Southern Cal tailback Reggie Bush has learned to appreciate what Trojans opponents have to deal with.

"Whenever I played NCAA Football (video game), they'd get USC,'' Bush said of his teammates. "They were beating me, with me.''

The Trojans have spent the past two seasons beating everyone, marching to 22 consecutive victories by taking advantage of Bush's various talents.

Bush has produced touchdowns five different ways: rushing, receiving, on kick and punt returns and even passing.

USC senior quarterback Matt Leinart posted superior statistics en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, but it was Bush whom teammates chose as their MVP.

"That meant a lot to me,'' said Bush, who finished fifth in the Heisman voting and ranks among the frontrunners this season. "Those are the guys that I sweat and fight with.

"Obviously, (the Heisman Trophy) will be in the back of my mind. But it's out of my control, and my focus is on our team and this season.''

And what a season the Trojans figure to have, even with the departure of offensive coordinator Norm Chow. USC returns eight starters - not counting Bush - including four offensive linemen.

Then there's returning receivers Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett, and tailback LenDale White, some of the best position players in the nation.

So, just how can defenses be expected to cover all the bases, and stop a wildcard like Bush, who can line up at any of the receiver positions or in the backfield?

The only thing Bush was able to figure out via the video game was how to slow his running prowess.

"I run a lot of cornerback blitzes,'' Bush said. "That way, I can't get to the outside on my runs.''

Bush said he recently clocked a 4.25-second time in the 40-yard dash, and he has run a 10.42 in the 100 meters. Growing up in San Diego, Bush enjoyed watching the running style of former San Diego State great Marshall Faulk. It's obvious from watching Bush there are some similarities.

Bush's late-season exploits in 2004 came after he suffered a left-shoulder injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in February to repair damage to the bursal sac and remove loose cartilage from the shoulder joint, he said.

"After our Stanford game (Nov. 5), my arm was aching,'' Bush said. "I couldn't even lift it.''

Bush said he was back and feeling 100 percent within two months of the minor surgery.

"There are things I'd love to improve on this season,'' Bush said. "I want to establish myself more as a tailback, become a better pass blocker and get a lot better running between the tackles.''

Bush still plans on running back punts and kicks - "That's where I can showcase my talents,'' he said - and he's eager to maintain his role as the Trojans' X-factor.

"I can't explain it,'' Bush said, "but for me, it's about making plays and stepping up when your team needs you.''

And that's just what it takes to win a Heisman.

Here's the remainder of the News Sentinel's top 10 Heisman candidates:

QB Matt Leinart, Sr., USC Leinart passed on the NFL with hopes of winning another national title and joining Ohio State tailback Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner.

A two-time All-American, Leinart has two returning receivers in addition to backs Bush and 1,000-yard rusher White.

Leinart's 71 career touchdown passes are just one shy of the school record held by Carson Palmer.

QB Vince Young, Jr., Texas Fresh off MVP honors in the Longhorns' dramatic 38-37 Rose Bowl win over Michigan, in which he accounted for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Young enters the season with momentum.

Young is 17-2 as a starter for a Texas team that figures to contend for the national championship. Heisman voters can keep an eye out for highlights: In addition to passing for 1,849 yards and 12 TDs, Young led the nation's QBs with 1,079 yards rushing. He has 26 career runs of 20 or more yards, and five of 59 yards plus.

QB Chad Henne, Soph., Michigan A Scripps' Freshman All-American choice last season, Henne became the first true freshman quarterback in history to lead his team to the conference title, and the Wolverines are odds-on favorites to win the league again.

An accurate passer with a 60-percent completion rate, Henne tied the school record with 25 touchdown passes last season. A four-touchdown performance against Texas tied a Rose Bowl record.

RB Adrian Peterson, Soph, Oklahoma Last year's Heisman Trophy runner-up, Peterson enjoyed the most prolific season for a freshman running back with 339 carries for 1,925 yards and 15 TDs.

Oklahoma's won-loss record will have as much to do with Peterson's Heisman hopes as the statistics he posts.

QB Reggie McNeal, Sr., Texas A&M According to Iowa State coach Dan McCarney, there's no scarier player in the Big 12 than McNeal, who possesses both an accurate arm and running ability.

McNeal, who set Texas A&M records with 2,791 yards passing and 3,509 total yards, was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award last season. His 718 yards rushing also broke the all-time mark for Aggies' quarterbacks.

RB Gerald Riggs Jr., Sr., Tennessee Returning 1,000-yard rusher has the luxury of having the backfield to himself behind the Vols' most talented offensive line since their 1998 national championship team.

Riggs rushed for more than 100 yards in three of UT's final four games last season, including an 11-carry, 182-yard performance in the SEC championship game against Auburn.

WR/PR Ted Ginn Jr., Soph., Ohio State The speedy Ginn scored eight touchdowns on 59 touches last season, four on punt returns with another pair on both runs and pass receptions.

Ginn's returns are highlight material, as he averaged 25.6 yards per punt return, tops in the nation and best in school history. Last year's receiving numbers - 25 catches, 359 yards - should take a jump.

QB Drew Tate, Jr., Iowa Last year's first-team Big Ten quarterback was voted the conference's preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Tate capped an impressive 2004 campaign with MVP honors in the Hawkeyes' 30-25 win over LSU in the Capital One Bowl.

He ranked second in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (134.7), third in passing yards per game (232.2), and fourth in total offense (225.8).

RB DeAngelo Williams, Sr., Memphis A catchy Heisman campaign featuring a sporty NASCAR-like collectable should give Williams a gentle shove, but the Tigers will need to make some noise to get Williams over the hump.

The two-time Conference USA Player of the Year led the nation with 22 rushing touchdowns last season and ranked second in the country with 1,948 yards. He returns as the NCAA's active leader among running backs in rushing touchdowns, yards, yards per carry and all-purpose yards.

Mike Griffith may be reached at 865-342-6289.