Stakes will be high when Ohio State, Southern California meet

[obie7661]

Stakes will be high when Ohio State, Southern California meet

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2008-07-31-usc-ohio-state_N.htm

[DE#53]

I'm optimistic about this one. U.S.C. has lost most of it's offensive line. They have a new QB and haven't heard of what they got at wide receiver. The biggest concern is how to contain McNight. Covering him on the circle routs out of the backfield will be the key here. I would try to clog him up and not let him come across any of the defensive ends faces without putting a lick on em and at least disrupt the timing of the rout. Easier said than done. One thing I do know if they try to cover him with a linebacker, it's over.

[obie7661]

I'll be one helluva game.

[DE#53]

I could be wrong but I keep thinking of how the Buckeyes went into Texas a few years ago and played so well. I'm hoping they go into L.A with that "us against the world" attitude hungry to let the nation know that the team that played against L.S.U. wasn't the real Buckeyes. It'll be intense to say the least! Also will bring back memories of seeing these two teams playing for the roses. Wasn't the last time they played in Columbus in about 1988 or 89?

[monte81]

I'm optimistic about this one. U.S.C. has lost most of it's offensive line. They have a new QB and haven't heard of what they got at wide receiver. The biggest concern is how to contain McNight. Covering him on the circle routs out of the backfield will be the key here. I would try to clog him up and not let him come across any of the defensive ends faces without putting a lick on em and at least disrupt the timing of the rout. Easier said than done. One thing I do know if they try to cover him with a linebacker, it's over.

Should be a great game with the OSU defense havibg to play a great game and the offense must score at least 24-30 points to pull this one out.

Oh---USC's QB has started his fair share of games the last 2 years when Booty was injured. He was a top rated QB coming out of HS in 2005

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

If USC gets a 7-0 lead, the game is going to be over. Pete Carroll could very seriously hurt Jim Tressel and his charges if that happens. But if OSU scores first, then it may be a game.

[crazysob04]

that statement makes absolutely no sense at all.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

crazysob04,

Michigan can attest to this from the 2004 Rose Bowl (USC's first of two national championships). They got up 7-0 and Carroll really threw some things at Michigan that they had not seen on tape defensively.

How do I explain the complex coverages that got John Navarre sacked nine times in that game (four of them coming from from DB's)?

Even though the score was 28-14...it felt a lot more like 42-14 when everything was said and done.

I'm telling you straight up, Carroll will really hurt Tressel if he gets a 7-0 lead early and Carson H. Palmer can attest to this.

[mike_da_man13]

crazysob04,

Michigan can attest to this from the 2004 Rose Bowl (USC's first of two national championships). They got up 7-0 and Carroll really threw some things at Michigan that they had not seen on tape defensively.

How do I explain the complex coverages that got John Navarre sacked nine times in that game (four of them coming from from DB's)?

Even though the score was 28-14...it felt a lot more like 42-14 when everything was said and done.

I'm telling you straight up, Carroll will really hurt Tressel if he gets a 7-0 lead early and Carson H. Palmer can attest to this.

diff teams and add in the fact that the Fichigan Girl Scouts are sissies.

[MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp]

mike_da_man 13,

I beg to emphatically differ. Michigan weren't sissies. USC had something to prove and Carroll is a proven defensive genius as well. Anytime you can hold an offense to 14 points like that is an accomplishment.

We'll see what OSU has......

[ReineyKicker15]

If USC gets a 7-0 lead, the game is going to be over. Pete Carroll could very seriously hurt Jim Tressel and his charges if that happens. But if OSU scores first, then it may be a game.

Not only does it not make sense, it was made by a Michigan fan so obviously biased.

[CarlE]

The thing about this game that scares me is the fact that USC is way faster than EITHER of the teams we've played in the BCS Title game the last two years.

[shooter]

PAC-10 refs?

[DE#53]

mike_da_man 13,

I beg to emphatically differ. Michigan weren't sissies. USC had something to prove and Carroll is a proven defensive genius as well. Anytime you can hold an offense to 14 points like that is an accomplishment.

We'll see what OSU has......

I think Ohio State held that offense to 9 points that year. Anyway, that game doesn't matter. Two different teams. Scoring first is important but doesn't decide games. Miami scored first in the Fiesta Bowl vs. O.S.U. and Ted Ginn ran opening kickoff back for 6 vs. Florida. It always comes down to blocking, tackling, turnovers, and mental mistakes or lack there of.

[DE#53]

mike_da_man 13,

I beg to emphatically differ. Michigan weren't sissies. USC had something to prove and Carroll is a proven defensive genius as well. Anytime you can hold an offense to 14 points like that is an accomplishment.

We'll see what OSU has......
U.S.C. will have 4 new starters on their offensive line and with it only being the second game of the season Ohio State may be able to exploit that. "Little Ironhead" Heywood, Lawrence Wilson, and the new wrinkle this year is Thaddeus Gibson playing to "anchor position". Their going to use him like they did Bobby Carpenter. This kids going to be a stud! He had to wait behind Laurinitus and I think he's better than him by far. Anyway, I don't think U.S.C.'s offensive line will be playing that well being that it's so early in the season and they will be young and haven't played much together @ game speed.

[monte81]

The thing about this game that scares me is the fact that USC is way faster than EITHER of the teams we've played in the BCS Title game the last two years.

You got that right!! USC has burners on the offensive side of the ball that can S-t-r-e-t-c-h a defense.

[dataintsmiff]

Bucks will win 31-17! Mark it down now, yeah, that's right, I said it!

[warren1st]

The thing about this game that scares me is the fact that USC is way faster than EITHER of the teams we've played in the BCS Title game the last two years.

If true it doesn't bode well for the Fichigan Girl Scout haters.

[crazysob04]

U.S.C. will have 4 new starters on their offensive line and with it only being the second game of the season Ohio State may be able to exploit that. "Little Ironhead" Heywood, Lawrence Wilson, and the new wrinkle this year is Thaddeus Gibson playing to "anchor position". Their going to use him like they did Bobby Carpenter. This kids going to be a stud! He had to wait behind Laurinitus and I think he's better than him by far. Anyway, I don't think U.S.C.'s offensive line will be playing that well being that it's so early in the season and they will be young and haven't played much together @ game speed.

are you saying that thaddeus gibson is better than the animal?

[DE#53]

are you saying that thaddeus gibson is better than the animal?
I believe if he gets more playing time he will be. Gibson has a motor and is very quick for his size. Bucknuts has him listed at 250 lbs. Laurenitis is a good linebacker but I think he is over rated and doesn't show up in the big games. I can't remember any big plays he made in the Championship game or even against Michigan this past year? He for sure is not in the class of Spielman, Hawk, Katzenmoyer, Gradishar, Marec, and a few others. Carpenter and Schlegel made more noise on the field than little animal IMO.

[DAWGH8R]

The stakearen't really THAT high. A loss this early in the year by either team , will mean virtually nothing by the time the BCS bids come out.

[CarlE]

The stakearen't really THAT high. A loss this early in the year by either team , will mean virtually nothing by the time the BCS bids come out.

Way to position the fact we're going to get our asses kicked. You should run for Congress.

[ReineyKicker15]

I truly believe Ohio State is gonna win this game and I dont think it will be a blowout but I think it could be similar to when we played Texas the 2nd time.

[Drbord]

I don't know who will win that game. I do think OSU has the talent to beat SC. If they don't win that game there is no chance they will play for a national title.

[DE#53]

I won't say Ohio State is just as speedy as the Trojans but I do think they have the speed to win. Look at all the 4 and 5 star recruits on the Bucks roster. 4 and 5 star recruits aren't slow. And just because they went to a big ten school over any other conference doesn't make them slow either. Many of the L.S.U. players said after the Championship game that they thought O.S.U. was as fast as any team they have played. Over confidence, poor execution, and mistakes were what lost those games to Florida and L.S.U.

That being said... I do think there are one or two game breakers on U.S.C. that the buckeyes will have to contain.

[monte81]

I won't say Ohio State is just as speedy as the Trojans but I do think they have the speed to win. Look at all the 4 and 5 star recruits on the Bucks roster. 4 and 5 star recruits aren't slow. And just because they went to a big ten school over any other conference doesn't make them slow either. Many of the L.S.U. players said after the Championship game that they thought O.S.U. was as fast as any team they have played. Over confidence, poor execution, and mistakes were what lost those games to Florida and L.S.U.

That being said... I do think there are one or two game breakers on U.S.C. that the buckeyes will have to contain.


DE#53---I know you love the bucks from going to school with you for 8 years but regardless of what LSU stated after the game----speed had more to do with it than over convidence IMHO. OSU can match ANY team speed for speed in the skill positions but it is the up front mismatches that hurt the most. Why you think A. Boone has lost 35-45lbs. before this season. Lateral Movement and agility to handle those quick d Ends and OLBs on the edge. Harvey and crew killed us in the up front battle with speed rushes!!!

[tiger74]

monte you are so right about there speed at the line positions. cause I know osu has just as much speed at the skill positions as lsu or florida. we had trouble blocking florida's d line. we seemed to be able to run good against lsu but decided to try and pass. osu should have a good enough team to play usc very tough.

[tiger74]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3526410 usc QB is injured.

[DE#53]

DE#53---I know you love the bucks from going to school with you for 8 years but regardless of what LSU stated after the game----speed had more to do with it than over convidence IMHO. OSU can match ANY team speed for speed in the skill positions but it is the up front mismatches that hurt the most. Why you think A. Boone has lost 35-45lbs. before this season. Lateral Movement and agility to handle those quick d Ends and OLBs on the edge. Harvey and crew killed us in the up front battle with speed rushes!!!

No argument here. But as I said in past post about the two losses in the championship games. VS. Florida Tressel abandoned the run way too soon. And Boone was playing on a torn ACL. Against L.S.U. I don't know why Tressel didn't pack it in with double tights and tackle over formations (like the play Beanie scored on) and go straight at L.S.U. to take the speed advantage up front away. I'm no Tressel but a couple of things I believe you must do vs. fast defensive ends is let them run up field then hand off up inside of them. Also, does JT have a screen pass they could dump to Saine or Wells? Good point about Boone. His knee problem limited his lateral movement and he sure isn't a Pace or Stringer. If the Trojans give the Bucks the same problems I'd like to see JT turn it over to Beanie and pound it straight at em with 35 carries then set up play action. But if they fall behind by more than 7 you got to open up the offense and then it's a shootout.