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Pac 12 Football: Preseason 2016 Conference Power Rankings

By Ryan Young

Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores a 28 yard reception and touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the fourth quarter of the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi
Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) scores a 28 yard reception and touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the fourth quarter of the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi /
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Nov 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Adoree Jackson (2) carries the ball on a 42-yard reception against the Arizona Wildcats at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Adoree Jackson (2) carries the ball on a 42-yard reception against the Arizona Wildcats at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
  • Last Season Record: 8-6 Overall, 6-3 Pac-12
  • Season Opener: Alabama (in Dallas) | Sept. 3
  • Key Games: Alabama, at Cal, Notre Dame

Last season was a real crapshoot for USC.

After starting out 3-3 the Trojans lost head coach Steve Sarkisian, who was asked to resign after issues with alcohol, painkillers and more had arisen.

USC Trojans
USC Trojans /

USC Trojans

With Clay Helton stepping in as interim coach, many thought that USC would continue to fall apart. Yet Helton finished the regular season winning five out of six games, and earned a spot in the Pac-12 title game.

And while they lost in the title game to Stanford, this makes me believe that the Trojans are capable of another big season — no matter what problems arise.

While the Trojans have a first-year quarterback in Max Browne, they do have one of the nations top receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster. Last season, Smith-Schuster had 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns. They also have a strong backfield with Ronald Jones II and Justin Davis returning, who combined for nearly 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.

So while things will undoubtedly get tough for the Trojans this season, they’ve proven that they can fight through adversity and still come out on top. I’d bet they do just that again this year.

Next: Number 4

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