USC Trojans
2001 record: 6-6 (5-3)
Coach: Pete Carroll (2nd season, 6-6)
Starters returning: 8 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist

Outlook: Las Vegas has ruined high expectations for many, and USC is no exception.

USC closed last season with four consecutive Pac-10 victories, including a 27-0 thumping of cross-town rival UCLA. Then, in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Trojans rolled snake eyes, managing just one net yard rushing while being physically dominated by Utah.

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	USC Trojans
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USC returns solid talent on both sides of the ball, yet a questionable offensive line that produced the school's worst ground attack since 1948 is engendering suspicions that the annual scuttlebutt concerning the Trojans' return to the national scene is just empty hype once again.

That beleaguered line should be better. Not only are four starters back, but coach Pete Carroll brought in Tim Davis from Wisconsin to oversee their development.

The skill positions are solid. Senior quarterback Carson Palmer returns for what feels like his 13th season with a year of tutelage from offensive coordinator Norm Chow under his belt. He completed 59 percent of his passes last season but still throws too many picks (12). The receiving corps, topped by Kareem Kelly, is talented but inconsistent.

Whether tailback Sultan McCullough is completely healthy may not be so important because Michigan transfer Justin Fargas looked great during spring practices.

Five starters return from the conference's top scoring defense (17.9 points per game), including All-American strong safety Troy Polamalu. Sophomore defensive linemen Kenechi Udeze and Shaun Cody are budding stars. Both cornerbacks, however, must be replaced.

The schedule is brutal, perhaps the nation's toughest. The non-conference slate features Auburn and Notre Dame as well as visits to Colorado and Kansas State. The Trojans also will be on the road against Washington State, Oregon, Stanford and UCLA.

Key game: There are few gimmes on this schedule. But a victory at Washington State on Oct. 5 would announce the Trojans return to the national fray.

Keep an eye on: Fargas ran for 250 yards in USC's final two spring scrimmages. With an improved offensive line, he and McCullough could turn around an anemic ground attack.

It's a good year if . . . Eight wins would be a major accomplishment, worthy of a national ranking and a significant bowl berth.

Ted Miller covers the Pac-10 for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.