The USC Trojans will sport one of the most-experienced defenses in College Football this season, so it’s no surprise they are the early favorite to win the 2009 BCS National Championship.

USC Head Coach Pete Carroll must have been doing cartwheels when he learned that linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing would forego the NFL Draft for one more year with the Trojans.

Add to that tandem returning defensive linemen Everson Griffen (end) and Christian Tupou (tackle), and the Trojans defense could be as good, or better, than it was last year, when it ranked 2nd in the nation behind the Ohio State Buckeyes.

USC is a +300 favorite to win the BCS National Championship in BetUS Football Futures Betting. The Trojans are a huge favorite (-300) to win the Pac-10 Conference. The next closest team is the Arizona State Sun Devils at +400.

The USC offense is no pushover, either, even without quarterback John Paul Booty, who was named the Offensive MVP in USC Rose Bowl victory last season and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Junior Mark Sanchez is expected to fill Booty’s boots. He went 69 of 144 (60.5 percent) for 695 yards and seven touchdowns and five interceptions while replacing Booty when he was injured last season.

The Trojans are in good shape at running back, as well, with Junior Stafon Johnson (98 carries, 673 yards, five touchdowns) the probable starter. Sophomore Joe McKnight (94, 540, three) will also get his share of carries.

One of them will be working in tandem with All-Pac-10 fullback Stan Havili.

USC won its sixth straight Pac-10 title last season, capped by a 49-17 Rose Bowl victory over the Big Ten champion Illinois Fighting Illini.