AAA's 10* *Arkansas State/USC* BLOCKBUSTER!
(NCAAF) Arkansas State vs. Southern Cal, 09/05/2015 7:00 PM, Score: 6 - 55
Point Spread: -28.00 | -115.00 Southern Cal (Home)
Result: Win
This is a 10* BLOCKBUSTER on USC.

14 starters return from last season's 9-4 team for USC, the unit would average 35.8 PPG in 2014. No big surprise, the Trojan's offensive unit will once again be the team's main strength this year. If the defense can catch up to the offense, then USC has the potential to make some noise in 2015/16.

The Trojans:

USC's dynamic offense is led by QB Cody Kessler, who benefits greatly in being surrounded by one of the Pac-12's top offensive lines and receiving units. Kessler was brilliant last year, he'd complete 69.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 39 TD's and only five INT's. Kessler's main weapons this year will be Nelson Agholor, along with JuJu Smith and Steven Mitchell. Javorious Allen is gone from RB, but Justin Davis is expected to step in without a hitch. And as mentioned off the top, the offensive line is one of the best in the nation, led by Max Turek at center, it's a relentless and physical group. The defense will be out to fill the big void left by All-American Leonard Williams, he was possibly the best defensive end in the country. That said however, the defensive unit has plenty of talent, keep your eyes on Su'a Cravens, who led the Trojans in INT's and tackles for a loss last year. The rest of the unit benefits from experienced players at all key positions.

The Red Wolves:

Under rookie head coach Blake Anderson, Arkansas State would go 7-6 last year. The Red Wolves have finished with a winning record in four straight seasons and each has ended with a game in the GoDaddy Bowl. Anderson is hoping to take the team to the next level in 2015/16 though and has to be feeling optimistic with nine starters returning on offense, including senior QB Fredi Knighten, who completed 62 percent of his pass and accounted for 4,000 plus yards of offensive production. The RB's will battle it out for the No. 1 spot, but the receiving corp is where the unit's strength truly lies, it returns six starters, led by Tres Houston, Dijon Paschal and JD McKissic. The main weakness on the offensive side of the ball is the line, it struggled to move the ball effectively in short-yardage situations last year. Arkansas State also struggled defensively in the second half last year, opponents would score 28 rushing TD's over the final seven games, while averaging 283 rushing yards during that span. The Red Wolves are hoping transfers Waylon Roberson, Robert Mondie and Jake Swalley will help the unit turn the corner this year though. The secondary returns two safeties, but that group did suffer significant losses from last year to this.

The bottom line:

The Trojans will clearly not have any issues putting points on the board, the team will however only go so far as its defense can take it this season. So here's the perfect opponent to work out some of the kinks against! We're expecting the home side to come out throwing and look for its determined defensive unit to try and make a statement as well, all the ingredients are indeed in place for a massive lop-sided rout. Play on USC.

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