You've had your finger on USC's pulse pretty good this season. I was wondering what is your take on this week's game against UCLA? I'm figuring that the Trojans might be a little pissed about being leapfrogged by an inferior Ohio St team and could be poised for another blowout. Am I missing something? Thank for your input.
Scott4USC?
- Thread starter NY Reb
- Start date
Ny Reb...I've riddden your coattails many a time this year....straight to the bank. Sorry I didn't clue you in on last weeks lock vs AZ., but I will give you my insight on this, as I've attended every USC home game and seen all the rest on TV, including the OT loss against a supposedly weak Cal team, who I find to be quite dangerous in fact.
USC O vs UCLA D: the bruins have an atheletic D but are really dinged up at the moment. Their 2 best upfront players (Ball and Leslie) have been missing alot of action of late and while I expect to see them in this game, their effectiveness should be affected by injury. Likewise, Matt Ware, their best corner has a gimpy ankle though he played on it last week. The SC offfense has too many weapons and they are all on fire right now. QB Leinart, TB's Dennis (run, catch, block), White (powerback), and Bush (lightening speed running and catching), to go with Williams, Colbert, and 2 freshman who are on the rise on the outside, well....too much firepower to stop it all. The O line will overpower UCLA, especially with their injuries. Just look back over the past several weeks, without even checking, i can't recall when SC scored less than 40. Expect more of the same.
UCLA O vs USC D: UCLA is completely out of synch on O right now, and in fact, if you look at their numbers over the course of the season you'll probably see they rarely score more than 14 points in a game. What they do best (run), is what the Trojans defend best (well under 100/gm). When it comes to passing game, with UCLA going back to Olsen at QB, it probably helps them a little over the other guy, but the Trojans will be bringing it big time and I expect to see 4 or 5 sacks. I will be surprised if the bruins score more than 14 unless it's in garbage time.
Kicking game: shouldn't be a factor either way as I think Trojans will be superior on O and D.
One more thing: this is a rivalry game and most times you can throw out the records, but since Carroll has taken over there is an electricity in LA (unless you're a Bruin fan) that hasn't been here for ages. And after the Cal loss, they play at a consistently high level in every game, for 60 minutes. The Coliseum is sold out. The Trojans dominate. In fact, I don't remember last years spread but the Trojans went over to the Rose Bowl and had the spread well covered midway through the 2nd Qtr and won going away something like 52-21. I don't know if will be that easy again, but do expect them to go something like 45-14.
Having said all that, I have one concern. Slightly worried (only slightly) as to whether the BCS thing dilutes their concentration a little. However, the way Carroll has em focused week in week out, I think they will rise above it.
In fact, with all the talk amongst all the people here about who's best and all that, I have to say I think OSU, LSU and USC all deserve a shot. They each have one loss. However, if you look at the Trojans you'll see that they've covered the spread in all but 1 (CAL) game this year, and that's what I come to this sight for. So hail to the Trojans. One last thing, if you make this play and the game is even remotely close, play USC 2nd half. Carroll will make adjustments and trojans will pull away. I've played the 2nd half in every game this year on USC, except Hawaii as it was already out of reach, and won every time, even the Cal game. So that's a little inside tip for you as well.
I have won based on your input many times this year, even had a Houston winner from Augur last w/e. I hope this helps you and you win big.
Also curious of your expert SEC take on Auburn Alabama.
good luck NY Reb
best of luck.
USC O vs UCLA D: the bruins have an atheletic D but are really dinged up at the moment. Their 2 best upfront players (Ball and Leslie) have been missing alot of action of late and while I expect to see them in this game, their effectiveness should be affected by injury. Likewise, Matt Ware, their best corner has a gimpy ankle though he played on it last week. The SC offfense has too many weapons and they are all on fire right now. QB Leinart, TB's Dennis (run, catch, block), White (powerback), and Bush (lightening speed running and catching), to go with Williams, Colbert, and 2 freshman who are on the rise on the outside, well....too much firepower to stop it all. The O line will overpower UCLA, especially with their injuries. Just look back over the past several weeks, without even checking, i can't recall when SC scored less than 40. Expect more of the same.
UCLA O vs USC D: UCLA is completely out of synch on O right now, and in fact, if you look at their numbers over the course of the season you'll probably see they rarely score more than 14 points in a game. What they do best (run), is what the Trojans defend best (well under 100/gm). When it comes to passing game, with UCLA going back to Olsen at QB, it probably helps them a little over the other guy, but the Trojans will be bringing it big time and I expect to see 4 or 5 sacks. I will be surprised if the bruins score more than 14 unless it's in garbage time.
Kicking game: shouldn't be a factor either way as I think Trojans will be superior on O and D.
One more thing: this is a rivalry game and most times you can throw out the records, but since Carroll has taken over there is an electricity in LA (unless you're a Bruin fan) that hasn't been here for ages. And after the Cal loss, they play at a consistently high level in every game, for 60 minutes. The Coliseum is sold out. The Trojans dominate. In fact, I don't remember last years spread but the Trojans went over to the Rose Bowl and had the spread well covered midway through the 2nd Qtr and won going away something like 52-21. I don't know if will be that easy again, but do expect them to go something like 45-14.
Having said all that, I have one concern. Slightly worried (only slightly) as to whether the BCS thing dilutes their concentration a little. However, the way Carroll has em focused week in week out, I think they will rise above it.
In fact, with all the talk amongst all the people here about who's best and all that, I have to say I think OSU, LSU and USC all deserve a shot. They each have one loss. However, if you look at the Trojans you'll see that they've covered the spread in all but 1 (CAL) game this year, and that's what I come to this sight for. So hail to the Trojans. One last thing, if you make this play and the game is even remotely close, play USC 2nd half. Carroll will make adjustments and trojans will pull away. I've played the 2nd half in every game this year on USC, except Hawaii as it was already out of reach, and won every time, even the Cal game. So that's a little inside tip for you as well.
I have won based on your input many times this year, even had a Houston winner from Augur last w/e. I hope this helps you and you win big.
Also curious of your expert SEC take on Auburn Alabama.
good luck NY Reb
best of luck.
That was a great write-up daftplayer and I will add my opinion to it as well.
First things first, USC will win this game.
USC is superior on offense and prob. better on defense.
What concerns me for this game and the next game is the "major" injuries to the USC defense. USC last week was without 2 starting LB's. Grootegood is USC best defensive player and he has been out for the last 2 games with ankle sprain. Other startng LB Simmons is an average/good LB who sat out last game. Both guys are questionable for this weekends game and as of right now nobody knows if they will play and if they do how long they can last. Why is this a problem? Well USC lost the other backup LB to injury for the year, and the prize LB recruit Dream Rucker died before the season in a drowning. So USC has lost 4 LB's now. USC has 1 good replacement SARTZ, but the other replacement is a "walk on." So there is a weakness at the LB position and if the UCLA coaches have any brains, they will attack this. Arizona could not last week but they do not have the athletes that UCLA has. USC also will be without starting DE Nazel (leader) for he is also out for the year but USC is deep on the DL.
USC is loaded on offense but UCLA is not bad on defense. I think USC will score between 40-60pts on Saturday. SO I am confident USC will be able to score.
Remember UCLA is a very talented team (not as talented as USC) but they have top 25 talent. Problem IMO is coaching and they do not play as a team. USC will out coach them and out play them but don't forget your giving 21pts to a top 25 "talent wise" team.
I am conviced UCLA will bring their A game and play hard from the start. But I also am convinced if USC jumps on UCLA early, UCLA will give up. They don't have heart or desire.
USC coaches said they will not run up the score and all they care about is the "W." I honestly believe them that they care less about the BCS. USC knelt the ball on goaline against Arizona to end the game when it was 45-0 (where as Stoops continued to run when he was up 77-0).
USC last year was leading 52-7 and Carroll put in 3rd string and walk ons while UCLA kepts 1st string in. UCLA scored 2 meaningless TD's to make it 52-21. Something to consider when laying big # with USC.
I am not betting this game but on paper USC will win by 30+. My concern is that Carroll could care less what the final score is. USC will fight and play hard for 60min. but will it be 1st string or 3rd string/walk ons?
daftplayer brought up an excellent point. If the game is close at halftime, bet a bundle on USC. They are an excellent 2h team. These USC coaches make amazing half time adjustments.
Lastly, USC is focused on this game and Chow will try and bury them early. He has new offensive plays for UCLA. The USC coaches and players never talk about the BCS and Carroll always has the USC team focused on playing for the Rose Bowl. USC still has not won their conference so this is a very important game outside rivalry and NC.
If you want any more info or matchup analysis let me know. Other than the injuries i mentioned USC is healthy. This high explosive USC offense is doing well despite the 1st and 2nd string Tight ends both injured. Imagine if USC had them healthy.
FIGHT ON!!!!!!
First things first, USC will win this game.
USC is superior on offense and prob. better on defense.
What concerns me for this game and the next game is the "major" injuries to the USC defense. USC last week was without 2 starting LB's. Grootegood is USC best defensive player and he has been out for the last 2 games with ankle sprain. Other startng LB Simmons is an average/good LB who sat out last game. Both guys are questionable for this weekends game and as of right now nobody knows if they will play and if they do how long they can last. Why is this a problem? Well USC lost the other backup LB to injury for the year, and the prize LB recruit Dream Rucker died before the season in a drowning. So USC has lost 4 LB's now. USC has 1 good replacement SARTZ, but the other replacement is a "walk on." So there is a weakness at the LB position and if the UCLA coaches have any brains, they will attack this. Arizona could not last week but they do not have the athletes that UCLA has. USC also will be without starting DE Nazel (leader) for he is also out for the year but USC is deep on the DL.
USC is loaded on offense but UCLA is not bad on defense. I think USC will score between 40-60pts on Saturday. SO I am confident USC will be able to score.
Remember UCLA is a very talented team (not as talented as USC) but they have top 25 talent. Problem IMO is coaching and they do not play as a team. USC will out coach them and out play them but don't forget your giving 21pts to a top 25 "talent wise" team.
I am conviced UCLA will bring their A game and play hard from the start. But I also am convinced if USC jumps on UCLA early, UCLA will give up. They don't have heart or desire.
USC coaches said they will not run up the score and all they care about is the "W." I honestly believe them that they care less about the BCS. USC knelt the ball on goaline against Arizona to end the game when it was 45-0 (where as Stoops continued to run when he was up 77-0).
USC last year was leading 52-7 and Carroll put in 3rd string and walk ons while UCLA kepts 1st string in. UCLA scored 2 meaningless TD's to make it 52-21. Something to consider when laying big # with USC.
I am not betting this game but on paper USC will win by 30+. My concern is that Carroll could care less what the final score is. USC will fight and play hard for 60min. but will it be 1st string or 3rd string/walk ons?
daftplayer brought up an excellent point. If the game is close at halftime, bet a bundle on USC. They are an excellent 2h team. These USC coaches make amazing half time adjustments.
Lastly, USC is focused on this game and Chow will try and bury them early. He has new offensive plays for UCLA. The USC coaches and players never talk about the BCS and Carroll always has the USC team focused on playing for the Rose Bowl. USC still has not won their conference so this is a very important game outside rivalry and NC.
If you want any more info or matchup analysis let me know. Other than the injuries i mentioned USC is healthy. This high explosive USC offense is doing well despite the 1st and 2nd string Tight ends both injured. Imagine if USC had them healthy.
FIGHT ON!!!!!!
Scott4USC said:
What??? Stoops knelt on the ball FOUR STRAIGHT TIMES with like 9 minutes left to keep from hitting 80.
