failed to show in the league title game against Utah after getting pulverized at the point of attack, then failed to finish on defense with a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl. If defensive struggles are the reason the Trojans fail to reach the final four this season, Riley may have to finally unhitch his wagon to Alex Grinch.”
If the defense can improve even a little bit this upcoming season, the Trojans can make a run at the College Football Playoff.
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