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USC Trojans vs Hawaii Warriors Football Preview

The last time USC visited Hawaii; the Trojans used a season-opening romp as a catalyst for an undefeated regular season and a title-deciding Rose Bowl appearance against Texas.

No matter the score of Thursday’s 8 p.m. (PT) game on ESPN, it’s safe to say a similar outcome doesn’t await the Trojans this year.

A postseason ban – one that erased the 2005 game against the Warriors - will keep the Trojans from extending their slate of 13 regular season games. But even with no bowl possibilities, USC will still draw plenty of attention Thursday as a program in flux.

Lane Kiffin’s appointment as the successor to Pete Carroll ensured that the program would be closely followed regardless of its record. After enduring a summer of sanctions, transfers and injuries, Kiffin will get his first test of juggling diminished resources with still-lofty expectations.

Though Kiffin has been careful with his words since returning to Los Angeles, he has not been afraid to apply his own touches to the team. Wide receiver Robert Woods and cornerback Nickell Robey are expected to become the first true freshman to start at their respective positions for the school in the post-World War II era.

Robey is one piece of a secondary that underwent a massive off-season overhaul, though cornerback Shareece Wright returns after missing the entire 2009 regular season due to academic ineligibility.

Kiffin also tabbed running back Marc Tyler to start ahead of Allen Bradford, who was the team’s No. 2 rusher behind Joe McKnight last year.  Devon Kennard won the long-standing competition for starting middle linebacker against the incumbent Chris Galippo.

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For all the new names, the Trojans still have a few faces recognizable to a national audience. Quarterback Matt Barkley and receiver Ronald Johnson will try to establish the rapport that eluded them last season. But Barkley’s play may be dictated by an offensive line facing dwindling depth.

Depth is among Kiffin’s chief concerns, as transfers and injuries have thinned the number of available bodies. Kiffin tossed around the idea of playing some players two-ways, though the concept’s implementation remains to be seen.

USC has never lost to Hawaii, and the Warriors lack a quarterback with the resume of Timmy Chang or Colt Brennan, both of whom fell to the Trojans this past decade. However, Kiffin has praised UH quarterback Bryant Moniz and his ability to get rid of the ball quickly. The Trojans’ defensive line has been the team’s biggest strength since Kiffin took over, though.

Wide receiver Greg Salas could provide a mismatch for the Warriors. The Chino, Calif., native racked up nearly 1,600 yards receiving last year for the nation’s No. 3 passing offense.

By Mike Schwartz
DFN Sports Staff Writer