Matt Barkley and USC poised for a championship run in 2012

Despite the two-year Bowl ban, the NCAA sanctions, and no reason to play for in 2011, Lane Kiffin and Matt Barkley guided the USC Trojans to a surprising 10-2 record with road wins over Notre Dame and a thrilling 38-35 victory over the Oregon Ducks with their only losses coming to Arizona State early in the season and a triple overtime loss to Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal. Sophomore wide receiver Robert Woods led the PAC 12 in receptions and freshman wide out Marquise Lee emerged as a top flight No. 2 receiver opposite of Woods and led the PAC 12 in receiving yards. The big reason for USC?s bounce back year was their much improved defense. Freshmen Dion Bailey and Hayes Pullard led a lightning fast line backing corp that were quick to the ball, great tacklers and ball hawks that helped the defense to a No. 5 ranking in defensive scoring in the PAC 12. Defensive coordinator Monty Kiffin simplified his Tampa 2 scheme and the fact that practice included tackling this year cont...

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