This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Editor's note: This is the ninth in a series previewing each Pac-12 football team going into 2015. Next: Washington.

Gosh, when does that season start already? Steve Sarkisian probably is ready to turn the page in Los Angeles.

His alcohol-fueled antics at a USC donor event have obscured what observers have said about his team since the spring: The Trojans have exceptional talent, they're deep, and they're experienced at some key positions.

Sark may be in hot water, but when the season begins, he's hoping this year's team will help fans forget his gaffe.

Strengths • Say what you want about wins and losses, but USC's recruiting classes have been in the top 13 or better for the past four years. Guys like Adoree Jackson, Juju Smith and others are phenomenal athletes. USC, by and large, gets advantages in size and speed against many other teams. The Trojans also have a couple of stalwart seniors led by Cody Kessler, who is one of the Pac-12's early Heisman candidates after throwing 3,826 yards, 39 TDs and only 5 interception last year. The offensive line returns intact, led by senior Max Tuerk. Then there's Su'a Cravens, the safety/linebacker with ties to Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. He'll be the leader for a defense that brought in some stellar recruits again this year, especially at outside linebacker and corner.

Weaknesses • Heard of Leonard Williams? Nelson Agholor? Buck Allen? Hayes Pullard? Yeah, they were on last year's team. USC loses some of its most dynamic and reliable playmakers from 2014. The change is most dramatic on defense, where a lot of the front seven is gone, led by first-round pick Williams. While Justin Davis and Tre Madden have been effective at various times in their careers, it remains to be seen if they can make up Allen's production. USC may well be starting a walk-on tight end after booting Bryce Dixon. There's still depth issues left over from the sanction era. And of course, Sarkisian started out the season on an ugly note. It seems the throne in Troy is always at least a little warm.

Outlook • After two tune-up games, Stanford comes back to the Coliseum, and the schedule hardly lets up. Again, the Trojans play Notre Dame, who is a title contender in some experts' eyes this year. USC also doesn't play Oregon State or Washington State, the two presumed weakest opponents in the North. The top-level talent is real enough, but the depth, experience and pressure may be adversity enough for USC to slip in the crowded South Division field. There's a boom-or-bust quality to this team that makes it hard to define what realistic expectations truly are. —

USC schedule

Sept. 5 • Arkansas State

Sept. 12 • Idaho

Sept. 19 • Stanford

Sept. 26 • at Arizona St.

Oct. 8 • Washington

Oct. 17 • at Notre Dame

Oct. 24 • Utah

Oct. 31 • at Cal

Nov. 7 • Arizona

Nov. 13 • at Colorado

Nov. 21 • at Oregon

Nov. 28 • UCLA