Why USC is No. 4: Several talented and decorated players are gone, but the roster is full of talent. It's just inexperienced, unproven and (as yet) undecorated.

Starters returning: 4 on offense, 6 on defense.

Key players: Junior WR Dwayne Jarrett, junior QB John David Booty, senior OT Sam Baker, junior DE Lawrence Jackson, junior NT Sedrick Ellis, senior LB Dallas Sartz.

Best-case scenario: Booty lives up to his promise as a big-time quarterback, a go-to running back emerges and the offensive line jells into a dominating unit.

Worst-case scenario: The offense sputters because of so many new parts and the secondary is unreliable and gives up too many big plays.

Bottom line: Despite losing their big stars, the Trojans are talented enough to be in the championship hunt the entire season.

BOOTY CALL

In 2003, John David Booty made headlines when he graduated from Evangel Christian High School in Shreveport, La., a year early and enrolled at USC. Instead of playing his senior year as a prep, he was trying to beat out Matt Leinart.

With Leinart finally in the NFL, Booty will try to make some game-related headlines this season. Despite missing spring practice with back problems that required surgery, the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder is considered the favorite to be the Trojans' starting quarterback this season.

"John David has been in the program for three years now, and he has game-time experience that really is of value," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "We know what he knows. He gives us the confidence that he's going to be able to get this done."

ELEPHANT MAN

The Trojans have enough quality linebackers to provide starters for themselves and two other teams. USC's defensive line, though, has some holes to fill.

The possible solution? Using some 3-4 defensive fronts that would utilize sophomore linebacker Brian Cushing as the "Elephant." The term was used by the San Francisco 49ers when Charles Hailey was the "elephant man" in a 3-4 scheme, which had a hybrid pass-rushing defensive end/linebacker.

ROUGH OFF-SEASON

Starting with the 41-38 national championship game loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl, 2006 has not been the Trojans' year:

Wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett was suspended by the NCAA (but recently reinstated) over not paying market value rent on an apartment he shared with Matt Leinart.

Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush, who skipped his senior season for the NFL Draft, was involved in an investigation that his parents received money from an agent while Bush was still at USC.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez was charged with sexual assault of a female USC student. The charges were eventually dropped.

Brothers Brandon and Ryan Ting announced they were leaving the team amid rumors they had tested positive for steroids.

EXTRA POINTS

In 26 games, junior wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett has 29 touchdown receptions and has caught a pass of 75 or more yards in 15 games. . . . USC's offense in 2005 was the first in NCAA history with a 3,000-yard passer (Matt Leinart), two 1,000-yard rushers (Reggie Bush and LenDale White) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Jarrett). . . . The Trojans enter the season having scored at least 20 points in their past 52 games, a school record.

TALKING IT UP

Pete Carroll on replacing the past two Heisman Trophy winners (Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush), plus several other starters: "That's the challenge each year in college football, how well you can replace good players. We've shown that we're very capable of doing that. I don't see it being any different this season."

DID YOU KNOW?

The last time USC played in Arkansas was 1974, the Trojans lost to the Razorbacks 22-7 in War Memorial Stadium. However, USC finished 10-1-1 and won a share of the national championship. The Trojans opened the 1972 season with a 31-10 victory over the Hogs (also in Little Rock) and went on to win the national championship.

NEWCOMERS OF NOTE

Freshmen running backs Emmanuel Moody (Coppell High) and Stafon Johnson should see playing time at tailback. Moody chose USC over Texas. Freshman wide receiver Vidal Hazelton has size and speed. He could be a factor as a third receiver. Freshmen Antwine Perez and Taylor Mays could see action at either safety spot.

SCHEDULE ANALYSIS

Date Opponent

Sept. 2 at Arkansas

Sept. 16 Nebraska

Sept. 23 at Arizona(ASTERISK)

Sept. 30 at Washington State(ASTERISK)

Oct. 7 Washington(ASTERISK)

Oct. 14 Arizona State(ASTERISK)

Oct. 28 at Oregon State(ASTERISK)

Nov. 4 at Stanford(ASTERISK)

Nov. 11 Oregon(ASTERISK)

Nov. 18 California(ASTERISK)

Nov. 25 Notre Dame

Dec. 2 at UCLA(ASTERISK)

(ASTERISK)conference game

No fear: The Trojans aren't taking the easy way out. The three non-conference games_Arkansas, Nebraska and Notre Dame_are challenges (USC plays the Razorbacks in Fayetteville).

Key game: California. The Bears are solid contenders for the Pac-10 title and they believe they can play with the Trojans. The Nov. 18 game could decide the Pac-10 championship.

(c) 2006, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.