The Sun Devils also return much of an aggressive defense that sacked Cody Kessler three times a year ago.
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In 2015, the Women of Troy were tabbed to finish fifth in the preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll, though they, along with head coach Mick Haley, will try to prove they are capable of finishing toward the top half of the conference.
What would life be like for the 2015 USC football team if starting quarterback Cody Kessler weren’t available?
The 6-foot-2 outside hitter enters her final year at USC hoping to add a national championship to her already star-studded résumé.
This all sets up what could be another exciting matchup when the two Pac-12 South teams face off in October in Los Angeles. Is one more valuable to the team’s overall success than the other? Su’a Cravens is back on the strong side for defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox’s squad, which is great for Wilcox considering he had 5.0 sacks and 17.0 tackles for loss from his spot last season.
That’s a relevant thought, because – if all goes according to plan for the Trojans this season – Kessler will become a focal point of attention, and he’ll become a household name in one of America’s largest media markets, whether he likes it or not. The Ducks were 13-2 last season and 8-1 in conference play.
Perhaps USC’s biggest secret weapon this season comes in the form of 6-foot-3 junior outside hitter Elise Ruddins. Ruddins was rated the No. 2 ranked high school recruit in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com in 2013, but injuries and inconsistent play the last two years have hindered her performance.
The Trojans can make the playoff, but it won’t be easy.
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While USC restored Dixon’s athletic scholarship in the wake of the judge’s ruling, the university would not permit Dixon to return to the football team. He struggled during spring practice, which is not surprising for an early enrollee. The play technically counts as a Hail Mary, but the video above shows that USC looked completely discombobulated as it dropped back to defend the play.
