Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or, at least, the Wicked Witch of the West Coast Offense. She flew over Howard Jones Field all during Fall camp, spreading her infamous injury bug.
While Mark Sanchez seems to have completely recovered from her scourge and his dislocated knee, the injury did keep him from playing in the Trojans' two controlled scrimmages at the Coliseum as well as the final Mock Game.
The last game-type action that Sanchez saw was the annual "Huddle," which marked the end of spring practice. Neither Sanchez nor Mitch Mustain looked particularly great that day. The one quarterback who did was Aaron Corp, listed as No. 3 on the depth chart at the time.
In 2007, Sanchez appeared in eight games and was 69-of-114 (60 percent) passing for 694 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He started three games for the injured John David Booty.
His best performance was at Notre Dame, where he was 21-of-38 for 235 yards with four TDs and no interceptions. USC won that game 38-0. In the loss at Oregon, Sanchez was 26-of-41 for 277 yards with two TDs and two interceptions.
While there may still be some question about how much the knee injury may hamper him, there is the greater question of whether he is game-ready as far as his overall conditioning.
The same is true of the offensive line, which has only one full-time starter, left guard Jeff Byers, returning from last year. However, he missed most of Fall camp with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, of all things. Zack Heberer, the right guard, also missed much of Fall camp with an injury. Both Byers and Heberer have been back for a week now.
The good news for Virginia is that it usually takes an offensive line a month or so to really feel comfortable working together. In that regard, Virginia is fortunate that they are playing the Trojans early.
The bad news for the Cavaliers is that the injury bug seems to be in remission. Not only is Sanchez coming around, but versatile running back C.J. Gable returned to practice yesterday from an ankle and hip sprain and had a terrific day running the ball. Also, cornerback Cary Harris returned with a brace on his sprained shoulder.
But enough about the Trojans. How about this week’s opponent, the Virginia Cavaliers?
Head coach Al Groh shares several similarities with Pete Carroll. They were both NFL coaches and both served as a head coach of the New York Jets.
Both have a son on their coaching staff. Brandon Carroll coaches the tight ends and is the Trojans recruiting coordinator. Mike Groh is Virginia’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Both Carroll and Groh are starting their eighth year as head coaches at their respective schools.
But there, the similarity ends. Carroll has been highly successful with a 76-14 record. Overall, Groh has had only modest success. His record stands exactly at .500 (77-77) in the collegiate ranks but a very decent 51-37 at Virginia.
His current squad has only ten returning starters from last fall's 9-4 Gator Bowl team, which means he is counting on a number of inexperienced players to step up.
OFFENSE
8 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Lew Wright 10 months ago
Hey Paul,
Awesome rundown of the game. If I were a bettin' man, I'd take 19 1/2 points and the Cavs, too. Sometimes hype can distort reality. It's not that USC isn't a good football team. They are one of the best again this season. The Cavs are going to be solid again this season. Coach Groh has built a very good football program at Virginia.
Keep up the great work Paul.
Lew
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Paul Peszko 10 months ago
Over the past few years, USC has beaten the spread less than 50% of the time when they are favored by 10 or more. They were heavily favored in their loss 2 years ago to UCLA and last year to Stanford.
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Shawn Withrow 10 months ago
I'd take the points as well. People often underestimate the importance of an experienced and cohesive offensive line. The lack of that for USC and the coast to coast commute will make their first game more challenging than usual. Virginia knows that if they win they will have made their season count early. I do think that USC will win, but it will be close at times.
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Paul Peszko 10 months ago
I have to agree, Shawn. The o-line is a huge factor and so is the cross-country trip.
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Wade Peery 10 months ago
What's up Paul--
The research for the article was very solid for the most part, I'm a die-hard UVA fan and about 95 percent of it was right. I think Matt Conrath will start in Gottschalk's position because Gottschalk was injured in the spring and has had to get back up to game speed in terms of his practice reps, conditioning, etc. I think you know that Byron Glaspy is not UVA's punt returner-- Vic Hall is as you noted in your depth chart, but in the article you make it sound like Glaspy is.
As for taking the points, I can't see UVA being able to move the ball against that USC defense, especially since they start three new players on the interior of the line of scrimmage. It will take a long time for those three to gel as a cohesive unit. Lalich or Deke will be lucky if they don't end up in the hospital.
I don't think this one is gonna be close at all and I'll be in attendance, so I'm really excited to see one of the most talented defenses I will ever see in person on the USC Trojans.
Anyways Paul, it was a great article man I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work!
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Paul Peszko 10 months ago
Thanks, Wade. You were right about Gottschalk although he's still listed at #1 on the depth chart. Hall is the PR not Glaspy as I had switched them by mistake.
I expect USC's defense to put in a good showing as long as the offense doesn't give them a short field with turnovers and penalties.
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Gil HHH 10 months ago
I have a question for all UVA fans, I read in the LA Times that signs are prohibited inside the stadium, what are some of the creative ways to get around this bad practice? Making your t-shirt into a sign? I always find a lot of the signs amusing in games and it sucks that UVA fans are not allowed this innocent practice. Thanks.
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Wade Peery 10 months ago
What's up Gil--
You are right that is a practice that has been implemented at the UVA home games and it appears to be statewide with other colleges such as VT implementing the rule as well. I think it's pretty ridiculous and I hate to see the college game become more like the pro game in that people don't seem to want to have any more fun anymore? What's the big deal? I think it's ridiculous and when me and my mom were watching the TV we couldn't believe it. Outrageous.
I'm not sure how you could get around it, but I'm sure where there's a will there's a way Gil!.
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