ANALYSIS: THOSE USC DOUBTERS CAN TAKE BREAK ROUT SHOWS DEFENSE CLEARLY STRONG; OFFENSE STILL LEARNING.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

Questions, where are the questions?

There were plenty a week ago, before USC stunned the country by invading the Deep South and crushing sixth-ranked Auburn.

The Trojans vaulted to No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, right where they ended last season after routing Iowa in the Orange Bowl.

``Just because (quarterback) Carson Palmer and (strong safety) Troy Polamalu are gone, it doesn't mean there's a dropoff,'' wide receiver Mike Williams said.

It seems premature to actually make comments like those, but Williams had a strong case after the 23-0 victory over Auburn.

Replacing Palmer and Polamalu, two substantial questions before the season, didn't seem significant in the locker room at Auburn. Whether that feeling survives a 12-game schedule is another matter.

No matter what dilemma exists, however, the Trojans remain confident, thanks to the frenetic enthusiasm of coach Pete Carroll. He wants to see how far he can take the Trojans. So far, he's silenced the doubters.

Carroll's going to do it this season with a strong defense and an offense getting on-the-job training.

With that in mind, here's how the Trojans look position-by-position this season:

QUARTERBACKS

In retrospect, it's clear that Carroll picked Matt Leinart before training camp. But the sophomore also seized the position, performing best among the quarterbacks and earning the top spot.

He didn't do anything in the opener to lose his status, and probably only tightened his grip as the starter.

``He did a very good job of changing plays at the line of scrimmage,'' Carroll said of Leinart's performance. ``There were three or four plays that if we had converted, it could have been spectacular.''

So what's that mean for the rest of the group?

Matt Cassel is the backup, the position he held last season. Brandon Hance remains a wild card. He was never physically fit enough to truly compete for the starting job but remains the most experienced quarterback from his season at Purdue.

And what to do with freshman John David Booty? As of today, a redshirt season is probably in order. However, Carroll probably won't resist playing him at some point.

If Leinart gets hurt, the position would be wide open.

Grade: B-

TAILBACK

Hershel Dennis demonstrated all his strengths against Auburn. He dependably carried the ball 21 times and his toughness allowed him to break a couple runs, notably a 14-yard touchdown.

It's still hard to say exactly how this position develops, because the Trojans' three freshmen are all pushing for playing time. Reggie Bush is the current backup and fastest runner on the team, and LenDale White and Chauncey Washington offer power.

Though it appeared Lee Webb won the fullback position when Brandon Hancock got injured, he was already on his way to being No. 1 when Hancock got hurt. Carroll loved his blocking against Auburn, solidifying his role.

Hancock can be a receiver out of the backfield. Will freshman Whitney Lewis, switched to fullback during camp, become a serious candidate this season for playing time? No one really knows.

Grade: B

WIDE RECEIVER

Williams. Williams. Williams. That's all you need to know. Teams were supposed to be focused on him because he didn't have Palmer anymore. At least, that was the knock before the season.

Then he goes out and catches eight passes for 104 yards against Auburn with a touchdown. As he goes, so goes USC's offense.

There's also senior Keary Colbert, who could become the Trojans' all-time reception leader with a big season, and freshman Steve Smith, who surprised the coaching staff by breaking away from the other receivers with his steady hands.

Converted cornerback Justin Wyatt also is used in three-receiver formations, while D. Hale and Jason Mitchell are further down the depth chart.

Dominique Byrd, who caught a 42-yard pass against Auburn, needs to improve his blocking, but the coaches feel a lot more relieved about the tight end spot than before training camp. Byrd's emergence means Alex Holmes (back) should be allowed to redshirt. Gregg Guenther (6-foot-8) offers a tall target.

Grade: A-

OFFENSIVE LINE

For years, this was the Achilles' heel of the offense (and team) and most maligned unit. But tackles Jacob Rogers and Winston Justice are coming off stellar seasons and guard Lenny Vandermade is a four-year starter. Center Norm Katnik also has plenty of experience.

The problem could be injuries. Rogers has been bothered by a strained foot for almost a month, and Vandermade has a sore foot that will bother him all season. Only Justice seems free of injury.

Utility man Eric Torres, who broke his leg in the Orange Bowl, is still not fit. Freshman Fred Matua is the lone newcomer at guard, but junior-college transfer John Drake already played two spots against Auburn and fills Torres' role.

There are several freshmen (Sam Baker, Ryan Kalil, Drew Radovich) waiting for a chance, if any of the veterans go down with a long-term injury.

Grade: B

DEFENSIVE LINE

Talk about deceiving. After letting the Trojans' offense get the better of them for substantial parts of training camp, the defensive linemen came out and completely manhandled Auburn.

Defensive tackle Shaun Cody returned with a vengeance, and his knee injury seems to be a past problem. His counterpart, Mike Patterson, had seven tackles and doesn't play like he's 6-1.

Defensive ends Kenechi Udeze and Omar Nazel also looked sharp against Auburn. The real surprise was the additions of LaJuan Ramsey and Frostee Rucker in the rotation. The line didn't suffer a step down, and Ramsey forced a fumble and made several tackles.

The depth is so good that freshmen Manuel Wright, Chris Barrett and Lawrence Jackson might not play unless someone gets hurt or there's a blowout.

Grade: A

LINEBACKERS

Finally, a weak spot. Middle linebacker was one of the biggest question marks on the team, then Lofa Tatupu goes out and gets 12 tackles against Auburn. The Maine transfer demonstrates how Carroll just plugs players into positions and gets the most from them.

On the outside, Matt Grootegoed is the playmaker, as long as his sore back doesn't become an issue. He might not practice every day but always should be available for games. Melvin Simmons isn't flashy but is dependable, and he earned the respect of his teammates by being elected team captain.

Of the reserves, Dallas Sartz is the most primed for a large role while Oscar Lua could be a factor when he fully recovers from knee surgery. Thomas Williams is the only freshman on the depth chart.

Grade: B

SECONDARY

Talk about scary depth. USC has three senior cornerbacks who might start for any team in the Pacific-10 Conference. Actually, they almost have. The third corner, Will Poole, started at Boston College for a season before being kicked out of school and transferring to Ventura College.

Starters Marcell Allmond and Kevin Arbet were superb against Auburn, making this the most-talented unit behind the defensive line. In a nickel defense, Poole comes into the game, though there's a chance he could challenge for a starting spot.

Ronald Nunn and William Buchanon are the next line of reserves and probably need playing time, since the Trojans lose Allmond, Arbet and Poole after this season.

The safeties are equally impressive. Jason Leach has a knack for big hits, and freshman Darnell Bing lived up to his hype with an interception and fumble recovery in his debut.

``Darnell really lived up to his end, that was one of the questions before the season,'' Carroll said.

Grade: A

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Ryan Killeen looked spotty in training camp, then promptly goes out and hits three field goals against Auburn.

``There's definitely room for improvement,'' Killeen said. ``It feels good to get the job done, though.''

Even more surprising, the kickoff coverage was significantly better than last season and didn't surrender any huge returns against Auburn.

This being USC, there figures to be some special-teams deficiency at some point. It doesn't figure to be punter Tom Malone, who has consistently boomed the ball in practice and games.

The returners also got a major boost with Arbet, who is the team's No. 1 punt returner. He also handles kickoffs. Bush could become part of the mix as the season progresses.

Grade: B

COACHING

Frankly, we're getting tired of talking about this subject. Carroll has the defense humming, and offensive coordinator Norm Chow kept the offense respectable against Auburn.

There could be potential stumbling blocks, if USC becomes overconfident or maybe the Auburn game was an aberration. Remember that blowout of Penn State in 2000? The Trojans then lost seven of their next 11 games.

But we're talking Carroll here, not Paul Hackett. If there's one thing Carroll's done since arriving, it's proving adept at nearly every situation. USC might not necessarily make it to the Rose Bowl, but if not, the Trojans should be close.

Grade: A

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

SC HAND-OFFS

Big Game: Auburn. Just kidding. The Trojans visit Washington for fourth road game in five weeks, and even with Keith Gilbertson in charge, a trip to Seattle might be a problem.

MVP: Sophomore wide receiver Mike Williams. Matt Leinart's best bet is to just throw toward Williams, who always seems to be open. Honorable mention goes to linebacker Matt Grootegoed, who has a knack for causing turnovers.

Best-case scenario: Trojans breeze through early part of schedule while Matt Leinart gains valuable experience, Notre Dame and Washington prove toothless during rebuilding years and USC coach Pete Carroll ends season in typically strong fashion. Hmmm, who said the Sugar Bowl was a pipe dream?

Worst-case scenario: Leinart struggles, and there's confusion over who deserves to be the quarterback. Offense's woes place too much pressure on defense and four road games in five weeks makes people forget thrill of routing Auburn. Still, the Holiday Bowl might be a possibility.

New faces: Wide receiver Steve Smith came into training camp in peak condition and quickly became the third receiver. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu did so much in his first game (12 tackles), he already feels like a fixture on defense. Cornerback Will Poole, a JC transfer who originally played at Boston College, might start if Kevin Arbet ever falters.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 5 boxes

Photo:

USC temporarily quiets some doubters with their 23-0 trouncing of sixth- ranked Auburn.

Associated Press

Box:

(1) SC HAND-OFFS (see text)

(2) 2003 SCHEDULE

USC TWO DEEP

(3) OFFENSE

(4) DEFENSE

(5) SPECIAL TEAMS