USC vs UT - not impressed with USC

I'll still bet you, but not straight-up because you can't lose. There's no point to that, is there? It is ignorant of me to make such an offer, it would be downright idiotic to do it once I've been educated in Vegas betting.

So how about it, why not sportsbook odds? You're absolutely certain SC will win.

 

I won't bet the spread this far out from the game.

 

bump.

Not to impressed with UT either. A&M were without their starting QB and RB and UT had alot of trouble.

 

Oh boy, this was the big, bad UT that was allegedly going to beat on 'SC, by what, 20 points? I'm shaking, I'm trembling.

I'm sure that this was by far the worst game that UT had played all year, but if they cannot adjust to what A&M was doing offensively, then I shudder to think what we're going to do.

 

Wow, 2 pages of bragging down the tubes. Does one lacluster victory really discount the other 10 games?

(A&M certainly didn't look like the 109 rated defense)

Maybe Texx will take the point spread now. Or will he wisely wait until after the UCLA game. Interstate rivalry games are always tougher than they appear.

 

You probably didn't watch the USC-Fresno State game. I'll forgive you for forgetting that USC beat a non-rival on their own field by a mere 8 points. UT looked horrible today but beat a rival on the road.

 

I think any true college football fan, who respects the game, realizes this will be an epic epic game. This game will be hyped beyond belief given that Cali and Texas are the largest Coll FB media markets in the nation.

I read alot of message boards, and it's slightly annoying reading all of these posts of disrepectful garbage trash talk. I dont underestimate USC AT ALL -- their offense scares the sh*t out of me, but I like Texas anytime against anyone. It's kinda dumb to think that if USC struggles against Fresno St, that they have been exposed or that their team is weak. They're on a what? 33 game win streak? They have a huge bullseye on them every game. Likewise for Texas (OK ST, A&M)

Going into the Rose Bowl game (provided both teams make it) I'm not expecting anything, and I'm not going to make predictions. I always think Texas will win, but it's going to be a hard close game that will come down to a handful of plays, which is what it is all about. What's not to like about this game? You have the three most spectacular players in the nation, undefeated, playing for all the marbles.

I think we all need to chill out and enjoy the unfolding of what maybe the most electrifying college championship game of our time.

 

Why do people keep bringing this up?

1. Fresno State is a pretty good team.

2. USC's offense has always been unbelievable when needed. Nobody has stopped them other than themselves. USC has the best offensive in the country and they did not struggle against Fresno State.

3. USC's defense has struggled and we all know this. Texas can score 40 points on them but we can also turn the ball over at bad times, miss block assignments, and Vince will make at least 1 or 2 turnover type mistakes throughout the game. Turnovers help mitigate bad defenses.

4. The biggest myth was our defense is one of the best in the country. Completely untrue. Our defense is good but the reason our defense appears to be great is because our offense can score in bunches forcing 2 dimensionsal teams into throwing on almost every down. Knowing this, our cover corners and saefties are outstanding.

However, there have been many times when we've had problems maintaining containment, allowing RB's and QB's to turn the corner, and run for big yards. Ohio State was very effective (once Zwick was out of the game) as was Oklahoma State, A$M, and even Rice for a short time.

Our run defense is very suspect because our defensive frront four does not get consistent penetration and because our LB's do not make the right reads.

Last week I predicted Reggie Bush could go for 200 yards. After this game, Im positive that unless a change is made, he will go for a Curtis Martin-esque (for the old timers who remember the UT/Pitt game), 350-400 yards of total offense on runs and short passes.

 

I think our defense IS one of the best of the country. I agree that our run defense has been an issue though, but it's primarily due to lack of gap discipline. Our front 4 always get penetration, and we're always able to pressure quarterbacks in pass situations. I think when it's all said and done, our entire starting 11 will get drafted -- Texas' defense just has some sick talent.

 

Actually, I've watched every single Trojan game this year minus the Arizona game.

I already said that this was surely the worst game UT had played all year. I said earlier in this thread that USC has a HUGE target on their backs & every team plays them with the same passion that just about any rivalry game would have. Notre Dame even more so. I fully expect UCLA to give us all we want. We will still win.

The Rose Bowl should be fantastic, but I remember most of the pundits last year predicting the Big 12 dominating Sooners to roll all over the soft California boys. This thread was just reminding me of that.

Does USC have a weaker defense than last year? Yes. Are they vulnerable? Yes.

They are mostly inexperienced, & in several spots, they have true freshman &
career back-ups starting due to injury situations. They are, however, very opportunistic, & very, very fast. It looked to me that these could cause UT problems.

I also did not see anything out of the Longhorn's D that could slow down "Thunder & Lightning". I saw where it was speculated that UT would dominate the line of scrimmage, I just don't see it.

 

I'm pretty sure Lendale White will get the bulk of carries against UT, because of matchups.

If he goes for over 200 yards rushing and recieving against UT, it will be only the second time this season he's done so.

 

True, Texas had a lot of penetration today but they always seem to have the wrong option covered. Whack the QB? yeah but the pitch was gone. Contain the wide man, yeah but McGee just turned it up inside. But I have seen the triple option make a monkey out of a lot of defenses before. It was the predominant offense when I played 30 years ago (H.S.) and it took a lot of work to defense it. I'm guesing Texas hasn't worked all that hard against the option play this year. And I'm guessing SC won't be running a lot of QB options.

Anybody know if Mcgee was an option QB in High school? They kept saying he was recruited for his passing skills.

 

I would not be surprised if they call plays based on defensive formations.

If we play our standard defense, Reggie Bush to the outside. If we try to stretch our defense to cover sideline to sideline, they will pound us with Lendale White up the middle. Imagine McGee and Lane except magnified by 10.

And if Griffin or Huff cheat to play the run, add in a Heisman QB with tall, fast receivers.

This could get ugly. We need to play mistake free football to win. And that means no errant Vince Young passes or fumbles, no long kickoff/punt returns, and pray Leinart makes some dumb decisions inside the red zone.

 

Just thought you guys might like to know that this powerhouse Fresno State team that almost beat USC has lost 2 games in a row to:

-Nevada
-Louisiana Tech

 

You think UT is not very fast?

With few exceptions, has UT not dominated the line of scrimmage?

You may have seen every SC game, but you certainly have not watched every UT game.

 

Gee, I don't recall saying that UT was not very fast nor did I say that UT has not dominated the line of scrimmage in their games. I said that USC's defense, whilst young, inexperienced, and at times porous was very very fast. I said that it was speculated that UT's line would dominate the line of scrimmage against USC, I said I was not so sure about that.

I have not watched every Longhorn game, but from what I have seen is that they are an excellent team that will give USC a very good game. I just don't think they will beat my Trojans in the Rose Bowl. Sorry.

Of course, knowing my luck, UCLA will ruin my year today.

No, on second thought, they won't.

 

Most embarrising, talk about a free-fall.

 

Sounded like you said they are faster than UT...I don't think so.

No need to apologize.

I've followed college football for over 30 years. This year's UT squad is like a freak of nature. I'm not too concerned about them playing anybody this year, including SC (No offense, of course. ). I think that the only ones who can beat them are themselves. Based on today's game, I expect them to be ready to play on Jan 4th.

 

Ditto on that. I have also followed College Football for over 30 years, this is the best team UT has ever had. My God, their offensive lineman are huge. The should have no problem beating USC.