updated 2:23 a.m. ET Aug. 30, 2006

A tumultuous offseason which included the dismantling of one of the best offenses in college football history has many wondering if a return trip to the national title game is in the cards for Southern California.

The sixth-ranked Trojans look to start proving it is, starting with a season-opening matchup at Arkansas on Saturday.

Southern California coach Pete Carroll has guided the team to a 54-10 record in five years there, punctuated by a 45-2 mark and two national titles over the last three seasons — both losses were by three points. The biggest loss came against Texas 41-38 on Jan. 4 in the Rose Bowl, snapping a 34-game winning streak.

Carroll, a former Arkansas assistant coach, has a difficult task of trying to get back to the national championship game for a fourth consecutive season after losing two Heisman Trophy winners and other major offensive contributors.

Junior John David Booty beat out freshman Mark Sanchez for the starting quarterback job and will replace 2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart, who threw for 10,693 yards with a school-record 99 touchdowns while going 37-2 in three seasons. Leinart replaced 2002 Heisman winner Carson Palmer.

“I’m not worried about these guys at all,” Carroll said. “Matt followed Carson and was able to get it going. It took Matt about four or five games before he got it rocking.

“Hopefully we’re going to run the ball like we always have to take the pressure off. John David understands what the system calls for — the audibles and the checks. Our system is the same that it’s been. We’re not changing a thing.”

Unlike Leinart, who did not play a game before winning the starting role, Booty has 13 games of experience over two seasons, completing 34 of 56 passes for 417 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

“Sitting for these last couple of years has been a blessing,” Booty said. “It’s just really good to get reps — that’s the biggest thing. It’s hard to get a feel for the game without getting reps. I’m making decisions quicker and quicker every day.”

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Completely recovered from offseason back surgery, Booty will try to help extend USC’s record string of scoring at least 20 points in 52 consecutive games. The Trojans have won a school-record 15 straight road games and eight season openers in a row.

Booty will not have a powerful running game to lean on, with 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush and LenDale White having moved to the NFL. The duo combined with Leinart for all 50 of USC’s rushing touchdowns last season, and that trio had a hand in 78 of the team’s 87 total TDs.

Booty is among seven new starters on offense for USC, and running back may be the biggest question mark with junior Chauncey Washington possibly emerging as the featured back. Washington, academically ineligible for the past two seasons, rushed for 65 yards on 19 carries in seven games in 2003.

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With three new offensive linemen in the fold, USC may have a difficult time duplicating its Pac-10-leading rushing offense of 3,598 yards with a 6.4 yards-per-carry average from 2005.

Booty may rely on junior Dwayne Jarrett, who could become a Heisman candidate after catching 91 passes for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

The All-American wide receiver was being investigated by the NCAA for reportedly having his rent partially paid for by the father of Leinart, his roommate. Jarrett has been cleared to play this season.

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He was one of several current Trojans involved in off-field issues, with Sanchez being arrested for sexual assault in April, although the charges were dropped.

Safeties Brandon and Ryan Ting will not be with the team for their senior seasons to pursue medical school, although Brandon reportedly tested positive for steroids.

The Trojans should have a good chance for a strong start to the season, facing an Arkansas team they routed 70-17 last season at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the first meeting between the schools since 1974. USC leads the all-time series 3-1.

The Razorbacks went 4-7 last year for their second straight losing season. Robert Johnson hopes to change that trend, starting the season under center for the second year in a row.

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The junior started the first seven games of 2005 before being replaced by freshman Casey Dick. Johnson went 2-5 as the starting quarterback and finished the season completing 89-of-158 for 876 yards with five touchdowns and six interceptions.

While the Razorbacks ranked 11th in the SEC with 1,581 passing yards and had only 13 touchdown passes, they led the conference in rushing with 2,386 yards.

Darren McFadden was an All-American last year as a freshman, with 1,113 yards and 11 touchdowns on 176 carries. McFadden, however, is doubtful for Saturday after undergoing toe surgery last month and missing all of training camp. He recently removed a protective boot and was still feeling pain.

McFadden and Johnson are two of 19 total returning starters. Among the best of that group defensively is senior linebacker Sam Olajubutu, who led the team with 110 tackles and added 4½ sacks.

“I don’t want the starters that won four games last year,” Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said. “I want them to be a year older.”

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