No. 4 USC: The Trojans are ready to be back on top behind QB Cody Kessler

Dr. Saturday will unveil its preseason Top 25 team-by-team during the next 25 days. This list is based on returning starters, schedule and prospects. However, we all know that once the games begin, things can change very quickly. Still, we thought we’d give our best guess heading into the 2015 season.

No. 5 USC

2014 record: 9-4, 6-3 Pac-12

Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense

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2015 Outlook: While USC faithful might have been disappointed with last year’s nine-win season, it actually was a good jumping-off point for first-year coach Steve Sarkisian, who was working with a young and undermanned roster. So it’s no surprise that expectations are incredibly high for the Trojans heading into the 2015 season.

And most of those expectations hinge on the play of quarterback Cody Kessler.

In 13 games last season, Kessler threw for 3,826 yards, 39 touchdowns and just five interceptions while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. His passing efficiency was the best among USC quarterbacks since 2000. Yet, he might be one of the most underrated quarterbacks heading into this season.

Kessler is not a Heisman favorite. He’s on a couple other watchlists, but in terms of Heisman hype, he’s ranked eighth on Bovada’s Heisman odds behind four other quarterbacks — two whom play for the same team and one who is a first-year starter — and three running backs.

Still, it’s Kessler’s play that has everyone buzzing about USC’s chances to not only win the Pac-12, but perhaps claim a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff.

But that’s not going to be easy. Many believe the Pac-12 might be the best conference in college football this season and the Pac-12 South the nation’s toughest division. USC finished tied for second in the South last season, and two of the Trojans’ three conference losses were by four or fewer points.

However, with a few more veterans, a deep offensive line and Sarkisian and his staff easing into their second season, those close losses easily can be converted into wins. The only question marks for this team might be at running back and wide receiver. Departed star receiver Nelson Agholor was the top target a year ago, but the offense adds two 6-foot-4 junior college standouts in Isaac Whitney and De’Quan Hampton to go along with JuJu Smith-Schuster and speedy Steve Mitchell.

USC’s roster and experience has the makings of a championship team, but with a difficult schedule and maybe a fragile team psyche, there’s very little room for error. Remember, the last time the Trojans were picked to win the conference, they stumbled to a 7-6 season with a loss against Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

Player to watch: Su’a Cravens, LB

With the departure of defensive stars Leonard Williams and Hayes Pullard, all eyes will be on linebacker Su’a Cravens, who has been one of the most effective members of the Trojan defense while being content to hang in the publicity shadows.

Cravens was a Freshman All-American safety in 2013 and then was all-conference last season at linebacker with 17 tackles for losses and three interceptions. Now, as a junior, he’s embracing more of a leadership role as the Trojans attempt to navigate the second year under defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.

“I’m taking on a leadership role that’s not focusing on just my game, but also on those around me, especially the young guys,” Cravens said at Pac-12 media days. “I’ll notice the mistakes they make that I made two years ago, [and] guys like Marqise Lee or George Farmer or Silas Redd would pull me aside, even if they didn’t play the same position, and tell me, ‘you’ve got to do this.’ I’m just trying to do the same thing.”

And the Trojans will need that leadership if they want to avoid some of the pitfalls that doomed them a year ago, namely faltering late in games. That loss of focus — and Wilcox’s lack of using his defensive speed to blitz more — led to late losses against Boston College, Utah and Arizona State.

Cravens is confident this year will be different with a more mature and seasoned group. Also, Wilcox knowing and understanding his personnel a little better, should lend itself to a more effective defensive scheme.

“We weren’t a young defense, but we were new to the playbook and new to the coaching staff we had,” Cravens said. “We were kind of immature so in the fourth quarter we let games get away from us. So, this year, we’re big on finishing in the fourth quarter, just finishing everything we do, and making sure that we execute to the best of our abilities.”

Breakout player: Steven Mitchell, WR

Two years ago, Steven Mitchell came to USC as a highly touted four-star recruit out of Bishop Alemany High School in California. However, a knee injury his freshman year and a groin injury last year kept Mitchell on the sidelines and relatively quiet.

This year will be different.

Mitchell impressed in the Trojans’ spring game with seven catches for 90 yards, and in a recent scrimmage, had two touchdown catches (one nullified because of a penalty) and several plays over the middle that drew praise from Sarkisian.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to be the go-to target this year, but Mitchell could be the unexpected surprise of the offense. If he can stay healthy, Mitchell will add yet another dimension to an already potent offense. And it’s clear from play in spring ball and through fall camp that Kessler likes him as a target.

At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Mitchell is a perfect slot receiver, but also has shown he has range deep and can catch passes out of the backfield. The latter might be the most important as the Trojans still are trying to find some consistency out of its running backs.

In the past few seasons, having an all-purpose weapon has made the difference for championship teams. The Trojans have one in Mitchell, it’s just a matter of whether he can stay healthy enough to be that difference-maker.

Miss one of our Top 25? No. 5 Baylor, No. 6 Auburn, No. 7 Michigan State, No. 8 Florida State, No. 9 Clemson , No. 10 Oregon, No. 11 Georgia, No. 12 Notre Dame, No. 13 UCLA, No. 14 LSU , No. 15 Georgia Tech , No. 16 Arkansas , No. 17 Ole Miss , No. 18 Arizona State , No. 19 Oklahoma , No. 20 Arizona , No. 21 Tennessee , No. 22 Missouri , No. 23 Stanford , No. 24 Boise State , No. 25 Wisconsin .