The big news coming out of the Trojans’ Thursday football practice is that true freshman Kristofer O’Dowd will start at center against Idaho on Saturday. The coaching staff had announced on Wednesday that Jeff Byers would get the start at center (his high school position) as a replacement for the injured Matt Spanos (torn triceps), but changed their minds on Thursday, preferring that Byers stay at his starting guard position so that the offensive line would only have to break in one new starter rather than two. The highly-recruited O’Dowd may in fact be the best center on the Trojans’ roster, but it remains to be seen whether asking a freshman to start at such a challenging position in his first game is too much. (O’Dowd, in fact, will be the first USC freshman ever to start at center–first game or otherwise.)

Other notes from Thursday:

• Because Spanos’ injury directly affects his ability to snap the football, there is some early talk that bringing him back as a guard would allow him to return to the lineup sooner. In any case, he is doubtful for the Nebraska game.
• We previously announced that freshman RB Broderick Green was out with a possible stress fracture in his foot. That diagnosis has since gone from “possible” to “definite”: it is indeed a stress fracture, and Green will be out 6-8 weeks as a result. Look for him to redshirt this season.
• Sophomore CB Vincent Joseph is set to be the primary kickoff returner against Idaho. Although Desmond Reed remains the starting punt returner, the coaches plan for freshman WR Ronald Johnson to get a few opportunities there on Saturday.
• Coach Pete Carroll indicated that, in addition to Johnson and Joe McKnight, freshmen linebackers Malcolm Smith and Chris Galippo should see the field against Idaho. However, it is looking like WR Brandon Carswell and TE Rhett Ellison–despite having strong fall camps–will be held out with the hopes of redshirting.
• WR Travon Patterson was able to practice in full pads for the first time in several weeks. OL Chilo Rachal also returned to practice. CB Josh Pinkard, however, experienced some knee soreness and missed half of the day’s practice as a result.
• Freshman defensive lineman Michael Reardon has been moved to the offensive line to provide depth.

Thursday Insider: O’Dowd’s Day (Rivals, $)
Thursday Practice Report (WeAreSC, $)
USC looking at many returns (OC Register)
Freshman will get start at center (LA Times)
USC’s Green, Howell injured (Daily News)