Once again, the USC Trojans are ranked high in the college football polls. Southern Cal is currently ranked No. 2 and oddsmakers have established them as 7/2 favorites to win the 2009 BCS National Championship.
USC offers one of the best linebacker corps in the nation, led by Brian Cushing and Rey Manualuga. It’s one of the main reasons why the Trojans should have yet another dominant defense in 2008/09, although there are some concerns as to who will fill the void created at defensive tackle when Sedrick Ellis was selected in this year’s NFL Draft. The offense has some question marks now that quarterback Mark Sanchez was injured in a preseason practice, but skill position players Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable are some of the most talked about prospects in the country.
USC is one of the heavy favorites at all of the major online sports books. Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog and Sportsbook.com have established the Trojans’ odds of winning the 2009 BCS Championship at 7/2, while SBG Global has set USC’s odds at 3/1.
While the injury to Sanchez is a concern, Pete Carroll’s group is nevertheless primed to make a run at the national championship. The offense has a ton of explosive talent and the defense will once again be stout. Plus, outside of Arizona State, there isn’t a ton of stiff competition in the Pac-10 Conference, although Stanford did pull off one of the biggest upsets in college football history when they knocked off the Trojans last year. If Carroll can keep his team focused for an entire season, there’s no reason to think USC won’t compete for a national title in 2009.
USC Trojans 2009 BCS National Championship Odds to win
Bodog: 7/2
Sportsbook.com: 7/2
SBG Global: 3/1
USC Trojans Pac 10 Conference Odds to win
Bodog: 2/7
Sportsbook.com: 2/7
SBG Global: 2/7
USC Trojans 2008 Season Win Over/Under Totals
USC Trojans Over 10.5 Wins (-120)
USC Trojans Under 10.5 Wins (-110)