Kalil is one of four returning starters in the offensive line from last year. Right tackle Winston Justice was a first-stringer in 2002-03 before sitting out last season because of a student conduct violation.

“I think I’m a lot better as a player,” Justice said. “The whole offensive line has improved as a unit. I agree with the center — the offense might be better. I think the sky is the limit.”

Carroll wouldn’t say the defense would be improved — no surprise since star linemen Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson and standout linebackers Lofa Tatupu and Matt Grootegoed have to be replaced.

But Carroll did say this will be the fastest USC defense since he arrived.

“We are excited about it and we are going to need it,” the coach said. “Speed is always essential for a terrific defense, but more than that speed can cover up for errors and issues that come up when guys are not doing the right thing.

“I am hoping that the speed of this defense will make a difference for us.”

Carroll said he isn’t concerned regarding motivation.

“It is so common for people to think that when someone accomplishes something that they are going to become complacent,” he said. “I don’t feel like that in anything we have done or anything our players have done.

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“We champion the whole concept of competition. We keep everyone at the tip-top of their game or they lose their spot. I can’t see any sign of that. I think probably the opposite has happened. We’re more driven than ever.”

USC is listed as a 34½-point favorite over Hawaii, but Carroll said he’s not concerned about overconfidence, either.

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“That’s always a question,” he said. “We always respect everybody. We know that the game can beat you. It’s always an issue. It has been addressed. It’s important to me. From the first game on last year, we were challenged.”

Regarding Hawaii, Carroll said: “We are challenged by scheme (run-and-shoot), the expertise of their staff, their ability to play well at home. We are going on the road and it is a naturally most distracting environment you can be in. We are going to paradise to play football.”

Kalil said there’s no reason to be concerned about the potential distractions.

“If there is any sightseeing, it’ll probably be after the game,” he said. “We do such a great job when it’s business time.”