College Football: 10 schools likely to bounce back in 2022

1. USC Trojans

2021 Record: (4-7, 3-5)

Key Departures: Drake London (wide receiver), K.D. Ingram (wide receiver), Keontay Ingram (running back), Jaxon Dart (quarterback)

Returning Starters: Tahj Washington (wide receiver), Korey Forman (defensive end), Tuli Tuipulotu (defensive end), Xavion Alford (cornerback)

Key Newcomers: Caleb Williams (transfer, quarterback), Travis Dye (transfer, running back), Mekhi Blackmon (transfer, cornerback), Shane Lee (transfer, linebacker)

Why the Trojans bounce back: There are several reasons the Trojans bounce back this season. First, the Pac-12 South is not especially strong. Utah found its quarterback in Cameron Rising but lose a ton on defense and running back TJ Pledger. The rest of the division isn’t strong. Arizona State is a mess.

Arizona is building but is still at least a year away from making any noise. UCLA won the Victory Bell last season, but the Trojans caught up with the Bruins this offseason via the transfer portal.

Second, head coach Lincoln Riley, one of college football’s elite, has put together quite the roster this offseason. Caleb and Mario Williams followed Riley from Oklahoma, and Brenden Rice (from Colorado) is one of the better young receivers in the conference.

Defensive end Korey Foreman should be healthy at defensive end after nursing a groin most of last season. Last season’s leading pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu is on the opposite end from Foreman. Shane Lee and Mekhi Blackmon also join the defense via the transfer portal.

The defense might not matter, however. USC might outscore everyone, and no one has enough offense to outscore the Trojans, especially with Foreman getting healthy and what the Trojans brought to Los Angeles via the portal.

USC likely won’t contend for the College Football Playoff, but they should be in the hunt for the Pac-12 South.