Game Thread Southern Cal 18, at tOSU 15 (Sept 12th, 8 pm, ESPN)

[Sportsbuck28]

Sanchez didn't mean to SC what Young and Smith meant to UT and OSU. There were games where SC parked the passing game and relied on running and defense to win (Cal).

I kinda feel this discussion went on last year when people were saying that there just had to be a dropoff transitioning from Booty to Sanchez. The answer is the same: maybe, but probably not fatal. Sanchez rose to the challenge early last year. Corp and Mustain have good experience in the program, and they were battling in fall camp when it looked like Sanchez was out with the knee injury. Mustain also started 8 games for Arkansas his freshman year.

Sanchez also had the luxury of starting a few games and playing a good amount the year before becuase of Booty's injury.

With Mustain obviously ihe has starting experience but for Corp it would be his 2nd career start in a hostile enviroment.

 

[jwinslow]

What is the difference between Osu's Defense line last season compared next years???
apart from experience of course

OSU's defensive tackles really raised their game as the season went on. One of those guys, Nader Abdallah, has graduated (though he came off the bench). Doug Worthington was a tweener in past season (at 6'7" and still DE size), he came around nicely.

DT was a major liability in 07, and Worthington was one of the reasons. As 08 continued, that shifted to a good area of the team.

At DE, OSU had a few young, undersized LB/DE types. Thaddeus Gibson was in his first year as a starter and developed well as the season wore on. He was in the backfield often vs PSU & Texas (remember the helmet tap penalties?). Nate Williams was a true freshman reserve (with no previous DE exp) who excelled at rushing the passer. A year of S&C and training should do wonders for him.

Also, Lawrence Wilson played as a true frosh back in 05, and was one of the only players who showed up to play vs Florida. In 07 & 08, he was lost for the year twice in a row, first breaking his leg in game 1 of 07, then tearing his ACL in game 7 of 08. He was the top DE heading into the '08 season. He's expected to recover fully, but those situations always remain to be seen.

 

[irishtrojan]

From what I remember of September's game, Osu's Dline wasn't very effective against our Oline. Considering at the time both were pretty fresh and have gotten considerably better, it should be a good battle, I cant help but think we might have a slight edge at this time, but it still very early. Personally from last year the most impressive defensive player i saw was the Cb Chekwa, seemed pretty special in that game anyway.

 

[bukIpower]

Yeah I can't help but think the Trojans will also hold a slight advantage against our Dline. However, it won't be nearly as evident as it was last year. As was stated the defensive tackle position has been nicely addressed by our current players. We moved some of our heavier defensive ends inside as well to increase the speed off the edges.

Everyone seems to be harping on the DB you named Chekwa right now, but I share you views on him. He's a very talented guy and was said to be our best man to man guy. He just happened to be picked on in our last bowl game because our other corner (Malcolm Jenkins) was locking down whoever he gaurded. You add an All American on the other side of the defense with an offense with the most accurate passer, and 2-3 great recievers and you'll have a game like he had. He was passed on a lot but he also didn't give up a ton of big plays. It was mainly those small 5-10 yard passing routes, but they did add up over the course of the game.

 

[sflbuck]

I have to believe that we will bring 6 or 7 to stop the run and try to keep everything else in front of the 4-5 that we keep back. Stop the run and make Corp or Mustain complete 2 to 3 passes in a row for every first down should be our defensive goal.

 

[calibuck]

I'm too lazy to read all of the previous posts, so who does SC have coming back at wide-out and RB? Seems like several have either graduated, transferred or flunked out. Mustain has the edge over Corp, but Corp is a Petey choice, so he may get the nod over Mustain's two years in the program (?). SC is loaded on the O-line and D-line, and DB. LB will be a reload proposition, as with much of their other positions. Wonder how many underclassmen are considering if they should xfer now, rather than face Petey's wrath if they declare to the pay-for-plan league early . Or is that an SC rite of passage? (If you can weather Petey's wrath, then you can withstand the heat of the (1)press; (2) LA critics; (3) SC songgirls.

:gobucks3::gobucks4:

 

[bukIpower]

SC is loaded on the O-line and D-line, and DB. LB will be a reload proposition, as with much of their other positions

I wouldn't exactly call their defensive line loaded.. The offensive line VERY MUCH SO. Although they have 2 returning starters on the defensive line they lose two starters and more importantly depth with Matthews off the edge.

I wouldn't call them loaded in the back end either. Talented, yes, but not loaded with depth exactly. LB they do need to reload but they should be fine there. Obviously not as talented as this past years, but USC always has talented LB's.

 

[irishtrojan]

USC Preview 2-Deep: OT's

Charles Brown
RS Senior #71
6'6" 295 lbs.

Charles Brown who replaced All-American Sam Baker last season, will return next season for his final season, Brown who originally entered USC at a light 255lbs is now floating around 295lbs. Brown who is a superior pass blocker, is however prone to mental mistakes on occasion, this is considered his biggest flaw. In his last game of the season, Brown had the best game of his career when he dominated AA Aaron Maybin, limiting him to just 4 tackles.

Tyron Smith
Sophomore #70
6'6" 280 lbs.

Smith who is considered one of the most physically gifted Offensive Lineman to enter USC, since perhaps Tony Boselli, made a strong impression last season. After being considered a prime candidate to Redshirt due to his weight, Smith enrolled heavier than many expected, his play since then has cemented the idea that Smith will eventually be the best OT during the Pete Carroll Era. With an offseason to put on weight many expect Charles Brown to be under severe pressure to keep his starting position.

Butch Lewis
RS Junior #68
6'5" 300 lbs.

Lewis who is expected to hold onto his starting position next season, is a dominant run blocker, who struggles at times with quick speed rushers, this is the main reason he switched from left tackle to right last spring. Butch, who is a soft spoken player off the field is flat out mean on it and it shows in his play. Near the end of the season, he and Howell shared playing time expect whoever loses this offseason battle to still find reps during games.

Nick Howell
RS Senior #76
6'5" 295 lbs.

Howell, who's father was an All-American at USC was previously a back-up player who really didn't fit anywhere, until fall camp last season where he was once again placed at tackle, but this time the Howell was far better than expected, by mid season, Nick was taking playing time away from Lewis and now seems poised to pull a big senior season and push for that starting position. The winner of this spot will have no doubt worked the hardest to get there.

 

[gregorylee]

I call bull[censored], when did Adriane Clark get more eligibility??!?

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

Man I wish we could've scheduled this game later in the year.

More of a wait, but hey, I'd love to see USC play in SNOW.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Man I wish we could've scheduled this game later in the year.

More of a wait, but hey, I'd love to see USC play in SNOW.

When was the last time we've played in snow at The Shoe? The only game I remember since 2002 that was snowy in any way at any venue was up at the Pig House in '07 (and the was mostly freezing rain)...did it snow up at the game in Madison in '03? Anyway, I doubt snow would be a factor even if USC decided to play us later in the season...

 

[BuckeyeMafia]

When was the last time we've played in snow at The Shoe? The only game I remember since 2002 that was snowy in any way at any venue was up at the Pig House in '07 (and the was mostly freezing rain)...did it snow up at the game in Madison in '03? Anyway, I doubt snow would be a factor even if USC decided to play us later in the season...

I realized this as I posted. I meant cold/freezing weather, my bad.

 

[generaladm]

did it snow up at the game in Madison in '03?

Wisky 03 was played mostly in a torrential downpour, but it wasn't cold enough for snow. I believe it was mid October.

 

[southcampus]

In my opinion, cold rain is much harder to play in that snow.

Anyways, I would love to see this one played at night but a nooner would sure give us an advantage. Anyone have any clue when this one is set to start or at least when we will know when the start time is to be released?

 

[Mike80]

In my opinion, cold rain is much harder to play in that snow.

Anyways, I would love to see this one played at night but a nooner would sure give us an advantage. Anyone have any clue when this one is set to start or at least when we will know when the start time is to be released?

given that both USC and Ohio State will be in the top 15 for sure and perhaps even the top 10, it's going to be a night game.

USC is going to be a top 5 team next year. They are going to the Shoe. It's going to be the ABC premiere game of the weekend and that means an 8 PM start.