USC Football: Clay Helton facing make-or-break 2019 season

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish grabs the helmet of Cameron Smith #35 of the USC Trojans as he runs after a catch during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Defense needs to take step forward

Last season, the defense was average, not great, finishing No. 64 overall in scoring defense allowing 27.0 points per game.

On defense the Trojans return 12 starters.

The four key cogs to this defense returning are defensive end Christian Rector (12 starts), defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu (9 starts), inside linebacker John Houston Jr. (11 starts) and outside linebacker Jordan Iosefa (12 starts).

Christian Rector comes up with the game-changing strip at the goal line for #USC! #TEXvsUSC pic.twitter.com/BkitYNDtI8
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) September 17, 2017

The secondary has plenty of question marks. None of the returning starters recorded an interception in 2018 and the team as a whole only recorded four interceptions on the season.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga (5 starts) and cornerback Greg Johnson (4 starts) are the two most experienced players in the secondary returning.

This defense will need to force turnovers if USC is going to be competitive in 2019.

Last season USC was second last in the nation in turnovers forced with 10 total. Only Oregon State was worse with eight.

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