The offense got off to a strong start, but they were inconsistent and fumbled more than they should have, but on the bright side, coaches opened up the playbook and allowed Matt Barkley to complete some deep passes. However this offense, and the receiving game in particular, needs to play better. Trojan fans eagerly await the return of the fastest receiver, Ronald Johnson, who suffered a shoulder injury in the scrimmage game in August.
This defense is impressive. They almost held the Cougars to a shutout if it were not for Aaron Corp's fumble late in the game. Defensive back Marshall Jones and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo each suffered season ending injuries in this game. Injuries are part of the game, and this is why it never hurts to have depth like USC does. Pete Carroll and coaching staff "stockpile" talent, and given the current waves of injuries, this is when the depth is tested.
Before the season starts no one really knows anything about anything. There are no sure things in sports. Too many variables can change a season in an instant. The experts want you think they know what they are talking about, but they really don’t. That being said, I am going to attempt to give some non-expert “homer” analysis before every game. I present to you Freerdo thoughts of the day. Here is my first edition:
USC has the one of the best and deepest offensive lines in the nation. If they can give Barkely time to throw, he will succeed. It might be nice to see the O-Line platoon. Games are won and lost on the front lines, look for the Trojans to wear out San Jose State.
Stafon Johnson is the most underrated running back in college football.
Another guy we don’t give enough love to, Stanley Havili. No one runs a better wheel route.
Ever been sitting in a movie and had to go to the bathroom? I am a fan of holding it (I hear it makes your wang bigger). But if you can’t this is a great application for your iphone. Courtesy of the Palmer Brothers.
Over Under on how many beers I will nervously drink while watching the new Matt Barkley era begin tomorrow: 7.
Speaking of 7, I love that Barkley picked that as his number. I really want this kid to succeed. He seems like a good guy.
NFL scouts, I would like to introduce you to Chris Galippo, Malcom Smith and Mike Morgan. The tradition of bad ass linebackers at USC lives on.
Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller USC's 2009 schedule Date School Site Sept. 5 San Jose State Los Angeles Sept. 12 Ohio State Columbus Sept. 19 Washington Seattle Sept. 26 Washington State Los Angeles Oct. 3 California Berkeley Oct. 17 Notre Dame South Bend Oct. 24 Oregon State Los Angeles Oct. 31 Oregon Eugene Nov. 7 Arizona State Tempe Nov.... more »
Former USC swimmer Roy Saari, a gold medalist at the 1964 Olympics, died this week. He was 63. The official release is after the jump. LOS ANGELES-Roy Saari, a former world record-holding swimmer who won a gold medal at the 1964 Olympics and captured 9 NCAA individual titles at USC, died Tuesday (Dec. 30) in Mammoth Lakes, Calif. He... more »
With the 29th Olympic Games sadly completed, its time to take a look at those who competed. They swam and they ran, some faster than others. But through competition, they became closer than brothers. Phelps' golds, basketball's redemption, 10-year-old gymnasts, Alicia Sacramone's falls.... more »
If USC athletes had competed as a country in 2008, they would have placed 13th in the overall medal standings in the Beijing Games (and tied for eighth in golds).
USC's Olympic medal tally ballooned further today, as five Women of Troy helped make history for the United States women's water polo team. A silver-medal finish in Beijing makes Team USA the only women's water polo team to medal in three consecutive Games, a feat that likely would not have been accomplished without the efforts of five first-time Olympians... more »
It's been a pretty spectacular year for USC's Amy Rodriguez. Already a 2007 NCAA champion with the Women of Troy, Rodriguez captured an Olympic gold medal today in Beijing, as the U.S. women's soccer team edged Brazil 1-0 in extra time for the USA's third Olympic gold. A first-time Olympian, Rodriguez was an unwavering spark on the front lines... more »
In his first trip to the Olympic Games, USC's J.W. Krumpholz has helped the U.S. men's water polo team turn heads in Beijing, as Team USA has scored a slot in the semifinals for a sure shot at an Olympic medal. Krumpholz has scored twice for the United States, most recently notching a crucial goal out of set in... more »
They told Reggie Bush to take the night off and tend to his swelling knee. They told him not to run. But they never told him not to fly. Not long after Bush convinced coach Sean Peyton to let him play in the Saints-Texans preseason game, he gave the world a glimpse of what he's still got to offer by sailing over Texas cornerback Jacque Reeves in-stride and into the endzone. And where did Bush get the inspiration?
"I watched the 400-meter hurdles (Friday) night," Bush said about the Olympic Games in China. "(Reeves) gave it away early that he was going for my knees, and when I saw what he was doing, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing."
Many teams try to argue that strong recent performances justify a move to the PAC 10. This post will attempt to separate the wheat from the chafe. The reasons behind selecting teams for consideration are given in my introductory article. By examining the record of a team over their last 9 PAC 10 games, an estimate of how each... more »
The Bleacher Report has come up with a trap game for each conference. The Pac-10 entry, not surprisingly, involves the Trojans: The Game: USC at Washington State, October 18 Before: Arizona State Why it Will be a Trap Game: Arizona State appears to be main contender in 2008 to end USC’s hegemony in the Pac-10. QB Rudy Carpenter will... more »
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