USC RUNS STRAIGHT PAST LEARNING CURVE TROJANS, ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO BE A YEAR AWAY, ALREADY HAVE ARRIVED.

Byline: Scott Wolf  Staff Writer

No matter what happens Saturday against Oregon State or in which bowl game No. 2 USC plays next month, the Trojans probably can count on one thing: It's highly likely they'll be ranked as the nation's preseason No. 1 team next season.

With as many as 18 players with starting experience returning next year, and few crucial departures, the Trojans lose little from this year's 10-1 team.

If anything, it underscores the notion that the current Trojans probably were a year away from peaking heading into this season, especially after losing quarterback Carson Palmer, safety Troy Polamalu and tailback Justin Fargas.

``People on the outside can say we're a year away, but we know what we can do,'' quarterback Matt Leinart said. ``I obviously didn't know what would happen, I just didn't know how long it would be until I could step up and do it.''

Leinart has been a major reason USC avoided a major post-Palmer transition, as the sophomore already has passed for 2,951 yards with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

But few expected it, and even USC coach Pete Carroll admitted he was concerned about the Trojans entering the year.

``There were so many questions with the quarterback and running backs, things I didn't know,'' Carroll said. ``I thought we would do it on the strength of our defense.''

That shouldn't be interpreted as a sign that Carroll expected to go 8-4 or 9-3 this year, taking a few lumps while building toward a championship run in 2004.

``I don't think about conceding games. I think stupid and believe I can win any game,'' Carroll said.

Next year, it will be expected. On paper, the Trojans should be stronger, with not nearly as many questions as before this season.

``We've got a lot of guys returning. The sky's the limit,'' Leinart said.

Carroll, who's always thinking ahead, already has an idea of what areas to address. He knows USC must replace three senior offensive linemen - All-American Jacob Rogers, Rimington Award (top center in the nation) finalist Norm Katnik and Lenny Vandermade - but that loss is offset by the fact two guards (John Drake, Fred Matua) each started about half of this season and could be the starting guards next year.

Additionally, USC redshirted two highly regarded freshmen - Sam Baker and Drew Radovich - while playing freshman Ryan Kalil behind Katnik, so the cupboard hardly is bare.

``We don't have that many unknowns,'' Carroll said. ``We've seen our young linemen in practice and the guys coming in. We're still a young team.''

The only other area of question is the secondary, where senior cornerbacks Marcell Allmond and Will Poole must be replaced. But that's not a big issue because senior Kevin Arbet should return from season-ending foot surgery and senior Ronald Nunn already is sharing time with Allmond.

``We'll clear up our offensive line and secondary during bowl and spring practices,'' Carroll said.

That's a far cry from last spring, when USC had holes at the positions of quarterback, tailback, safety and middle linebacker, to name a few.

``We're much clearer about where we are going into next year,'' Carroll said.

Another luxury is that some of the incoming recruits are a higher quality and might come in and challenge for starting spots. Center Jeff Byers, of Loveland, Colo., is rated the No. 1 player in the nation by one recruiting service and is not expected to redshirt.

Another reason for the confidence next year is the way reserves filled in for starters this year. Sophomore outside linebacker Dallas Sartz replaced Matt Grootegoed (sprained ankle) and started the past four games. He's played well enough to be penciled in as a starter next year.

``People might think it sounds crazy that I start,'' Sartz said. ``It sounds crazy to me to hear my name as a starter.

``You would think we'd be a year away but everyone seems to be stepping up this year.''

Perhaps another explanation is attitude. Several players, such as Sartz, receiver Mike Williams and linebacker Lofa Tatupu, have been at USC for two years. The Trojans are 21-3 in that span, and the current run of success has become an expected way of life around campus.

``This is the way it is for us and we've got to keep it that way,'' said kicker Ryan Killeen, who also has been at USC for two years.

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow was worried like Carroll was, saying ``everyone was young. Too young maybe. We had a young quarterback, young running backs, a young tight end.''

But Chow also knew what was possible.

``We won the national championship at BYU the year after (quarterback) Steve Young left,'' he said.

And Chow also knows next year will be even more hectic as the nation focuses on the Trojans, with or without a Sugar Bowl appearance Jan. 4.

``Pete Carroll's created an atmosphere for being successful around here,'' Chow said. ``Who knows how good we can really be? It should be fun to see.''

Scott Wolf, [phone]

scott.wolf(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Matt Leinart's rapid development has been a major factor in USC's ability to remain among the elite.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News

(2) Freshman running back LenDale White will be among a deep pool of experienced returning players next season at USC.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) USC VERSION 2004

(2) BOWL SCHEDULE