I would rather not start the season No. 1. I like the 2 or 3 spot just fine. The target on our back is big enough already.
I'm not sold on USEw. They are talanted. I picked them No. 5 in my poll. I think the lack of depth will catch up to them late in the year. Kiffin has turned out to be a decent coach but he will not be able to lead a team to a championship without screwing something up.
The advantage I see for USC is where they play, the PAC-12. Their competition is Oregon and not much else. The FEWEST points allowed by a team by defense was 283. That is 23.5 points a game.