Let’s start with the losses: 10 players were picked in the NFL draft, including seven in the first two rounds. The result? a decimated offensive line which returns only one starter, and a defensive front seven that lost three studs in Ellis, Jackson and Rivers.

No matter: This remains, by far, the most talented and deepest team in the Pac-10, and as we linked earlier this summer, the team that statistically is the most likely to go unbeaten.

The schedule has two important dates early, and then a pretty easy league slate. Could USC get caught napping after flying across the country to play Virginia? Doubtful, not with all the losses the Cavs suffered to the draft and academics. Then there’s the big test at home against Ohio State – a game where the loser theoretically falls out of National Title contention. (But in the wacky world of college football, if you must lose, losing early is a much better scenario than losing late). Notre Dame is improved, but USC gets the Irish at home. The Pac-10 is terrible and the Trojans get Oregon, Arizona State and Cal at home. Of course, here’s a friendly reminder of random USC league letdowns the last two seasons:

2007: Lost at home to Stanford (unranked), on the road to Oregon (ranked)
2006: Lost at Oregon State (unranked), lost at UCLA (unranked)

QB Mark Sanchez, who might be on the level of Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, might be injured. No biggie – just go to the bench and bring in former Arkansas QB Mitch Mustain, who starred at Arkansas for a season two years ago. There’s a flotilla of All-American RBs, led by Joe McKnight. A cadre of good-but-not-great WRs, led by David Ausberry. The defense, despite the losses, could be as strong as last year, and might have four 1st team All-Americans (Cushing, Griffen, Maualuga and Ellison).

If the offensive line holds up, and LBs Cushing and Maualuga stay healthy, there’s no reason this team won’t be playing in the National Title game (probably against Oklahoma). We don’t see it happening.

10. Tennessee
9. BYU
8. Clemson
7. LSU
6. West Virginia
5. Ohio State
4. Florida