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COPYRIGHT 2005 Century Publishing
IT WOULD BE THE EASIEST THING in the world to put Southern California atop FOOTBALL DIGEST'S 2005 preseason rankings. Well, guess what? We're taking the easy way out.
The Trojans will go after their third straight Associated Press national championship this year, and again they are loaded. No team has ever won the AP title three straight seasons.
We're basing the championship race on that poll mainly because the BCS generally has proven to be a joke. How can we take that jumbled conglomerate seriously when it often can't even get the correct two teams matched up in its title game, which this year will be the Rose Bowl?
Regardless of which poll you select, we're expecting USC to make a short trip to Pasadena for its postseason appearance. And we're predicting the Trojans will make history with their third national crown in a row.
1. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Coach Pete Canoll lost such high NFL draft picks as Mike Patterson, Shaun Cody, Lofa Tatupu, and, in a way, Mike Williams. He also saw the mastermind of the offense, Norm Chow, leave to become the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator; Chow's work with Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, both Heisman Trophy winners, can't be ignored.
Still, the Trojans have more than enough on both sides of the ball to secure another unbeaten season. Leinart could become only the second player with two Heismans, and his supporting cast is magnificent: running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White, wide receivers Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, and a solid line. Leinart probably would have been the top overall pick in last April's NFL draft, and he figures to toy with most defenses. Of course, if he had to face the USC defense, well ...
The Trojans lost four key players from that unit, yet will have a fast and physical group led by safety Darnell Bing and linebacker Dallas Sartz. One enemy Carroll must be on the lookout for: complacency.
2. OHIO STATE
Things should be very lively at the Old Horseshoe in Columbus. With Ted Ginn Jr., perhaps the most exciting player in the nation, doing just about everything on offense and kick return teams, the Buckeyes have a sophomore centerpiece. He'll combine with Santonio Holmes to form a top receiving duo that QB Troy Smith, a great athlete himself, should find often. When Ginn and Holmes...
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