USC Football Links: Bold Prediction, Heisman Candidate?

USC football season is now only four days away, but the Trojans will be without starting cornerback Josh Shaw for the foreseeable future after he rightfully kept his family first and became Superman Shaw.

On Sunday, USC released its first game notes and depth chart. We gave our five biggest takeaways and also noted that the Trojans would honor Louis Zamperini. Other articles from us in the last couple days:

• Peter Smith Named National Coach of the Year
• Matt Cassel Named Vikings Starting Quarterback
• Greg Townsend Says USC's Defense Is Ready For The Season Opener
• Rookie Marcus Martin Injured In Preseason Game
• USC Athletic Director Pat Haden Hospitalized Twice

Here's some other interesting USC football stories, tidbits and quotes from around the web about the current team, former Trojans and future members of the cardinal and gold:

2014 USC Season

• CFL Extra: Bold prediction for USC
  ESPN's Danny Kanell offers up a bold prediction for USC...a final four type of bold prediction.

• The 2014 preseason HeismanPundit Heisman Watch
  Heisman Pundit put out his first Heisman Watch of the season and Buck Allen makes the list.

  "The USC running back position, like the Notre Dame quarterback, is well-suited for a Heisman run."

• PODCAST:  Sarkisian vs. Kiffin, star freshmen and more USC talk
  Ryan Abraham of USCfootball.com joins Bruce Feldman for his "The Audible" podcast to talk about the Trojans. Good listen while at work.

• ESPN previews the 2014 season for USC with a best-case scenario of 11-1, but a worst-case scenario of 7-5.

• USC stud defensive lineman Leonard Williams falls in the top 5 of NFL.com's top 20 college football players.

• And here's the only time you'll see Big Leonard Williams ranked No. 6 for USC - The Ten of Troy.

• "Steve Sarkisian will win at USC, but it will take awhile before his Trojans are blowing teams out. USC 38-24." -- Pac-12 picks: Spokesman.com

• PODCAST: Sean Salisbury gets fired up on Peri Podcast
  Instead of being the guest, this time Ryan Abraham of USCfootball.com hosts Sean Salisbury, Dan Weber and Harvey Hyde.

• The Bearfighter, Zack Jerome, talks about the upcoming season, USC coming out of hibernation again and enjoying that UCLA is finally good once more...as only he can. He also rants about his favorite topic -- the NCAA:

  "The NCAA is so soft they literally acknowledge the championship we 'gave up.'...The people who took our title away literally acknowledge they were unable to take our title away."

• Steve Sarkisian answers a Six-Pack of Questions for ESPN:

Past Trojan Greats

• Mark Sanchez Establishing Himself as Quality Backup in Chip Kelly's System

• Niners Nation provides an update on Marcus Martin's injury.
  Martin could be out for two months. They take a look at their next decision.

Future Trojans

• Despite the sanctions and loss of scholarships, the Trojans STILL rank in the top 10 overall for recruiting the last four years.

• Recruiting: USC Trojans' prospects kick off season
  USC recruits get their seasons started this weekend as well.