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USC @ Stanford - Live Blog
2008-11-15 16:58:30
usc trojans | stanford cardinal | live blog | college football |
Senior Redemption: USC @ Stanford Preview
2008-11-15 15:32:20
This game was one to forget for Trojan fans last year. A truly miraculous win for Stanford and their football program. What about this year? Well, I think it's clear that they are a better football team, with a respectable 5-5 record that includes an 8-point win over Oregon State. You might think, then, that I'd come into this preview with some caution. Not a chance.
Something tells me that Pete Carroll will find a way to harness all the talent around him. The offense has flashed it in bursts. The defense has flashed it consistently. And for the most part, the effort on both sides has been led by USC's seniors.
A handful of names off the top of my head? Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga, Fili Moala, Kyle Moore, Josh Pinkard, Clay Matthews, Patrick Turner, Cary Harris, Jeff Byers, Kaluka Maiava, David Buehler. These aren't just our seniors. They're our consistent MVP's.
Younger, maybe even more talented, players (ie. Sanchez, Joe McKnight, Everson Griffen...) haven't proven themselves as consistent performers yet.
It's that senior factor that I think will help the Trojans finish strong. Particularly in this game, where Pete and his guys will be as jacked as up as ever to embarrass Jim Harbaugh's Cardinal team at home. Remember, this will probably be their most attended game of the year.
Looking at the X's & O's, I think our passing attack has a chance to get back in rhythm vs. Stanford's 98th ranked pass defense. Their safeties play far off the line of the scrimmage, in a similar fashion to Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison (out; knee injury) Will Harris. That should give Patrick and Damian room to work inside. Dare I say the tight ends finally get in on the action as well. We'll see.
The running backs should watch out for MLB Pat Maynor. Him and safety Bo McNally are tackling machines. However, those guys could get blocked out if the Trojans can dominate their d-line like I feel they should.
Tavita Pritchard is Stanford's QB, but we may see some of Alex Loukas. He's more of a runner than Pritchard, who is a respectable runner in his own right.
In the passing department, they lack efficiency, especially for a team that likes to throw as many short routes as they do. Those quick hitters can be effective against our defense. Whalen (WR) , Baldwin (WR), Gunder (TE), and Kimble (TB) are the names to watch for on the receiving end.
Aforementioned Anthony Kimble reminds me of Stafon Johnson with his shifty running style. Toby Gerhart is the main tailback, however, because of his size and strength. Those guys will be running behind a line that will benefit from a banged up Trojan d-line. Moala is questionable with a groin injury and Spicer is probable with an ankle injury. I hope that gives reps to some young talent, like Malik Jackson and Armond Armstead, should we build a lead in the second half.
SCORE PREDICTION: USC 45 Stanford 6
See you for the live blog.
usc trojans | stanford cardinal | college football | cfb | preview | pac 10 |
Week 12 Picks - Against the Spread
2008-11-15 08:29:45
Before we get to the picks for this week, I stumbled across an eye popping tidbit in Chris Fowler's blog this week:
"[According to the Wynn Sports Book in Vegas] the Trojans, in fact, would be favored over all potential BCS opponents. OU would be a 2.5-point underdog to USC, Texas Tech a 4-point dog, and Texas 5.5 points. One of the most evenly matched title games would be USC and Florida, with the Gators a 1.5-point underdog."
Vegas relies heavily on their own computer ranking systems to develop these betting lines. So, it's ironic that the BCS computers are the Trojans biggest inhibitor right now.
I'll have more on USC-Stanford later today, and as you can see with my picks, I like the Trojans to cover the 22-point spread.
Home teams are in CAPS. Games of importance to USC are highlighted in red. The spreads are courtesy of Covers.com:
SOUTH FLORIDA (-7.5) over Rutgers 
MICHIGAN (-2.5) over Northwestern
Indiana (+34) over PENN STATE 
Duke (+12.5) over CLEMSON
Ohio State (-7.5) over ILLINOIS
Notre Dame (-3.5) over NAVY
Georgia (-7.5) over AUBURN
KANSAS (+14) over Texas
South Carolina (+23) over FLORIDA
OREGON STATE (-2) over California
OREGON (-4) over Arizona
Southern California (-22) over Stanford (tie goes to the website owner)
ALABAMA (-20.5) over Mississippi State
COLORADO (+17) over Oklahoma State
FLORIDA STATE (-7) over Boston College
Vanderbilt (+5) over KENTUCKY
HOUSTON (+6) over Tulsa
LSU (-19) over Troy
WASHINGTON (+7) over UCLA
college football | week 12 | picks | usc trojans | cfb |
Southern California's Dream BCS Scenario
2008-11-09 12:22:56
USC's defense ran another clinic against California and got the win, 17-3, on a night when the offense wasn't doing them many favors. Despite the dominating defensive performance against a top 20 team, early BCS projections have us right back at No. 7 this week. I guess that's because style points on defense aren't as good for TV ratings aren't as valuable as Harrell-to-Crabtree style points.
So, how can these defensive-minded Trojans snag themselves a spot in the national championship game? It's going to be tough, there's no question about that.
To understand how tough, let's take a look at the competition and see what they have left:
Alabama (Nov. 15 - Mississippi State, Nov. 29 - Auburn)
Texas Tech (Nov. 22 - @ Oklahoma, Nov. 29 - Baylor)
Texas (Nov. 15 - @ Kansas, Nov. 27 - Texas A&M)
Florida (Nov. 15 - South Carolina, Nov. 22 - Citadel, Nov. 29 - @ Florida State)
Oklahoma (Nov. 22 - Texas Tech, Nov. 29 - @ Oklahoma State)
Although Penn State may sneak into the No. 6 spot, infront of USC, it's long been assumed that their only title chance was to finish the season undefeated. That's why I didn't include them in this conversation.
With so little time to maneuver at the end of the season, USC is lucky that the SEC and Big-12 both have conference championship games. In fact, I see it as the only reason why the Trojans are still in the title talk at all. For Florida and Alabama, it's simple. If they win out in the regular season, the winner of the SEC Championship will be guaranteed a spot in the national title game. That's likely in my mind.
The SEC's opponent? Texas Tech...if they can get by Oklahoma on November 22nd. I think a few people will tune in for that one.
The problem (or perhaps, the solution, depending on your viewpoint) is that Oklahoma will probably be the favorite at home vs. Texas Tech. So, let's say the Sooners pull it off, and win that game, then the Big-12 would have a dilemma; the Longhorns only loss would have come against Texas Tech, and Texas Tech's only loss would have come against Oklahoma, and Oklahoma's only loss would have come against Texas.
Three teams from the Big-12 south involved in some sort of endless comparison loop. You can't make this stuff up. Well actually, I did sort of make it up, because this hasn't fully happened yet. Anyways, I'll just move on...
To break the tie, the team with the highest BCS rank would move onto the conference championship game. It really wouldn't matter who that team was, from SC's perspective. The key component to this scenario is that the South representative in the Big-12 needs at least one loss.
Therefore, if Texas Tech went into the conference championship and lost vs. the two loss North team (Missouri, probably), then both teams, including the Big-12 champion, would have two losses.
Oklahoma and Texas are left in a dreadful spot. How many voters will put a team at No. 1 or No. 2 in the country, if they aren't even No. 1 or No. 2 in their own conference?
Do you see where we've landed here? Southern California's dream BCS scenario. It presumably puts them in the national championship with either Florida or Alabama.
Among all the uncertainty that remains in college football, I'm sure of one thing: This will be fun to watch!
usc trojans | bcs | bowl championship series | national championship | scenario | southern california | big 12 | pac 10 | sec |
USC vs. California - Live Blog
2008-11-08 17:35:08
usc trojans | vs. | california bears | live blog |
Quick Takes Before Kickoff - California
2008-11-08 16:24:14
Photo/LA Times
Cornerbacks Syd'Quan Thompson and Darian Hagan are one of the better duos in the Pac-10 at that position. Sean Cattouse (three interceptions) is another ball hawker in their secondary. Sanchez, who has had a tendency to be risky with some of his throws, should watch out in obvious passing situations.
Both defenses are terrific a) on third down and b) in the redzone, ranking 8th or better nationally.
The kickers for each team are standouts as well, collecting a total of 74 touchbacks between them. That's good for No. 1 & 2 in the entire nation.
There has been a few nasty hits, by Taylor Mays and Kevin Ellison specifically, on Cal receivers over the past half-decade. I'll be excited to see if that continues, because there has been some bad blood built up in this rivalry. The last thing USC wants to do is get in an emotional battle, as that's when you see top teams get upset.
Zack Follett and Mike Mohamed are Cal's best linebackers, IMO, and they will have their hands full if the Trojans' athletic offensive line can spring their blocks into the 2nd level.
As badly as I don't want to see it, the men in stripes could have a lot to say before this Pac-10 battle is over. California and USC are two of the most penalized teams in the nation, 86th and 113th unrespectfully.
I see some parallels between this matchup and the USC vs. Fresno State game of 2005. That game featured a lot of speed, like we'll see tonight, and the coaches, Pat Hill & Pete Carroll, really let their players play.
If you can remember, Reggie Bush responded with a ridiculous performance that won him the Heisman, and allowed the Trojans to escape with a 50-42 win (and their #1 ranking).
I have two key matchups that I'll be watching in the game tonight;
1) SC's running game vs. Cal's three man defensive line, when Sarkisian spreads it out with 3, 4, and 5 wide receivers.
2) Cal's offensive line vs. whoever rushes the QB for the Trojans. Nate Longshore, who is less athletic than injured Kevin Riley, will get the start at quarterback for the Golden Bears. Arizona had a boatload of success by blitzing him (on virtually every play) earlier this season.
Under 2 hours til the live blog, fight on Trojans!
usc trojans | california | golden bears | southern california | vs. | la coliseum | pac 10 | college football |
Week 11 Picks - Against the Spread
2008-11-08 09:48:16
Another wild slate of games lined up in college football this Saturday. Continuing with last week's theme, here are my picks ATS.
Home teams are in CAPS. Games of importance to USC are highlighted in red. The spreads are courtesy of Covers.com:
Ohio State (-10.5) over NORTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN STATE (-11) over Purdue
Georgia Tech (+4) over NORTH CAROLINA
TEXAS (-25.5) over Baylor
KENTUCKY (+9.5) over Georgia
Kansas (-3) over NEBRASKA
Clemson (+6.5) over FLORIDA STATE
LSU (+2.5) over Alabama
Penn State (-8) over IOWA
Stanford (+13) over OREGON
TEXAS A&M (+25) over Oklahoma
Oregon State (-10) over UCLA
MISSOURI (-8) over Kansas State
WEST VIRGINIA (-5) over Cincinnati
BOSTON COLLEGE (-3) over Notre Dame
VANDERBILT (+12) over Florida
Oklahoma State (+3) over TEXAS TECH
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (-18.5) over California
Enjoy your college football Saturday! There's not many more left on the schedule after today...
And a reminder, of course, that USC Blitz will be back for a great night of live blogging with other Trojan fans during the game. Feel free to join in (8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST).
More on the game later today...
week 11 | picks | against the spread | ats | college football | ncaafb |
Week 10 - A Breakdown of USC in the BCS
2008-11-02 20:22:23
Where do the Trojans stack up in the latest rankings?
(Three equally weighted components are used in the BCS formula)
Overall: #7
1. USA Today Coaches Poll: #6
2. Harris Interactive College Football Poll: #7
3. BCS Computers: #10 (overall computer ranking)
| | i. | Sagarin Elo-Chess: | #11 |
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| ii. | Anderson & Hester: | #11 (lowest rank dropped) |
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| iii. | Billingsley Report: | #5 (highest rank dropped) |
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| iv. | Colley Matrix: | #9 |
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| v. | Massey Ratings: | #9 |
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| vi. | Wolfe Ratings: | #9 |
usc trojans | football | rankings | bcs | harris | poll | coaches | computers | southern california | bowl championship series | week 10 |
USC vs. Washington - Live Blog
2008-11-01 16:14:46
usc trojans | vs. | washington | huskies | uw | live blog |
Week 10 Picks - Against the Spread
2008-11-01 09:58:11
I decided to mix it up a little this week and pick ATS. Home teams are in CAPS. Games of importance to USC are highlighted in red. Game spreads courtesy of Covers.com:
West Virginia (-2) over CONNECTICUT
MICHIGAN STATE (-5.5) over Wisconsin
Northwestern (+7) over MINNESOTA
Miami (+1) over VIRGINIA
Michigan (+2) over PURDUE
OLE MISS (-4) over Auburn
NOTRE DAME (-7) over Pittsburgh
Kentucky (+1.5) over MISSISSIPPI STATE
CALIFORNIA (-3) over Oregon
Florida State (-1.5) over GEORGIA TECH
GEORGIA (+6) over Florida
BOSTON COLLEGE (-3) over Clemson
Iowa (+2.5) over ILLINOIS
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (-43) over Washington
Nebraska (+21) over OKLAHOMA
TEXAS TECH (+3.5) over Texas
OREGON STATE (-10) over Arizona State
week 10 | picks | college football | spread |
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