GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked USC Trojans have flown under the radar a bit this offseason, but they are ready to prove worthy of consideration as the nation's best team as the 2009 campaign begins this Saturday against the San Jose State Spartans.

Last season, Dick Tomey's San Jose State squad won five of its first seven outings, but things seemed to fall apart en route to a 6-6 finish. Although eligible for the postseason, the Spartans were denied a bowl bid. Many key contributors are back from that team, but the fact that SJSU was picked to finish sixth in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll suggests that expectations are tempered.

"This is the most senior team we've had, these are the guys that I just have such a strong feeling for, I love these guys because I've been with these guys for four years," coach Tomey said at the annual WAC Media Day.

Since 2002, USC has dominated the Pac-10 and last year was no different, as the Trojans once again flexed their muscle against conference foes, posting an 8-1 mark in league play. USC finished with an 11-1 mark and had one of the top defensive units in the nation, but coach Pete Carroll's bunch did not get a shot at a nation title, as they were relegated to the Rose Bowl.

Sure, there were many key losses from the 2008 team, but no one recruits more top-flight talent on a yearly basis than Carroll, so USC is loaded for 2009 once again. The Trojans have won their last 11 season openers and are playing their 92nd consecutive game as a ranked team. They have won all three of their previous meetings with San Jose State.

USC has won its last 11 season openers and captured its last 13 non-conference home games.

San Jose's rushing offense was absolutely miserable in 2008, ranking eighth in the conference and 115th in the nation with an average of just 86.7 ypg. Nevertheless, coach Tomey believes the group of running backs he has for this year should be better. Patrick Perry is back for his sixth and final season with the Spartans, and he will be given the opportunity to start against USC.

Settling in at quarterback again will be Kyle Reed who completed 64 percent of his pass attempts and was intercepted just six times last season despite less than adequate protection. Reed also ran for four touchdowns, as he is capable of making plays with his legs when called upon. Taking care of the action down the field will be wideouts Kevin Jurovich and Jalal Beauchman who have combined for 142 receptions and 11 touchdowns in their careers.

There are five returning starters on the San Jose State offensive line, many of them having started at least two years and broke in as freshmen. The squad allowed more than two-and-a-half sacks a game last year, ranking the group 104th in the nation, but it should have a better outlook in 2009.

"We were not a good offense a year ago by any description, except for the fact that for the third year in a row our offense and defense and special teams worked together," said coach Tomey recently. "We were in the top 20 in the nation in turnover margin and there's only four other teams that have done that."

Coach Tomey has managed to put together one of the better defenses in the WAC the last couple of seasons and in 2008 the squad reached new heights by ranking first in the league in tackles for loss with eight per game, a number that pushed the Spartans to seventh on the national scale as well.

Out on the defensive end is perhaps the most aggressive player on the unit for the Spartans in Carl Ihenacho, a senior who recorded five sacks in the first three games of 2008, three quarterback takedowns versus San Diego State alone, but then suffered some nagging injuries that slowed his production. A Second- Team All-WAC performer, Ihenacho tallied a career-high 64 stops a year ago, including 47 unassisted. Keeping it in the family, safety Duke Ihenacho intercepted five passes last season, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Senior linebacker Travis Jones came up with a team-best 72 tackles a year ago, while Justin Cole showed some flexibility in being named Second Team All-WAC because he can also play defensive end when needed.

Over the past two seasons, USC has averaged over 400 ypg and over 30.0 ppg, and although the team will have a new quarterback under center on Saturday, the Trojans return nine starters on the offensive side of the football, making this squad a very dangerous bunch once again.

"Our goal each year on offense is to create a balanced attack. We not only plan on doing that again in 2009, but we want to continue to expand our offense," said coach Carroll.

For the first time ever, USC will start a season with a true freshman at quarterback. Carroll named blue chip rookie Matt Barkley as the team's signal caller, as he showed enough in camp to outlast both Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain. Barkley has a big arm and plenty of confidence, drawing comparisons to former USC signal-caller Carson Palmer.

Wideout Damian Williams, who led the team last year with 58 receptions and 869 yards, is back in place. Opposite of Williams was supposed to be Ronald Johnson, who grabbed 33 passes for 570 and eight scores a year ago, but he will miss the first six weeks with a broken collarbone. Still, there is plenty of talent in place at receiver.

Also taking pressure off the new quarterback will be the backfield, which showcases three very talented backs, beginning with Stafon Johnson. Johnson only started one game this past season but still led the Trojans with 705 yards and nine rushing TDs. C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight also return to the mix, as the two juniors combined for 1,276 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago.

The offensive success for USC will hinge on the play of the front line, which fortunately for coach Carroll is one of the best in the nation despite a recent injury to All Pac-10 First Team center Kristofer O'Dowd, who will likely miss a few games early on.

"Yes, we lost a lot of outstanding defensive players, but I'm confident we'll have another strong defense, led by the secondary," stated coach Carroll recently. "We'll be very fast up front, where we have a chance to field one of our best pass rushing units in years."

The speed along the front line will likely come from defensive end Everson Griffen, who should easily improve on his 4.5 sacks of a year ago. Nick Perry will play at the other end position and he will also use his speed (4.5 40- yard dash) to get to the quarterback, giving the Trojans to speed ends to cause havoc in the backfield.

The linebacking group took a huge hit in the off-season as Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Kaluka Maiava all moved on to the NFL. There is no question this year's group will be inexperienced, especially with sophomore Chris Galippo leading the way at middle linebacker.

The defensive backfield, which allowed just 134.0 ypg through the air in 2008 and returns two starters, including the team's heart and soul, safety Taylor Mays. Although he could have been a top NFL pick, Mays put the pro game on hold for another run at a national title.

USC is far superior to San Jose State in all aspects. It will be interesting to see who takes the bulk of the snaps for the Trojans in this opener, but all three signal callers are tremendously talented.