CBS Sports' Jerry Palm predicts an LSU-USC national championship game and has USC no. 2 in his preseason college football rankings.
Palm lauds the Trojans top 22 but is worried that their lack of depth at key spots could be their undoing if injuries were to mount up. It's amazing enough that the Trojans are even in the discussion for a national title with only 75 scholarships instead of 85 due to NCAA sanctions.
Palm is aware that having Heisman favorite Matt Barkley return for his senior season is a major reason that the Trojans are ranked this high. 3,528 yards with 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions will make people fawn over you just a little bit.
Palm lists sophomore linebacker Lamar Dawson as the Trojans potential breakout star and freshman Nelson Agholor as the newcomer to watch.
"Right now, we kind of feel like we're in a perfect storm with so many good things going," coach Lane Kiffin said at Pac-12 media day.
Just steer clear of any signs of rain.
For more on the Trojans, check out Conquest Chronicles.