5 QUESTIONS FOR THE SPRING

1. How will the offense look?

Faster, for one. USC isn’t going to run an Oregon-style offense, but the pace of play will be considerably faster, and huddling will be at a minimum. On the other hand, every time Coach Steve Sarkisian talks about his offense, he stresses the need for a run-first attack, and one in which tight ends can thrive. And yes, Sarkisian does mix in some bubble screens, but this should be a more dynamic USC offense.

2. Who will carry the ball?

Javorius Allen, the late-season sensation of 2013 and perhaps the least-likely team MVP in USC history, is back, but he’s not alone. Justin Davis looked stellar before a midseason broken ankle, and is likely to be limited this spring as he recovers. Ty Isaac had impressive moments as a power back. Don’t forget about Tre Madden, who was the starting tailback in August but had season-long nagging injuries.

3. Will the offensive line improve or regress?

The line was the most difficult USC unit to judge in 2013. Strong one game, weak the next, the line had frequent shifting because of injuries and ineffectiveness. Now there’s more shuffling, with center and right tackle needing to be filled, and with some uncertainty at right guard. USC is also on its third line coach in three years, but Tim Drevno has a deep coaching background and should be a good fit.

4. Is the defense tired of change?

It’s been near-constant change for anyone who has been a part of USC’s defense since 2012. That’s when Monte Kiffin ran the defense. Clancy Pendergast overhauled it last season, to solid success, and now Justin Wilcox is installing a new defense. Wilcox’s flexible 3-4 base isn’t a dramatic difference from what Pendergast ran, though, so the transition to a third defense in three years shouldn’t be tough.

5. Are the players over “Coach O”?

December was pretty much a funeral wake for Ed Orgeron, who quit after two months as USC’s interim coach. Beloved by many players and fans, Orgeron is gone and he isn’t coming back. The players seem to have gotten past their initial disappointment that Sarkisian, not Orgeron, got the permanent job. They need to buy in, not think of how things might have been with “Coach O.”

5 POSITION BATTLES TO WATCH

1. QUARTERBACK

For a second consecutive spring, USC has a quarterback derby. This one isn’t expected to last until the third game of the season, as happened in 2013. Cody Kessler is the incumbent, and unless he fizzles in the spring and Max Browne sizzles, it’s difficult to see Kessler getting bumped out of his job. But would Coach Steve Sarkisian declare Kessler his starter in the spring, and risk having Browne transfer?

2. CENTER

Of the five USC early defections to the NFL draft, the loss of center Marcus Martin might hurt the most. Martin had never played center before 2013, but he thrived and was a team leader. Now what? Will USC go back to Max Tuerk, who struggled last spring in his initial tryout at center? The other logical options are Khaliel Rodgers, who redshirted in 2013, and early-enrollment freshman Toa Lobendahn.

3. NO. 2 RECEIVER

There’s been a natural progression at the No. 1 spot, from Robert Woods to Marqise Lee, and now to Nelson Agholor, but now strong secondary options need to emerge at receiver. Darreus Rogers looks to be a talented possession receiver, but can speed threats George Farmer and Steven Mitchell stay healthy? The landscape will change again in the fall, when talented freshman Juju Smith arrives.

4. CORNERBACK

A lot of this will depend on what USC chooses to do with Josh Shaw, who has danced the cornerback-safety shuffle for much of the past two seasons. USC is deeper at corner than in recent years, so if Shaw returns to safety, players such as Kevon Seymour, Chris Hawkins, Anthony Brown and Devian Shelton will compete. Much-anticipated freshman cornerback Adoree’ Jackson won’t arrive until August.

5. SAFETY

This is where the experience that Su’a Cravens and Leon McQuay III earned as freshmen in 2013 will pay off. USC has to replace starting safety Demetrius Wright and nickel back Dion Bailey. Cravens has the inside track to claim one of those spots, and Shaw certainly will start if he returns to safety. McQuay will compete with Gerald Bowman, who is talented but missed last season because of a leg injury.

Contact the writer: rhammond@ocregister.com