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College Football Rankings 2018: Alabama, Clemson top way-too-early Top 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: USC Trojans inside linebacker Cameron Smith (35) looks into the offensive backfield during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and USC Trojans on October 21, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: USC Trojans inside linebacker Cameron Smith (35) looks into the offensive backfield during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and USC Trojans on October 21, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Few teams lost as much star power, and few programs are as difficult to trust to take care of business as a highly ranked national championship contender. However, the talent at USC is impossible to ignore, and with a Pac-12 South in transition, the Trojans once again the favorites to win the division. As usual, USC should be considered a fringe playoff candidate.

Strengths:

Leading tackler and team captain Cameron Smith headlines what should be one of the top linebacker units in the nation. Super-talented linebacker Porter Gustin, who was severely limited by injury in 2017, should be healthy again. Gustin’s return would be a boon to the USC pass rush. Smith and Gustin are two of several Trojans defenders who chose to return to school despite the potential of an early NFL career.

Overall, USC welcomes back seven of its top nine tacklers, including Marvell Tell, Ajene Harris and Jack Jones in the secondary (who combined for 10 interceptions last season), as well as Iman Marshall, who ranked second on the 10 with 10 pass breakups.

Weaknesses:

Sam Darnold wasn’t just an elite pro prospect, he was an unquestioned team leader. As a result, replacing Darnold is even more difficult than it looks on paper: and replacing 4,143 passing yards and 26 touchdowns in plenty difficult.

Like Darnold but much more underrated, running back Ronald Jones II was a special talent and will be missed. Leading receiver Deontay Burnett and top pass rusher Rasheem Green also chose to leave USC early for the NFL, leaving holes at important positions.

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