LOS ANGELES  It's almost finally here. Early Monday evening, head coach Lane Kiffin will trot out his 2012 USC Trojans, a team that most experts are touting as a potential national champion, for the first day of preseason practice.

Trojans practices are still "off-limits" to the public because of the continuing NCAA sanctions, but you can almost guarantee the following will take place on opening day:

Even before the first horn to signal the beginning of practice, students walking along the outside perimeter of Howard Jones/Brian Kennedy Field will hear the sounds of football emanating from inside and stop for a moment, smile, and nod that the season is here.

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Greg Katz | email

Columnist, WeAreSC.com

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• USC Trojans columnist
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• Joined ESPN.com in 2011