Game Thread Ohio State 3, Southern Cal 35 (Sept. 13)

[craigblitz]

USC looked very good. Shifty running backs that can take it to the house in a second. Sanchez looked really good, but what the hell UVA some pressure would be nice...lol

As Oregonbuck first pointed out, their Oline looked really good and athletic getting to the 2nd level and doing great with screens etc.

USC's D is as advertised. Nightmaresdad got it right... They are bringing it on every play and they have the talent to make it work. It is hard to practice for that type of pressure and attack so we will see.

Now they have two weeks to prepare for us too, but personally I would want the extra week of live competition. Looking fwd to this game in 2 weeks for sure.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

USC looked very good. Shifty running backs that can take it to the house in a second. Sanchez looked really good, but what the hell UVA some pressure would be nice...lol

As Oregonbuck first pointed out, their Oline looked really good and athletic getting to the 2nd level and doing great with screens etc.

USC's D is as advertised. Nightmaresdad got it right... They are bringing it on every play and they have the talent to make it work. It is hard to practice for that type of pressure and attack so we will see.

Now they have two weeks to prepare for us too, but personally I would want the extra week of live competition. Looking fwd to this game in 2 weeks for sure.

I was shocked that they didn't challenge Sanchez. The announcers even commented at one point that UVA hadn't blitzed at all. Makes no sense to not go after a QB who's just coming back from injury. Instead Sanchez had all day to throw.

Now when the Buckeyes get after him week 3, his false sense of security will fly out the door. Even great QBs look ordinary when big men are flying around in their face. Just ask ole Tom Brady.

 

[Taosman]

They left Sanchez in the game and he had a nice game. Virginia knew they were out-manned and just tried to slow SC down with a soft zone.
52 points. Yea, that worked. But Virginia did knock down a lot of passes so maybe they know a little something we could use? Does anyone doubt Petey will put 50 on us if he can?

 

[morbitzerker]

Its not much, but it's worth mentioning that 14 of USC's first 15 plays were run in UVA territory, UVA's punter was bad that game, as well as the o-line and especially the QB.

Within USC's first 15 plays, they were up 21-0.

 

[RhodeIslandBuck]

I really don't think these opening day games can be used as an indicator for the match up on the 13.

You can't compare the two because USC threw everything they had at a horrendous Virginia (blitz schemes, stunts, etc.) and we didn't throw anything at an FCS team. We really won't know anything about the September 13 match up until it begins.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Every year, some team or other is anointed as the Team-To-Beat because of an impressive performance in game one. Nobody bothers even looking at the way their opponent played. Fans and the media just talk about their "flawless execution" and how they "put on a clinic".

In 2001, UCLA was thought to have a great defense for the way they handled Ohio State in the Rose Bowl... until it was learned that Ohio State's offense was very average (at best) that year. With Notre Dame, it happens every time they have an "impressive" performance in the early part of the season (which hasn't been in awhile).

Yesterday it was USC's turn. Everyone can execute well against air. You would be hard pressed to convince me that UVA put up more resistance than a stiff breeze. I would say the Cavaliers looked terrible, but that would be an insult to the terrible teams that played yesterday.

Some, I am sure, would counter that "USC made them look terrible".

By comparison, yes they did.

But USC capitalized on Cavalier mistakes. For the most part they did not force them. UVA layed the mistakes on the field and let the Trojans pick up the opportunity to capitalize on them.

Bad technique, missed assignments, even lack of effort in some cases... you name it, the Cavs did it.

So yes, the Trojans looked like the Trojans. Alert the frickin' meda. Oh wait, they're the ones who are freaking out about this non-story.

The Trojans are good, but so are the Buckeyes. But go ahead and tell the Buckeyes you've already written them off. I really don't mind if you add a drop to their oceanic pool of motivation.

 

[BuckeyeGanoosh]

I really don't think these opening day games can be used as an indicator for the match up on the 13.

You can't compare the two because USC threw everything they had at a horrendous Virginia (blitz schemes, stunts, etc.) and we didn't throw anything at an FCS team. We really won't know anything about the September 13 match up until it begins.

Sanchez might as well of had a lawn chair to toss floaters from in the backfield. The lack of pressure the Cavs presented was a joke, and Curtis Painter would have dropped better passing numbers with that kind of time. Not trying to take anything away from the USC, but damn they (UVA) looked apathetic on the field.

I'd also like to point out that even the announcers questioned Pete on leaving in Sanchez while they were up 45-7. They commented on how that can come back to bite you if Sanchez were to injure his knee again, and the backups haven't had any live reps. I just think its "Spurrieringly" embarrassing to leave your starting qb in deep in the 4th when the opposition has clearly conceded.

 

[troy#1]

I really don't think these opening day games can be used as an indicator for the match up on the 13.

You can't compare the two because USC threw everything they had at a horrendous Virginia (blitz schemes, stunts, etc.) and we didn't throw anything at an FCS team. We really won't know anything about the September 13 match up until it begins.

That is just how SC plays defense pretty much every week, so no surprise to me.

 

[troy#1]

Sanchez might as well of had a lawn chair to toss floaters from in the backfield. The lack of pressure the Cavs presented was a joke, and Curtis Painter would have dropped better passing numbers with that kind of time. Not trying to take anything away from the USC, but damn they (UVA) looked apathetic on the field.

I'd also like to point out that even the announcers questioned Pete on leaving in Sanchez while they were up 45-7. They commented on how that can come back to bite you if Sanchez were to injure his knee again, and the backups haven't had any live reps. I just think its "Spurrieringly" embarrassing to leave your starting qb in deep in the 4th when the opposition has clearly conceded.

Mustain and corp and greene played. CPC probably left him in there longer than normal because he missed about 3 weeks of practice. He wasnt trying to run up the score either. Coach Groh and CPC are friends, so I would hope he wouldnt do that.

 

[Bleed S & G]

USC looked good... this is going to be a helluva game.

 

[alpo]

Sanchez might as well of had a lawn chair to toss floaters from in the backfield. The lack of pressure the Cavs presented was a joke, and Curtis Painter would have dropped better passing numbers with that kind of time. Not trying to take anything away from the USC, but damn they (UVA) looked apathetic on the field.

I'd also like to point out that even the announcers questioned Pete on leaving in Sanchez while they were up 45-7. They commented on how that can come back to bite you if Sanchez were to injure his knee again, and the backups haven't had any live reps. I just think its "Spurrieringly" embarrassing to leave your starting qb in deep in the 4th when the opposition has clearly conceded.

Not entirely true, just no reps w/USC, that is.

Mustain started, and I believe won, all eight of his starts w/Arkansas in '06, in significantly better competition than the PAC10, as a true freshman, helping to launch McFadden, Jones & Co. Plus, he's had a whole year to learn the way of Petey. Mustain might even be better all around, imho. I think so.

I'd rather Sanchez bask in the warm glow of his VA romper and take all first team practice snaps for the next two weeks, (because USC needs a bye week to pose for all the cameras and grace all us adoring fans w/all those interviews), while Mustain cools w/the the seconds.

On the 13th, if Sanchez falters against a real defense, which I believe he will, and if Mustain has to relieve him, Mustain, imho, might be less prepaired mentally and physically to compete on the spot than if he had been tabbed to start. We'll see.

Just want to see USC buried!!!:osu:

 

[leroyjenkins]

Just want to see USC buried!!!:osu:

I want that too, but I dont see their Defense letting that happen!!

 

[Kurt Sexington]

Not entirely true, just no reps w/USC, that is.

Mustain started, and I believe won, all eight of his starts w/Arkansas in '06, in significantly better competition than the PAC10, as a true freshman, helping to launch McFadden, Jones & Co. Plus, he's had a whole year to learn the way of Petey. Mustain might even be better all around, imho. I think so.

I'd rather Sanchez bask in the warm glow of his VA romper and take all first team practice snaps for the next two weeks, (because USC needs a bye week to pose for all the cameras and grace all us adoring fans w/all those interviews), while Mustain cools w/the the seconds.

On the 13th, if Sanchez falters against a real defense, which I believe he will, and if Mustain has to relieve him, Mustain, imho, might be less prepaired mentally and physically to compete on the spot than if he had been tabbed to start. We'll see.

Just want to see USC buried!!!:osu:

I dont really expect Sanchez to "falter" agaisnt a real defense. He certainly won't have the luxury of rolling out and playing pitch and catch with his receivers like he did against UVA but the concept that a team which has basically never lost by more then a touchdown in 6 years will suddenly collapse and have to turn to their backup in a critical game is pretty far fetched. Sanchez has been in the system for FOUR years so I doubt he will suddenly turn into a scared newb, even if he is faced with a tough Buckeye D.
What USC will likely do in the next two weeks regarding Sanchez is the following:

1) Get it through his head that he will be moving around in the pocket alot and he will feel more pressure in his first offensive possession then he did all game vs. UVA

2) Tech him to either throw the ball away or take the sack when the pressure comes as opposed to passing into traffic like he did a few times against UVA.

3) Focus on getting Sanchez to use his fullbacks and RBs out of the backfield in order to get rid of the ball quickly and avoid the Buckeye pass rush.

I think the September 13th game is going to be good and will likely be decided by a touchdown or less. Nothing compells me to give the edge to either team since they are both well stocked and well caoched. As I previously said, however, I just dont see a collapse from Sanchez as a real possibility or avenue for success for the Buckeyes.

 

[Taosman]

The most impressive thing to me about USC was their offensive line. They get off together and looked very, very good against Virgina. Take that for what it's worth as the Cavs didn't blitz or bring an extra guy that I saw while watching this snoozer.
Defense looked very solid and physical.
And Petey didn't run it up? Ha! Sanchez was in for most of the game.

 

[BUCKYLE]

Fuck USC. They need to be worried about the BUCKEYES. I'm tired of hearing how we're gonna have to give it our all to make it a close game and maybe squeak out a win. Fuck that. They need to be worried about tOSU just as much as we are about them. Fuck the pac-10, and fuck pete carrol. Fuck 'em.