First off, I'm not here to bash at all, but for anyone to say the heat in Tempe is not an ASU advantage is crazy. The entire team was practicing daily this summer in 115-120 degree weather, conditioning mostly. We all know SC has more depth but ASU is SO used to this weather that it doesn't really matter. The advantage we have is that we're gonna throw the ball 50+ times which will tire your only question mark- your secondary. Zach Miller is back at 100 % which is HUGE. He had 8 cathches last year for over 100yds. He is still underrated. Plus we have Jamal Lewis who has proven himself this year. Kyle Caldwell is back on the DL. Plus, people don't remember that we had SC tied up two years ago going into the 4th quarter then they pulled away with a 31-17 win. As I said in my write for last weeks Oregon St. game, there is something about this team that is very different about ASU teams in the past. Walter was an awesome QB, but I wouldn't trade Sam Keller FOR ANYONE! He is the ultimate gamer and fires everyone up around him. Also, Rudy Burgess has emerged has a threat similar to Reggie Bush. Am I saying he is as good has Reggie Bush, not even close. He is similar because he can run well, is a tremendous receiver (played WR all last year until Sun Bowl), and returns kicks. We throw 2-5 screen passes a game his way and they always seem to go for 20+ yds. KeEgan looks good but will prob have trouble finding holes against SC. I won't even say anything about Hagen- he's unbelievable. He provides a mismatch against any team in the country, just as SC's Jarett does. I agree with bgold13 on our punter, he sucks. I disagree though on our kicker, Ainsworth. JHe is great on kickoffs cause he kicks the sh!t outta the ball, but thats exactly his downfall on FG tries. You can't put him in from 45+ (maybe 40+) because he kicks the ball so hard and low that it hits the snapper in the back nearly every time. Our defense is confusing to me right now. Oregon State moved the ball very well in the 1st half against us. However, every time they got into our territory, the D would step and get consecutive sacks or force turnovers. I think our D will step up and play SC very tough just has they played LSU. Our sacks are down because we played the second half against NW and Temple with the scout team and LSU has a great O line. We sacked Oregon States QB 8 times- pretty good. Finally, our x-factor is playing inside Sun Devil Stadium- obviously. I've said this numerous times before, SUN DEVIL STADIUM IS THE MOST UINDERRATED HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL. It's gonna be 105+ at high noon (which is OUR adv)and it's tucked between two mountains (+ the staudium stands go staright up) which makes it echo loudly. Combine that with 20,000 drunk students and it provides a huge advantage for us. Also, if Keller can keep the thin SC secondary on the field it could turn into a shootout. SC is one of the best teams of all times and ASU is going to need all pieces to come together to win. If I were to bet this game, I would favor ASU simply because I think the game is going to be similar to 2 years ago. It's just who pulls away in the 4th quarter will be the winner. I'm a little biased though which is why I'm not betting it. GL to all and GO DEVILS!!!!!!
USC vs ASU Analysis
- Thread starter Scott4USC
- Start date
gman2 said:
Of course it is an issue! I personally think it is unsafe to play in 105* heat. They only are making it @12:30pm for ratings. Otherwise it be at 7:30pm. USC DB's last week vs Oregon was a MAJOR ISSUE! You saw how they and the defense performed. 2 years ago USC played @ASU in the day and USC won 37-17. But USC was down 17-10 I think late in the 3q. USC got stronger as the game went on and wore out the ASU D. Lendale White was a beast. White hurts a defense and wears out a defense in great weather conditions. What you think he is going to do on Sat.? White is always going at 100% speed along with Reggie Bush because they split time. I wish White got more carries. 2 years ago playing @AU was supposed to be an issue. HEAT + Humidity + hostile environment + new QB = 24-0 USC win! Iowa + Michigan + OU being too physical of a team from too physical of a conf. was huge issue for USC. Right? Pac 10 isn't physical and USC would have issues with that. 3 years ago the thin air @CO was a huge issue and USC 3.5 underdogs. Resulted in USC blowout! ISSUES ISSUES ISSUES!
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I agree 100% ASU is more acclimated to 100* heat. But I don't buy that alone giving ASU the advantage. Might give ASU advantage against most teams, but not USC. We are just talking weather here, NOT outcome of the game.
There is no doubt in my mind ASU has better facilities than USC. EVERYONE has better facilities than USC. USC prob. has the #7 best facilities in the Pac 10. It is the S&C program that USC has is #1 in the country. Not facilities. USC got their S&C coach from TN where he was an assistant and he USC has been doing revolutionary stuff with their S&C program. That is a fact and it has paid off. That along with adjustments is why USC has dominated 3 straight years in the 2h.
Yes ASU stadium can and will be loud. But you are forgetting the 105* heat will have huge impact on the fans. NOBODY will be screaming their head off all game with that heat. I'll be SHOCKED! It still might be loud, but not to the point where it will impact USC. Playing @Autzen last week will do wonders for USC.
Lastly, but IMO most importantly EMOTION! All teams are geeked up to play USC. They can't help it. This hurts them and helps USC. USC players if you noticed, rarely talk about their opponent. Why? Because Pete Carroll has his team believing if USC executes their game, they win. Practices are tougher than the games. But you often see opponents talking trash about USC. USC enters each game playing 100% and keeping their cool. Not letting emotions get the best of them. If you get too high/geeked up, you cannot maintain that level for 4 quarters, especially against USC. USC plays at the same level and intensity for 4 quarters. THIS IS HUGE REASON USC IS SUCCESSFUL! This is how USC is run like an NFL team. Carroll never does anything different in practiices for any opponent, including ND/UCLA/BOWL GAMES. Everything is normal. He doesn't want his team getting excited. Teams often get emotionally drained after couple quarters against USC. Please remember, USC has great talent, great depth, great coaching, great S&C program. That all helps USC.
Here are some quotes to support my opinion.
Oregon HC Belotti said that Oregon came out too pumped, and the high didn't last into the second half. He said they were a little too "high." He also said they got tired in the 3rd Q and that he noticed his guys sucking wind at halftime.
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."
Here is a quote from ASU QB Keller on Matt Leinart. "But I keep telling you guys, he's got a lot of guys around him that make him look good. That's the bottom line," Keller said.
These were the exact same words OU players were saying about USC and Leinart. You all know what happened in the OB.
Here is a quote from ASU talented WR Hagen. "I hate USC. USC is the 2nd best team in the pac-10." USC didn't recruit me. Boo hoo. Why would he say this about USC? It was his dream to come to USC and Carroll took other WR's instead of him. You think he will be geeked up to play USC? Like I said above, IMO this hurts ASU!
Derek Hagan On the USC Defense: "They have a great defense, but their secondary is weak right now."
You won't find quotes of USC players trash talking their opponent. Why? Because USC players have it installed in them it is not about your opponent, it is about what you do in the game. Repeatedly you will read opposing players taking shots at USC. After the game, you see the results. I think this just keeps USC players focused.
Here is a question asked to USC S&C coach.
The Trojans will face intense heat in Tempe this weekend. Is there anything special that you do to get them ready for games like this and the heat they faced in Hawaii?
?We try to keep kids hydrated, we remind them a lot about it but really it goes back to everything we?ve ever talked about in terms of preparing and practicing at a high level. Our kids went through the heat in Hawaii as if it was just another day of practice. To see the defense out there for 32 straight plays in the first quarter, that?s a marker right there to show what kind of shape these guys are in. They were playing as hard in the fourth quarter as they were in the first quarter. How many times do you watch a game and you hear the announcers talking about how a team in the fourth quarter is dead tired? That doesn?t happen with our guys. It all goes back to the players buying into the system?.
Now you see ESPN Sportscenter doing a piece on USC almost everyday. Why don't they do a piece on USC's S&C program. At least others would learn from it and see how important S&C program is to the success of USC. Be much much more interesting than the pieces they do on USC everyday. Although the Leinart film session was cool.
FYI, I am strictly talking about how USC will have the advantage with weather on Sat. Not really talking about winning/losing the game. Although if a team has an advantage with the weather, then it obviously helps that team's prob. in winning the game!
IMO, USC hands down has the advantage playing in 105* weather against ASU. Others disagree. You know where I stand and why I feel strongly about it! :clap:
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Scott, it is great to see that last week's beating has had no effect on the length of your posts. :clap:
The Judge said:
:mj07:
You can see what I am talking about. Go to this link. http://mattreggietv.com/
Look at the bottom of screen where lists bunch of videos, click on this one.............
9/12/05
Reggie Bush shows off his "crib".
You will see exactly what I am talking about.
I got USC -14 (took it at -15 when it opened and bought it down a point). I'm looking at taking ASU +9 1/2 in the first half and if that hits, then I'll load up on SC in the 2nd half.
Looking at the last 3 years, what seems to happen much more than not, is that the other team comes out strong plays SC tough for the first qtr or half then SC kicks it into high gear in the 2nd half and destroys. I've been cashing in on SC 2nd half bets in close games since last year, time to start getting paid in both halves by going against them in the 1st. If SC's up big at half, no 2nd half bet.
Looking at the last 3 years, what seems to happen much more than not, is that the other team comes out strong plays SC tough for the first qtr or half then SC kicks it into high gear in the 2nd half and destroys. I've been cashing in on SC 2nd half bets in close games since last year, time to start getting paid in both halves by going against them in the 1st. If SC's up big at half, no 2nd half bet.
Not that it matters Scott but the heat will have NO effect on the fans. Trust me. The students will be loud to the very end and we keep the rest of the stadium into it. Not worried about that, more about Leinart, Bush, White....
Additional analysis........
USC vs ASU
When has a Pete Carroll coached USC team ever been in shoot out? .... UM, NEVER!
During the current USC 25 game win streak the highest point total USC has given up is 28 points! This years supposedly suspect first team defense has only given up 3 touchdowns and 4 field goals. The longest pass play USC has given up since the 63 yd td in the BYU game last year is 43 yds (49 quarters of data).
On top of that, Pete Carroll absolutely owns Dirk Koetter. Koetter's supposed "high octane" 1 dimensional offense has scored 17, 13, 17 and 7 points against Pete Carrolls defense and Koetter has been pounded losing by margins of 31, 21, 20 & 38. Not sure this game will be a shootout like the media is touting.
Last week USC held Oregon 27 pts fewer than their average. Oregon came ino the USC game averaging 400 yards per game but was held to 239 yards against USC. Oregon also was the 3rd rated passing efficiency leader in the country but USC held them to 15/30 for 167 yards. Don't forget, the game was played @Oregon!
Pete Carroll has it right when he says that sometimes its the team that is playing the top dog that has the bigger burden when it comes to the hype and presure. ASU's players are trying to make history against Goliath. They certainly are talking a lot of trash about USC. Meanwhile, USC's players are just trying to win another game.
I'll end my post with a quote from former USC WR Mike Williams. "When it comes to USC, opponents think there's a little light at the end of the tunnel. There is. It's a train."
USC vs ASU
When has a Pete Carroll coached USC team ever been in shoot out?
.... UM, NEVER! During the current USC 25 game win streak the highest point total USC has given up is 28 points! This years supposedly suspect first team defense has only given up 3 touchdowns and 4 field goals.
The longest pass play USC has given up since the 63 yd td in the BYU game last year is 43 yds (49 quarters of data).On top of that, Pete Carroll absolutely owns Dirk Koetter. Koetter's supposed "high octane" 1 dimensional offense has scored 17, 13, 17 and 7 points against Pete Carrolls defense and Koetter has been pounded losing by margins of 31, 21, 20 & 38. Not sure this game will be a shootout like the media is touting.
Last week USC held Oregon 27 pts fewer than their average. Oregon came ino the USC game averaging 400 yards per game but was held to 239 yards against USC. Oregon also was the 3rd rated passing efficiency leader in the country but USC held them to 15/30 for 167 yards. Don't forget, the game was played @Oregon!
Pete Carroll has it right when he says that sometimes its the team that is playing the top dog that has the bigger burden when it comes to the hype and presure. ASU's players are trying to make history against Goliath. They certainly are talking a lot of trash about USC. Meanwhile, USC's players are just trying to win another game.
I'll end my post with a quote from former USC WR Mike Williams. "When it comes to USC, opponents think there's a little light at the end of the tunnel. There is. It's a train."
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2 years ago USC was so amped up in the 2nf half was becuse Leinart was hurt in the 2nd qtr and had a ton of time in the locker room..
Hagan was only recruited by ASU and UNLV, he has the same quote for UCLA.. Why is it bad for a player to say the other team is the 2nd best in a conf? Should he think before the game that his team has no channce? Why play the game then
Keller's statement was spun also, He is complimenting the people around Leinart.
Hagan was only recruited by ASU and UNLV, he has the same quote for UCLA.. Why is it bad for a player to say the other team is the 2nd best in a conf? Should he think before the game that his team has no channce? Why play the game then
Keller's statement was spun also, He is complimenting the people around Leinart.
Now that the game is over, and what a game that was, I must ask the question.
Who had the advantage with the heat? Who was the better conditioned team?
I think the evidence is overwhelming that I was right in my argument that USC had the advantage with the heat. In fact, I think it played is HUGE part in why USC won the game!
You clearly saw USC get stronger as the game went on and ASU getting weaker. Happens every game with USC. That is why USC has outscored their last 2 opponents ON THE ROAD 70-7 in the 2nd half.
I am just talking about conditioning and weather and which team it helped the most. I thought before the game USC, and after the game I know it was USC. Agree?
BTW, Koetter did a great job coaching and I was happy to see that he played to win the game and took chances.
ASU is missing 2 things. Give ASU Lendale White and USC's DL (depth too) and ASU would win the National Championship. I would love to see a USC vs ASU game (without those refs) where ASU had White and USC's DL vs USC. Right now ASU is soooo close to being a National Championship caliber team. IMO they are legit top 10 team in the country who could compete and beat anybody.
Koetter needs to recruit a big back and get nasty players on OL and DL.
Who had the advantage with the heat? Who was the better conditioned team?
I think the evidence is overwhelming that I was right in my argument that USC had the advantage with the heat. In fact, I think it played is HUGE part in why USC won the game!
You clearly saw USC get stronger as the game went on and ASU getting weaker. Happens every game with USC. That is why USC has outscored their last 2 opponents ON THE ROAD 70-7 in the 2nd half.
I am just talking about conditioning and weather and which team it helped the most. I thought before the game USC, and after the game I know it was USC. Agree?
BTW, Koetter did a great job coaching and I was happy to see that he played to win the game and took chances.
ASU is missing 2 things. Give ASU Lendale White and USC's DL (depth too) and ASU would win the National Championship. I would love to see a USC vs ASU game (without those refs) where ASU had White and USC's DL vs USC. Right now ASU is soooo close to being a National Championship caliber team. IMO they are legit top 10 team in the country who could compete and beat anybody.
Koetter needs to recruit a big back and get nasty players on OL and DL.
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Had to post this since there was huge debate about conditioning and the weather. Here is what the USC Center Ryan Kalil had to say about USC/ASU when asked about conditioning.
Ryan Kalil on 1540 Today (dialogue summary)
Re: Conditioning
"USC's conditioning program is best in the country you can check it out. We are doing things that no other program is doing. We can play all four quarters. It's like a horse race and at the final turn that one horse is just pulling away further and further and that's how we feel we play the game. We pull away and it's a great feeling for us to see the separation. We could see in ASU's eyes in the second half they were cooked. Especially in that 110 degree heat and those guys practice in that day in and day out. It was great to pull away from them they were exhausted and that will be the difference between us and other teams as the season progresses."
Re: Penalties.
"He said he and the entire team were very frustrated by the penalties. A rhythm stopper to go backwards. He felt that the penalties have a lot to do with various factors: 1) The teams eagerness to get off the line, 2) the hostile enviroments (incl. Autzen), 3) Audibles less audible 4) cadence changes due to noise. The remedy: Get back to discipline and not playing as eager. Settling and playing like they do in practice which is all out but disciplined. Also in the second half less "motion," and more running."
To ASU fans.......
RE: #44 for ASU (Robinson?)
"The best linebacker we have faced and expect to face all season. He was a stud."
Ryan Kalil on 1540 Today (dialogue summary)
Re: Conditioning
"USC's conditioning program is best in the country you can check it out. We are doing things that no other program is doing. We can play all four quarters. It's like a horse race and at the final turn that one horse is just pulling away further and further and that's how we feel we play the game. We pull away and it's a great feeling for us to see the separation. We could see in ASU's eyes in the second half they were cooked. Especially in that 110 degree heat and those guys practice in that day in and day out. It was great to pull away from them they were exhausted and that will be the difference between us and other teams as the season progresses."
Re: Penalties.
"He said he and the entire team were very frustrated by the penalties. A rhythm stopper to go backwards. He felt that the penalties have a lot to do with various factors: 1) The teams eagerness to get off the line, 2) the hostile enviroments (incl. Autzen), 3) Audibles less audible 4) cadence changes due to noise. The remedy: Get back to discipline and not playing as eager. Settling and playing like they do in practice which is all out but disciplined. Also in the second half less "motion," and more running."
To ASU fans.......
RE: #44 for ASU (Robinson?)
"The best linebacker we have faced and expect to face all season. He was a stud."
