Running Back Shuffle

USC will not name a starting tailback. It will just depend on the script which back starts the on the first play. Of course, we expect Joe McKnight to be heavily involved whether or not he is on the field for the first play.
After the first 15 plays, however, the plan is to play whoever has a hot hand on Saturday (although this did not seem to really be the case last year no matter how cold a back was).
But C.J. Gable looks like he could get playing time because he is the best blocker.
``We need to protect Mark (Sanchez),'' running backs coach Todd McNair said.