The best defense ever assembled?

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Only in Los Angeles could anyone assemble such a cast.

Southern Cal again begins the season looking down on the rest of college football. But there's a new formula for success in Troy.

Over the past five seasons, Pete Carroll's program has produced a Division I-A-best 59-6 record behind three Heisman Trophy winners and a high-octane offense. But this season's top-ranked Trojans are defined by one of the most talented defenses in college history.

"You watch their tapes, and you don't know whether to laugh or cry," said Dennis Erickson, beginning his first season with Arizona State after superb stints at Washington State (1987-88), Miami (1989-94) and Oregon State (1999-2002). "Their defense is like a horror film for opponents. I coached some pretty special groups at Miami, but I think USC's group this year is on another level."

Over the last two decades, three college defenses — 1992 Alabama, 2001 Miami and 2003 USC — have sent nine or more starters to the NFL. Thanks to an unprecedented three consecutive No. 1 recruiting classes, USC's current crew has equal experience, more speed and considerably more depth than any of those three.

"There is no question in my mind that USC is the best team in the country and maybe the best team in the history of college football," first-year Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said. "They're outstanding offensively and absolutely off the charts defensively."

Front-loaded

After spending most of last season in a 3-4 alignment, USC returns to a conventional 4-3 base this season. Seniors Sedrick Ellis and Lawrence Jackson both delayed first-round NFL paychecks to give the Trojans arguably the strongest tackle/end combination in the nation. Junior run-stuffer Fili Moala (6-foot-4, 295 pounds) returns at the other tackle spot, while ultra-touted junior speed rusher Kyle Moore puts his hand down at the other end slot after struggling in last season's 3-4.

But blue-chip depth is what makes this unit special. Preseason All-Americans Ellis and Jackson are locked in up front, but Moala is backed up by sensational sophomores Averell Spicer (6-2, 295) and Derek Simmons (6-5, 293). And if Moore fails to flourish in the 4-3, don't be surprised to see Carroll turn to true freshman Everson Griffen (6-4, 265), the top pass rusher in last year's prep class and an uber-talent dubbed "Superfreak" by the USC coaching staff.

"Everson is so gifted that we've got to get him some snaps," Carroll said. "Watching the way Kyle has reacted to that competition has been a blast. I can't wait to turn those guys loose in a game because that group has been playing at such a high level in practice."