2009 USC Trojans Game Preview
Preface
There's a huge game in the 'Shoe this Saturday, as Columbus will be beseiged by a pair of invaders: the University of Southern California Trojans, and the crew from ESPN's College Gameday. The last time that USC played in Columbus, the game was called due to a thunderstorm with about 2 and a half minutes left, when tOSU failed to recover an onside kick after getting within 35-26 on the scoreboard.
ESPN's popular show first broadcast from a game-day location from South Bend in 1993, when Florida State was visiting Notre Dame. In its history, they have visited 46 campus locations, but their most frequent location has been from just outside the Horseshoe.
Most home game visits by ESPN's College Gameday (as of this week):
12 - Ohio State (9-2 in games so far)
10 - Florida (6-4)
09 - Michigan (7-2)
08 - Alabama
07 - LSU
07 - Notre Dame
07 - Tennessee
06 - Florida State
06 - Nebraska
06 - Oklahoma
06 - Southern Cal
06 - Virginia Tech
05 - Auburn
05 - Miami
05 - Texas
04 - Michigan State
04 - Penn State
03 - Colorado
03 - Oregon
03 - South Carolina
The Buckeyes certainly have the most wins (9) as a Gameday host, despite losing when Gameday was in town for Penn State last year. Before that, their only other Gameday home loss was when Vince Young led Texas on a late drive to stun the hometown fans. Geez, why can't Ohio State get a quarterback that has physical abilities like him?
Ohio State's previous games with College Gameday in Columbus:
1996 - tOSU 38, Penn State 7 (this was when Corso first did the 'Mascot on the Head' thing)
1997 - tOSU 23, Iowa 7
1998 - tOSU 28, Penn State 9
2002 - tOSU 25, Washington State 7 (MoC ran wild in the second half)
2002 - tOSU 14, Michigan 9 (you should know where you where that day)
2003 - tOSU 28, Washington 9
2003 - tOSU 13, Purdue 10 (OT)
2005 - tOSU 22, Texas 25 (eventual NC winner)
2006 - tOSU 28, Penn State 6 (Troy's spin and pass to Robiskie was a Heisman moment)
2006 - tOSU 42, Michigan 39 (first-ever #1 vs #2 matchup in The Game
2008 - tOSU 06, Penn State 13
College Gameday has also been to several conference championship game and bowl game sites, and two famous neutral sites: the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville for Florida-Georgia, and the Texas State Fair in Dallas for the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma. Here are the teams whose games have been featured the most often:
Total appearances at College Gameday sites (as of this week):
30 - Florida
25 - Ohio State
22 - Oklahoma
21 - Michigan
20 - Florida State
18 - Notre Dame
17 - Southern Cal
17 - Tennessee
16 - Miami
15 - Alabama
15 - Nebraska
12 - LSU
12 - Penn State
12 - Va Tech
11 - Auburn
11 - Texas
10 - Georgia
06 - Colorado
06 - UCLA
05 - Georgia Tech
05 - Kansas State
05 - Wisconsin
But big games in the 'Shoe have been happening before the days of College Gameday. Since the AP started weekly rankings in 1936, there have been 33 games in the 'Shoe between two teams both ranked in the top ten.
Buckeyes (19-13-1) all-time in the 'Shoe, when both teams in AP top-10
1939 - #04 tOSU 14, #07 Cornell 23
1942 - #05 tOSU 21, #04 TSUN 7 (the year of tOSU's first National Championship)
1944 - #04 tOSU 26, #06 Great Lakes Naval Training 6 (Paul Brown coached the visitors)
1944 - #03 tOSU 18, #06 TSUN 14 (completing a perfect season)
1945 - #04 tOSU 13, #09 Purdue 35
1951 - #07 tOSU 20, #01 Mich St 24
1954 - #04 tOSU 31, #02 Wisconsin 14 (this was the year of Woody's first National Championship)
1957 - #06 tOSU 17, #05 Iowa 13 (Buckeyes finished the year #1 in the Coaches Poll)
1961 - #05 tOSU 29, #09 Iowa 13 (the year the team was not allowed to go to the Rose Bowl)
1962 - #06 tOSU 14, #08 NW'ern 18
1964 - #07 tOSU 00, #06 TSUN 10
1968 - #04 tOSU 13, #01 Purdue 0 (Buckeyes ended up #1)
1968 - #02 tOSU 50, #04 TSUN 14 ("Because we couldn't go for three")
1969 - #01 tOSU 42, #10 Purdue 14
1970 - #05 tOSU 20, #04 TSUN 9 (last home game for the SuperSophs of 68)
1971 - #06 tOSU 14, #10 Colorado 20
1972 - #09 tOSU 14, #03 TSUN 11 (two goal line stands frustrated Bo)?
1974 - #04 tOSU 12, #03 TSUN 10 (team scoring only FGs beat a team with a TD)
1975 - #03 tOSU 17, #07 Penn St 9
1976 - #08 tOSU 10, #04 UCLA 10 (tie)
1976 - #08 tOSU 00, #04 TSUN 22
1977 - #04 tOSU 28, #03 Oklahoma 29 (onside kick and Uwe Von Schamann)
1978 - #06 tOSU 00, #05 Penn St 19 (last opening day loss for tOSU)
1980 - #05 tOSU 03, #10 TSUN 9
1985 - #08 tOSU 22, #01 Iowa 13
1986 - #07 tOSU 24, #06 TSUN 26
1996 - #03 tOSU 38, #04 Penn St 7
1998 - #01 tOSU 28, #07 Penn St 9
2002 - #06 tOSU 25, #10 Wash St 7
2003 - #08 tOSU 19, #09 Iowa 10
2005 - #04 tOSU 22, #02 Texas 25
2006 - #01 tOSU 42, #02 TSUN 39 (only matchup of #1 vs. #2 in the 'Shoe)
2008 - #10 tOSU 06, #03 Penn St 13
Speaking of the AP poll, the Buckeyes had a noteworthy accomplishment this week, moving past TSUN on this all-time list.
Total appearances in the AP football poll (out of 991 weekly polls taken since 1936)
755 - Ohio State
754 - TSUN
709 - Notre Dame
680 - Oklahoma
676 - USC
658 - Texas
646 - Nebraska
631 - Alabama
564 - Penn St
564 - Tennessee
If you're going to the 'Shoe on Saturday, wear scarlet, and stay loud whenever USC is on offense. Loud enough so that on third down the folks in the north end zone (which includes a couple of us writing this preview) won't even be able to hear the bell telling us to get louder.
Date and TimeESPN's popular show first broadcast from a game-day location from South Bend in 1993, when Florida State was visiting Notre Dame. In its history, they have visited 46 campus locations, but their most frequent location has been from just outside the Horseshoe.
Most home game visits by ESPN's College Gameday (as of this week):
12 - Ohio State (9-2 in games so far)
10 - Florida (6-4)
09 - Michigan (7-2)
08 - Alabama
07 - LSU
07 - Notre Dame
07 - Tennessee
06 - Florida State
06 - Nebraska
06 - Oklahoma
06 - Southern Cal
06 - Virginia Tech
05 - Auburn
05 - Miami
05 - Texas
04 - Michigan State
04 - Penn State
03 - Colorado
03 - Oregon
03 - South Carolina
The Buckeyes certainly have the most wins (9) as a Gameday host, despite losing when Gameday was in town for Penn State last year. Before that, their only other Gameday home loss was when Vince Young led Texas on a late drive to stun the hometown fans. Geez, why can't Ohio State get a quarterback that has physical abilities like him?
Ohio State's previous games with College Gameday in Columbus:
1996 - tOSU 38, Penn State 7 (this was when Corso first did the 'Mascot on the Head' thing)
1997 - tOSU 23, Iowa 7
1998 - tOSU 28, Penn State 9
2002 - tOSU 25, Washington State 7 (MoC ran wild in the second half)
2002 - tOSU 14, Michigan 9 (you should know where you where that day)
2003 - tOSU 28, Washington 9
2003 - tOSU 13, Purdue 10 (OT)
2005 - tOSU 22, Texas 25 (eventual NC winner)
2006 - tOSU 28, Penn State 6 (Troy's spin and pass to Robiskie was a Heisman moment)
2006 - tOSU 42, Michigan 39 (first-ever #1 vs #2 matchup in The Game
2008 - tOSU 06, Penn State 13
College Gameday has also been to several conference championship game and bowl game sites, and two famous neutral sites: the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville for Florida-Georgia, and the Texas State Fair in Dallas for the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma. Here are the teams whose games have been featured the most often:
Total appearances at College Gameday sites (as of this week):
30 - Florida
25 - Ohio State
22 - Oklahoma
21 - Michigan
20 - Florida State
18 - Notre Dame
17 - Southern Cal
17 - Tennessee
16 - Miami
15 - Alabama
15 - Nebraska
12 - LSU
12 - Penn State
12 - Va Tech
11 - Auburn
11 - Texas
10 - Georgia
06 - Colorado
06 - UCLA
05 - Georgia Tech
05 - Kansas State
05 - Wisconsin
But big games in the 'Shoe have been happening before the days of College Gameday. Since the AP started weekly rankings in 1936, there have been 33 games in the 'Shoe between two teams both ranked in the top ten.
Buckeyes (19-13-1) all-time in the 'Shoe, when both teams in AP top-10
1939 - #04 tOSU 14, #07 Cornell 23
1942 - #05 tOSU 21, #04 TSUN 7 (the year of tOSU's first National Championship)
1944 - #04 tOSU 26, #06 Great Lakes Naval Training 6 (Paul Brown coached the visitors)
1944 - #03 tOSU 18, #06 TSUN 14 (completing a perfect season)
1945 - #04 tOSU 13, #09 Purdue 35
1951 - #07 tOSU 20, #01 Mich St 24
1954 - #04 tOSU 31, #02 Wisconsin 14 (this was the year of Woody's first National Championship)
1957 - #06 tOSU 17, #05 Iowa 13 (Buckeyes finished the year #1 in the Coaches Poll)
1961 - #05 tOSU 29, #09 Iowa 13 (the year the team was not allowed to go to the Rose Bowl)
1962 - #06 tOSU 14, #08 NW'ern 18
1964 - #07 tOSU 00, #06 TSUN 10
1968 - #04 tOSU 13, #01 Purdue 0 (Buckeyes ended up #1)
1968 - #02 tOSU 50, #04 TSUN 14 ("Because we couldn't go for three")
1969 - #01 tOSU 42, #10 Purdue 14
1970 - #05 tOSU 20, #04 TSUN 9 (last home game for the SuperSophs of 68)
1971 - #06 tOSU 14, #10 Colorado 20
1972 - #09 tOSU 14, #03 TSUN 11 (two goal line stands frustrated Bo)?
1974 - #04 tOSU 12, #03 TSUN 10 (team scoring only FGs beat a team with a TD)
1975 - #03 tOSU 17, #07 Penn St 9
1976 - #08 tOSU 10, #04 UCLA 10 (tie)
1976 - #08 tOSU 00, #04 TSUN 22
1977 - #04 tOSU 28, #03 Oklahoma 29 (onside kick and Uwe Von Schamann)
1978 - #06 tOSU 00, #05 Penn St 19 (last opening day loss for tOSU)
1980 - #05 tOSU 03, #10 TSUN 9
1985 - #08 tOSU 22, #01 Iowa 13
1986 - #07 tOSU 24, #06 TSUN 26
1996 - #03 tOSU 38, #04 Penn St 7
1998 - #01 tOSU 28, #07 Penn St 9
2002 - #06 tOSU 25, #10 Wash St 7
2003 - #08 tOSU 19, #09 Iowa 10
2005 - #04 tOSU 22, #02 Texas 25
2006 - #01 tOSU 42, #02 TSUN 39 (only matchup of #1 vs. #2 in the 'Shoe)
2008 - #10 tOSU 06, #03 Penn St 13
Speaking of the AP poll, the Buckeyes had a noteworthy accomplishment this week, moving past TSUN on this all-time list.
Total appearances in the AP football poll (out of 991 weekly polls taken since 1936)
755 - Ohio State
754 - TSUN
709 - Notre Dame
680 - Oklahoma
676 - USC
658 - Texas
646 - Nebraska
631 - Alabama
564 - Penn St
564 - Tennessee
If you're going to the 'Shoe on Saturday, wear scarlet, and stay loud whenever USC is on offense. Loud enough so that on third down the folks in the north end zone (which includes a couple of us writing this preview) won't even be able to hear the bell telling us to get louder.
Date: Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM EDT Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Time: 8:00 PM EDT Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events: ESPN's College Gameday will broadcast from their location north of the 'Shoe from 10 a.m. until noon, and also after the game.
Broadcast Information:
TV: ESPN will have Brent Musberger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Analysis), and Lisa Salters (Sideline).
ESPN-3D will also broadcast the game with Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Ed Cunningham.
Radio: WBNS 1460TheFan (FM 97.1) will have Paul Keels call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 121 and on Touchdown Radio with Gino Torretta, Frank Frangie and Roxie Bernstein.
2009 USC Trojans Offensive PreviewTV: ESPN will have Brent Musberger (Play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (Analysis), and Lisa Salters (Sideline).
ESPN-3D will also broadcast the game with Mark Jones, Bob Davie and Ed Cunningham.
Radio: WBNS 1460TheFan (FM 97.1) will have Paul Keels call the play-by-play with former Buckeye Jim Lachey in the booth and Marty Bannister on the sidelines. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 121 and on Touchdown Radio with Gino Torretta, Frank Frangie and Roxie Bernstein.
Returning starters: 9
The Buckeyes welcome the Trojans into Ohio Stadium this Saturday, looking to exact a measure of revenge for last season's thrashing under the bright lights of prime time. These are the kind of games kids sign letters of intent to play in, and the eyes of the nation will be on Columbus to see if Ohio State can finally break through against a highly ranked opponent. Standing in the way is a Trojan team with some new faces on the offensive side of the football, but enough returning firepower to cause any defense trouble. The Trojans have a highly touted freshman phenom at the helm and enough firepower in the running game to provide him with plenty of weapons and plenty of protection. Coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator John Morton lead a balanced attack that relies heavily on the offensive line and the running game.
If the first weekend was any indication of things to come, the Trojan offense will not miss a beat in 2009. USC cranked out 620 yards on Saturday against San Jose State after a somewhat lethargic start in the 1st quarter, good for 4th best in the country in week 1. They had a deadly balance of run (342 yards, 7th nationally) and pass (287 yards, 26th) and racked up 56 points (6th in the country in week 1). They had 22 first downs (T32nd), but converted only 2 of 9 3rd down attempts (22.2%, 97th), though with the game out of reach that could be more of an act of mercy than lack of execution. Any way one looks at it, the Trojans will be a major test for a Buckeye defense that allowed a late comeback by Navy in week 1. The Buckeyes will have to be at the top of their game all night to tame the Trojan attack.
Quarterbacks
QB #7 Matt Barkley (6-2, 230, FR, Mater Dei HS, Newport Beach, CA)
Barkley is the first true freshman ever to start the season as the USC QB, and he had a stellar debut, completing almost 80% of his throws for 233 yards and a TD. Other than the first game, there is not a whole lot to go on with Barkley, but he appears to be a poised and accurate QB who makes good decisions and runs through his progressions well, as he spread the ball around considerably during the opening contest. Certainly the USC QB is not known for being a "game manager" position by any stretch, but the Trojans are so powerful in the running game that Barkley doesn't have to put up Heisman numbers this season. As long as he takes care of the football, converts key 3rd downs, and keeps defenses from focusing too much on the running game, the Trojans should be in great shape this season. The Buckeyes represent a step up in competition, and the hostile atmosphere of 105,000 screaming Buckeye fans under the lights will be a significant test for Barkley...after all, the Buckeyes gave Colt McCoy a rude awakening when the teams met in 2006 when McCoy was a freshman...and that was in Texas. Barkley probably won't be intimidated, and he was fully expecting these types of games when he signed with USC. But it will be interesting to see how he handles the challenge.
The backups could start for (and in fact have started for) many teams in the FBS. Sophomore Aaron Corp (#15) appeared in 5 games last season and off the bench in week 1. He is more of a dual threat QB and is actually on the O'Brien watch list. He may have been the starter had he not been injured in camp. 3rd on the chart is Mitch Mustain (#16), whose travels to and from Arkansas are well documented. He started 8 games at Arkansas in 2006, played in 8 games last year for the Trojans and also appeared briefly in week 1.
QB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State QBs
Barkley: 15/19 (78.9%), 233 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 199.3 rating; 3/-5, 0 TDs
Pryor: 14/21 (66.7%), 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 142.5 rating; 6/30, 1 TD
This is an interesting comparison, as the QBs have contrasting styles are at different points in their careers with different expectations. Pryor is a year older and has significant experience under his belt. He is also a dual threat who can make plays with his feet and is much more of the centerpiece of his offense compared to what Barkley is at this stage. All that said, Barkley had a very good debut and showed how accurate and efficient he can be with the football. QB play will probably be one of the biggest keys for both offenses this weekend. Give an edge to Pryor because of his experience and dual threat ability, though Barkley has a chance to make his mark on the Trojan program already in just his second start on Saturday. On the other hand, there isn't much in terms of game experience behind Pryor, whereas the Trojans feature Mitch Mustain, who won 8 games for Arkansas in 2006, and Aaron Corp, who appeared in 5 games last season. Overall, interesting stories abound, but with the explosiveness of Pryor and the depth of USC, call it too close to call.
Edge: Even
Running Backs
TB #4 Joe McKnight (6-0, 190, JR, John Curtis HS, River Ridge, LA)
FB #31 Stanley Havili (6-1, 230, JR, Cottonwood HS, Salt Lake City, UT)
The Trojans have one of the nation's most powerful running attacks, and the 4-headed monster comes to Columbus breathing fire after amassing 342 yards the first week. USC lists 4 backs as interchangeable at the top of the depth chart, but McKnight appears to be the clear leader after amassing 145 yards and 2 TDs on only 14 carries on Saturday. He is a very fast running back with good size and great open field moves. He is probably the team's best all-purpose threat as well, as he caught a 21 yard pass Saturday and is a consistent threat out of the backfield. His 7.4 yards a carry was in the top 5 in the nation in 2008, so he is a consistent home run threat who will be moved around the field in key situations on Saturday.
The rotation is deep and full of talent, and the Trojans will make good use of their other 3 talented players as well. Senior Stafon Johnson (#13) is a bigger back (5-11, 210) who has 5 career 100 yard games and is a nice complement to McKnight. He is a classic between-the-tackles runner who produces consistently and can pick up the tough yards when needed. Junior C. J. Gable (#2) started 11 games last season and has 18 starts overall. He is a slashing runner with good size (6-0, 205) and good speed, as evidenced by his effectiveness returning kickoffs. Fellow Junior Allen Bradford (#21) is coming off of a hip injury but is a big back (5-11, 235) who can pound the ball up the middle and who is also a good receiver out of the backfield. As if all that wasn't enough, sophomore Marc Tyler (#26), who had a few good performances last season, also returns.
At fullback, Havili begins his 3rd season as the starter. He is an outstanding blocker and pass catcher (3 catches for 26 yards in week 1) who can also carry the football effectively (10 yards on 2 carries in week 1). He is one of the most potent weapons the Trojans have because he does so many things and does them all very well.
RB Rating: A+
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State RBs
McKnight: 14/145 yards, 2 TDs, 10.4 YPC; 1 rec/21 yards, 0 TDs, 21.0 YPR
Bradford: 4/53 yards, 1 TD, 13.3 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Gable: 7/37 yards, 0 TDs, 5.3 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Johnson: 6/27 yards, 2 TDs, 8.9 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Herron: 17/72 yards, 1 TD, 4.2 YPC; 4 rec/29 yards, 0 TDs, 7.3 YPR
Saine: 9/53 yards, 0 TDs, 5.9 YPC; 2 rec/21 yards, 0 TDs, 10.5 YPR
Depth, talent, and experience abound for the Trojans, as they can seemingly plug someone in with any style in any situation as the game dictates. It's amazing in this day and age to think that a team could theoretically lose its top 3 tailbacks and not see a significant drop in production, but the Trojans seemingly have that much depth. And in light of all that experience, only Johnson is a senior, so the Trojan backfield should continue to get better. Throw in Havili, who is a great blocker and deadly out of the backfield catching passes, and one is hard pressed to find a more complete backfield in the country. The Buckeyes also have their share of talent, but they don't have the depth, experience, or star power that the Trojans have.
Edge: USC
Wide Receivers
SE #9 David Ausberry (6-4, 235, JR, Lemoore HS, Lemoore, CA)
FL #18 Damian Williams (6-1, 195, JR, Springdale HS, Springdale, AR)
USC has a long and serious history of producing great wideouts, and Williams could be next on that long list. Williams originally transferred from Arkansas and led the team in week 1 with 67 receiving yards on 3 catches. He is a very good route runner with excellent hands and great speed who gained almost 900 yards and scored 9 times in 2008. He is poised for a big season in 2009, and is on the watch lists for the Biletnikoff Award (WR), the Maxwell Award (top player) and the College Performance Award (top WR). On the other side, Ausberry provides a big target, which could be especially effective in the red zone. He is also a good downfield blocker, which comes in handy with the powerful Trojan ground attack.
The Trojans aren't especially deep at the position, especially with junior Ronald Johnson sidelined with a broken collarbone. Fleet-footed junior Travon Patterson (#17) and big freshman Brice Butler (#19) also made catches in week 1.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State WRs
Williams: 3 catches, 67 yards, 0 TDs, 22.3 YPR
Ausberry: 2 catches, 37 yards, 0 TDs, 18.5 YPR
Butler: 1 catch, 11 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 2 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, 28.5 YPR
Carter: 3 catches, 21 yards, 0 TDs, 7.0 YPR
Posey: 2 catches, 14 yards, 0 TDs, 7.0 YPR
Williams is an outstanding player, but there isn't as much behind him as the Trojans are used to. With a freshman QB, the backs and TE could be bigger factors in the passing game, dropping the numbers of the wideouts somewhat. Still, the corps offers a nice combination of size and speed, and the Buckeyes are breaking in their own new set of starters. Given that Williams is the only proven commodity here, give a slight edge to the Trojans, though Carter and company could have something to say about that this weekend.
Edge: USC
Tight Ends
TE #86 Anthony McCoy (6-5, 250, SR, Bullard HS, Fresno, CA)
McCoy returns for his second season as the Trojan starter at the position, and made a big splash in the first game, catching 3 passes for 64 yards. He was honorable mention all-conference last year and appears poised to have a big season, both because of his good size and having a freshman QB, who could be looking for a big target over the middle many times this season. He is on the Mackey watch list for the nation's best TE. The Trojans also have some depth, as backup Rhett Ellison (#40) caught a TD pass in week 1.
TE Rating: B
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State TEs
McCoy: 3 catches, 64 yards, 0 TDs, 21.3 YPR
Ballard: 3 catches, 51 yards, 0 TDs, 17.0 YPR
Both TEs had a good first game receiving the football, and both have plenty of game experience to draw upon. Look for both to be bigger parts of the offense this season, and each is also crucial to the running game.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #71 Charles Brown (6-6, 285, SR, Diamond Ranch HS, Chino Hills, CA)
LG #53 Jeff Byers (6-3, 290, SR, Loveland HS, Fort Collins, CO)
C #61 Kristofer O'Dowd (6-5, 300, JR, Salpointe Catholic HS, Tucson, AZ)
RG #56 Alex Parsons (6-4, 300, SR, Woodbridge HS, Irvine, CA)
RT #70 Tyron Smith (6-6, 285, SO, Rancho Verde HS, Moreno Valley, CA)
OL #68 Butch Lewis (6-5, 285, JR, Regis Jesuit HS, Denver, CO)
A popular football cliche' is that "it all starts up front" and things are certainly no different at USC, who return 7 players with starting experience and field what is easily one of the better units in the country. Bolstering this line is the news that star center and line leader O'Dowd should be back to man the middle this week after sitting out the first game due to injury. O'Dowd was a freshman All-American and then a first team All Pac-10 performer last season, so he will provide leadership and experience, as well as toughness and talent, to the line. He is on all 3 top watch lists, the Rimington (Center), the Lombardi (lineman), and the Outland (interior lineman). LG Byers, a former Gatorade Player of the Year who was granted a 6th year of eligibility himself because of suffering through 2 years of injuries, started at C last week and will probably slide back to his more familiar left guard role, where he has been a starter the past 2 seasons and was a 2nd team all-conference performer last season. He is also on the watch list for the Lombardi and Outland as well as for the Wuerffel Award for athlete, student, and service. He is one of the unquestioned leaders of this team. On the right side of the interior, Parsons, a versatile lineman who can also play center and tackle, returns after starting 10 games at the position last season. At the tackle spots, Brown is a program veteran who started every game in 2008. He is a solid player with good technique who gained honorable mention all-conference honors last year. On the right side, Smith is a younger player with a rising stock who starts this year after being a reserve at LT last season. This line is good all the way across but is especially strong on the interior, which is not surprising given the productivity of the vaunted Trojan running attack.
Leading the reserves is Lewis, who started the first game at left guard as Byers slid over to center to replace O'Dowd. He is an extremely valuable player with starting experience (7 games at RT last season) and tremendous versatility. He is the primary backup on the left side of the line in 2009. Zack Heberer (#74) is also back after starting 3 games in 2008 as additional depth on the left side. On the right side, senior Nick Howell (#76) offers plenty of experience, having started 6 games at RT last season, and freshman Matt Kalil (#75) could also see time.
OL Rating: A
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State OL
The Trojans have a wealth of talented players along the line, particularly on the interior. They also possess tremendous depth that should be the envy of almost every team, as they feature backups at almost all positions that have significant starting experience, let alone playing experience. The return of O'Dowd should give the Trojans an extra boost and give them an additional burst on the offtackle running plays, which could be especially valuable to a back like Stefan Johnson. The tackles are not nearly as good as some tackles the Trojans have had previously, but they are solid players who can help out in the running game and keep their QB upright. The Buckeye line looked shaky at times in the opener, whereas the Trojan line appears to be the team's strongest unit and one of the nation's deepest lines.
Edge: USC
Overall Analysis:
Any way one looks at it, the Trojans are locked and loaded for another big 2009, as evidenced by their barrage of yards and points in the first weekend. The aerial attack might not quite remind one of the mid 2000s yet, but Barkley looks to be another great Trojan QB in the making who is perfectly capable of significantly contributing to the Trojan offense right now. It will be important for him to get off to a good start and for the line to protect him early. The ground game is their most effective weapon and should be a focus all night. The Buckeyes cannot afford to get in a hole like Penn State did in the Rose Bowl, because even a game effort to fight back will probably go unrewarded in the end, so it is equally important for the Buckeyes to pressure the Trojan offense early, slow down the running game, and get some stops. Though games are decided in the fourth quarter, the tempo of a game can be established in the first quarter, and it is important to not let the Trojan offense dictate the game early, because if they work their way into firing on all cylinders they will be very, very difficult to stop. Barkley appears to be a QB who doesn't get rattled easily, but it will be essential for the Buckeyes and the crowd to put the pressure on and see what happens. Still, with their veteran line and armory of tailbacks, the Trojans are one of the better offenses in the nation regardless of the location or game tempo.
Overall offensive grade: A-
2009 USC Trojans Defensive PreviewIf the first weekend was any indication of things to come, the Trojan offense will not miss a beat in 2009. USC cranked out 620 yards on Saturday against San Jose State after a somewhat lethargic start in the 1st quarter, good for 4th best in the country in week 1. They had a deadly balance of run (342 yards, 7th nationally) and pass (287 yards, 26th) and racked up 56 points (6th in the country in week 1). They had 22 first downs (T32nd), but converted only 2 of 9 3rd down attempts (22.2%, 97th), though with the game out of reach that could be more of an act of mercy than lack of execution. Any way one looks at it, the Trojans will be a major test for a Buckeye defense that allowed a late comeback by Navy in week 1. The Buckeyes will have to be at the top of their game all night to tame the Trojan attack.
Quarterbacks
QB #7 Matt Barkley (6-2, 230, FR, Mater Dei HS, Newport Beach, CA)
Barkley is the first true freshman ever to start the season as the USC QB, and he had a stellar debut, completing almost 80% of his throws for 233 yards and a TD. Other than the first game, there is not a whole lot to go on with Barkley, but he appears to be a poised and accurate QB who makes good decisions and runs through his progressions well, as he spread the ball around considerably during the opening contest. Certainly the USC QB is not known for being a "game manager" position by any stretch, but the Trojans are so powerful in the running game that Barkley doesn't have to put up Heisman numbers this season. As long as he takes care of the football, converts key 3rd downs, and keeps defenses from focusing too much on the running game, the Trojans should be in great shape this season. The Buckeyes represent a step up in competition, and the hostile atmosphere of 105,000 screaming Buckeye fans under the lights will be a significant test for Barkley...after all, the Buckeyes gave Colt McCoy a rude awakening when the teams met in 2006 when McCoy was a freshman...and that was in Texas. Barkley probably won't be intimidated, and he was fully expecting these types of games when he signed with USC. But it will be interesting to see how he handles the challenge.
The backups could start for (and in fact have started for) many teams in the FBS. Sophomore Aaron Corp (#15) appeared in 5 games last season and off the bench in week 1. He is more of a dual threat QB and is actually on the O'Brien watch list. He may have been the starter had he not been injured in camp. 3rd on the chart is Mitch Mustain (#16), whose travels to and from Arkansas are well documented. He started 8 games at Arkansas in 2006, played in 8 games last year for the Trojans and also appeared briefly in week 1.
QB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State QBs
Barkley: 15/19 (78.9%), 233 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, 199.3 rating; 3/-5, 0 TDs
Pryor: 14/21 (66.7%), 174 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 142.5 rating; 6/30, 1 TD
This is an interesting comparison, as the QBs have contrasting styles are at different points in their careers with different expectations. Pryor is a year older and has significant experience under his belt. He is also a dual threat who can make plays with his feet and is much more of the centerpiece of his offense compared to what Barkley is at this stage. All that said, Barkley had a very good debut and showed how accurate and efficient he can be with the football. QB play will probably be one of the biggest keys for both offenses this weekend. Give an edge to Pryor because of his experience and dual threat ability, though Barkley has a chance to make his mark on the Trojan program already in just his second start on Saturday. On the other hand, there isn't much in terms of game experience behind Pryor, whereas the Trojans feature Mitch Mustain, who won 8 games for Arkansas in 2006, and Aaron Corp, who appeared in 5 games last season. Overall, interesting stories abound, but with the explosiveness of Pryor and the depth of USC, call it too close to call.
Edge: Even
Running Backs
TB #4 Joe McKnight (6-0, 190, JR, John Curtis HS, River Ridge, LA)
FB #31 Stanley Havili (6-1, 230, JR, Cottonwood HS, Salt Lake City, UT)
The Trojans have one of the nation's most powerful running attacks, and the 4-headed monster comes to Columbus breathing fire after amassing 342 yards the first week. USC lists 4 backs as interchangeable at the top of the depth chart, but McKnight appears to be the clear leader after amassing 145 yards and 2 TDs on only 14 carries on Saturday. He is a very fast running back with good size and great open field moves. He is probably the team's best all-purpose threat as well, as he caught a 21 yard pass Saturday and is a consistent threat out of the backfield. His 7.4 yards a carry was in the top 5 in the nation in 2008, so he is a consistent home run threat who will be moved around the field in key situations on Saturday.
The rotation is deep and full of talent, and the Trojans will make good use of their other 3 talented players as well. Senior Stafon Johnson (#13) is a bigger back (5-11, 210) who has 5 career 100 yard games and is a nice complement to McKnight. He is a classic between-the-tackles runner who produces consistently and can pick up the tough yards when needed. Junior C. J. Gable (#2) started 11 games last season and has 18 starts overall. He is a slashing runner with good size (6-0, 205) and good speed, as evidenced by his effectiveness returning kickoffs. Fellow Junior Allen Bradford (#21) is coming off of a hip injury but is a big back (5-11, 235) who can pound the ball up the middle and who is also a good receiver out of the backfield. As if all that wasn't enough, sophomore Marc Tyler (#26), who had a few good performances last season, also returns.
At fullback, Havili begins his 3rd season as the starter. He is an outstanding blocker and pass catcher (3 catches for 26 yards in week 1) who can also carry the football effectively (10 yards on 2 carries in week 1). He is one of the most potent weapons the Trojans have because he does so many things and does them all very well.
RB Rating: A+
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State RBs
McKnight: 14/145 yards, 2 TDs, 10.4 YPC; 1 rec/21 yards, 0 TDs, 21.0 YPR
Bradford: 4/53 yards, 1 TD, 13.3 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Gable: 7/37 yards, 0 TDs, 5.3 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Johnson: 6/27 yards, 2 TDs, 8.9 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Herron: 17/72 yards, 1 TD, 4.2 YPC; 4 rec/29 yards, 0 TDs, 7.3 YPR
Saine: 9/53 yards, 0 TDs, 5.9 YPC; 2 rec/21 yards, 0 TDs, 10.5 YPR
Depth, talent, and experience abound for the Trojans, as they can seemingly plug someone in with any style in any situation as the game dictates. It's amazing in this day and age to think that a team could theoretically lose its top 3 tailbacks and not see a significant drop in production, but the Trojans seemingly have that much depth. And in light of all that experience, only Johnson is a senior, so the Trojan backfield should continue to get better. Throw in Havili, who is a great blocker and deadly out of the backfield catching passes, and one is hard pressed to find a more complete backfield in the country. The Buckeyes also have their share of talent, but they don't have the depth, experience, or star power that the Trojans have.
Edge: USC
Wide Receivers
SE #9 David Ausberry (6-4, 235, JR, Lemoore HS, Lemoore, CA)
FL #18 Damian Williams (6-1, 195, JR, Springdale HS, Springdale, AR)
USC has a long and serious history of producing great wideouts, and Williams could be next on that long list. Williams originally transferred from Arkansas and led the team in week 1 with 67 receiving yards on 3 catches. He is a very good route runner with excellent hands and great speed who gained almost 900 yards and scored 9 times in 2008. He is poised for a big season in 2009, and is on the watch lists for the Biletnikoff Award (WR), the Maxwell Award (top player) and the College Performance Award (top WR). On the other side, Ausberry provides a big target, which could be especially effective in the red zone. He is also a good downfield blocker, which comes in handy with the powerful Trojan ground attack.
The Trojans aren't especially deep at the position, especially with junior Ronald Johnson sidelined with a broken collarbone. Fleet-footed junior Travon Patterson (#17) and big freshman Brice Butler (#19) also made catches in week 1.
WR Rating: B
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State WRs
Williams: 3 catches, 67 yards, 0 TDs, 22.3 YPR
Ausberry: 2 catches, 37 yards, 0 TDs, 18.5 YPR
Butler: 1 catch, 11 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 2 catches, 57 yards, 1 TD, 28.5 YPR
Carter: 3 catches, 21 yards, 0 TDs, 7.0 YPR
Posey: 2 catches, 14 yards, 0 TDs, 7.0 YPR
Williams is an outstanding player, but there isn't as much behind him as the Trojans are used to. With a freshman QB, the backs and TE could be bigger factors in the passing game, dropping the numbers of the wideouts somewhat. Still, the corps offers a nice combination of size and speed, and the Buckeyes are breaking in their own new set of starters. Given that Williams is the only proven commodity here, give a slight edge to the Trojans, though Carter and company could have something to say about that this weekend.
Edge: USC
Tight Ends
TE #86 Anthony McCoy (6-5, 250, SR, Bullard HS, Fresno, CA)
McCoy returns for his second season as the Trojan starter at the position, and made a big splash in the first game, catching 3 passes for 64 yards. He was honorable mention all-conference last year and appears poised to have a big season, both because of his good size and having a freshman QB, who could be looking for a big target over the middle many times this season. He is on the Mackey watch list for the nation's best TE. The Trojans also have some depth, as backup Rhett Ellison (#40) caught a TD pass in week 1.
TE Rating: B
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State TEs
McCoy: 3 catches, 64 yards, 0 TDs, 21.3 YPR
Ballard: 3 catches, 51 yards, 0 TDs, 17.0 YPR
Both TEs had a good first game receiving the football, and both have plenty of game experience to draw upon. Look for both to be bigger parts of the offense this season, and each is also crucial to the running game.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
LT #71 Charles Brown (6-6, 285, SR, Diamond Ranch HS, Chino Hills, CA)
LG #53 Jeff Byers (6-3, 290, SR, Loveland HS, Fort Collins, CO)
C #61 Kristofer O'Dowd (6-5, 300, JR, Salpointe Catholic HS, Tucson, AZ)
RG #56 Alex Parsons (6-4, 300, SR, Woodbridge HS, Irvine, CA)
RT #70 Tyron Smith (6-6, 285, SO, Rancho Verde HS, Moreno Valley, CA)
OL #68 Butch Lewis (6-5, 285, JR, Regis Jesuit HS, Denver, CO)
A popular football cliche' is that "it all starts up front" and things are certainly no different at USC, who return 7 players with starting experience and field what is easily one of the better units in the country. Bolstering this line is the news that star center and line leader O'Dowd should be back to man the middle this week after sitting out the first game due to injury. O'Dowd was a freshman All-American and then a first team All Pac-10 performer last season, so he will provide leadership and experience, as well as toughness and talent, to the line. He is on all 3 top watch lists, the Rimington (Center), the Lombardi (lineman), and the Outland (interior lineman). LG Byers, a former Gatorade Player of the Year who was granted a 6th year of eligibility himself because of suffering through 2 years of injuries, started at C last week and will probably slide back to his more familiar left guard role, where he has been a starter the past 2 seasons and was a 2nd team all-conference performer last season. He is also on the watch list for the Lombardi and Outland as well as for the Wuerffel Award for athlete, student, and service. He is one of the unquestioned leaders of this team. On the right side of the interior, Parsons, a versatile lineman who can also play center and tackle, returns after starting 10 games at the position last season. At the tackle spots, Brown is a program veteran who started every game in 2008. He is a solid player with good technique who gained honorable mention all-conference honors last year. On the right side, Smith is a younger player with a rising stock who starts this year after being a reserve at LT last season. This line is good all the way across but is especially strong on the interior, which is not surprising given the productivity of the vaunted Trojan running attack.
Leading the reserves is Lewis, who started the first game at left guard as Byers slid over to center to replace O'Dowd. He is an extremely valuable player with starting experience (7 games at RT last season) and tremendous versatility. He is the primary backup on the left side of the line in 2009. Zack Heberer (#74) is also back after starting 3 games in 2008 as additional depth on the left side. On the right side, senior Nick Howell (#76) offers plenty of experience, having started 6 games at RT last season, and freshman Matt Kalil (#75) could also see time.
OL Rating: A
Head-to-Head: USC versus Ohio State OL
The Trojans have a wealth of talented players along the line, particularly on the interior. They also possess tremendous depth that should be the envy of almost every team, as they feature backups at almost all positions that have significant starting experience, let alone playing experience. The return of O'Dowd should give the Trojans an extra boost and give them an additional burst on the offtackle running plays, which could be especially valuable to a back like Stefan Johnson. The tackles are not nearly as good as some tackles the Trojans have had previously, but they are solid players who can help out in the running game and keep their QB upright. The Buckeye line looked shaky at times in the opener, whereas the Trojan line appears to be the team's strongest unit and one of the nation's deepest lines.
Edge: USC
Overall Analysis:
Any way one looks at it, the Trojans are locked and loaded for another big 2009, as evidenced by their barrage of yards and points in the first weekend. The aerial attack might not quite remind one of the mid 2000s yet, but Barkley looks to be another great Trojan QB in the making who is perfectly capable of significantly contributing to the Trojan offense right now. It will be important for him to get off to a good start and for the line to protect him early. The ground game is their most effective weapon and should be a focus all night. The Buckeyes cannot afford to get in a hole like Penn State did in the Rose Bowl, because even a game effort to fight back will probably go unrewarded in the end, so it is equally important for the Buckeyes to pressure the Trojan offense early, slow down the running game, and get some stops. Though games are decided in the fourth quarter, the tempo of a game can be established in the first quarter, and it is important to not let the Trojan offense dictate the game early, because if they work their way into firing on all cylinders they will be very, very difficult to stop. Barkley appears to be a QB who doesn't get rattled easily, but it will be essential for the Buckeyes and the crowd to put the pressure on and see what happens. Still, with their veteran line and armory of tailbacks, the Trojans are one of the better offenses in the nation regardless of the location or game tempo.
Overall offensive grade: A-
Returning Starters: 2
The 2008 defense was outstanding, comparing favorably to some of the best stop-forces of all time. An embarrassment of riches at virtually every position, the 2008 team did little responding, instead imposing their own will on opponents and dictating the action. While Oregon State found a way to put up enough points to win, Ohio State found out the hard way that a "focused" USC defense leaves very few holes in which to operate. Buckeye fans need little reminding of how things went in the Coliseum that day. After the Buckeyes had some early success moving the football, gaining 177 yards in the first half (to USC's 172), the door was slammed shut with only 3 points on the board. The Buckeyes would muster only 30 yards for the rest of the contest. The good news is that only 2 starters from that 08 defense are back for the 2009 contest in the Shoe. The bad news is, that notwithstanding, USC will once again be the most formidable defense the Buckeyes face in 2009.
The Trojans replace each of their 3 starting LBs. While NT Christian Tupou returns, SC must replace 3 of 4 starting defensive linemen. Coming into '09, SC anticipated replacing only 2 starters in the secondary. But corner Shareece Wright was ruled ineligible for 2009 and thus the only returnee is safety Taylor Mays. It should also be noted, while Wright was the 08 starter he suffered a broken vertebra after playing in 2 contests in 2008 and was replaced by Josh Pinkard for the remaining 11 games. As alluded to above, this certainly bodes well for Ohio State as a team does not lose that much talent and get better. But, as also suggested, SC is capable of plugging in new top notch talent at every position and the dropoff from the 08 defense will not be severe.
Against out-manned San Jose State in week 1, SC gave up a paltry 9 yards on the ground and a total of 8 first downs, two of which were earned by penalty. Facing 30 pass attempts, USC limited the Spartans to just 112 yards through the air on 15 completions. The Trojans had 5 sacks and recovered 2 fumbles, while facing precisely zero snaps in their own red zone. While SJSU did not throw an INT and they were able to convert their only 4th down attempt, the SC defense was clearly dominant in every other category, including 3rd down conversions where they gave up just 1 in 16 tries.
Defensive Line
DE #96 Wes Horton (6-5, 245, FR)
NT #44 Christian Tupou (6-2, 280, JR)
DT #91 Jurrell Casey (6-1, 295, SO)
DE #93 Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, JR)
Tupou was given the starting nod in 10 games in 2008 and returns to anchor the D-line in 2009. A high energy guy, Tupou is an excellent athlete for a man his size. He will be expected to produce more than 12 tackles and 3 for loss this season and against the Spartans he recorded only 1. Casey played extensively in 2008 recording 12 tackles in 12 games. Quick reflexes help make Casey a blocking nightmare and he can get into the backfield in a flash as SJSU found out on his 9 yard sack in week 1. Horton, meanwhile recorded 2 tackles, .5 for loss. Griffen is the most likely candidate to become the line's sacking presence. Quick and strong, Griffen's only downside is the occassional lack of focus. The former US Army All American is unlikely to fall asleep against the Buckeyes however, especially with it being a poorly kept secret that Terrelle Pryor can run.
Depth is provided by defensive ends; #97 Malik Jackson (6-5, 230, SO), #8 Nick Perry (6-3, 240, FR), and #42 Devon Kennard (6-3, 255, FR), and tackles: #92 Hebron Fangupo (6-2, 330, JR), #98 DaJohn Harris (6-4, 285, SO), #99 Averell Spicer (6-2, 295, SR), #90 Derek Simmons (6-4, 285, JR). Spicer was the 2008 starter at NT before losing his job and has had trouble living up to his potential when he first arrived on campus. Fangupo is a JC transfer who looks to looks to provide SC with a definitive space eater in the middle. Att 330 pounds, he could easily command the attention of multiple blockers. Kennard is a highly touted freshman who has the potential to be a household name by the time his career at SC comes to a close. In his first game, he lead all linemen with 5 tackles, with 1.5 coming for loss.
DL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU DL
USC has enjoyed better lines, but that's hardly a knock on this unit. Though still a likely candidate for the Trojan's relative weakness, this group has very nice size, averaging somewhere near 6-3, 285 and won't be pushed around by many O-Lines they face. In 2008, despite great overall success, the line was not particularly great at getting to QBs (don't tell that to Todd Boeckman, though) and did get gutted by Oregon State's running game. Even Ohio State had some early success on the ground, even lacking it's primary weapon Chris Wells. This year's line, of course, is even younger and may also struggle - a relative term, of course, as there is little dispute USC's worst is still far better than most team's best.
Ohio State's line is expected to be a strength, though it's tough to take much from their performance against Navy in the opener. Consistent cut blocks from the undersized Navy linemen may have Gibson, Heyward, Worthington and company excited about facing a more traditional front. They will still have their work cut out for them, as SC has an outstanding O-Line. If the Buckeyes are to have success on Saturday night, however, the Line will have to play a pivotal role in making freshman QB Matt Barkley force it.
Each team is talented and deep, but the Buckeyes have more game experience and get a slight edge here. It will be interesting to see which D-Line is perceived as being better, however, once the game is concluded, as much will depend on performance against the opposing O-Lines. That is to say, Buckeye fans already have concerns about the 2009 O-Line being able to get good push after failing to do so consistently against Navy, while SC's O-Line is expected to be once again brilliant.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #17 Michael Morgan (6-4, 220, JR)
MLB #54 Chris Galippo (6-2, 255, SO)
WLB #6 Malcolm Smith (6-1, 225, JR)
Probably the closest parallel between Ohio State and USC is comparison of the linebacking corps. In 2008 both USC and Ohio State boasted deep, experienced and decorated units, led by Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing for SC and James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman for Ohio State. SC's unit proved to be the better head-to-head, and some have called SC's corps the best of all time.
In any event, like the Buckeyes, this season USC takes to the field lacking expierence and with much to prove. Taking over in the middle is Chris Galippo, who has all the makings of USC's next great linebacker. As a freshman in 2008, Galippo saw action in 10 games, making 12 tackles. Against SJSU he led the team with 9 tackles, 3 for loss with half a sack. Morgan is a special kind of athlete who can both get to the QB, as well as cover large areas of the field in pass situations. A true playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, he looks to make a name for himself in 2009. He had 5 tackles, 1.5 for for loss against the Spartans. On the strong side is Michael Morgan who was a key reserve last season. Tall and with a long reach, Morgan is solid in coverage and can take away most TEs. He had 3 tackles, 1 for loss and half a sack in week 1.
Depth comes from reserves, #10 Jarvis Jones (6-3, 225, FR), #81 Kevin Greene (6-3, 235, FR), #23 Shane Horton (6-1, 210, SO), #37 Jordan Campbell (5-11, 230, SO), #53 Marquis Simmons (6-0, 215, FR), #35 Uona Kaveinga (6-1, 235, SO), and #57 Nick Garratt (6-1, 235, SR). Kaveinga is an intimidating force who likes to deliver the crushing hit, though sometimes doing so at the expense of simply making the sure tackle. Jones and Green both saw action in the opener with Jones making 5 tackles and Green 2, while Simmons and Garratt also contributed 2 tackles, one of Simmons' coming for loss.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU LBs
Like Ohio State, USC is replacing a LB corps that will be discussed among fans as possibly the best of all time. Also like Ohio State, USC's replacement unit is expected to be faster than it's predecessor, though with that, also less physical. No team gets better when they lose as many starts and tackles as Ohio State and SC have at the LB position, but both teams have been at the forefront of recruiting the position as well and the cupboards are far from bare.
Against Navy, Brian Rolle played exceptionally well, leading the Buckeyes with 9 tackles and returning a 2-pt attempt the other way, while Galippo had his way with an out-manned SJSU team. Ross Homan was second among linebackers with 5 tackles, as was Malcolm Smith for SC. As the comparison attests, there is little separation as between the two corps again this season, though one team may end up winning the comparison convincingly when the two teams take the field head to head. Last year, that honor went to USC. This year, it is hoped Ohio State gets the nod. Much will depend on the D-Line and also the play calling as Ohio State should be looking to blitz Freshman QB Matt Barkley often, while SC tries to contain Pryor - and force him in to what they no doubt feel is his weakness, throwing the ball.
Edge: Even
Secondary
RCB #36 Josh Pinkard (6-2, 210, SR)
FS # 2 Taylor Mays (6-3, 230, SR)
SS #26 Will Harris (6-1, 200, SR)
LCB #15 Kevin Thomas (6-1, 185, SR)
The relative strength of USC's defense should turn out to be the secondary, even considering the loss of Shareece Wright who was expected to man one of the corner spot for the Trojans in 2009. Wright was "the man" in 2008 before suffering an injury which kept him out for the remainder of the year. His replacement? Josh Pinkard. Pinkard is playing his sixth year at USC having received a medical redshirt for losing 2 seasons to knee injuries. Pinkard is solid in coverage, and with his size is able to jam WRs at the line and throw off timing. He had 2 pass break ups in the game against SJSU to go along with 4 tackles. Thomas mans the other corner and like Pinkard has had an injury plagued career at SC. Finally healthy last season, Thomas had 3 picks, 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Also like Pinkard, Thomas also recorded 4 takles in week 1. The strong safety is expected to be manned by the versatile Will Harris. In '08 Harris started 5 games made 38 tackles and 2 INTs. Against SJSU he made 2 tackles. Leading the unit, however, is Taylor Mays. Mays is simply a game changing "stud" who did Pete Carroll a huge favor when he elected to forgo certain NFL riches to play his final season. The heart and soul of the D, Mays gets plenty of stats, but also provides in the areas not captured by statistics. A true presence, teams should try and avoid him at all costs. But, actually doing so is impossible as Mays seems to be everywhere all the time. He was second on the team in tackles against SJSU with 6.
Depth comes from corners, #1 T.J. Bryant (6-0, 180, SO), #4 Torin Harris (6-1, 175, FR), #30 Brian Baucham (5-11, 190, FR), #27 Marshall Jones (6-0, 185, JR), and #9 Byron Moore (6-1, 205, FR), and safeties: #7 T.J. McDonald (6-2, 205, FR), #19 Drew McAllister (6-1, 200, SO), #29 Jawanza Starling (6-1, 190, FR), and #38 Robert Erickson (5-11, 190, JR). McDonald, Jones and Bryant all saw action in the SJSU blow out, and each recorded 3 tackles, with .5 of Bryant's being a sack. In as much as Thomas and Pinkard have had durability issues, the young bench might will have to be ready to "step up" at a moments notice. There is certainly enough talent to go around.
DB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU DBs
Both Ohio State and USC are led in the defensive backfield by senior safeties, with OSU looking to senior Captain Kurt Coleman and USC to Taylor Mays. Taking nothing away from Coleman, who performed outstanding in week one against Navy (including a highlight real INT), Mays is the better of the two. Both teams have lost the man who was probably their best option at corner, with Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins turning pro and Shareece Wright being declared ineligible. Both teams, however, have capable replacements in the likes of Chimdi Chekwa for OSU (who played reasonably well against USC in 08) and Pinkard for SC.
But, even as good as Ohio State is, USC is simply on a different level. In 2008, USC gave up just 6 TD passes and a ridiculous 4.5 yards per pass attempt. There's really no reason to think this year's unit will be remarkably worse than that. In a twist of typical fate, the secondary's pure skill in pass defense may help a relatively green D-Line solidify and get to the QB. There won't be many WRs open on Saturdays.
Edge: USC
Overall Defensive Analysis
There a quite a few similarities between Ohio State and USC on the defensive side of the football. Both teams have strong secondaries, though USC's is stronger. Both teams replace outstanding LB corps, and in doing so rely on unproved but highly touted talent. Ohio State should have the better D-Line, even if just slightly so, but any difference between it and USC's might not be noticeable during the September 12, 2009 contest, as USC's O-Line will be the best the Buckeye's D line faces all year. Much will also depend on whether or not the Buckeye's O-Line can play with fire and intensity. Having Justin Boren will help, for sure, but until the unit proves it, Buckeye fans have reason for skepticism.
Likewise, both USC and Ohio State should expect to be among the more decorated defenses as the season progresses. There are play-makers everywhere, and each team has a tradition of fielding strong defenses regardless of who's returning and who's moved on. At the end of the day, however, it's likely that USC's defense will end up a little better than Ohio State's. The slight advantage goes to USC based upon the difference in secondaries. That is to say, while the preview indicates the Ohio State has the better line, it's not remarkably better whereas the SC secondary is in a class by itself. Ohio State has "big game" demons that need to be excised, while SC leaves no doubt that they come to play in the "big ones" and you should expect this to be a tough group to move the ball on. It's scary to think, considering, that this is probably the best time to play USC. Tough sledding, folks.
Overall Defensive Rating: A- but expect them to play A+ ball on Saturday.
2009 USC Trojans Special Teams PreviewThe Trojans replace each of their 3 starting LBs. While NT Christian Tupou returns, SC must replace 3 of 4 starting defensive linemen. Coming into '09, SC anticipated replacing only 2 starters in the secondary. But corner Shareece Wright was ruled ineligible for 2009 and thus the only returnee is safety Taylor Mays. It should also be noted, while Wright was the 08 starter he suffered a broken vertebra after playing in 2 contests in 2008 and was replaced by Josh Pinkard for the remaining 11 games. As alluded to above, this certainly bodes well for Ohio State as a team does not lose that much talent and get better. But, as also suggested, SC is capable of plugging in new top notch talent at every position and the dropoff from the 08 defense will not be severe.
Against out-manned San Jose State in week 1, SC gave up a paltry 9 yards on the ground and a total of 8 first downs, two of which were earned by penalty. Facing 30 pass attempts, USC limited the Spartans to just 112 yards through the air on 15 completions. The Trojans had 5 sacks and recovered 2 fumbles, while facing precisely zero snaps in their own red zone. While SJSU did not throw an INT and they were able to convert their only 4th down attempt, the SC defense was clearly dominant in every other category, including 3rd down conversions where they gave up just 1 in 16 tries.
Defensive Line
DE #96 Wes Horton (6-5, 245, FR)
NT #44 Christian Tupou (6-2, 280, JR)
DT #91 Jurrell Casey (6-1, 295, SO)
DE #93 Everson Griffen (6-3, 265, JR)
Tupou was given the starting nod in 10 games in 2008 and returns to anchor the D-line in 2009. A high energy guy, Tupou is an excellent athlete for a man his size. He will be expected to produce more than 12 tackles and 3 for loss this season and against the Spartans he recorded only 1. Casey played extensively in 2008 recording 12 tackles in 12 games. Quick reflexes help make Casey a blocking nightmare and he can get into the backfield in a flash as SJSU found out on his 9 yard sack in week 1. Horton, meanwhile recorded 2 tackles, .5 for loss. Griffen is the most likely candidate to become the line's sacking presence. Quick and strong, Griffen's only downside is the occassional lack of focus. The former US Army All American is unlikely to fall asleep against the Buckeyes however, especially with it being a poorly kept secret that Terrelle Pryor can run.
Depth is provided by defensive ends; #97 Malik Jackson (6-5, 230, SO), #8 Nick Perry (6-3, 240, FR), and #42 Devon Kennard (6-3, 255, FR), and tackles: #92 Hebron Fangupo (6-2, 330, JR), #98 DaJohn Harris (6-4, 285, SO), #99 Averell Spicer (6-2, 295, SR), #90 Derek Simmons (6-4, 285, JR). Spicer was the 2008 starter at NT before losing his job and has had trouble living up to his potential when he first arrived on campus. Fangupo is a JC transfer who looks to looks to provide SC with a definitive space eater in the middle. Att 330 pounds, he could easily command the attention of multiple blockers. Kennard is a highly touted freshman who has the potential to be a household name by the time his career at SC comes to a close. In his first game, he lead all linemen with 5 tackles, with 1.5 coming for loss.
DL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU DL
USC has enjoyed better lines, but that's hardly a knock on this unit. Though still a likely candidate for the Trojan's relative weakness, this group has very nice size, averaging somewhere near 6-3, 285 and won't be pushed around by many O-Lines they face. In 2008, despite great overall success, the line was not particularly great at getting to QBs (don't tell that to Todd Boeckman, though) and did get gutted by Oregon State's running game. Even Ohio State had some early success on the ground, even lacking it's primary weapon Chris Wells. This year's line, of course, is even younger and may also struggle - a relative term, of course, as there is little dispute USC's worst is still far better than most team's best.
Ohio State's line is expected to be a strength, though it's tough to take much from their performance against Navy in the opener. Consistent cut blocks from the undersized Navy linemen may have Gibson, Heyward, Worthington and company excited about facing a more traditional front. They will still have their work cut out for them, as SC has an outstanding O-Line. If the Buckeyes are to have success on Saturday night, however, the Line will have to play a pivotal role in making freshman QB Matt Barkley force it.
Each team is talented and deep, but the Buckeyes have more game experience and get a slight edge here. It will be interesting to see which D-Line is perceived as being better, however, once the game is concluded, as much will depend on performance against the opposing O-Lines. That is to say, Buckeye fans already have concerns about the 2009 O-Line being able to get good push after failing to do so consistently against Navy, while SC's O-Line is expected to be once again brilliant.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #17 Michael Morgan (6-4, 220, JR)
MLB #54 Chris Galippo (6-2, 255, SO)
WLB #6 Malcolm Smith (6-1, 225, JR)
Probably the closest parallel between Ohio State and USC is comparison of the linebacking corps. In 2008 both USC and Ohio State boasted deep, experienced and decorated units, led by Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing for SC and James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman for Ohio State. SC's unit proved to be the better head-to-head, and some have called SC's corps the best of all time.
In any event, like the Buckeyes, this season USC takes to the field lacking expierence and with much to prove. Taking over in the middle is Chris Galippo, who has all the makings of USC's next great linebacker. As a freshman in 2008, Galippo saw action in 10 games, making 12 tackles. Against SJSU he led the team with 9 tackles, 3 for loss with half a sack. Morgan is a special kind of athlete who can both get to the QB, as well as cover large areas of the field in pass situations. A true playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, he looks to make a name for himself in 2009. He had 5 tackles, 1.5 for for loss against the Spartans. On the strong side is Michael Morgan who was a key reserve last season. Tall and with a long reach, Morgan is solid in coverage and can take away most TEs. He had 3 tackles, 1 for loss and half a sack in week 1.
Depth comes from reserves, #10 Jarvis Jones (6-3, 225, FR), #81 Kevin Greene (6-3, 235, FR), #23 Shane Horton (6-1, 210, SO), #37 Jordan Campbell (5-11, 230, SO), #53 Marquis Simmons (6-0, 215, FR), #35 Uona Kaveinga (6-1, 235, SO), and #57 Nick Garratt (6-1, 235, SR). Kaveinga is an intimidating force who likes to deliver the crushing hit, though sometimes doing so at the expense of simply making the sure tackle. Jones and Green both saw action in the opener with Jones making 5 tackles and Green 2, while Simmons and Garratt also contributed 2 tackles, one of Simmons' coming for loss.
LB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU LBs
Like Ohio State, USC is replacing a LB corps that will be discussed among fans as possibly the best of all time. Also like Ohio State, USC's replacement unit is expected to be faster than it's predecessor, though with that, also less physical. No team gets better when they lose as many starts and tackles as Ohio State and SC have at the LB position, but both teams have been at the forefront of recruiting the position as well and the cupboards are far from bare.
Against Navy, Brian Rolle played exceptionally well, leading the Buckeyes with 9 tackles and returning a 2-pt attempt the other way, while Galippo had his way with an out-manned SJSU team. Ross Homan was second among linebackers with 5 tackles, as was Malcolm Smith for SC. As the comparison attests, there is little separation as between the two corps again this season, though one team may end up winning the comparison convincingly when the two teams take the field head to head. Last year, that honor went to USC. This year, it is hoped Ohio State gets the nod. Much will depend on the D-Line and also the play calling as Ohio State should be looking to blitz Freshman QB Matt Barkley often, while SC tries to contain Pryor - and force him in to what they no doubt feel is his weakness, throwing the ball.
Edge: Even
Secondary
RCB #36 Josh Pinkard (6-2, 210, SR)
FS # 2 Taylor Mays (6-3, 230, SR)
SS #26 Will Harris (6-1, 200, SR)
LCB #15 Kevin Thomas (6-1, 185, SR)
The relative strength of USC's defense should turn out to be the secondary, even considering the loss of Shareece Wright who was expected to man one of the corner spot for the Trojans in 2009. Wright was "the man" in 2008 before suffering an injury which kept him out for the remainder of the year. His replacement? Josh Pinkard. Pinkard is playing his sixth year at USC having received a medical redshirt for losing 2 seasons to knee injuries. Pinkard is solid in coverage, and with his size is able to jam WRs at the line and throw off timing. He had 2 pass break ups in the game against SJSU to go along with 4 tackles. Thomas mans the other corner and like Pinkard has had an injury plagued career at SC. Finally healthy last season, Thomas had 3 picks, 15 tackles and 2 sacks. Also like Pinkard, Thomas also recorded 4 takles in week 1. The strong safety is expected to be manned by the versatile Will Harris. In '08 Harris started 5 games made 38 tackles and 2 INTs. Against SJSU he made 2 tackles. Leading the unit, however, is Taylor Mays. Mays is simply a game changing "stud" who did Pete Carroll a huge favor when he elected to forgo certain NFL riches to play his final season. The heart and soul of the D, Mays gets plenty of stats, but also provides in the areas not captured by statistics. A true presence, teams should try and avoid him at all costs. But, actually doing so is impossible as Mays seems to be everywhere all the time. He was second on the team in tackles against SJSU with 6.
Depth comes from corners, #1 T.J. Bryant (6-0, 180, SO), #4 Torin Harris (6-1, 175, FR), #30 Brian Baucham (5-11, 190, FR), #27 Marshall Jones (6-0, 185, JR), and #9 Byron Moore (6-1, 205, FR), and safeties: #7 T.J. McDonald (6-2, 205, FR), #19 Drew McAllister (6-1, 200, SO), #29 Jawanza Starling (6-1, 190, FR), and #38 Robert Erickson (5-11, 190, JR). McDonald, Jones and Bryant all saw action in the SJSU blow out, and each recorded 3 tackles, with .5 of Bryant's being a sack. In as much as Thomas and Pinkard have had durability issues, the young bench might will have to be ready to "step up" at a moments notice. There is certainly enough talent to go around.
DB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: USC versus OSU DBs
Both Ohio State and USC are led in the defensive backfield by senior safeties, with OSU looking to senior Captain Kurt Coleman and USC to Taylor Mays. Taking nothing away from Coleman, who performed outstanding in week one against Navy (including a highlight real INT), Mays is the better of the two. Both teams have lost the man who was probably their best option at corner, with Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins turning pro and Shareece Wright being declared ineligible. Both teams, however, have capable replacements in the likes of Chimdi Chekwa for OSU (who played reasonably well against USC in 08) and Pinkard for SC.
But, even as good as Ohio State is, USC is simply on a different level. In 2008, USC gave up just 6 TD passes and a ridiculous 4.5 yards per pass attempt. There's really no reason to think this year's unit will be remarkably worse than that. In a twist of typical fate, the secondary's pure skill in pass defense may help a relatively green D-Line solidify and get to the QB. There won't be many WRs open on Saturdays.
Edge: USC
Overall Defensive Analysis
There a quite a few similarities between Ohio State and USC on the defensive side of the football. Both teams have strong secondaries, though USC's is stronger. Both teams replace outstanding LB corps, and in doing so rely on unproved but highly touted talent. Ohio State should have the better D-Line, even if just slightly so, but any difference between it and USC's might not be noticeable during the September 12, 2009 contest, as USC's O-Line will be the best the Buckeye's D line faces all year. Much will also depend on whether or not the Buckeye's O-Line can play with fire and intensity. Having Justin Boren will help, for sure, but until the unit proves it, Buckeye fans have reason for skepticism.
Likewise, both USC and Ohio State should expect to be among the more decorated defenses as the season progresses. There are play-makers everywhere, and each team has a tradition of fielding strong defenses regardless of who's returning and who's moved on. At the end of the day, however, it's likely that USC's defense will end up a little better than Ohio State's. The slight advantage goes to USC based upon the difference in secondaries. That is to say, while the preview indicates the Ohio State has the better line, it's not remarkably better whereas the SC secondary is in a class by itself. Ohio State has "big game" demons that need to be excised, while SC leaves no doubt that they come to play in the "big ones" and you should expect this to be a tough group to move the ball on. It's scary to think, considering, that this is probably the best time to play USC. Tough sledding, folks.
Overall Defensive Rating: A- but expect them to play A+ ball on Saturday.
Returning Starters: 6
As was the case last year, the Southern California Special teams do not win or lose games for them. This is not to say that they are not good, it's just that with such a powerful offense and defense, things like field position do not come it to play. This game may be different, however, and OSU has the advantage.
Special Teams
P #39 Billy O'Malley (6-1, 190, Jr., St Ignatius HS, Novelty, OH)
PK #30 Joe Houston (5-8, 175, Jr., Mira Costa HS, Redondo Beach, CA)
PR #18 Damian Williams (6-1, 195, Jr., Springdale HS, Springdale, AR)
PR #13 Stafon Johnson (5-11, 210, Sr., Dorsey HS, Compton, CA)
KR #2 C.J. Gable (6-0, 205, Jr., Sylmar HS, Sylmar, CA)
KR #13 Stafon Johnson (5-11, 210, Sr., Dorsey HS, Compton, CA)
LS (Punts) #85 Cooper Stephenson (6-3, 220, Jr., Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, CA)
LS (PATs, FGs) #62 Chris Pousson (6-4, 240, So., St. Augustine HS, San Diego, CA)
HDR #14 Garrett Green (6-2, 210, Sr., Notre Dame HS, Chatsworth, CA)
Unlike the Naval Academy last week, SC brings a wealth of experience to the Special Teams, with only 1 sophomore and the rest juniors or seniors. The Trojan Special Teams are solid, if unspectacular, but offer superior athletes. USC was so-so in punting last week vs San Jose State, with a avg of 34.17 yds per punt, 79th in the nation. The kickoff return team averaged 21.5 yds per return, 58th in the nation and their punt return team produced an average of 9.33 yds per return to rank 41st. Their kickoff return defense allowed 20.5 yds per return. On punt defense, they held the Spartans to only 3 yds on 2 returns.
ST Rating: C
Head-to-Head Punt returns: Williams/Johnson vs OSU punt return defense
Both Johnson and Williams are explosive athletes with great speed, but may be playing out of position in the punt return game. Neither one has broken a long one yet (although it is very early). Ohio State did a pretty good job against Navy, holding the Mids to no returns.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head kickoff returns: Gable/Johnson vs OSU kickoff return defense
Gable is as explosive an athlete as Williams, but again, may just be earning his stripes on special teams. Last week vs. San Jose State, Gable and Williams combined for a pedestrian 41 yards on their 2 returns. They cannot be taken lightly however, as their speed and elusiveness can be deadly. The Buckeyes allowed 101 yards on Navy's 6 returns for a nice 16.83 avg. If the Buckeyes can keep in their lanes and tackle well, they will have the advantage.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Punt returns: Small/Posey/Sanzenbacher vs USC punt return defense
The punt return game will get a huge boost with the return of Ray Small, one of the nation's best returners. Last week vs Navy, Sanzo had 2 returns for 17 yds (8.5 avg). The Trojan return team is good, but not great. Again, they have great athletes on the field, but don't seem to put the emphasis on special teams the way Ohio State does.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head kickoff returns: Saine/Herron/Thomas vs USC kickoff return defense
Due to several good returns (and one bit of a little trickeration) Ohio State averaged 28 yds per kickoff return against Navy. Southern California is again solid on kick return Defense, allowing 20.5 yds per return. Given the Buckeyes struggles in the past, this appears to be even.
Edge: Even
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Upon examination of the Trojans' special teams, the one thing that comes to mind is: great athletes, average results. SoCal has not had to have the big return or worry about field position in the vast majority of their games in the last couple of years. Ohio State always will emphasize this, at least while Jim Tressel is coach. The overall edge to the Buckeyes.
Overall Special Teams Rating: C
PredictionsSpecial Teams
P #39 Billy O'Malley (6-1, 190, Jr., St Ignatius HS, Novelty, OH)
PK #30 Joe Houston (5-8, 175, Jr., Mira Costa HS, Redondo Beach, CA)
PR #18 Damian Williams (6-1, 195, Jr., Springdale HS, Springdale, AR)
PR #13 Stafon Johnson (5-11, 210, Sr., Dorsey HS, Compton, CA)
KR #2 C.J. Gable (6-0, 205, Jr., Sylmar HS, Sylmar, CA)
KR #13 Stafon Johnson (5-11, 210, Sr., Dorsey HS, Compton, CA)
LS (Punts) #85 Cooper Stephenson (6-3, 220, Jr., Torrey Pines HS, San Diego, CA)
LS (PATs, FGs) #62 Chris Pousson (6-4, 240, So., St. Augustine HS, San Diego, CA)
HDR #14 Garrett Green (6-2, 210, Sr., Notre Dame HS, Chatsworth, CA)
Unlike the Naval Academy last week, SC brings a wealth of experience to the Special Teams, with only 1 sophomore and the rest juniors or seniors. The Trojan Special Teams are solid, if unspectacular, but offer superior athletes. USC was so-so in punting last week vs San Jose State, with a avg of 34.17 yds per punt, 79th in the nation. The kickoff return team averaged 21.5 yds per return, 58th in the nation and their punt return team produced an average of 9.33 yds per return to rank 41st. Their kickoff return defense allowed 20.5 yds per return. On punt defense, they held the Spartans to only 3 yds on 2 returns.
ST Rating: C
Head-to-Head Punt returns: Williams/Johnson vs OSU punt return defense
Both Johnson and Williams are explosive athletes with great speed, but may be playing out of position in the punt return game. Neither one has broken a long one yet (although it is very early). Ohio State did a pretty good job against Navy, holding the Mids to no returns.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head kickoff returns: Gable/Johnson vs OSU kickoff return defense
Gable is as explosive an athlete as Williams, but again, may just be earning his stripes on special teams. Last week vs. San Jose State, Gable and Williams combined for a pedestrian 41 yards on their 2 returns. They cannot be taken lightly however, as their speed and elusiveness can be deadly. The Buckeyes allowed 101 yards on Navy's 6 returns for a nice 16.83 avg. If the Buckeyes can keep in their lanes and tackle well, they will have the advantage.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head Punt returns: Small/Posey/Sanzenbacher vs USC punt return defense
The punt return game will get a huge boost with the return of Ray Small, one of the nation's best returners. Last week vs Navy, Sanzo had 2 returns for 17 yds (8.5 avg). The Trojan return team is good, but not great. Again, they have great athletes on the field, but don't seem to put the emphasis on special teams the way Ohio State does.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head kickoff returns: Saine/Herron/Thomas vs USC kickoff return defense
Due to several good returns (and one bit of a little trickeration) Ohio State averaged 28 yds per kickoff return against Navy. Southern California is again solid on kick return Defense, allowing 20.5 yds per return. Given the Buckeyes struggles in the past, this appears to be even.
Edge: Even
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Upon examination of the Trojans' special teams, the one thing that comes to mind is: great athletes, average results. SoCal has not had to have the big return or worry about field position in the vast majority of their games in the last couple of years. Ohio State always will emphasize this, at least while Jim Tressel is coach. The overall edge to the Buckeyes.
Overall Special Teams Rating: C
BB73's prediction: 23-17, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-21, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 31-27, USC
Bucky Katt's (aka Mark May) prediction: 31-13 USC
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 33-31, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 24-23, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 28-21, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Congrats to last year's winner: jwinslow
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 31, Navy 27)
(13) JCOSU86's prediction: 38-21, Ohio State (13+ 00 last week = 258)
(14) Bucklion's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State (14 + 00 last week = 242)
(15) BB73's prediction: 30-13, Ohio State (15 + 00 last week = 269)
(17) jwinslow's prediction: 35-14, Ohio State (17+ 00 last week = 231)
(17) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 34-13, Ohio State (17 + 00 last week = 238)
(20) Bucky Katt's prediction: 34-10, Ohio State (20 + 00 last week = 322)
(24) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (24 + 00 last week = 293)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Link to 2009 USC Trojans Additional Information
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 24-21, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 31-27, USC
Bucky Katt's (aka Mark May) prediction: 31-13 USC
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 33-31, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 24-23, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 28-21, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Congrats to last year's winner: jwinslow
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 31, Navy 27)
(13) JCOSU86's prediction: 38-21, Ohio State (13+ 00 last week = 258)
(14) Bucklion's prediction: 31-13, Ohio State (14 + 00 last week = 242)
(15) BB73's prediction: 30-13, Ohio State (15 + 00 last week = 269)
(17) jwinslow's prediction: 35-14, Ohio State (17+ 00 last week = 231)
(17) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 34-13, Ohio State (17 + 00 last week = 238)
(20) Bucky Katt's prediction: 34-10, Ohio State (20 + 00 last week = 322)
(24) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (24 + 00 last week = 293)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Link to 2009 USC Trojans Additional Information
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