USC vs ASU Analysis

[Scott4USC]

I been away from the computer rooting on my Angels to win the West bet. So have not posted this weeks plays and have not really capped yet. If I lost my Angels bet I might have been forced to call it a season because I would have lost a lot of money on Angels ON TOP of all the $$$ I lost last Sat. It was real stupid bet I made. Took them
-300 3.5 game lead and 1 week later Angels were down 1/2 game! The worst timing! :banghead: Angels slumped immediately after I placed my wager and A's went on fire. It all worked out at the end but I thought I was fawked. This Angels bet is the reason I put extra 5k on USC to win it all. I thought I was losing it. I hate the A's. Hopefully I have some official plays this weekend or I might just take the week off to clear my head.


USC vs ASU

USC opened as -14.5 favorites at Pinny and are now -16. I have no action on the game but I'll give you my opinion as I did last week with Oregon. I'll start off with a WARNING!

WARNING! :director:

USC defense is for real and they knock out QB's. I warned Oregon backers last week about Clemons getting injured and he got his bell rung in 2h and coach took him. Although he was put back in when the 2nd string QB got injured. Keller is not a mobile QB and USC excels against QB's who are not mobile. Not sure whether Keller is a stiff or not. But the USC D seems to get a hit on the QB either through sacks or right after QB throws. Every opponent USC played this year has had their QB injured. Check this out and it makes you wonder that Keller will go through against USC...........

Arizona Republic notes regarding ASU v.OSU. This is key...

"Keller took a beating and several times was spotted limping to the sideline. He always shook it off. After one sack, a referee approached him to see whether he was OK, and Keller waved his arms as if to say: 'I'm fine. Let me be.'"


USC defense is a lot better than what people think. I was impressed with their play last week. Carroll is a genius. USC's defense is scary fast, and the DL is getting better every week. ASU got to see a fast D with LSU but they are not nearly as sophisticated and well coached as the USC D. USC D only gave up 262 yards to Oregons high powered O. Against Arkansas USC D gave up over 300 yards offense but on 78 plays. Arky only averaged 4yards per play! Remember, USC D was playing backups in the 4th against BOTH opponents! Like it or not, USC D is for real. They still can potentially give up over 30pts to ASU because ASU offense is for real too!

As I mentioned in anothe thread Koeter doesn't make great adjustments. He is in love with the vertical passing game and often abandons the run. To challenge USC you need a balanced offense. Carroll's philosophy on D is to take away the run and take away the deep pass. Carroll gives up short passes. Koetter repeatedly plays into Carrolls strength on D. If you can't run the ball, SC's defense will abuse your quarterback. It has happened the last two or three times USC has faced ASU. Saturday will be no different.

I often read on the boards and here on TV etc. that USC isn't a physical team. I laugh but here are some great quotes from Oregon players after losing to USC.

Here is a quote from prob. the #1 DT in the country. Ngata.
"We were mentally and physically tired. In the 2nd half we were exhausted."

USC wears down opponents and you need to play at high level for 4 quarters. Why? Because USC plays at high level for 4 quarters and often gets STRONGER as the game goes on. What I find amazing is the the USC D repeatedly often wears down the opposing O. No joke! Look at the USC DL late in game and they get stronger. USC simply has better conditioned athletes along with superior talented athletes.

Here is quote from Oregon safety. Gipson said after the game....

"I was sore since the second or third play when I had to tackle LenDale White. I was coughing up blood; I've got bruises all over my body."

THAT IS CALLED PHYSICAL FOOTBALL! Like it ir not, USC plays it. They are not just a finesse team. USC will be playing Oregon in 100 degree weather. I think this is huge advantage to USC. Here is another advantage USC has. Every opponent plays their best and pulls out their best plays against USC. BAD FOR USC! But if you make a negative into a positive, those opponents get so geeked up to play USC, they are actually hurting themselves because they cannot maintain that for 4 quarters.

Here is a quote from the outstanding WR for ASU...

Derek Hagan On the USC Defense: "They have a great defense, but their secondary is weak right now."

Why would he say this? Guess he wants ZERO chances of USC DB's coming into this game overconfident. I guess he only saw USC DB's beat ONCE all game against Oregon for a TD. That was only because the DB thought he had Safety behind him and got mixed up with the D coverage. WHich is expected because that was his 1st career start! (DB #18 John Walker)

IMO both offenses cancel each other out. Yes I think ASU is that good on offense! Advantage USC because they are balanced but in terms of skill players both teams really cancel each other out.

What separates both teams is COACHING, DEFENSE and SPECIAL TEAMS. USC has huge advantage on all 3 areas. This will be the downfall for ASU. REGGIE BUSH/DESMOND REED are prob. the best combo of return men in the country. I will predict USC gets a blocked punt or a huge punt return. ASU kicker is SLOW in getting off his punts and when he does get them off, they are low line drives. NOT GOOD! I think ASU has excellent kickoff kicker but if he doesn't put it in endzone, ASU is in trouble.

Like I mentioned above. Weather at 100 degrees is an advantage for USC. Against Hawai, USC played in over 90 degree weather and I think the USC D was on the field in 1q for 31 straight plays. USC offense did not come onto field until 2min. left. USC D never wore down!

3 weaknesses of ASU nobody is talking about

*ASU is last in the Pac 10 in punting. You can't give USC good field position.

*ASU is 9th in the Pac 10 in QB sacks. They do not get pressure on the QB. Leinart will pick apart the best D in the country if he gets time. So now you have ASU DL who doesn't get pressure on a QB now going against one of the best OL's in the country? Think about it! Oregon HC Belottie said after the game....
"That's the best Offensive Line I've ever seen."

*ASU ranks #1 in the Pac 10 in penalties. You cannot shoot yourself in the foot and go backwards with penalties against USC. Not a category you want to lead the Pac 10.


My prediction?

USC 52
ASU 27

I think ASU is one of the toughest opponents USC will face, but I have a strong hunch USC plays a strong game from start to finish in all 3 phases of the game. ASU D will be begging for the game to be over in the 3rd quarter. NOT 4th, but 3rd quarter. USC will easily rush for over 200 yards. For ASU to hang with USC, they need to find a way to jump on USC like Oregon did. Either through execution, turnovers, breaks, penalties, whatever. At halftime Carroll will adjust to whatever ASU is doing and it will be over. Once USC gets double digit lead, Carroll will go for the kill and bury them. ASU needs to jump out early and I think USC will score from the 1q-4q offensively. I don't think ASU will. Might be 14-10 USC at end of 1q and USC might be up 24-17 at half, but one team will have adjusted to the other and it won't be ASU! What is scary for ASU is the USC D is not playing with a huge swagger. I did not expect this at this stage of the season. I thought maybe by the 7th-8th game of season.

For what its worth.......
Carroll was asked on the radio if he thought it would be a shoot out against ASU. Carroll said firmly, NO, NO, NO!


Congrats for reading the entire post! :clap:
Good luck if you choose to wager on USC. I think it is a solid bet but I do not have any action on it.

 

[BuffaloBill]

I like one thing you said here.

You talked about the USC defence being better than people think, and that is the key.

Before the game last week everyone was talking about how the USC defence could not stop Oregon, and look what happened..... 13 points.

I see the same type of thing happening this week.

The USC defence is worse then it was last year, but it is still very good. People are forgetting that.

Good analysis.

 

[Scott4USC]

The USC defence is worse then it was last year, but it is still very good. People are forgetting that.

Good analysis.

Yep you are right. I was even surprised how well the D played. I thought Oregon would score at least 3 TD's off long drives + 2 FG's inside redzone. So I expected Oregon to drive inside the 20 5 times and score 27pts. The D stepped up even when Oregon was getting the breaks. If USC D shuts down ASU like they did Oregon, time to start talking USC D as one of the tops in the country. ASU offense is almost as powerful as USC and their QB has better stats than Leinart!

FYI, last years D might not have held Oregon to 13pts or shut them out in 2h. This years D is not as experienced but a whole lot faster and depper at LB position. Fresh guys all game. Only area with no depth is DB.

This is exactly where USC separates themselves from ASU. DEFENSE and SPECIAL TEAMS. That is why I think USC wins big because USC D will give ASU O a lot more trouble than ASU D will give USC O. Might be close in 1h but after 4 quarters, I think it will be a blowout.

Remember, USC lost their best returning DT (academics), best returning DB (expelled), 3rd best returning DB (injury) along with losing both stud DT's, 2 LB's and 1 safety to graduation/NFL. Amazing how good Carroll is at DC. I just hope he doesn't get bored with CFB and go back to the NFL. :sadwave: This is the 1st year Carroll has HIS players in HIS system. Imagine how good USC will be if Carroll stays longer? What you are seeing now is a fraction of how good USC will be down the road (if Carroll stays). Rumor has it USC is "trying" to pull in 10 5-star recruits in this recruiting class!!!! That is insane!


****One more thing I forgot to mention. Carroll gets to look at the LSU/ASU tape. LSU has team speed/athletes like USC, so he can see what worked and what doesn't. He doesn't have to try experiment a whole lot in the game. He already has good idea what a fast team can do against ASU. What are the weaknesses and strengths of ASU against team speed. Big advantage for USC IMO.


*******I also don't mind ASU takes in this thread too. Especially if you disagree with anything I said.

 

[INtheBLUE]

OOoooohhhhh!!!

Pretty colors..............

AAahhhh!!

 

[bgold13]

100 degree weather being SC's advantage is laughable!!! ASU practices all summer in the heat... It gets maybe 85 degrees at Howard Jones Field .... So the Trojans played a small school in the heat... that's not going to prepare them for the cramping that will occur when playing in the 110 degreee heat.

Keller is 100 percent... it's not an issue
Zach Miller is back.. giving ASU the best 1-2 punch at Tight End.. do go along with Hagan and Terry Richardson.

ASU defense is healthy for the 1st time all year... sure they are last in sacks... that's what happens when you play a spread offense in northwestern, your backups against temple, a better o-line than SC in LSU..

Special Teams.... I will take ASU FG kicker over anyone.. he has a leg of 55+ yards and boots every kickoff out of the endzone... The punter is a sh#$bag.. i'd be surpised to seee on kick in bounds...

Coaching: Sure keep ripping on Koetter.. and Bill Miller our new D-Coordinato.. SEC people know who he is

Why don't you talk about Reggie Bush? He is not 100 percent for this game

 

[gman2]

Why don't you talk about Reggie Bush? He is not 100 percent for this game

USC REPORT
Bush Is Painful to the Touch
By Gary Klein, Times Staff Writer


Running back Reggie Bush worked hard to add muscle during the off-season so he could prove that he can run between the tackles and take the pounding absorbed by every-down backs.

On Monday, Bush was still paying the price for his workload during USC's 45-13 victory over Oregon. The 2004 Heisman Trophy finalist said he did not practice because of general soreness and did not know how many days he would be out as the top-ranked Trojans prepare for Saturday's game at No. 14 Arizona State.

"Everything hurts," he said. "From neck to feet. Everything."

Bush had 267 all-purpose yards in a career-high 30 touches at Oregon. He rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown in a career-high 20 carries, caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, and returned three kickoffs and four punts for 102 yards.

Bush's heaviest workload before Saturday was 25 touches last season against UCLA.

Bush said he gained "hard yards" against Oregon, as opposed to the previous week's game against Arkansas when the Trojans got "easy runs and 70 yards and the glamorous runs."

"I don't assume or hope that it's going to be like this every game," Bush said of the soreness. "But if it does, then we'll deal with it."

He said the artificial surface at Autzen Stadium and playing into the fourth quarter for the first time might have

=========

oh no, poor reggie is sore!

 

[INtheBLUE]

I'd take a Regie Bush at 80% on my team if I coached.

 

[gman2]

I'd take a Regie Bush at 80% on my team if I coached.

id take him 30% over almost anyone in the country. point was that bgold was right -- scott wasnt being objective here. hes talking about how its 100* heat and that players for oregon were spitting blood facing usc last and all but begging for mercy.... meanwhile, reggie bush was getting knocked around and beat up too.

 

[INtheBLUE]

good point Gman.

 

[Scott4USC]

100 degree weather being SC's advantage is laughable!!! ASU practices all summer in the heat... It gets maybe 85 degrees at Howard Jones Field .... So the Trojans played a small school in the heat... that's not going to prepare them for the cramping that will occur when playing in the 110 degreee heat.

I agree it is possible USC may suffer cramps. But I am very confident it will be ASU players getting worn out, NOT USC! USC is the best conditioned team in the country. I have seen USC players dorm rooms. Not joking, they have over 50 bottles of gatorade in their dorms. Stored on the floor, in dressers etc. I think USC coaching staff has their team constantly hydrated and in the last 3 years I have not seen too many players suffer cramps.

I will be shocked if ASU players are not worn down by the start of the 4th quarter. The 100* weather helps USC. Maybe I am wrong and ASU is more conditioned than USC. It will be the first opponent who is!

Keller is 100 percent... it's not an issue
Zach Miller is back.. giving ASU the best 1-2 punch at Tight End.. do go along with Hagan and Terry Richardson.

I never said Keller isn't 100%. My quote supports my opinion that Keller is going to get beat up. USC has beat the $hit out of every QB they faced this season. Keller was getting beat up against Oregon St. last week. So IMO there is a high prob. he gets beat up badly this Sat. You have no idea how hard and physical USC is. I counted at least 5 Oregon players walking off the field injured against USC last week. I think only 1 USC player walked off injured.

I agree Zach Miller is huge stud and he will give USC tons of trouble. USC held Oregons stud TE in check but Miller is even better.

ASU defense is healthy for the 1st time all year... sure they are last in sacks... that's what happens when you play a spread offense in northwestern, your backups against temple, a better o-line than SC in LSU..

Good point! I did not know ASU was 100%. I thought they were missing a 1 or 2 guys from secondary. I think if either defense holds opposing offense to under 30pts they did an EXCELLENT job.

Special Teams.... I will take ASU FG kicker over anyone.. he has a leg of 55+ yards and boots every kickoff out of the endzone... The punter is a sh#$bag.. i'd be surpised to seee on kick in bounds...

:mj07:

I hate your punter too!

USC will gladly give up FG's every drive to ASU. Keeping them out of the endzone is the challenge. USC will go for it 4th and 10 on 30 yard line. So ASU D will have to stop USC 4 downs in that area. TOUGH to do! USC doesn't have a FG kicker who can make 40+ yard FG's. So it will always be 4 down territory no matter what.

Coaching: Sure keep ripping on Koetter.. and Bill Miller our new D-Coordinato.. SEC people know who he is

Isn't he from Florida? Opposing offenses have moved the ball against ASU. I don't think ASU will benefit from 6 turnovers against USC like they did against Oregon St. LSU, Northwestern, and OSU moved the ball well against ASU defense. Besides praying, what is their gameplan against USC offense? I know the USC defense thinks they can do well defending the high powered ASU offense. That is what separates the 2 teams!

I am bagging on your HC coach because he HAS NOT made adjustments against USC. Until he does, I will give him his props. I predict ASU once again abandons their running game, throws the ball vertically (mostly long passes) and Keller takes a huge beating as a result of that. Only HC that plays and coaches against USC well is Tedford from CAL. He doesn't attack what USC is trying to take away. Koetter did it repeatedly last year against USC. Koetter also blew a 17-10 lead to USC 2 years ago late in the 3rd quarter and USC won 37-17.

Why don't you talk about Reggie Bush? He is not 100 percent for this game

BS! Reggie will be 100%. He practiced today and was held out of contact drills. No doubt in my mind he will be 100%. But I don't really give a $hit about it because I think USC is better off with Lendale White at RB for USC. I might be in the vast minority with this one but that is my opinion. White is a super stud and IMO is the #1 reason USC can beat anybody. Bush gets the headlines, but White is a bad a$$. If White gets 30 "meaningful" carries against ASU, he will easily rush over 200yards and NOBODY will be left standing on ASU defense. You know White very well from 2 years ago as freshman against ASU. White is my favorite USC player. Unfortunately for him he has to split time with Bush. White is USC all time TD leader and ALWAYS gets the job done. ALWAYS! But he isn't used enough. Bush often gets stopped a lot at LOS but White you are almost GUARANTEED at least 4 yards per carry. Seldom stopped for less than 2 yard gain. Don't get me wrong, I love Reggie Bush, but I like Lendale White more and IMO he is a HUGE part of the USC offense and nobody gives him the love he deserves.

id take him 30% over almost anyone in the country. point was that bgold was right -- scott wasnt being objective here. hes talking about how its 100* heat and that players for oregon were spitting blood facing usc last and all but begging for mercy.... meanwhile, reggie bush was getting knocked around and beat up too.

Bush is sore after touching the ball 30 times. I think Bush will be 100% on Sat. He practiced today and was held out of contact drills.

How was I not being objective? I posted quotes from Oregon players to support my opinion. Nobody on the USC team was tired and USC got stronger as the game went on. Bush being sore is no big deal. I hope he is sore after touching the ball 30 times.

The only team that begged USC players for mercy was OU players in the Orange Bowl. They repeatedly asked Leinart and the OL to not run up the score on them and end the game ASAP.

 

[bgold13]

I have a better idea of how phyiscal is SC than you think, i have seen them p;lay every game and been to at least 7 practices this year.

I know more about SC AND UCLA than I do about my two favorite teams ASU and Cal.. that's what happens when you cover these schools on a daily basis...

 

[johnny wager]

LMAO scott that quote about USC players having gatorade stashed around their rooms. I will be on USC huge now. THanks for the inside info... :mj07:

 

[Franky Wright]

I have a better idea of how phyiscal is SC than you think, i have seen them p;lay every game and been to at least 7 practices this year.

I know more about SC AND UCLA than I do about my two favorite teams ASU and Cal.. that's what happens when you cover these schools on a daily basis...

Well bgold, I would like your prediction on this game then?

 

[Scott4USC]

I have a better idea of how phyiscal is SC than you think, i have seen them p;lay every game and been to at least 7 practices this year.

I know more about SC AND UCLA than I do about my two favorite teams ASU and Cal.. that's what happens when you cover these schools on a daily basis...

If you know so much about USC, I am shocked you would make the statement saying the 100 degree heat isn't an advantage for USC. USC is the deeper team. USC is the more talented team. USC is the more physical team. USC is the more balanced team offensively. Everything I said is true, right? The 100 degree weather IMO is an advantage to USC for those reasons. It doesn't necessarily mean ASU will wilt or ASU can't hang or upset USC. But the advantage has to be for USC. BTW, weather has been over 90 degrees at USC practices this week.


johnny wager

LMAO scott that quote about USC players having gatorade stashed around their rooms. I will be on USC huge now. THanks for the inside info...

Good inside info huh?

:mj07:

It actually is. It tells you 2 things. #1 the staff tells the players to stay hydrated. #2, you see the players actually listening to the staff. I am sure many teams the coaches say to drink fluids and they players think BS I am ok. To avoid cramps and dehydration, you obviously must drink a lot. I have seen the USC players dorm rooms filled with at least 50 bottles of gatorade. IN dresser drawers lined up and on the floor. Crazy. I am sure other teams have players dorms filled with gatorade bottles, but I am just reporting what I know about USC. USC players need to be hydrated 3 days in advanced to have a higher prob. of avoiding cramps!

 

[bgold13]

The weather the last two days here in the smokeland is very similiar to what you guys will face saturday... i'm just saying ASU has practiced in this heat all summer long and are used too it if that's possible... you can be in the best shape, but if your body is not used to the climate it doesnt matter. I've lived in LA and Tempe, SC is not at an advantage in the heat


Franky: I can't give a prediction, I have too much of a bias with ASU... I think ASU is one of the 10 best teams in the country, and if ASU can't hang with SC nobody can.. If I must I would take SC in a close close game going over the total and asu covering

 

[ricker]

I think USC is clearly the more talented team, but ASU seems to play up to (or down to) their competition. The game is a sell-out - the first in a long time for ASU.

Consider this:

Last time a #1 team visited ASU was in 1996 when the Nebraska Cornhuskers brought a 26 game unbeaten streak to town. USC's win streak is 25.

The year before Nebraska whipped ASU in Lincoln. Last year USC won 45-7 in So. Cal.

The week after the match-up against Nebraska, ASU played at Oregon. Next week ASU plays in Oregon.

When Nebraska came to town, ASU was ranked 17th, Right now they are ranked 14th.

And more that I cant remember right now.

Too many eerie similarities.

I'm laying off, but leaning towards a USC win, but ASU cover.

 

[Scott4USC]

The weather the last two days here in the smokeland is very similiar to what you guys will face saturday... i'm just saying ASU has practiced in this heat all summer long and are used too it if that's possible... you can be in the best shape, but if your body is not used to the climate it doesnt matter. I've lived in LA and Tempe, SC is not at an advantage in the heat

Heat the last couple days was a bonus for USC. My parents have house on Burbank Mountains and one fire is 5 miles from my parents home.

I hear it might be 105 degrees on the field. :scared Isn't that not safe?

Again, you say "SC is not at an advantage in the heat"

Answer these questions.

Who is the deeper team?

Who is the more talented team?

Who is the more balanced team offensively?

Who rushes the ball better?

Which school has better S&C program?

IMO, USC in all 5 questions. Therefore, if both teams are playing in 105 degree heat, who has the advantage?

From reading your posts, the only reason you seem to think ASU has the advantage is because they practice in it. All summer USC practiced outside in over 90+ degree weather. This week practiced in 90+ degree weather. So it is not like USC hasn't played in hot dry weather. Does ASU practice outside or do they have indoor facility? If they have an indoor facility, then USC without question has advantage!


BTW, I agree with you ASU is a top 10 caliber team in the country. Doesn't matter what USC does to them this Sat. If USC beats ASU by 20+ pts, doesn't mean ASU was over-rated. I think USC has #1 offense in the country and I think you easily could argue ASU is #2 in the nation offensively. I can't wait!

 

[gman2]

Again, you say "SC is not at an advantage in the heat"

Answer these questions.

Who is the deeper team?

Who is the more talented team?

Who is the more balanced team offensively?

Who rushes the ball better?

Which school has better S&C program?

IMO, USC in all 5 questions. Therefore, if both teams are playing in 105 degree heat, who has the advantage?

whenever any question of great importance is asked, we should turn to the omniscient one -- and that is pete carroll.

pete, what are your thoughts about the heat in arizona state on saturday?

===========

USC REPORT
Defensive Line Depth Is Latest Concern
By Gary Klein, Times Staff Writer


USC's concern shifted from its secondary to the defensive line on Wednesday as the top-ranked Trojans scrambled to fill possible holes created by injuries.

Defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey, who suffered a sprained ankle last week against Oregon, did not practice and his status for Saturday's game at No. 14 Arizona State is uncertain. Ramsey's backup, Travis Tofi, sat out because of back spasms.

"We've been on the verge of thin for a while," USC Coach Pete Carroll said. "Thin has approached in a hurry all of a sudden."

Redshirt freshman Fili Moala worked with the first unit in Ramsey's place.

Junior end Rashaad Goodrum, sophomore end Alex Morrow and redshirt freshman Travis Draper took repetitions in the spot.

Moala said defensive line coach Jethro Franklin has pushed him to be ready for the opportunity if Ramsey is limited or unable to play.

"Basically, they just threw me in," Moala said. "Here's your shot. Make the best of it."

Ramsey declined to discuss the condition of his ankle. Asked if he would be ready by Saturday, he said, "Possibly."

Carroll usually requires injured players to practice at least once during the week before playing them.

Not this week.

"We're not deep enough to be able to afford that ? we have to play him if he can go," Carroll said.

USC's depth problems could be exacerbated by a temperature that could be near 100 degrees for the 12:30 p.m. kickoff at Sun Devil Stadium. Two years ago at Arizona State, defensive linemen spent most of halftime tethered to intravenous drips because of the heat.

Asked if he was concerned about the combination of heat and depth problems, Carroll said, "It's an issue."

===================

if you can wiggle out of this one scott, then you are truly houdini-esque.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Asked if he was concerned about the combination of heat and depth problems, Carroll said, "It's an issue."

Scott, you're on the clock. :mj122:

 

[bgold13]

right now SC's depth especially on D is very much in question, whearas ASU is healthy for the first time all season....

I doubt USC's strength and conditioning is better than ASU's.. afterall ASU's S & C center was featured as the best in Sports Iliustrated about 2 yrs ago.. doesn't matter it's a dumb point to argue..

I've never said ASU is better than USC i.. I was just saying it's foolish to think SC has the advantage playing in the heat than ASU!!!!!!

Beware a sold out sun devil stadium is amongst the loudest stadiums in the country.. it happens so rarley.. but being built inside a mountain the noise just echoes.