Team MVP: Junior quarterback Matt Leinart stepped into the big shoes of Carson Palmer and filled them more than capably last season. In fact, his 2003 production was better than the numbers put up by Palmer in 2002. For the Trojans to make a run for the national title, Leinart will have to have a similar season.

Quarterback: Matt Leinart was the biggest and brightest surprise for the Trojans in 2003. With the loss of Palmer, many expected a dropoff, but Leinart was spectacular. After getting hardly any experience his first two years at USC, Leinart threw 38 touchdown passes in 2003, and the accolades rolled in. With Leinart running the offense, the Trojans will be tough  to handle. Sophomore John David Booty will back up Leinart. According to some, Booty is another star in the making. Junior Brandon Hance, the former Boilermaker,  will be the No 3 signal caller.

Running Back: Once again, the Trojans are loaded at a skill position. Sophomore Reggie Bush is a home run threat who accounted for over 700 total yards in 2003. Sophomore LedDale White is the bulldozer in the backfield. He rushed for over 750 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Junior Hershel Dennis rushed for over 650 yards a year ago. The trio will give USC more than enough options in the ground game. Senior Lee Webb is the top candidate at fullback.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Mike Williams is no longer an option for Leinart. Neither is Keary Colbert. That leaves sophomores Steve Smith and Whitney Lewis. Both have above average speed, but will need to step up. Junior William Buchanon is the big and quick receiver in the corps. Freshman Fred Davis is also a big, physical type that will figure into the mix. Senior Alex Holmes will start again at tight end after back problems sidelined him in 2003.
 
Offensive Line: The line returns only one starter from the 2003 unit. Sophomore Fred Matua will be the leader of the new unit at guard. Senior Travis Watkins will man the opposite guard after being a top reserve last season. Sophomore Ryan Kalil will take over at  center in 2004. Sophomore Kyle Williams will step into a starting role at tackle after being a backup at guard in 2003. Redshirt freshman Sam Baker will try to replace Jacob Rogers at tackle. Senior John Drake and junior Taitusui Lutui are two of the best backups around and will be hard to keep off the field.

Defensive Line: The Trojans lose two starters on the defensive line, but return standout senior Shaun Cody and senior tackle Mike Patterson. Cody is a Preseason All-American, and will move back and forth between end and tackle in 2004 although he will be listed as a tackle. Junior Frostee Rucker will try to replace the departed Kenechi Udeze at the end opposite Cody. Senior Van Brown will share time with Rucker. Sophomore Manuel Wright will start at tackle after backing up Cody a year ago.

Linebackers: Senior Matt Grootegoed will lead the linebacking corps on the weakside after being a semifinalist for the Butkus and Lombardi Awards in 2003. Junior Lofa Tatupu will return to start in the middle after leading the team in tackles last season. Junior Dallas Sartz has starting experience and will take over on the strongside. Junior Ryan Powdrell will also be a player to keep an eye on this season.

Secondary: Senior Jason Leach returns at safety after finishing second on the club in tackles in 2003. Sophomore Darnell Bing, who was a Freshman All-American in 2003, will return at strong safety. Senior Ronald Nunn will move into a starting role after being a top reserve. Senior Kevin Arbet and junior Justin Wyatt are the top candidates for the other job at corner. Arbet is a former All Pac 10 performer still recovering from injuries. Wyatt is a real burner who has also seen time on returns. Junior Scott Ware is the top reserve at safety. He brings excellent size and athleticism to the mix.

Special Teams: Senior Ryan Killeen is not only accurate, but he has good range as well. Killeen was a weapon on kickoffs as well. Punter Tom Malone should be in the running for the Ray Guy Award after averaging over 44 yards per boot. Reggie Bush and Greig Carlson should again handle returns for USC.

Final Thoughts: The Trojans are blessed at the top two skill positions. With Matt Leinart and a cast of talented running backs, the backfield is not a concern. The receivers have talent, but will have to produce for the offense to be as potent as it was in 2003. The new starters on the line will have to gel quickly, but there is enough talent there to make the unit solid in time. The defensive line will miss Udeze some, but the replacements should be capable. The linebackers should be the strength of the defense with Grootegoed and Tatupu coming back. The secondary will have growing pains after losing both starters at cornerback, but the unit should gel and be adequate. The Trojans have some new starters to plug in, but with the talent on the roster, it should be only a matter of playing as a cohesive unit. USC should be in the running for another title run by the end of the season unless they stumble somehow.