Michael Ventre

LOS ANGELES - Selecting the USC Trojans to run the table and three-peat as champions of college football is one of the simpler tasks in the recent history of punditry, because all it requires is the asking of one question: Who’s going to stop them?

That is, which team on their schedule has a defense mighty enough to befuddle the experienced, talented and multi-pronged attack of the USC offense?

The answer: none of the above.

That’s why the Trojans will accomplish what no other team in college football has done by winning three straight national titles. It’s not because they don’t have flaws, it’s because their strengths on offense so outweigh any areas of uncertainty on defense as to render them moot.

And the defense isn’t exactly a hodgepodge of junior college transfers and walk-ons. By midseason, the unit could be one of the top five in the nation, judging by the blue-chip talent available. But there are key positions, such as the two defensive tackles and two of the three linebacker spots, where “step-ups” — gifted and hungry players eager to step up and show what they can do — will be relied upon. That process is not always an exact science.

But no such concern exists for the offense, which returns a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback in Matt Leinart, another Heisman winner in the backfield in Reggie Bush, an underrated power back in LenDale White, a mother lode at wide receiver, and an offensive line that has everybody back from last year’s championship run plus All-America candidate Winston Justice at tackle after a year’s suspension for an off-the-field incident.

The one question entering training camp is whether offensive yogi Norm Chow, who is now coordinating the Tennessee Titans’ offense, would be missed. While he’s impossible to replace, head coach Pete Carroll has split Chow’s duties between new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and quarterbacks coach/assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian, with an occasional chime-in from Carroll himself. So far, there appears to be no signs of sputter. It helps that Kiffin and Sarkisian were so immersed in the playbook according to Chow that, aside from a few new wrinkles, the differences between 2004 and 2005 will be imperceptible to the naked eye.

After offseason elbow surgery, Leinart’s arm is stronger than ever. With an outstanding and veteran offensive line, he’ll have plenty of time to look downfield, make his reads and decide which target is the most inviting. He’ll choose among starting wideouts Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett, and also true freshman Patrick Turner — one of the top five recruits at his position in the nation — as well as Bush and spectacular tight end Dominique Byrd. And if any of them should go out for any reason, the Trojans’ depth chart is silly with talent itching for an opportunity.

If Chow endured any criticism, it had to do with favoring the pass widely over the run. This year may be different, as Bush and White are in peak condition and eager to show how devastating a good infantry can be, and how it can open up even more possibilities for Leinart in the air.

This could end up as the greatest offense in college football history.

So the question remains: Who’s going to stop them?

It’s unlikely Hawaii will succeed, even with the cockamamie schemes and cornpone witticisms of new defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville. After that opener on Sept. 3, the Trojans host Arkansas two weeks later, then travel to Oregon and Arizona State, none of whom seem to boast the once-in-a-generation defensive supremacy to counter USC’s once-in-a-generation offensive mojo.

The two opponents that could provide stiff tests specifically for the Trojans’ offense are Arizona (at the Coliseum on Oct. 8, USC’s fifth game of the season) and Cal (at Berkeley on Nov. 12). But the Wildcats, under the masterful tutelage of Mike Stoops, are probably good enough only to keep it interesting for a while, until Bush takes a punt return to the house, or Leinart hooks up with Jarrett down the sideline. The Wildcats return eight starters on defense, but they don’t have much of a pass rush. And Arizona likely will not have nearly enough offense to hang with USC.

College football Breeze for 'SC? Tell it to these 9 teams that failed to be first to pull off feat

Cal is a slightly different story. Last year, the Golden Bears put a few licks on Leinart, who had an ordinary day in an otherwise incandescent season (15 for 24, 164 yards, two TDs, one pick). And under head coach Jeff Tedford, Cal always manages to give USC fits with its quick-drop, ball-control passing game. (Don’t forget that Cal is the last team to beat USC, which has won 22 games since).

But the Golden Bears lost Aaron Rodgers and will replace him with one of two untested signal-callers, junior college transfer Joseph Ayoob or redshirt frosh Nathan Longshore. They also have only eight starters overall returning from their 10-2 team of 2004. Cal will be well-coached, but ultimately outplayed.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Get ready for mass exodus Trash Talk: SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Predictions 101: Ohio State to roll, N.D. to win squeaker Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot CFT: ‘Worst of the Weak’ — Michigan back at No. 1 CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record From Big 12 snub to possible BCS for TCU Idaho AD refuses to board Boise St.-themed plane SEC's season one of contenders and complaints College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: