LANDOVER, Md. - The inexperienced receivers had a tough time getting open. The retooled offensive line had some trouble protecting the star quarterback. And the No.1 team was trailing the 171/2-point underdog with 17 minutes left in the season opener.
Southern California doesn't look unbeatable - yet.
USC began its season with a tougher-than-expected 24-13 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday night at FedEx Field that had to have some wondering what all the fuss was about the Trojans.
"What you're going to tend to do right now is you guys are going to tend to feel like this wasn't a good enough win," coach Pete Carroll told reporters. "This was a great win for our program."
Great only because a loss would have been devastating.
"There's more pressure when you're No.1," linebacker Matt Grootegoed said. "That comes with the territory."
The hype around USC entering the season was feverish. The Trojans were an overwhelming top choice in both the Associated Press media poll and the coaches poll.
With numerous established stars and a stockpile of blue chippers to fill holes, there appeared to be no reason to question USC's credentials.
But in the midst of all the talk about Matt Leinart making a run at the Heisman Trophy, the talented tailbacks and ferocious front seven, the fact that the Trojans had to replace more than half their offense got buried.
Up front the Trojans have one senior, guard John Drake, and two players with starting experience, Drake and guard Fred Matua, a sophomore.
They have a redshirt freshman, Sam Baker, at left tackle, and a junior college transfer, Taitusi Lutui, at right tackle. Center Ryan Kalil is a sophomore who played sparingly last season.
Last year Leinart rarely hit the turf. USC allowed 15 sacks with All-American Jacob Rogers and Winston Justice manning the tackles.
Rogers is now in the NFL and Justice is suspended from school. They were missed against Virginia Tech.
Leinart was sacked twice and another Hokies sack was wiped out by a penalty. On the ground, USC managed 101 yards, 55 less than last year's average.
The Mike Williams-less receiving corps might need more work than the line.
Sophomores Steve Smith and Chris McFoy and freshman Dwayne Jarrett combined for eight catches and 87 yards. Williams alone averaged seven catches, 101 yards and a touchdown last season.
Leinart turned to tailback Reggie Bush for big plays in the passing game Saturday night, connecting with the sophomore three times for long touchdowns.
"It will take time for Matt to develop the chemistry with the young guys," Carroll said.
Several times in the first half, Leinart's quick passes went to vacant spots where receivers should have been.
The offseason was anything but ordinary for USC, with Williams being denied reinstatement by the NCAA, the suspensions of Justice and tailback Hershel Dennis and a police investigation into a possible sexual assault involving at least one player.
With all those distractions on top of the offensive turnover, it should be no surprise USC struggled against a fired-up Virginia Tech playing close to home.
UM: Crudup gets the nod as backup quarterback
CORAL GABLES - Miami coach Larry Coker named fifth-year senior Derrick Crudup the backup quarterback to starter Brock Berlin.
Coker chose Crudup over Kyle Wright, a redshirt freshman widely considered the top prep quarterback in the nation in 2002.
"I feel like Kyle's coming along. But if the game were today, and you asked me to put the No.2 in, I would put Derrick in right now," Coker said.
Crudup, who has appeared in 23 games, has completed 59-of-105 for 703 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
UM opens its season at home against Florida State on Sept.6.
The Hurricanes worked out in full pads for two hours after lightning delayed the start of practice by almost an hour.
"I felt offensively some guys really stepped up; I really was impressed," Coker said. "I thought (receiver) Ryan Moore had an excellent day and Brock Berlin also had an excellent day.
"Defensively, our top players are still playing well. I thought (defensive back) Antrel Rolle had a great practice and (linebacker) Leon Williams was extremely impressive."
