The USC Trojans' Playoff Chances Hinge on Their Defense

Can the Trojans overcome their biggest weakness?

As we get closer to the start of the new college football season, the biggest question mark surrounding the USC Trojans is their defense once again. The high-flying Trojans offense should be active once again, but the other side of the ball will be the x-factor to their season.

It plagued them last season, and while the team did make some upgrades this summer, is it enough to be a championship-level defense? The Trojans are going to have to be able to stop their opponents at some point, and that will determine if they reach their goals or not.

The Trojans went pretty far last season with a defense that could hardly stop a nosebleed. They improved slightly as the year went on, but the defense let them down when the team needed stops the most. Now entering their second under head coach Lincoln Riley, the defense is primed to be better. 

Chip Patterson of CBS Sports ranked the Trojans towards the top in early rankings but still has questions about the defense.

"Lincoln Riley had USC inside the top four of the CFP rankings heading into the Pac-12 Championship Game, seemingly needing just a win against Utah to punch a ticket. But what would have been Lincoln Riley's fourth (and USC's first) playoff appearance slipped away in part because of Caleb Williams' hamstring injury and the inability to stop a late flurry from Utah's offense."

Per CBS Sports

USC almost made the college football playoff without a strong defense, and now they have added to it. The biggest addition to the defense is defensive tackle Bear Alexander, who comes over from the championship Georgia Bulldogs. 

Over 12 games for them, Alexander recorded two sacks and had three tackles for loss. He will get more playing time with the Trojans and could make his presence known to this team.

"The burning question clearly is whether or not you believe the defense will take a step forward, either with development or even more key transfer portal additions. If so, a team that was one win away from the playoff a year ago is certainly worth top five consideration.”

Per CBS Sports

It should be seen as a win if USC can even get their defense to an average level. The Trojans have the firepower to score with the best of them but will be reliant on the defense to help keep them in games at times during the year.