There are three key basics to USC going on a sustained run. First, the coaching has to stay in place. Head coach Pete Carroll is in the perfect state for him as he's quickly becoming a college football legend. Second, you need the athletes. No problem with that as the USC Trojans brought in one of the most heralded recruiting classes in history with the promise of more athletes on the way. And finally, you need a bit of scheduling help. Tennessee had all the pieces to go on a big run following its national title in 1998, but it's hard to break free from the pack in the SEC. With all due respect to the Pac 10, the league isn't the SEC.

The key now is to keep improving. After all, as great as the last few seasons have been, USC Trojans still didn't get through them unscathed. Everything Carroll and his tremendous coaching staff did to get USC Trojans on top has to be done to stay there with fierce rivalry at every position and a swagger that says that this USC Trojans team can dominate anyone at any time.