USC to cover?
- Thread starter Da_Insider
- Start date
Once again great write-up and i enjoy reading your posts. But once again i disagree with few of your comments.
#1, USC will not be starting a freshman in the backfield. Lienart is redshirt sophmore and Hershall Dennis RB (top 5 RB out of high school) is a sophomore and Pete Carroll said he would have started last year if Fargas was not a senior. Hershall got some playing time last year and should get 20 carries, and his 2 backups are true frosh with one being a phenom reggie bush.
#2, USC also has depth on defense. USC goes at "least" 2 deep on the DL, and these backups would start on a lot of teams in D1. Last year USC had zero depth but the DL but dominated all year. Same starters are back (add cody
) and USC has depth. USC has maybe 2 quality LB's for depth, and has 2 quality DB's for depth. All in all, USC can rotate the defense all day long and "hopefully" not miss too much of a beat. (def. will help in the hot weather and remember, last year these same guys had no depth and still dominated)
#3 "YOU SAID" AU QB and WR's vs. SC LB's and DB's: In my uninformed mind, this is the biggest mismatch of the game, and I hope our coaches see it and abuse it. :shrug:
Wait a minute, what are you talking about? USC has 2 legitimate shut down corners, Seniors Marcell Allmond and Will Poole. Also have 2 quality backups senior Arbet and junior Nunn. Arbet i think will start but Poole is better (who was projected to go 4th round in NFL if he left JC last year) USC will leave our DB's one on one with your WR's (who might be good but nowhere near as good as the WR's our DB's faced every day in practice) and load the line of scrimmage. If campbell can pass effectively out of this (with pressure on his ass) USC simply will drop back and then the AU running game will most likely pick up but AU will prob. suffer with passing.
Also, the USC LB's are very solid (not as good as AU's LB's) but they are good and fast. Watch for #6 grootegood, he is awesome despite being undersized.
I have 2 questions and i fear one thing.
I fear USC turnovers (young backfield and inexperienced).
Q1: Can AU offense wear down the USC defense and run on them even if our offense struggles (might happen)?
Q2: Can AU get pressure on Lienart (who is not mobile) and will he fold or be able to hit our outstanding WR's?
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE GAME AND TO SEE WHO WAS RIGHT WITH THEIR PREDICTIONS!!!!!
FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!
#1, USC will not be starting a freshman in the backfield. Lienart is redshirt sophmore and Hershall Dennis RB (top 5 RB out of high school) is a sophomore and Pete Carroll said he would have started last year if Fargas was not a senior. Hershall got some playing time last year and should get 20 carries, and his 2 backups are true frosh with one being a phenom reggie bush.
#2, USC also has depth on defense. USC goes at "least" 2 deep on the DL, and these backups would start on a lot of teams in D1. Last year USC had zero depth but the DL but dominated all year. Same starters are back (add cody
) and USC has depth. USC has maybe 2 quality LB's for depth, and has 2 quality DB's for depth. All in all, USC can rotate the defense all day long and "hopefully" not miss too much of a beat. (def. will help in the hot weather and remember, last year these same guys had no depth and still dominated)#3 "YOU SAID" AU QB and WR's vs. SC LB's and DB's: In my uninformed mind, this is the biggest mismatch of the game, and I hope our coaches see it and abuse it. :shrug:
Wait a minute, what are you talking about? USC has 2 legitimate shut down corners, Seniors Marcell Allmond and Will Poole. Also have 2 quality backups senior Arbet and junior Nunn. Arbet i think will start but Poole is better (who was projected to go 4th round in NFL if he left JC last year) USC will leave our DB's one on one with your WR's (who might be good but nowhere near as good as the WR's our DB's faced every day in practice) and load the line of scrimmage. If campbell can pass effectively out of this (with pressure on his ass) USC simply will drop back and then the AU running game will most likely pick up but AU will prob. suffer with passing.
Also, the USC LB's are very solid (not as good as AU's LB's) but they are good and fast. Watch for #6 grootegood, he is awesome despite being undersized.
I have 2 questions and i fear one thing.
I fear USC turnovers (young backfield and inexperienced).
Q1: Can AU offense wear down the USC defense and run on them even if our offense struggles (might happen)?
Q2: Can AU get pressure on Lienart (who is not mobile) and will he fold or be able to hit our outstanding WR's?
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE GAME AND TO SEE WHO WAS RIGHT WITH THEIR PREDICTIONS!!!!!
FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!
Wareagle-
Thanks, very good stuff.
I am a little unsure about what you view as the biggest mismatch of the game, i.e. AU QB & WRs vs SC LBs & DBs. I think SC's DBs are good enough to leave on an island with AUs WRs. They have at least 4 guys that can man up with anyone. I actually think it will allow them to stack the line & stop the run.
What am I missing? In your previous write up, you mention the inexperience of AUs WRs as well as the great experience of the USC CBs. I view it as an advantage to SC.
Also, dont overestimate what Leniert needs to do. He needs to keep AU honest. Last year, I dont think Palmer went down field more than 4 or 5 times. All the passes were simple dink & dunks.
This is going to be a great game.
Thanks, very good stuff.
I am a little unsure about what you view as the biggest mismatch of the game, i.e. AU QB & WRs vs SC LBs & DBs. I think SC's DBs are good enough to leave on an island with AUs WRs. They have at least 4 guys that can man up with anyone. I actually think it will allow them to stack the line & stop the run.
What am I missing? In your previous write up, you mention the inexperience of AUs WRs as well as the great experience of the USC CBs. I view it as an advantage to SC.
Also, dont overestimate what Leniert needs to do. He needs to keep AU honest. Last year, I dont think Palmer went down field more than 4 or 5 times. All the passes were simple dink & dunks.
This is going to be a great game.
With all this said, I wouldn't touch this game with your money. Vegas is licking their chops and i will sit back and watch two top ten teams battle on the plains. May the best team win!
War Eagle! and Fight On!
War Eagle! and Fight On!
Opinions
Opinions
1) Auburn's offense shouldn't be able to run up pts v USC D. QB's for Auburn threw for less than 2400 yds last year and biggest threat TE Johnson no longer there. New OC Nall shouldn't change philosophy for the Tigers, but 3rd down decisions may become predictable for USC D if QB Campbell fails in his early attempts. I seriously doubt Auburn has come from behind capabilities.
2) The Trojans have the ability to pass to setup the run (or to setup the Aub LB's??). Norm Chow is the best OC in the college game. I dont care how good Auburn's LB's are, they will still have trouble stopping SC's short passing game. Huge coaching edge to the Trojans on both sides of the ball! "They are doing on the west coast what UGA is doing here, except they are nabbing players from a larger area and have better coaches," to quote war eagle.
3) Auburn's speed being a problem for USC is a ridiculous assumption! The Trojans have as much speed as Miami or Florida State. The heat & humidity may slow them down, but I think opening game atmosphere may even out effects for both squads.
4) Home field & revenge are 2 potent factors in college football. The Trojans laid an egg last year in Manhattan, Kansas and have leadership issues at key positions. Auburn's stout defensive front will feed off the crowd & rattle SC's inexperienced QB if the Tigers hold a late game lead.
I think the overall offensive talent & coaching will overcome the home field edge here. Trojans +160!
Opinions
1) Auburn's offense shouldn't be able to run up pts v USC D. QB's for Auburn threw for less than 2400 yds last year and biggest threat TE Johnson no longer there. New OC Nall shouldn't change philosophy for the Tigers, but 3rd down decisions may become predictable for USC D if QB Campbell fails in his early attempts. I seriously doubt Auburn has come from behind capabilities.
2) The Trojans have the ability to pass to setup the run (or to setup the Aub LB's??). Norm Chow is the best OC in the college game. I dont care how good Auburn's LB's are, they will still have trouble stopping SC's short passing game. Huge coaching edge to the Trojans on both sides of the ball! "They are doing on the west coast what UGA is doing here, except they are nabbing players from a larger area and have better coaches," to quote war eagle.
3) Auburn's speed being a problem for USC is a ridiculous assumption! The Trojans have as much speed as Miami or Florida State. The heat & humidity may slow them down, but I think opening game atmosphere may even out effects for both squads.
4) Home field & revenge are 2 potent factors in college football. The Trojans laid an egg last year in Manhattan, Kansas and have leadership issues at key positions. Auburn's stout defensive front will feed off the crowd & rattle SC's inexperienced QB if the Tigers hold a late game lead.
I think the overall offensive talent & coaching will overcome the home field edge here. Trojans +160!
80/80 game
80/80 game
Been a couple of years since I've seen one, but this may turn out to be a real 80/80 game. Humidity is the x factor. Next time you have a month of free time look and see what the ATS records of games where the visitor is from
California,
Nevada,
New Mexico,
Idaho,
Arizona,
Utah,
Colorado,
Montana,
Idaho
and the game time temperature and humidity are both above 80.
Some really good teams end up on the wrong end of what seem to be soft lines.
80/80 game
Been a couple of years since I've seen one, but this may turn out to be a real 80/80 game. Humidity is the x factor. Next time you have a month of free time look and see what the ATS records of games where the visitor is from
California,
Nevada,
New Mexico,
Idaho,
Arizona,
Utah,
Colorado,
Montana,
Idaho
and the game time temperature and humidity are both above 80.
Some really good teams end up on the wrong end of what seem to be soft lines.
Funny funny, but these guys are the real deal. Ask Campbell after Saturday!
Do you remember Malafou Makenzie (spelling might be wrong)??? Well if you don't, let me refresh you, he was the RB out of the backfield that destroyed the AU defense last time we played. I think he was one of the big reasons we beat AU because your defense could not stop him from out of the backfield.
Now hear me out, USC recruited a phenom Whitney Lewis (sure u know him if u follow recruiting) and he is big/strong/and super fast. Well, Pete Carroll moved him to FB to Makenzies old position where the FB will be a recieving threat. Whitney is much stronger, faster, and more talented than Makenzie. He could be the X-Factor in this game because i know your running backs cannot keep up with him. He was moved from WR to FB because USC is LOADED at WR now. He wears #4 but i don't know how much playing time he will get because he twisted his knee 2 weeks ago but he is ready to play now.
FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you remember Malafou Makenzie (spelling might be wrong)??? Well if you don't, let me refresh you, he was the RB out of the backfield that destroyed the AU defense last time we played. I think he was one of the big reasons we beat AU because your defense could not stop him from out of the backfield.
Now hear me out, USC recruited a phenom Whitney Lewis (sure u know him if u follow recruiting) and he is big/strong/and super fast. Well, Pete Carroll moved him to FB to Makenzies old position where the FB will be a recieving threat. Whitney is much stronger, faster, and more talented than Makenzie. He could be the X-Factor in this game because i know your running backs cannot keep up with him. He was moved from WR to FB because USC is LOADED at WR now. He wears #4 but i don't know how much playing time he will get because he twisted his knee 2 weeks ago but he is ready to play now.
FIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!
The offensive game plans for both teams will likely be very similar. Both Pete Carroll and Tommy Tuberville prefer a ball control offense. That doesn?t necessarily mean running the ball every play, but it does mean running it or throwing it short a great deal of the time, and only going deep now and then. Southern Cal will run probably two-thirds of the time, at least early, and throw off play-action. Chow will attempt to get the ball to his fullbacks and tailbacks in space, preferably against a blitz. He will push the ball deep to Colbert and Williams four or five times, and will run both on the intermediate (15-18 yards) out frequently. In the red zone, SC will throw the quick slant to the wide receivers, the drag to the tight end, and delayed patterns to the backs. If Auburn is able to get a strong pass rush, look for screens and draws from SC to slow the rush.
Carroll will attempt to defense AU with seven in the box. The strong safety will play up some to support the run, and unless Auburn is able to establish a legitimate passing threat, he?ll start out around seven yards deep and gradually creep closer. If Auburn is able to run the ball effectively, SC will go to eight in the box, and play a lot of man coverage. Carroll likes to create big plays on defense, and will blitz frequently, even if he?s able to get a decent rush out of his front four.
Auburn will need to be patient offensively. The key to this game is for AU to hold the ball and wear down the SC defense, which will take time. Auburn held the ball for 9:35 of the second quarter of last year?s game, and the Trojan defense was beginning to tire. But in the third quarter, the Tigers only had the ball for 5:37, and it was the Auburn defense that began to wear down. In the fourth quarter, Auburn only had the ball for 2:48, and, late in the game, the Tiger defense was exhausted. Auburn has a great deal more depth on the defensive line this time around, considerably more than Southern Cal. But, that won?t matter if the SC defense isn?t forced to stay on the field.
Patience may also be the order of the day for AU defensively. SC has two big play receivers, and tailbacks with speed. With an inexperienced quarterback, the Trojans will have a hard time executing long, multiple-play drives without a mistake. AU needs to play field position football and not give up big plays. Even with Norm Chow pulling the strings, the chances of SC driving the length of the field without a major mistake are slim, given that they?ll need to run the ball consistently against Auburn?s very quick defense. It?s a certainty that AU Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik will attempt to confuse the young SC quarterback with a multitude of schemes, coverages, and last-second defensive shifts, trying to bait him into a bad play. Chow knows that, of course, and the chess match between Chizik and Chow should be fun to watch.
Special teams, as always, will affect the outcome of the game. In a game between teams as closely matched as these, field position is always a critical factor. A game like this can turn on a blocked or shanked punt, a big kickoff return, or a missed field goal. Every play is a potential game-turner, especially in the kicking game, and every play must be executed with controlled, 100% effort. Auburn?s uncertainty in the kicking game could well prove to be the Tigers? undoing in this contest.
All things considered, this big game is one that Auburn should win. The Tigers have more experience at some key skill positions, notably quarterback and tailback, and more depth on the defensive front. But the talent level is so closely matched, the game will likely come down to which team makes a critical error at the wrong time.
Auburn fans are fond of remembering how close last year?s game was, with the Trojans scoring late to take a 24-17 win. But truthfully, the game was closer than it should have been. The Auburn team that traveled to Los Angeles last year was, in fact, not a very good football team. That changed over the course of the season, obviously, and had the two teams met near the end of the year, the outcome would have been very much in doubt. Both teams improved dramatically by season?s end, and both finished strong. It will be interesting to see if either, or both, can pick up this season where they left off last year.
Carroll will attempt to defense AU with seven in the box. The strong safety will play up some to support the run, and unless Auburn is able to establish a legitimate passing threat, he?ll start out around seven yards deep and gradually creep closer. If Auburn is able to run the ball effectively, SC will go to eight in the box, and play a lot of man coverage. Carroll likes to create big plays on defense, and will blitz frequently, even if he?s able to get a decent rush out of his front four.
Auburn will need to be patient offensively. The key to this game is for AU to hold the ball and wear down the SC defense, which will take time. Auburn held the ball for 9:35 of the second quarter of last year?s game, and the Trojan defense was beginning to tire. But in the third quarter, the Tigers only had the ball for 5:37, and it was the Auburn defense that began to wear down. In the fourth quarter, Auburn only had the ball for 2:48, and, late in the game, the Tiger defense was exhausted. Auburn has a great deal more depth on the defensive line this time around, considerably more than Southern Cal. But, that won?t matter if the SC defense isn?t forced to stay on the field.
Patience may also be the order of the day for AU defensively. SC has two big play receivers, and tailbacks with speed. With an inexperienced quarterback, the Trojans will have a hard time executing long, multiple-play drives without a mistake. AU needs to play field position football and not give up big plays. Even with Norm Chow pulling the strings, the chances of SC driving the length of the field without a major mistake are slim, given that they?ll need to run the ball consistently against Auburn?s very quick defense. It?s a certainty that AU Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik will attempt to confuse the young SC quarterback with a multitude of schemes, coverages, and last-second defensive shifts, trying to bait him into a bad play. Chow knows that, of course, and the chess match between Chizik and Chow should be fun to watch.
Special teams, as always, will affect the outcome of the game. In a game between teams as closely matched as these, field position is always a critical factor. A game like this can turn on a blocked or shanked punt, a big kickoff return, or a missed field goal. Every play is a potential game-turner, especially in the kicking game, and every play must be executed with controlled, 100% effort. Auburn?s uncertainty in the kicking game could well prove to be the Tigers? undoing in this contest.
All things considered, this big game is one that Auburn should win. The Tigers have more experience at some key skill positions, notably quarterback and tailback, and more depth on the defensive front. But the talent level is so closely matched, the game will likely come down to which team makes a critical error at the wrong time.
Auburn fans are fond of remembering how close last year?s game was, with the Trojans scoring late to take a 24-17 win. But truthfully, the game was closer than it should have been. The Auburn team that traveled to Los Angeles last year was, in fact, not a very good football team. That changed over the course of the season, obviously, and had the two teams met near the end of the year, the outcome would have been very much in doubt. Both teams improved dramatically by season?s end, and both finished strong. It will be interesting to see if either, or both, can pick up this season where they left off last year.
Good post and i agree with you on almost everything. I know likes to come out passig, and use the pass to set up the run. Last year USC was pretty much 50/50 in passing and running. If USC comes out too conservative, i think USC will lose.
As for teams picking up where they left off, i think AU has the advantage here because of experience at key positions.
First play of the game for USC will be a screen pass to Mike Williams for 3-5 yards. Especially if AU is playing MIKE deep off the line.
I would like to see USC throw it deep in the first possession. If somehow we complete it, we take the crowd noice out of the game early.
USC field goal kicker is very hot or cold. Capable making 54yard field goal in practice, but also capable of missing a 35 yarder. HOT AND COLD and i do not hve much confidence in him.
As for teams picking up where they left off, i think AU has the advantage here because of experience at key positions.
First play of the game for USC will be a screen pass to Mike Williams for 3-5 yards. Especially if AU is playing MIKE deep off the line.
I would like to see USC throw it deep in the first possession. If somehow we complete it, we take the crowd noice out of the game early.
USC field goal kicker is very hot or cold. Capable making 54yard field goal in practice, but also capable of missing a 35 yarder. HOT AND COLD and i do not hve much confidence in him.
war eagle, my job has had me in ala. 3 out of the last 6 weeks(bad luck i guess) seriously, i have never been in a state before that is so football motivated. i only wish the memphis tigers and tenn vols had 1/2 the intrest that aub/ala has. anyway gl tomorrow.
seriously, i have never been in a state before that is so football motivated. i only wish the memphis tigers and tenn vols had 1/2 the intrest that aub/ala has. anyway gl tomorrow.Thanks for all the info in this thread, Great Game for an open discussion. Are there any bases that have not been covered.
What are the teams eating before the game? Keep it coming.
Thanks
What are the teams eating before the game? Keep it coming.
Thanks
congrats scott
congrats scott
I know no one is happier than U tonight .... USCs D dictated game ... Campbell wanted no part of it after a bit ... give your QB a few more games under his belt and USC might get your shot for the NC... I know its early, but being a hoop coach for 20 years I know D is the equalizer in sports and im not sure anyone does it any better than USC ...
hehe and thanx dr marv too
gl, gregg
congrats scott
I know no one is happier than U tonight .... USCs D dictated game ... Campbell wanted no part of it after a bit ... give your QB a few more games under his belt and USC might get your shot for the NC... I know its early, but being a hoop coach for 20 years I know D is the equalizer in sports and im not sure anyone does it any better than USC ...
hehe and thanx dr marv too
gl, gregg
