Trojans at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs San Jose St. Sept. 8 vs Kansas St. Sept. 22 at Oregon Sept. 29 vs Stanford Oct. 6 at Washington Oct. 13 vs Arizona St. Oct. 20 at Notre Dame Oct. 27 at Arizona Nov. 3 vs Oregon St. Nov. 10 at California Nov. 17 vs UCLA 2000 results (5-7, 2-6 Pac-10) at Penn St. W 29-5 Colorado W 17-14 San Jose St. W 34-24 at Oregon St. L 31-21 Arizona L 31-15 Oregon L 28-17 at Stanford L 32-30 California L 28-16 at Arizona St. W 44-38 Washington St. L 33-27 at UCLA W 38-35 Notre Dame L 38-21

OFFENSE
In the spring, junior signal-caller Carson Palmer seemed to flourish in Chow's creative yet less complicated system than the one that was utilized by the previous regime. The primary backup is redshirt freshman Matt Cassel, but I'm told they are very excited about the potential of freshman Matt Leinart. The 6-foot-5½, 220-pound lefty from Santa Ana, Calif., is joined by 6-3, 200-pounder Billy Hart as new signal-callers entering the Trojan system.

Palmer benefits from a talented wide-receiving corps that features junior Kareem Kelly, sophomore Keary Colbert, junior Marcell Allmond, junior Steve Stevenson and 23-year-old freshman Frank Candela. While he's just 5-8 and 175 pounds, Candela is an exciting performer who will also operate as a punt/kickoff returner. With Chow coordinating things, expect to see a number of formations and sets, meaning all the wideouts will be vital contributors.

In a key move during the spring, Carroll decided to switch senior Kori Dickerson from OLB to TE. The 6-4, 237-pounder is viewed as the probable starter. He's an athletically gifted high jumper who will be positioned to have a major impact this season.

Drawing rave notices for his play in the spring was senior tailback Malaefou McKenzie. The 5-11, 220-pounder impressed as both a runner and pass-receiving option. Also on hand is junior Sultan McCullough. He's coming off a 1,000-yards-plus season. I'm told that McKenzie and McCullough could operate in the backfield at the same time. Working at FB will be senior Charlie Landrigan.

In the past, a key for the Trojans has been the exceptional play of their offensive line. Of late, though, that hasn't been the case. This season, the interior of the line, which consists of center Lenny Vandermade along with OGs Zach Wilson and Faaesea Mailo (moves from OT to LG), should be OK. However, the OTs, sophomores Eric Torres and Norm Katnik, lack experience.

DEFENSE
There is plenty of experience as well as promise along the defensive line. DTs Bernard Riley and Ryan Nielsen are solid veterans, while senior DE Lonnie Ford will be expected to produce as an outside pass rusher. Even though the Trojans will attack with a base 4-3, you notice a 3-4 type of look with Ford operating both up and down. At the other DE spot, sophomore Omar Nazel is the starter heading into the fall, but he could be challenged by freshman Shaun Cody. The 6-5, 255-pounder from Los Altos High in Hacienda Heights, Calif., was USA Today's Defensive Player of the Year.

With Dickerson shifting from OLB to TE, the Trojans will go into the 2001 season with three new starting linebackers. The move of Dickerson was risky for that reason. While the TE spot may have been solidified, it took away the one returning starter at LB. Now, Carroll will be relying on a very inexperienced group. MLB Aaron Graham did garner some vital playing time last year, so that's a plus. They also have high hopes for freshman Marvin Simmons, a talented 6-0, 224-pounder who could be a major factor at either LB or FB.

In the defensive secondary, the major news of the spring was the healthy return of CB Antuan Simmons from the injury list. It was thought his playing time in the spring would be limited, but Simmons was there from day one, performing to the level necessary to be viewed as a co-starter at the one CB spot along with fellow senior Kris Richard. At the other CB spot, there is also a battle taking place between senior Chris Cash and junior Darrell Rideaux. Cash, a former standout at Palomar Junior College, really came into his own last year for the Trojans. As you can see, there is a great deal of talent and depth at the CB positions. SS Troy Polamalu also returns to the starting lineup, with the FS job likely in the hands of junior DeShaun Hill, a co-starter at that spot last year. The player he shared the position with, senior Frank Strong, was moved to tailback during the latter stages of spring practice. It's possible that he could see action at both spots.

SPECIAL TEAMS
One of the major question marks this season is the Trojans' suspect kicking game. They had all kinds of problems in this area last year, and based on the spring practice results, positive strides reportedly were not made. The incumbents are P Mike MacGillivray and PK David Newbury, both seniors.