OPPONENT PREVIEW: USC Trojans
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
Email
PrintRecord: 2-1 (0-1)
Head Coach: Pete Carroll
Offense: PPG: 29.0 YPP: 6.6
The 2009 Trojan offense looks a little different from years past. Inexperience at quarterback has forced USC to rely on their stable of running backs and spectacular offensive line to move the ball. While they haven't been the big play style we have come to expect out of this program, they have been very effective.
True freshman Matt Barkley started the first two games. He performed well against San Jose State before struggling in the Horseshoe against Ohio State (15-32, 195 yards, 1 INT). Aaron Corp stepped in against the University of Washington and solidified his backup role with a less than stellar performance. Barkley has been named the starter for Saturday against Washington State.
Joe Mcknight leads a very talented stable of running backs. Behind an all-world offensive line, the USC running attack is averaging a robust 6.0 yards per carry. Backup running back Stafon Johnson has yet to rush for a loss in 27 attempts this season. If USC is going to make another push for an eighth consecutive Pac 10 title and BCS trip, the ground game will carry them there.
Defense: PPG: 11.3 YPP: 3.7
The USC defense is just flat-out dominant. While the nation's elite have spent the first month of the season dining on funfetti with the rainbow chip frosting, the Trojans have went on the road to face two of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. The defense performed spectacularly, giving up just 3.7 yards per play overall. That is almost two full yards less than the 2008 national average. These guys are fast, strong, and well-coached.
Running the ball has been next to impossible against this unit. Opposing teams are averaging just 1.6 yards per attempt. Passing has also been difficult, as teams are averaging just 5.8 yards per attempt. For reference, the Trojan defense is making the passing games led by Terrelle Pryor and Jake Locker resemble the vaunted Cougar passing attack.
The Trojans are in trouble if: They turn the ball over. In their loss last week, USC turned the ball over three times inside the Washington 35. That flipped what could have been a blowout in favor of the Trojans to a close win for the Huskies. If USC takes care of the ball, they are talented enough on defense and in the ground game to overwhelm most of their opponents.
16 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The Trojans are in trouble if
They notice that Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves are on their bus, because that means it’s about to get suddenly commandeered by Dennis Hopper.
Other than that, I think they could turn the ball over on every possession and still figure out a way to win.
by Jeff Nusser on Sep 24, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
point spread
maybe we can beat the point spread ?
45.5
Is it sad that covering that seems unlikely.
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, that was hard to write with a straight face.
Seriously TEN turnovers would probably be okay for them in this game.
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions
luckily ill be at work during the slaughter...
we better try to compete this time though. Last year I wanted to kill something watching us do that reverse to Gibson for the 80th time…we werent even trying to compete we were losing ot the trojans third stringers…the big question in this one? how will our injured and beat up O-line perform? And can they keep Lobbestael protected in order to preserve Tuels redshirt, sad thing is that is a fundamental key to this game…
Hold The trojan rushing game to under 200 yards
Try to contain Joe McKnight
Keep Lobbestael protected and unhurt
Get the first ticket outta L.A. and avoid lingering after the A*$ whoopin to focus on Oregon next week (very winnable game)
At the risk of going completely off topic,
You’ve mention a few times that Oregon is a “winnable” game for the Cougs. I’m curious as to what your reasoning is behind this. What is it about Oregon that gives the Cougs a chance?
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Oregon's offense has looked as horrible as ours at times..
we just need to stack the box and make masoli win it. Right now the Duck’s passing game is dead LAST in the conference. Surprisingly, ours is 4th…
Oregon is last in the conference in total passing yards per game.
Our average yards per pass are identical (5.9). Oregon has put up half the pass attempts the Cougs have.
WSU does have a slight edge in overall yards per play (4.9 to 4.7) but the Cougs have put up their numbers against Stanford, Hawaii, and SMU ALL at home, while Oregon has played Boise State on the road, Purdue and Utah at home.
Oregon’s offense isn’t one you can just stack the box against. They have a spread running attack, you have to account for all the receivers on the field.
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
The one thing the Cougs would have going for them
Is that their offensive line has been a mess, and that’s been a large source of their problems. Also, their defense has been hit and miss.
However, I still think classifying them as “beatable” is a pretty significant stretch.
I'd guess that even though U of O's O-Line has struggled
They are near Stanford and better than UH and SMU. We just don’t have a good enough defensive line to take advantage of that.
by Craig Powers on Sep 24, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't mean to say they were beatable...
I’m just giving a reason as to why he said they were beatable. I think the only “beatable” games left are UCLA, ASU, and UW… and that’s only by comparison to the other teams left on the schedule. I don’t think we can really say anybody left on our schedule is truly beatable.
I would def. say Oregon is a winnable game
I know it sound slike a stretch at this point due ot injuries and inexpierence to say that “any” game is winnable, however Oregon has struggled mightily putting up offensive numbers. They all their lineman last year, which means expierence wise our D line has a shot at getting good penetration. Also James I would def say Oregon is much mroe beatable than UCLA. UCLA went over and beat a Tennessee team that responded the next week with nearly upsetting Florida. Oregons last 2 matches agains Purdue and Utah? actually were not that impressive. Oregon had to get some BIG stops from teh D to put away a UTah team that nedded a 17 poitn come from behind 4th quarter surge to beatl lowly san jose state the weak before. Suffice to say Utah lost alot of talent this season and is clearly overranked. Alsto Purdue jsut lost to Northern Illinois. One more point I wanted to add..A Boise State D that limited a supposedly potent Oregon offense to a TD the first game of the season gave up 34 points to Fresno state in a barn burner type of game. I think we got a chance. Oregon is weaker than ppl assume even coming off 2 wins. They will most likely write us off. Which is an added bonus. Essentially what im trying to say, is oregon is not really that good.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
