I agree with this part, USC probably has the #1 OL in football (Texas might well be #2, or visa versa 2-1). But USC has not seen a front 7 or defense with Texas speed, Oregon isn't close. Next post is my today breakdown.
I will be rooting for the Horns, but I would like to see the Texans number one pick have a great game.My GF is a huge Texans fan and now she wants to watch just to see Bush play
I am a Texas fan in Pac 10 country, watched both teams a lot, but honestly this game is hard to predict. Plusses for Texas. -Texas comp has looked much better. Ohio State (Tx best win and only win Texas scaped by) proved much faster and better than ND (who USC scraped by). I think after the other BCS games it is safe to safe Ohio State was the 3rd best team. Oregon (clear Pac #2) proved to be a pretender and couldn't handle a distant Big 12 #3 (OU). It wasn't just a fluke either. Fresno and Arizona should have beat the Ducks too, the Ducks had been the most fortunate 1 loss team in the country and it showed. UCLA, ASU, Cal, Fresno--all shaky, West Coast teams unimpressive and certainly play no defense this year. Tech, Kansas, NU, Colo, ISU, Missou all played as well or better than expected given their opponnet (all covered the spread if I am not mistaken). Big 12 looking underrated. -USC defense. Last year they were #1 in scoring (12.5) and top 10 in yards (272). That team had two shut outs and 4 games where opponents were held less than 10. This year they are mediocre in both 21 PPG and 345 YPG, and NO team scored less than 10. Remember Fresno put up 42 points and over 400 yards at their place, and Texas is no Fresno. -Texas defense. They are a lot closer to what USC was last year. Top 10 in scoring (14.6) and total defense (281). USC has not faced a team with Texas defensive speed, including in practice. That makes it hard to prepare, just ask OU before meeting LSU and USC in the last two NC games. -Heisman voting. Best thing that could have happend off the field, as Texas needs Young to play focused and excellent and he should be very motivated to prove who is the most dominant (best) college football player. -USC has dodged the best defenses and probably best opponents to beat them the last few years. They missed out on Auburn last year, they missed out on LSU the year before. How they would have fared we will never know. plusses for USC . -USC defense did play better versus UCLA. -Pete Carrol has months to scheme and prepare, he has a great track record in that circumstance. -Leinart is unshakable. -Last year OU had an excellent defense statswise and they still got shredded. -Great Oline to anchor great skill players. (same is true for Texas, but they are less proven) -Texas can be less carefull with the ball and less offensively (more TO prone, Young can miss easy throws). OVERALL I certainly like Texas and 7.5 points. If Texas does not turn the ball over and Young is accurate USC's defense cannot stop them. Barring TOs by Tx offense, Texas has a better chance to stop USC offense here and there than visa versa because Texas defense, including the best secondary in college football, has been a lot better than USCs. JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE Though I am optimistic, I also know if Young is not crisp throwing or if the RBs put the ball on the ground it could get ugly the other way. I have had a stronger feeling one way or the other in recent big games (LSU over OU, USC over OU, OU over FSU--I was wrong about Miami-OSU which is earily similar in build up except OSU didn't have UT's offensive weapons). This one I have a slight, but not big (TOs and Carrol's prep time chiefly concern me), Texas feeling. I am optimistic about Texas chances overall as well (not just spread). I think Young and Texas have a lot to prove and should play well, the media play since the Heisman voting (Bush this, Bush that, USC best team/offense ever, Texas has no chance like OU last year) has only worked in their favor, and the talent is very close. I'll say 37-31, Texas' favor.
I have a question: Can UT with Taylor/Charles, Melton and Sweed more simulate Bush, White and Jarrett than Tight end Fred Davis, running back Michael Coleman, and redshirt QB Mark Sanchez simulate Vince Young? If you watched both teams a lot you know the answer. Texas skill players are a lot like USC lite, or perhaps extra lite. Granted there is a substantial gap as USC has probably 4 relatively experienced first round skill players (no other team is close), but Texas or Ohio State (Gin, Holmes, Pittman and co) is probably next in overall skill position speed, explosiveness and talent in college football. The fact Texas controlled the OSU guys is a good sign (though in fairness it was early in the season and only half the snaps went to Troy Smith). But USC has no double extra lite form of any kind like VY. Using 3 players lesser than him in all ways just isn't close to the same animal. It is like comparing dolphin to algae. Anyway, thought I'd share.
I don't think Bush is the key. I think the key is stopping (or slowing) USC's interior rushes and their powerfull interior line. If Texas can do this without safeties in the box, looking good. I'll get to an issue on scheme (Bush versus White) later. You are a UCLA alum and you care more about UT losing than your achrival the University of Spoiled Children/Californians. I guess you don't have good rivalries in So Cal. The Heisman voting if based on objective impacts could easily be 1-1. Besides Heismans and almost Heismans did a lot for Jasan White, Peterson and Weinke now didn't they. on Huff and strategy I think someone said the key to Texas is putting Huff on Bush. Somewhat true but not entirely. In truth whenever Bush is in the game with two WRs I go with 5 DBs. Bush gets most his milage on the outside runs or passing game--not between the tackles, so you stick your db on him in the slot and STILL have your 4 other dbs. Texas has 5 great, speedy dbs, so they can do this seemlessly. Now if White is in game and no Bush most of the plays will be between the tackles, go with your base defense. Texas secondary matches up pretty well with Bush and the great USC skill guys, but no one can cover them for extended periods. If Texas can't get pressure with the base defense (I don't think they can), they must blitz. If they can stop in the interior run in the base defense the safeties must come up. Whether UT can keep from big plays in these scenarios (blitz, safeties close) will determine the success of Texas defense and USC offense.
Early score. 7-0 USC I actually feel compelled to prefer UT to win. Although, seeing them fumble it like that feels good. Gotta represent Texas...but....i don't know. I'm just watching to watch Reggie Bush.
