USC Preview

[Master Capper]

Is it too premature to start talking about USC as the next Miami? Granted, one national championship, and a disputed one at that, doesn't make a dynasty, but the pieces are place to go on a multi-year run that should keep the Trojans among the elite of college football's elite.

There are three key elements to USC going on a sustained run. First, the coaching has to stay in place. Head coach Pete Carroll is in the perfect situation for him as he's quickly becoming a college football legend. Second, you need the athletes. No problem with that as the Trojans brought in one of the most heralded recruiting classes in history with the promise of more athletes on the way. And finally, you need a bit of scheduling help. Tennessee had all the pieces to go on a big run following its national title in 1998, but it's hard to break free from the pack in the SEC. With all due respect to the Pac 10, the league isn't the SEC.

The key now is to keep improving. After all, as great as the last few seasons have been, USC still didn't get through them unscathed. Everything Carroll and his tremendous coaching staff did to get USC on top has to be done to stay there with fierce competition at every position and a swagger that says that this team can dominate anyone at any time. It'll be a fun ride to watch.

The Schedule: No offense to Virginia Tech or any of the Pac 10 teams, but this schedule is way too light for a team as good as USC. There's no Oregon while Washington comes to LA. Be careful of Arizona State, Oregon State and Washington State, but a national-title team should be able to handle those two road tests. There's no one on the schedule that, on paper, should come within double-digits of the Trojans.

Best Offensive Player: Junior QB Matt Leinart. RB Reggie Bush might be more awe inspiring, but Leinart is the Heisman-caliber player who'll need to be better than ever without Mike Williams to throw to and with several new starters on the line.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Shaun Cody. A star tackle, Cody will move to the end. One of the nation's most talented and versatile linemen, he should see a bit of time on the inside as well moving around to wherever the there's a need.

Key player to a successful season: With offensive tackle Jacob Rogers off to the NFL and Winston Justice off to his legal issues, the Trojan line needs to rely on some new tackles to keep Matt Leinart upright. Redshirt freshman Sam Baker and sophomore Kyle Williams have tremendous talent, and they'll need to come through right off the bat.

The season will be a success if ... USC wins the national title. There's no excuse for the Trojans to not be in Miami in early January. There's way too much talent and way too many athletes to accept anything less than a berth in the Orange Bowl.

Key game: October 30th at Washington State. The Trojans will be untouchable at home, but they've had a few road struggles over the last few years losing to the Cougars in 2002. Washington State won't be as strong this year, but it'll still be a dangerous road test for USC before going to Oregon State the following week.

2003 Fun Stats:
- First half scoring: USC 293 - Opponents 110
- Sacks: USC 55 - Opponents 15
- Penalties: Opponents 105 for 683 yards - USC 69 for 634

 

[Scott4USC]

Thanks Master Capper for the USC preview.

This is what I did not know and found very interesting.

2003 Fun Stats:
- First half scoring: USC 293 - Opponents 110
- Sacks: USC 55 - Opponents 15
- Penalties: Opponents 105 for 683 yards - USC 69 for 634

That was just complete domination last year and what great discipline the coaches had on that team. Only 69 penalties all year. Great reflection on the coaching staff. No wonder Leinart had such a great year for 1st time starting when the OL only gave up 15 sacks all season. And Leinart is NOT a mobile QB.

I was told that Lindy's Football Magazine had some very nice things to say about the Trojans.

Firstly they picked USC No 1 in the pre-season and had comments like.......

"with an offense that sings and a defense that kills with speed, it looks like a total conquest at the Orange Bowl on Jan 4."

Some Pete Carroll quotes from Lindy's

USC's stated goals this season are "win the Pac 10 championship and the Rose Bowl"

"I was a lot more worried last year when we had to replace a Heisman Trophy winner at Quarterback and our top defensive player. We're way ahead of where we were last year. And we're miles ahead at the Quarterback position from last year"

"We're more athletic than we've ever been on the offensive line"

Carroll on the three tailbacks "A guy like Reggie is very unique with his speed and I like powering the football with Lendale, while Hershel brings a little bit of everything"

Oh, and here's one from Orgeron on freshman recruit Thomas Herring "is so quick and athletic that he'll play defensive end" claiming he's "more skilled than first round pick Udeze was as a freshman"

Lindy's National player rankings

QB
Leinhart USC #1

RB
White USC #14

TE
Holmes USC #10

AP
Bush USC #3

DE
Cody USC #3

DT
Patterson USC #5

OLB
Grootegoed USC #4

S
Bing USC #14

P
Malone USC #1

 

[hm23]

I dunno, I don't quite buy the Leinart hype. He's a good QB but we'll see how he does w/o an experienced line or Mike Williams.



Have you heard anything on Justice's or Williams' status, Scott?

 

[Scott4USC]

hm23

I dunno, I don't quite buy the Leinart hype. He's a good QB but we'll see how he does w/o an experienced line or Mike Williams.

I thought the same thing as you. Actually in the beginning of last year I had little faith in Leinart and Chow really showed my why he is the #1 OC in the nation. Leinart did benefit from OL and WR' and talent around him. I still had my doubts about him after the NC season but after spring practices and the Spring game I am convinced he is the real deal. He has total command of the Chow offense and Palmer never had command of the Chow offense. If the OL struggles, Leinart can do 3 step drops and fire where it is almost impossible to sack him. I am not worried at all about the WR's at USC and that was without Williams coming back. To answer your 2nd question, I strongly believe Williams will be back next year for USC. Also remember Leinart gets his 2 starting Tight Ends back. Both were hurt all last year. Byrd IMO is almost as good as Winslow was a tight end. He is that gifted and dominating. I also will bet Byrd scores more than one TD unlike Winslow. :142lmao:

To answer your question about the OL and Winston Justice. First off, Justice who was the #4 OL in the country, has been suspended for the year. 1st violation was talking to a prostitute and his 2nd was carrying a BB Gun close to campus and showing someone. That got him suspended for 1 year. At other Universities it prob. be a slap on the wrist.

As for the OL, losing Justice hurts BUT WITHOUT A DOUBT the OL this year will be more TALENTED, STRONGER, BIGGER, and more ATHLETIC than last years OL. So what is the problem? They lack experience. That is HUGE IMO for OL unit. You need experience. I love the OL coach at USC and I feel this unit will get the job done. The OL coach said "if this OL is not better than last years, I should be fired. That is how talented they are." Carroll also said "not to worry at all about the OL." So why should I? Most coaches downplay a unit or could use it as an excuse. Not the USC coaching staff. Oh yeah, it doesn't hurt to recruit the #1 JC O-Lineman last year!!! I think he is 6.7 380 pounds and is extremely mobile for his weight!!!! I also was impressed with the OL in Spring Practices and Scrimmage. Remember, they are practicing against the #1 DL in the country!!!

Maybe I gave you more than what you wanted to know, but I would not be worried about Leinart, the WR's or the OL. USC "could" struggle early in the season but by the end of the year I am confident nobody in the country will beat USC.

 

[hm23]

I like the USC WR's, namely the projected starters, Smith and Lewis. But Williams had that special skill in turning a short pass a long way...are you saying Smith will do much the same?

Also, don't you have concerns at CB. I think Cal will look to exploit them on the perimeter.

I am curious to see how Booty is incorporated into the QB position. I always thought Leinart would get the nod over Cassel, Hance, and Hart prior to last year, but I'm curious to see how Booty has progressed.

I had heard that Chow had burned some bridges at BYU and had alienated some players, hence his exit to NC State, not to mention that he wasn't gonna succeed Edwards. Will there be any conflict should Leinart struggle earlly - leading to a Booty call.

Thanks for your comments Scott.

 

[THE KOD]

Will there be any conflict should Leinart struggle earlly - leading to a Booty call.

........................................................................

thats pretty funny

 

[THE KOD]

To answer your question about the OL and Winston Justice. First off, Justice who was the #4 OL in the country, has been suspended for the year. 1st violation was talking to a prostitute and his 2nd was carrying a BB Gun close to campus and showing someone. That got him suspended for 1 year. At other Universities it prob. be a slap on the wrist.

..........................................................................

At Georgia University they would have sent Justice back to the hood already.
Shows us the USC mentality to win with thugs and delinquents.[COLOR]

 

[Scott4USC]

hm23

I like the USC WR's, namely the projected starters, Smith and Lewis. But Williams had that special skill in turning a short pass a long way...are you saying Smith will do much the same?

NOBODY in college football is like Mike Williams and Steve Smith is completely different type of WR. He is more of a possesion WR with deceptive speed. Very talented but I don't think he can dominate a game. Lewis is very gifted and has the talent to dominate a football game. I am not worried at all about the USC WR corps and I think Mike Williams will be playing this season.

Also, don't you have concerns at CB. I think Cal will look to exploit them on the perimeter.

Yes I do have some concerns. USC does not have a lock down DB. However, USC has 2 EXPERIENCED upperclassmen DB's and a super talented soph. DB who has some experience. Then USC has 2 redshirt frosh DB's who are are excellent but no game experience. Overalll I think this unit will be solid but nothing more. Pete Carroll has said not to worry about the DB's. USC lost 2 senior DB's last year but only 1 of them IMO was good. Why would Carroll say not to worry? He could save hit butt but instead he is holding himself accountable. (Carroll is the DC)

I am curious to see how Booty is incorporated into the QB position. I always thought Leinart would get the nod over Cassel, Hance, and Hart prior to last year, but I'm curious to see how Booty has progressed.

I thought Leinart was 2nd stringer at best at USC but Chow amazed me. Leinart never impressed me at practices. Booty was expected I think to be the starting QB this year but then Leinart out of nowhere becomes a HEISMAN LIKE QB!!!!! Booty has no choice but to take the back seat because Leinart is that good and he is a winner. Booty is better than Leinart in everything so Booty will be superstar at USC especially with Chow as OC (if he is still here and he did promise Booty that he will stay). Leinart just knows the offense so well and makes great reads. If it aint broke don't fix it!

Booty is getting groomed like Leinart was getting groomed when Palmer was the starter. That is what is so great. No learning curve on the field of play. Bad news for college football because USC will have NO DROPOFF at QB for the next 3-5 years and maybe not in the next 10 years the way USC is recruiting QB's.

I had heard that Chow had burned some bridges at BYU and had alienated some players, hence his exit to NC State, not to mention that he wasn't gonna succeed Edwards. Will there be any conflict should Leinart struggle earlly - leading to a Booty call.

USC is not TEXAS and knows how to handle the situation. Booty similar to Simms and Leinart similar to Applewhite. And Booty was much more heralded than Simms!!! USC coaches make the decisions not the players. You always want to groom a QB vs starting him right away. But if Leinart was not at USC, Booty def. be the starting QB this year and USC would be fine with him starting. Look how well Leinart played last year and that was his 1st year PLAYING/STARTING!!!!!!!

As for Chow and BYU you said it. Chow was NOT going to succeed Edwards so he bolted to NC ST. for a year then USC came calling. No doubt in my mind Chow wants to be a head coach but is not going to rush into it. He is very happy at USC and loves being OC. He makes more money than most head coaches in div. 1a and he is just an OC at USC. He will leave when the right head coaching position comes along. Hopefully he never leaves!!!!

Thanks for your comments Scott.

No problem! Are you a USC fan? If not USC fan, who are your team(s)?

 

[hm23]

I think Smith is rather fast and can be a big play guy. I think he, not Lewis, is the next star at WR. Now, as for Williams, I hope you're right but we shall see .

Chow is a very good OC but let's not make him into a genius. His last few years at BYU were not the models of off. production as Mormon U is accustomed to and his play-calling was getting a bit stodgy. He clearly has much better talent to work with at USC and that certainly helps.

Actually, I don't have any favorite teams though I must admit that I used to hate USC when I was a kid.

 

[Scott4USC]

Tough Trojan horse

ESPN "College Gameday" analyst Kirk Herbstreit served as a guest speaker at Beamer's "Fantasy Camp" a couple weeks ago in Blacksburg.

"Kirk said he had been to see every one of the top-five teams ... Southern Cal, LSU, Georgia, Miami ... and he said there was one that looked like a pro team. And that was Southern Cal," Beamer said.

"About that time was when all my coaches got up and started throwing up.

"Also, Bryan Stinespring [Tech offensive coordinator] informed me before we came over here today that he had lost 20 pounds. And I said, 'when did you do that?' He said about the time Southern Cal came in [on Tech's schedule]."

:142lmao:

Article

 

[bbk]

lucas; you see how MJ closed your thread because its worthless; no worthwhile capper is going to waste him time with your attention getting; i just want to make sure you post your plays we arent dong 2 unit crap and all of that; i dont want you to post 4 losers than post usc for 10 units and say you have 6 wininers; picking one game means nothing; just post your plays however many you want but post at least 5; i could care less if anyone else posts for some stupid contest thats it
you ready to get laughed at; I win either way!!!!
:142lmao: :142lmao: :142lmao:

 

[MadJack]

bbk, scott promises to knock off the BS so i hope the rest of you guys do too. if he doesn't, let me know and i'll handle it.

the only reason i blame scott for this bickering between you guys, is because he started the shit a long time ago.

he stops, you guys stop too, okay?

thanks,

jack@madjacksports.com

 

[Master Capper]

Scott,

Please take your cheerleading posts about USC to another site, I think ESPN has a fan site that you can post garbage like this! After three months of irrational rants about USC and the Pac 10 it still has not gotten through to you that this site is not a pep rally for the Trojans and what you just posted is worthless! What do you really expect Beamer to say? Do you really expect him to say anything negative about USC after watching game films? For years Lou Holtz when at Notre Dame made the same type of comments about his opponets even Navy!

 

[MadJack]

MC, i assume you saw my post above yours. we posted at the same time.

i agree with you and he agrees to stop the shit.

scott, if you want to post something about usc that pertains to a particular game they are playing that will help us pick the ats winner, fine, but if you're gonna sit around and bore us with your usc rah-rah shit, we've all had enough. i appreciate your loyalty to your home team but THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR IT!

WE'RE FUHKING SICK OF IT, GOT IT?

thanks

 

[bbk]

Madjack
I am completely with you
Thanks

 

[Scott4USC]

Wasn't this thread titled "USC PREVIEW?" Am I seeing things?

My last post was not a rah rah post by me. Kirk Herbstreit, an analyst for ESPN GAMEDAY was talking about USC and V-Tech. I did not write that piece. I even attached link to the quote. If you were thinking about handicapping the USC vs V-Tech game, you now know that according to Kirk that USC has been resembling a pro team. Remember, USC is -17.5 pts so for USC to cover that spread, USC better be efficient at these practices. Don't you agree? Not sure if you could classify that last post of mine as off topic. You would not have much of a case.

Madjack

the only reason i blame scott for this bickering between you guys, is because he started the shit a long time ago.

I am not sure what I started a long time ago. Talking about USC vs LSU and the BCS championship I think were valid threads especially with all the controversy. That is what is great about College Football. Other things I talked about was recruiting and it just happens that USC had the #1 recruiting class so of course USC would be mentioned. Then other topics I brought up "a long time ago" were conference debates. I think conference debates have nothing to do with USC so I am not sure if that was a problem or not. Above all, majority of my posts were well written with tons of data supporting my "opinion." I will never understand why all of you posters cried to Madjack over it. If you did not like it or me, ignore it. Post something else of your own! If I recall the CF Forum was pretty dead after the college football season. I also recall that not many other posters posted new posts but many posters replied/views my threads. I find that interesting.

*Remember, on the CF Forum it says "NCAA Football Picks and Discussions." Madjack over the off-season also publicly posted that anything pretty much goes in the off season. So therefore I have no clue why Madjack said "the only reason i blame scott for this bickering between you guys, is because he started the shit a long time ago." It is not Scott4USC who is doing the bickering. Why are personal attacks allowed? Only attacks that should be allowed are on the material inside the post. Thats just my opinion. I let my posts/material/opinion do the talking and it is sad some cannot handle it and choose to personally attack instead of debate. I also followed the rules/guidelines Madjack set and just recently he had changed them to make all posts related to handicapping only. Right? Madjack also publicly said that no personal name calling will be allowed yet he lets many posters get away with it. It is his site so that is fine but hopefully if I ever do choose to make a personal attack (not related to the material), I will not get singled out and punished. I just want to be treated fairly!

he stops, you guys stop too, okay?

If someone bashes USC, Pac 10, or anything that I disagree with, I will state my opinion on the subject. I DO NOT GO INTO PERSONAL ATTACKS! I use my intelligence and will talk about the material and if I do make an insult I always insult the material written and NOT the person! I also always give a reason behind my opinion and often it is factual data. I do not just state my opinion but I back it up!

Curious about one thing. What was the last rah rah USC post that was not acceptable or inappropriate? Just curious. Where has a USC rah rah post been posted that was not appropriate? Just curious if you can find one. If you can find one, would one rah rah USC post piss you off? Wouldn't it take multiple USC rah rah posts? You all say your sick of it but I bet you will have a hard time finding one recent rah rah post that was not appropriate.

Thanks Madjack for coming into this thread and hopefully you treat everyone fairly. If in any way you think I step out of line, just post or send me a private e-mail and let me know. That is all I ask. I have never had the intention to ruin your site or to piss you off. I never intended on breaking your forum rules. Thanks again for running a great site!

 

[MadJack]

scott,

all you want to do with people is ARGUE!

we're not here to ARGUE!

you can twist words and turn words anyway you want but bottom line is, you're here to ARGUE with people and that's not the purpose of this forum.

you know exactly what buttons to push with damn near every member here, including me, and we're all tired of it.

if you think i'm going to argue with you on this forum you're wrong because i don't have time for it, or the patience.

this is my last post to you on this forum, EVER, so if you get banned, you will know why.

*I* am getting the last word in with you THIS TIME!

 

[bbk]

I am with you MJ; i am here to cap thats it; Thanks for your help!!!!!!!
Cant wait to win some jack this year!!!

 

[bbk]

This is funny; i guess the sooners dont think much about usc and their schedule or usc offense

Catching up with Davin Joseph, (who looks like a million bucks at 6-4, 295), the junior starting right guard is always good for a few quotes. ?We?ve had a great summer as a team, ? Davin said Tuesday. ?Each one of us (OL) has posted record numbers individually, and we?re probably a little hungrier than last year. The up coming season definitely has our attention.?

Who in particular has impressed you?

?No question, Wes Sims. I can?t brag enough about him. He?s a totally different player. I can?t wait to see the year he has this season.?

What do you think about being ranked second?

?We?re a little pissed off about it to tell you the truth. We return the Heisman trophy winner and 17 starters, yet people think USC is better? Sure they?ll be undefeated, but against who? I mean if they make it to the national championship game, OK, but if a team like LSU or Georgia goes through their schedule undefeated, that?s an accomplishment, now that?ll get my attention.?

?I?m not sayin? USC?s not talented - they are. But they?re no more talented than we are. They have great athletes. But so do we, and more of them. I mean, Tony Cade not starting? And no one?s even seen Rhett Bomar or Adrian Peterson yet!?

What happened late last year, was it our sudden reluctance to run the ball?

?Yeah man, last year we got away from that, the pass was just too easy. We (the offensive line), lost our identity and got away from that. Against LSU we were just kicking them in the forth quarter, and we needed to just stay with it. Our success was starting to energize the line. The run game is physical, and run blocking is just fun. It?s really what?s gets us going in the pass game. When we?re bleeding, beat up, keyed up - we?re feeding off the energy ? we almost develop a ?pack mentality. We?re not going to let Jason get sacked. "

?Personally, I?m ready to ?kick some ass? ? I?m not a bit happy with last year. You ever go swimming and remember just treading water? It was like that for me. I played OK, but I could never get into the groove. I will definitely kick some butt this year.?

Please Davin, Trent Smith graduated, no bulletin board material, OK?

 

[Scott4USC]

I think OU needs to worry about winning their conf. Last year the Big 12 was the 5th best conf. and OU lost to the 2 best opponents they faced. They got spanked by KSU 35-7 and lost to LSU by a TD. Big 12 conf. needs to improve badly on defense or they will once again have another poor showing in Bowl season.

75% of the Big 12 conference last year finished in the bottom half of the nation in total defense and 5 of those teams are in the bottom 25%.

#1, #2 and #3 Big 12 teams in the conference lost their bowl games!!!