scarletandgrey11's breakdown was excellent...it's hard to add much to that.
Any analysis that includes results from previous years is pure ESPiN nonsense. Reggie Bush is wearing a Saints uni, and Leinart is playing in Phoenix. This is a VERY different team.
I point out those two positions, because that's where I think two of their more serious weaknesses lie -- Booty is a decent QB, but he can be rattled and may not handle the pressure of a NC game well. Hit him early, hit him hard and hit him often.
USC also doesn't have a run threat that you have to focus on. This will allow us to drop the safeties deep to help out with Jarrett and Smith.
What impressed me greatly is their speed at linebacker. USC pursues well, though I thought their tackling at times was suspect. I haven't read the measurables, but their DL didn't look big to me either. If Beanie is holding on to the ball, I think that he would make for a fine battering ram. We also tend to underrate Pittman's physicality, and I think he'll lay some hits out on USC defenders.
USC's safeties are hitters as well -- I like the idea of getting our more physical receivers, like Hall and Hartline up against those guys, or if we're lucky, our tight ends.
After seeing Tressel's game plan to dismantle the scUM D, I'm excited to see what he's going to cook up. There are matchups that we can take advantage of, so it should be a fun game.
