A look at how prognosticators from around the country view this week's games. Tim Sullivan, New York Post: Texas keeps plodding along. Oklahoma is 0-2 in its only true tests. Yes, Sam Bradford is back, but that's not enough for the Sooners. Take the Longhorns and give the points in the Red River Rivalry.Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News:... more »
With all but one computer ranking available, BCS guru Jerry Palm's rankings are: Florida, Alabama, Texas, Virginia Tech, Boise St., USC, LSU and Ohio State. The sixth computer will not be available until next week, when the official BCS numbers are released for the first time this season. The computers rank USC anywhere from 8th-15th. The Trojans are doing... more »
A glorious week ahead. Five days of football, starting Tuesday night with Arkansas State at Louisiana Monroe. The Red Wolves open as 3-point favorites.On Wednesday, Boise State is at Tulsa. This could be one of the last major challenges for the Broncos, who are trying to go undefeated and earn a berth in a Bowl Championship Series game. Boise... more »
1. Florida 2. USC 3. Alabama 4. Texas 5. Penn State 6. Brigham Young 7. California 8. Ole Miss 9. LSU 10. Boise State On the Cusp: Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Oregon State, Houston, Miami... more »
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.
When I was writing about Florida's chances of repeating as mythical champs, it struck me just how similar the Gators were to the last two uber-talented teams who opened the following season No. 1 and seemed destined to repeat: Miami in 2002 and USC in 2005. Like Florida, both teams:• Returned a senior Heisman contender in his third year... more »
Welcome to the premier of Blogs With Balls Radio on the Joe Sports Fan Radio Network.From JSF:Over the past few weeks on our regular installment of the "JoeSportsFan Show", we teased the fact that big news was coming down the podcasting pipeline here on JoeSportsFan.com. Yesterday, you saw the initiation of this news as our own Patrick Imig and... more »
USC is 4th in the USA Today pre-season coaches poll, behind Florida, Texas and Oklahoma. Ohio State came in at 6th. There are three more Pac-10 teams in the top-25, Cal at #12, Oregon at #14 and Oregon State rounding out the list at #25. The Trojans received a single first place vote, while defending National Champions with Tebow at the helm received 53 firsts. 4th place is a strong confidence vote in both Corp and Barkley, being that Florida (Tebow - '07 Heisman), Texas (McCoy - '08 Heisman runner up) and Oklahoma (Bradford - '08 Heisman) are leading 1-2-3.
1. Florida (53)
2. Texas (4)
3. Oklahoma (1) 4. USC (1)
5. Alabama
6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Penn State
9. LSU
10. Mississippi
Year, New USC Quarterback, First Road Game Opponent, Outcome
1999, Carson Palmer*, @ Hawaii, W 62-7
2003, Matt Leinart, @ #3 Auburn, W 23-0
2006, John David Booty, @ Arkansas, W 50-14
2008, Mark Sanchez, @ Virginia, W 52-7
2009, Aaron Corp**, @ Ohio State
*1999 - Palmer's first season being named as starter heading into the fall.
**Presuming Corp wins the job
Road games at Ohio State, Washington, California, Notre Dame, Oregon, Arizona State and for some reason the media thinks the world is going to crash down upon the Trojans. Articles like "Tough road slate could derail USC in '09" and "Don't be surprised if ... USC's run of seven consecutive Pac-10 titles ends in 2009", cast a shadow of gloom upon the 2009 season. And why? New quarterback in Aaron Corp, bunch of defensive leaders gone to the NFL, a situation that USC has never faced before under Carroll. The last time Pete Carroll has faced such an extraordinary predicament was way back when...in 2008.
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