Kickoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Line: USC -21.5, Total: 58

No. 15 USC looks to get off to a fast start in the 2014-2015 season as the team plays host to Fresno State on Saturday night.

A new era begins on Saturday night as former Washington coach Steve Sarkisian takes over the reins for the Trojans. Last season, USC (10-4 ATS, 10-4 Under) had a very good season, going 10-4 with a 45-20 victory against these same Bulldogs in the Las Vegas Bowl. However, for this team to take the next step, the offense of the Trojans has to become much better. Last year, there was a battle to see who would be the quarterback of the team. Heading into this season, there is no debate, as QB Cody Kessler (2,968 yards, 20 TD and 7 INT) is the clear-cut starter. In the final five games, Kessler threw 10 touchdowns and one interception, as the USC offense averaged 37.6 PPG. In the Las Vegas Bowl game between these two teams, Kessler threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns. That game was a dominating performance by the Trojans, who outgained the Bulldogs 499 to 253 in total yards. For the Bulldogs, the biggest question mark on the team is who will replace quarterback Derek Carr. The offense of Fresno State (3-8 ATS, 7-6 Under) last season was one of the best in the country, leading the nation in passing (394.8 YPG) and ranking sixth in scoring (43.4 PPG). Coach Tim DeRuyter plans to announce right before game time who will start under center between junior Brian Burrell and senior Brandon Connette. The Bulldogs have not had a lot of success against the Pac-12, going 0-6 against the conference on the road since 2005, but they are also 16-6 ATS when playing on a Saturday in the previous two seasons.

While the Bulldogs lost a lot of talent from last year's team, whoever wins the quarterback job will have one of the best receivers in the country. WR Josh Harper (79 catches, 1,011 yards, 13 TD) is a big-time playmaker that has the ability to score a touchdown on any given play. He is not the biggest receiver at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, but he is very tough and not hesitant to go over the middle and make the catch. The Bulldogs quarterback will also be able to rely on RB Josh Quezada (807 rush yards, 5.2 YPC, 6 TD) to carry the load. His numbers are not incredible, but he has never been asked to be the workhorse on an offense that loves to throw the football. Quezada is a strong and powerful running back that has the ability to carry the ball 25-to-30 times. Last season, the Bulldogs offense was able to cover up the struggles of the defensive unit, which ranked 87th in the country by allowing 30.3 PPG. However, that unit will have to play much better if the team is going to be able to experience the same success it did last season. The Fresno defense was a young group that was learning to play college football last year, and that could pay dividends heading into this season. Linebacker Karl Mickelson led the team in tackles with 97, while LB Kyrie Wilson had 87 stops. Both of these guys are very good athletes and can run sideline to sideline, making it tough for the opponents to get to the outside. The defensive line is led by NT Tyeler Davison (40 tackles, two sacks, 7.5 TFL) who demands a constant double team. The play of the defensive line should allow the linebackers more opportunities to fly to the ball, and should make the Fresno State defense much better.

Cody Kessler was playing some terrific football at the end of the season, and teamed with WR Nelson Agholor (56 catches, 918 yards, 6 TD) to form one of the best passing combinations in the country. Agholor is now the No. 1 receiver for the team, which should result in skyrocketing numbers. He is as good of a receiver as there is in the country with terrific speed and quickness, but is also a crisp route-runner. Junior RB Tre Madden (703 rush yards, 5.1 YPC, 3 TD) has a chance to be a star. At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, he is an absolute monster when running the ball. He also has very good speed as well, making him the complete running back. While the offense struggled early last season, the defense was very good, and should once again be one of the best in the nation. The defensive unit ranked 16th in FBS (21.2 PPG allowed), and brings back many playmakers. DL Leonard Williams (73 tackles, 13.5 TFL, six sacks) is one of the best defensive players in the country. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, he is incredibly agile and can be nearly impossible to block. The linebacking corps is led by J.R. Tavai (55 tackles and 3.5 sacks), who is very strong, and terrific against the run. The Trojans have exceptional athletes all over the field, with S Su’a Cravens (53 tackles, 4 INT) possibly being the most athletic. The sophomore has a chance to be the best safety the Trojans have had since Taylor Mays.