The USC defense is truly awesome. Those linebackers are absolute studs. Cal simply couldn't find its rhythm on offense against them. The Trojan offensive line though needs to taken to task. Ridiculous penalties. SC undoubtedly has the best players in the country. But, they are going to have a tough road to the BCS with Oregon, Notre Dame and UCLA remaining -- all spoilers.
Well, here we go. The only thing missing from this friendly discussion is a couple of cold beers and a game on the TV in the background at Gino & Carlos!
As you know, I've had great pleasure reading your journals, that clearly demonstrate that you are indeed an astute observer of many subtle and nuanced aspects in sports. I'm talking about a broad range from boxing to minor league baseball. With that acknowledgment, I'd be willing to take the Trojans over the Gators, The Tide or any conference champion in America any day of the week -- especially in a big money bowl setting. Perfect seasons and better records have very little to do with cementing the argument about on field superiority. Head-to-head competition is the only way to satisfy the debates, which is why the current BCS system is such a farce.
In fact, when Texas beat USC in the Rose Bowl in 2006, the consensus among knowledgeable observers was that the best team in the country lost the game. USC beat themselves more than Vince Evans beat them. True, on the winning drive Evans was virtually unstoppable and USC's defense laid down like yellow dogs and died. But, number two beat number on in an upset where one was vastly better than two.
This year, however, the Trojans are vastly underrated -- Oregon State notwithstanding. Look at what they did to Ohio State the week before. They destroyed them so totally, that Ohio State was discounted for the remainder of the season -- regardless of their record! After that performance, the Trojans were emotionally ripe for an upset the following week. That is no excuse for that performance nor is it a reason to throw them under the bus as the BCS computers obviously did! I'd take the Trojans in a head-to-head match up against any program in the country -- bar none! For God sake, they house trained the Huskies 58-0 last week and somehow dropped two places in the BCS poll. Does that seem a little wierd to you? No wonder Carroll was pissed. You'd think he would have put a major league ass whipping on Tedford's boys to prove the point.
Yes. Cal's defense is completely underrated. They held the sixth highest scoring offense in the country -- averaging 40.1 points per game to 17! And, that could have just as easily been 10 points if Tedford had challenged the first TD -- we all saw the incompletion - or if his idiot wideouts could not line up offsides on touchdown plays...amazing! But, the Trojans completely shut down an offense averaging 36 points per game. They never could find their rhythm and the constant pressure took Best out of the game plan and forced QB turn overs.
There is a reason why the Crimson Tide have not been ranked number one in the country for 28-years. Their program has never completely gotten out from the shadow of Bear Bryant. And, that was practically back in the stone ages of college football at this point! Alabama looked really bad yesterday - as in terrible. John Parker Wilson is an absolute stiff. McClain and Arenas are decent, but far from Heisman worthy consideration. And, Lou Saban...well, we don't need to go there, do we?
Urban Meyer is the best coach in the SEC. But his up tempo offensive schemes make Tebow better than his true talents. He'll never star as a QB in the NFL. Pure and simple. In fact, few SEC QBs -- other than the Manning family -- ever make the grade at the pro level!
On the other hand, as uneven as USC performed on offense last night, look at the roster. Mark Sanchez is an absolute stud. He's a NFL first rounder and easily the best quarterback at SC since Carson Palmer. The Pac-10 passing game is more adept at a high level pro-style attack then any other conference in the nation. Forget Leinart and Booty...proven losers outside of Carroll and Sardisian's system. Take your pick from the current stable of Trojan tailbacks over any running back in the SEC. McKnight, Gable, McCoy, Johnson can all run circles around the other backs. As for coaching in the college ranks, Carroll is the hands down best in the business.
The only area, which I might concede, is the intangible that makes college football so much more entertaining than the NFL. It is the capacity of the human heart. If the Trojans play with the same degree of emotional intensity as they're capable...they are truly unstoppable. The question remains can Tommy Trojan get it up in the clinches.
I guess we'd have to do an in depth interview with the Southern Cal cheer leading squad for confirmation. My final take on the subject is that it's a wonder the NCAA has not banned Viagra as a performance enhancing drug!
As you know, I've had great pleasure reading your journals, that clearly demonstrate that you are indeed an astute observer of many subtle and nuanced aspects in sports. I'm talking about a broad range from boxing to minor league baseball. With that acknowledgment, I'd be willing to take the Trojans over the Gators, The Tide or any conference champion in America any day of the week -- especially in a big money bowl setting. Perfect seasons and better records have very little to do with cementing the argument about on field superiority. Head-to-head competition is the only way to satisfy the debates, which is why the current BCS system is such a farce.
In fact, when Texas beat USC in the Rose Bowl in 2006, the consensus among knowledgeable observers was that the best team in the country lost the game. USC beat themselves more than Vince Evans beat them. True, on the winning drive Evans was virtually unstoppable and USC's defense laid down like yellow dogs and died. But, number two beat number on in an upset where one was vastly better than two.
This year, however, the Trojans are vastly underrated -- Oregon State notwithstanding. Look at what they did to Ohio State the week before. They destroyed them so totally, that Ohio State was discounted for the remainder of the season -- regardless of their record! After that performance, the Trojans were emotionally ripe for an upset the following week. That is no excuse for that performance nor is it a reason to throw them under the bus as the BCS computers obviously did! I'd take the Trojans in a head-to-head match up against any program in the country -- bar none! For God sake, they house trained the Huskies 58-0 last week and somehow dropped two places in the BCS poll. Does that seem a little wierd to you? No wonder Carroll was pissed. You'd think he would have put a major league ass whipping on Tedford's boys to prove the point.
Yes. Cal's defense is completely underrated. They held the sixth highest scoring offense in the country -- averaging 40.1 points per game to 17! And, that could have just as easily been 10 points if Tedford had challenged the first TD -- we all saw the incompletion - or if his idiot wideouts could not line up offsides on touchdown plays...amazing! But, the Trojans completely shut down an offense averaging 36 points per game. They never could find their rhythm and the constant pressure took Best out of the game plan and forced QB turn overs.
There is a reason why the Crimson Tide have not been ranked number one in the country for 28-years. Their program has never completely gotten out from the shadow of Bear Bryant. And, that was practically back in the stone ages of college football at this point! Alabama looked really bad yesterday - as in terrible. John Parker Wilson is an absolute stiff. McClain and Arenas are decent, but far from Heisman worthy consideration. And, Lou Saban...well, we don't need to go there, do we?
Urban Meyer is the best coach in the SEC. But his up tempo offensive schemes make Tebow better than his true talents. He'll never star as a QB in the NFL. Pure and simple. In fact, few SEC QBs -- other than the Manning family -- ever make the grade at the pro level!
On the other hand, as uneven as USC performed on offense last night, look at the roster. Mark Sanchez is an absolute stud. He's a NFL first rounder and easily the best quarterback at SC since Carson Palmer. The Pac-10 passing game is more adept at a high level pro-style attack then any other conference in the nation. Forget Leinart and Booty...proven losers outside of Carroll and Sardisian's system. Take your pick from the current stable of Trojan tailbacks over any running back in the SEC. McKnight, Gable, McCoy, Johnson can all run circles around the other backs. As for coaching in the college ranks, Carroll is the hands down best in the business.
The only area, which I might concede, is the intangible that makes college football so much more entertaining than the NFL. It is the capacity of the human heart. If the Trojans play with the same degree of emotional intensity as they're capable...they are truly unstoppable. The question remains can Tommy Trojan get it up in the clinches.
I guess we'd have to do an in depth interview with the Southern Cal cheer leading squad for confirmation. My final take on the subject is that it's a wonder the NCAA has not banned Viagra as a performance enhancing drug!
Ferndale, ahh..reminds me of the last vacation trip I was on with my mom and my dad, about ten years ago before he slipped away to the Big Library in the sky. Ferndale, up there around Fortuna and Rhonerville, where my mom and dad grew up. We went up there for a little road trip, couple of days at Sea Ranch, a few days in Garberville and day trips up to the Redwoods and Eureka, Arcata, Ferndale. Great trip. I didn't know Jake Locker was from up there. I think he looks much better than Tim Tebow. Much better in all aspects. I don't know if he's as big as Tebow, but he's got a better arm and he's faster, I think. But ever since Ryan Leaf tanked in the NFL, the old Northwest doesn't get much attention for its QB's. Next year I'll be up at Stanford for the Big Game and also for the Notre Dame game. Easy with the ND smack, I have some friends from there. I think they have at least a realistic academic ideal. Real classes, real standards. I don't know about Rick Neuheisal. He yells at his QB constantly, waving his arms and berates the poor guy on the sidelines, after admittedly throwing some questionable balls. But the guy was third string. And when the announcers scratch their heads wondering what the coach is doing in the QB's face on television, you've got to wonder. Ben Howland? Top drawer. The man.
