As USC opens camp, the questions are on the field, for now
At USC, a boring fall camp is a luxury, and a rarity.
Last season, the Trojans were rocked by Coach Steve Sarkisian’s erratic behavior, which eventually led to his firing. Two seasons ago, it was a defensive back’s story of heroism that turned out to be a fabrication.
Now, USC has turned to Clay Helton, who will begin his first camp as head coach Thursday. Can he make USC boring again off the field?
There remains enough football-related intrigue. The Trojans were picked in a media poll to finish second in the Pac-12 Conference South, behind UCLA, partially because of a bruising schedule.
USC hasn’t won a conference title since 2008. The Trojans have the potential to win it this season, but only after addressing lingering questions.
First, Helton must choose between passers to replace Cody Kessler, the most efficient quarterback in the history of the program. There are also issues along the defensive line, budding stars on both sides of the ball, and that schedule that could either batter the Trojans or propel them into the national playoff picture.
Here are some of the story lines that will determine the season’s trajectory:
Quarterback battle heats up
Sam Darnold, the redshirt freshman challenger, did more than just push Max Browne to compete harder in spring practice. He assembled a case for the starting job.
Browne, a redshirt junior, has the edge for now, Helton has said. But at Pac-12 Media Days, the coach also said the separation “was not great.”
Browne orchestrated the team’s summer player practices. He has also mastered the playbook and owns a strong arm. Darnold offers more mobility to complement his pocket passing. The starter is expected to be announced about two weeks before the Sept. 3 opener against Alabama.
“It’ll be sufficient enough a time to name a quarterback,” Helton said. “Our team will need it.”
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Holding the line could be a problem
Helton’s biggest worry is the defensive line, and for good reason. USC lost six starters of last season’s front seven. The pain is most acute up front, where the expected anchor, Kenny Bigelow Jr., injured his right knee in March.
USC could start three sophomores — Rasheem Green, Noah Jefferson and Malik Dorton. Together, they have a combined one start, though graduate transfer Stevie Tu’ikolovatu of Utah could also play a role.
“It doesn’t mean that they’re not talented,” Helton said. “They’re just inexperienced.”
USC will provide reinforcements by often stacking the box. It’s a luxury afforded by its talented defensive backfield, where Adoree’ Jackson and Iman Marshall are capable of playing single coverage.
But that’s an improvised repair. It might be difficult to disguise any weakness against run-happy Alabama and Stanford in the first three weeks.
Muscling up on offense
During each practice, USC runs the same drill time and again: The offense runs plays but isn’t allowed to pass. The defense knows this, but the offense has to gain ground anyway.
The drill simulates what it might be like protecting a late lead. It’s also designed to instill a sense of confidence. This season, USC has the muscle to move even if the defense knows what’s coming.
When Damien Mama, Viane Talamaivao and Toa Lobendahn were freshmen, USC’s offensive line was a lot like its defensive line this year.
Two years of experience should pay big dividends.
Neil Callaway, USC’s fifth offensive line coach in five seasons, presides over a group with 131 career starts.
Mama, Chad Wheeler and Zach Banner were All-Pac-12 selections. Banner will be an All-American candidate this season. The only loss, center Max Tuerk, is a significant one, but his injury last season prepared USC for his departure.
Tough road ahead
Games against Alabama and Notre Dame bookend the regular season, and there aren’t many lulls.
The Trojans play UCLA at the Rose Bowl. They draw the expected top three teams in the Pac-12 North — Stanford, Oregon and Washington. The one supposed cupcake, Utah State, is a dangerous team sandwiched between two difficult games.
Many pundits rate USC’s as the most difficult schedule in the nation. By 2015 win-loss record, USC’s is the fifth-toughest.
Trojans are skilled
USC’s top two running backs, Justin Davis and Ronald Jones, combined for 1,951 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns and is again an All-American candidate. Darreus Rogers and Steven Mitchell Jr. round out a stacked wideout corps, which adds four strong recruits.
The receivers are solid enough to allow Jackson to focus mainly on cornerback and punt returning, where he is explosive, though he will contribute on offense occasionally.
Depth charges
USC is creeping closer to the maximum 85 scholarships, so depth isn’t a problem. But effects from NCAA sanctions linger:
Nearly two-thirds of scholarship players are freshmen or sophomores, but the junior and senior classes remain light. That creates problems like those seen on the defensive line, where there is talent but not much experience.
zach.helfand@latimes.com
Twitter:@zhelfand
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