Team: Southern California

Nickname: Trojans

Conference: Pac-10

Location: Los Angeles

Coach: Pete Carroll (9th year, 88-15)

Last Bowl: 2009 Rose

Last season: 12-1, 8-1

Another year, another 10-plus win season, another Pac-10 title, another BCS game win — it's pretty routine now for the men of Troy. Key starters depart the nation's best defense, and a true freshman (Matt Barkley) will start at QB. Expect an eighth straight conference title and should Barkley live up to his massive hype, maybe a BCS title game.

The season is a success if ... The Trojans win at Ohio State on Sept. 12. Sure, it's just one game, but if the Trojans win, it will put them on the fast track to an unbeaten season. USC has won eight straight nonconference road games at BCS schools. It will be Barkley's first road game.

The season is a failure if ... Some new faces aren't up to the task to replace huge losses in LBs Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Kaluka Maiava. Those three are in the NFL after combining for 218 tackles with 17.5 for losses.

Impact Player: Junior Damian Williams, receiver. He'll be a reliable target for Barkley from the get-go as the Arkansas transfer led the team with 58 catches for 869 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Fun Fact: Considering the large population from which it draws, USC has many famous alumni including astronaut Neil Armstrong, former secretary of state Warren Christopher and numerous Hollywood stars.