Pac-12: USC’s Cody Kessler says Trojans are ready for great expectations

USC’s recent history of handling lofty expectations is not good.

In 2012, the Trojans were ranked No. 1 nationally and were picked to win the Pac-12 Conference. USC finished 7-6, losing to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

Senior quarterback Cody Kessler was a redshirt freshman in 2012.

“That year, I felt like they enjoyed that more than they should’ve,” Kessler said Friday at Pac-12 media day, “and that’s something we can’t do.”

USC is ranked 10th in the national coaches poll and once again was picked to win the Pac-12 Conference in a media poll.

After working their way through NCAA sanctions and coaching changes, Kessler indicated that the Trojans are prepared to avoid a repeat of 2012.

“We’re better suited to handle anything just because of what we’ve gone through,” he said.

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