2013 Record: 10-4

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.5

2014 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: XXX

Odds courtesy of 5Dimes.

The Trojans have floundered and been a massive disappointment in the post-Pete Carroll Era. But the return of one of his top former assistants, former Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, has injected life back into this program. It's not like USC has slipped into the depths. But last year's 10-4 mark only came after a midseason coaching change and plenty of drama.

Talent is rarely the issue at USC. And this year is no exception. They have 14 starters back, seven on each side of the ball, and there are future pros all over the roster. The Trojans need more improvement from quarterback Cody Kessler, who was a pleasant surprise last year. They have their top rusher and receiver back, along with seven of their top 10 tacklers. Scholarship restrictions have been loosened so there will be even more able bodies on the roster this year.

USC does have a daunting schedule, however. They have to travel to Stanford in Week 2 and face a revenge-minded Cardinal squad. The week after the Trojans have to fly across the country in an obvious letdown spot to play Boston College. USC does avoid Oregon (and Washington) from the North. But they have to play UCLA and sneaky Arizona on the road this year.

I think that 8.5 seems low for a team with so much stability at the skill positions. Yes, the Trojans will be learning all new systems under Sarkisian. But his learning curve should be curbed because A) he is so familiar with the USC program and B) he is so familiar with his Pac-12 opponents. I expect him to hit the ground running.

I like USC to go 'over' an 8.5 win total. Even if they lost to Stanford and UCLA - and I think they could win either of those contests - then that would still give us a one-game upset cushion somewhere else on the schedule (Arizona, Notre Dame, etc.). I think that this is a 10-win team and I think they'll be a major factor in the Pac-12 race.

2014 USC Trojans Schedule

DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result

Sat, Aug 30th, 2014 Fresno State 07:30 PM Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Sat, Sep 6th, 2014 at Stanford 03:30 PM Stanford Stadium

Sat, Sep 13th, 2014 at Boston College 08:00 PM Alumni Stadium

Sat, Sep 27th, 2014 Oregon State TBA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Sat, Oct 4th, 2014 Arizona State TBA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Sat, Oct 11th, 2014 at Arizona TBA Arizona Stadium

Sat, Oct 18th, 2014 Colorado TBA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Sat, Oct 25th, 2014 at Utah TBA Rice-Eccles Stadium

Sat, Nov 1st, 2014 at Washington St TBA Martin Stadium

Thu, Nov 13th, 2014 California 09:00 PM Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Sat, Nov 22nd, 2014 at UCLA TBA Rose Bowl

Sat, Nov 29th, 2014 Notre Dame TBA Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

All Times EST

Robert Ferringo was the top football handicapper in the country last year, earning nearly $8,000 in total football profit in 2013-14 and posting one of the best seasons in America. He hit 62.1 percent for the entire NFL season (95-58) and was amazing down the stretch, closing with 11 of 14 winning NFL weeks and 12 of 15 overall winning football weeks. Robert has posted 3 of 4 winning football seasons, 6 of 7 winning NFL seasons, 30 of 44 winning football months, and 6 of 7 winning NFL preseasons. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System posted another winning season (now 2-for-2) and is 83-58 over the last two years (58.9 percent).

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