PlanetFrnd
Head Coach
Observations from Row 66 of the Coliseum
I've seen both USC and Cal play Arizona in person now, and, based on performances against the common opponent, I feel like I can make some decent comparisons. Overall, Arizona never had a shot against Cal. Not for one second. Conversely, Arizona controlled USC for 2/3 of the game, only losing momentum after 2 plays: a long punt return and a touchdown pass to Fred Davis. Otherwise, Arizona should have won the game. Cal should beat USC in Berkeley. Cal has MUCH more speed than USC at WR, and, unless USC can get a lot of its injuries healed, they will have problems matching up.
- Losses in the OL are impactful - Arizona did not put much pressure on Nate Longshore at Cal, but they were able to seriously pressure Sanchez. They were able to crush the pocket and get good penetration.
- Probably as a result of the myriad injuries, USC called a very conservative game, which only helped Arizona's defense contain USC. It was also a very easy offense to read. It was obvious even from the stands what they were going to do as they were lining up.
- Sanchez did not look great at all. He was adequate, but his most effective play was the sneak.
- Injuries at LB were apparent - Arizona consistently was able to make short passes over the middle. USC was very vulnerable. Overall, USC's defensive did not look fast - they seemed to have problems keeping up with some of Arizona's skill players. However, Arizona might just have some speedy guys because they looked pretty fast at Cal too.
- Arizona was also able to run WR screens and WR dump passes taking advantage of one-on-one matchups with their receivers on USC's corners. Arizona did not try this as often, nor were they as successful against Cal.
- USC's receivers were not sharp. They do not have game-changing speed. This includes RoJo, who I expected to be much faster than he played. He never separated from the Arizona CB's and his lack of separation led to a Sanchez INT. The CB was right on RoJo and just had to turn around to pick off the pass which was unusually thrown right on the money.
- For all the negatives, USC has an absolute beast in Fred Davis. Even when it was perfectly obvious that they were going to him, he made the play. Very impressive.
- Joe McKnight is an amazing athlete. Arizona should have won the game, but they decided to punt to him rather than kicking out of bounds. However, Joe is not a very effective RB yet. Too much dancing in the backfield rather than hitting the hole. He's only a freshman, so I'm sure he'll figure it out. Still, he's definitely a wow athlete.
This was my first time on the SC campus, and it was decent. I am now more impressed by Petey's recruiting though. The facilities are not great at USC (esp. compared to OSU) and the campus is surrounded by the ?hood. The weather is nice, but the UCLA campus is much nicer.
I've seen both USC and Cal play Arizona in person now, and, based on performances against the common opponent, I feel like I can make some decent comparisons. Overall, Arizona never had a shot against Cal. Not for one second. Conversely, Arizona controlled USC for 2/3 of the game, only losing momentum after 2 plays: a long punt return and a touchdown pass to Fred Davis. Otherwise, Arizona should have won the game. Cal should beat USC in Berkeley. Cal has MUCH more speed than USC at WR, and, unless USC can get a lot of its injuries healed, they will have problems matching up.
- Losses in the OL are impactful - Arizona did not put much pressure on Nate Longshore at Cal, but they were able to seriously pressure Sanchez. They were able to crush the pocket and get good penetration.
- Probably as a result of the myriad injuries, USC called a very conservative game, which only helped Arizona's defense contain USC. It was also a very easy offense to read. It was obvious even from the stands what they were going to do as they were lining up.
- Sanchez did not look great at all. He was adequate, but his most effective play was the sneak.
- Injuries at LB were apparent - Arizona consistently was able to make short passes over the middle. USC was very vulnerable. Overall, USC's defensive did not look fast - they seemed to have problems keeping up with some of Arizona's skill players. However, Arizona might just have some speedy guys because they looked pretty fast at Cal too.
- Arizona was also able to run WR screens and WR dump passes taking advantage of one-on-one matchups with their receivers on USC's corners. Arizona did not try this as often, nor were they as successful against Cal.
- USC's receivers were not sharp. They do not have game-changing speed. This includes RoJo, who I expected to be much faster than he played. He never separated from the Arizona CB's and his lack of separation led to a Sanchez INT. The CB was right on RoJo and just had to turn around to pick off the pass which was unusually thrown right on the money.
- For all the negatives, USC has an absolute beast in Fred Davis. Even when it was perfectly obvious that they were going to him, he made the play. Very impressive.
- Joe McKnight is an amazing athlete. Arizona should have won the game, but they decided to punt to him rather than kicking out of bounds. However, Joe is not a very effective RB yet. Too much dancing in the backfield rather than hitting the hole. He's only a freshman, so I'm sure he'll figure it out. Still, he's definitely a wow athlete.
This was my first time on the SC campus, and it was decent. I am now more impressed by Petey's recruiting though. The facilities are not great at USC (esp. compared to OSU) and the campus is surrounded by the ?hood. The weather is nice, but the UCLA campus is much nicer.
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