With Texas Tech getting squashed by the Sooners and dropping in all the polls, the teams behind them advanced a notch. So, idle USC moved up to No. 5 from No. 6.
However, in my poll, I actually dropped the Trojans to No. 7. Was that fair considering that they didn’t play? I feel it is.
Yesterday, Penn State and Utah, the two teams behind USC, dominated their ranked opponents, #17 Michigan State and No. 16 BYU respectively. Penn State won 49-18 while the Utes were 48-24 victors. No question about style at all.
USC, PSU and Utah have had a common opponent, Oregon State. Penn State annihilated Oregon State the week before the Beavers upset the Trojans, and Utah came from behind to beat the Beavers the week after USC’s lone loss.
Granted, Penn State and Utah played the Beavers at home while USC had to travel to Corvallis. Nevertheless, both the Oregon O-line and their ground game completely handled USC offensively and defensively throughout the first half. In the second half, their offense racked up key first downs on several second half possessions to chew up the clock and keep the USC offense off the field.
I’m not so sure that USC would beat the Beavers if they had to play the same Oregon State team today. I say the same Oregon State team because yesterday the Beavers had to play without their starting quarterback Lyle Moevao, and the Pac-10’s leading rusher, Jaquizz Rodgers.
Both Rodgers and Moevao suffered shoulder injuries. Still, the Beavers hung in against the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson and won on a last second field goal, 19-17.
Oregon State by sake of their victory over USC will be the Pac-10 champions and have a rematch against Penn State in the BCS Rose Bowl this January if they beat archrival Oregon in Corvallis next Saturday.
Technically, Oregon State and USC would be Pac-10 co-champions. But in all actuality, with a victory next week, the Beavers will have bragging rights.
That’s my other point with regard to ranking Penn State and Utah ahead of the Trojans. Both the Nittany Lions and the Utes are undisputed conference champions. USC is not, unless Oregon beats Oregon State.
However, both Penn State and Utah have finished their schedules while USC still has two more games to play. So, the Trojans have the opportunity to improve their BCS ranking.
Although Pete Carroll denies knowing how the BCS works, I believe he has some idea that style points count. After all, this is not the NFL where you have a 12-team playoff.
In fact, should Oregon State win out, the only thing that will insure USC a BCS bowl game as opposed to a post season game in December is style points.
This is especially true when playing unimpressive teams like the Irish and the Bruins. A narrow victory in either game is not much better than a loss.
5 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michael Peila 7 months ago
WOW! Very well written and great points! I am going to comment on some points you brought out at the end of your article:
"So, it is up to offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian to design a game plan that can do just that. He needs to take the pressure off quarterback Mark Sanchez and put the game in the hands of the Trojans talented running backs."
Great point, only from what I have watched since Sarkisian took over the play calling is he does not go to his players'/team's strengths. This year he has allowed Sanchez to sling the ball all over the place instead of allowing the RB's to dominate which they are capable of doing. Gable has been on fire and an absolute beast since they started giving him the ball after hecomplained of not getting enough touches. Johnson has proved to be a great change of pace to Gable when in there. Havili is often overlooked but is a great all-around back. McKnight should have his touches limited as he has been hurt and cannot hold on to the ball while juking around sideways He needs to learn to run straight ahead while utilizing his moves to his advantage.
"Rely on the Trojans five-star O-line to handle the big guys up front. Pound the ball. Force the defensive backs to play in close to stop the run. That will open up the passing lanes for Sanchez and his receivers."
Great point. People cannot say anymore that after ten games that the O-Line is young. They need to be consistent in getting off on the snap and pushing the D-Line opening holes for the RB's. The WR's also need to block better to establish the run. Doing that and getting the running game going will open some holes for them in the passing game as you mentioned.
"The Trojans don’t need to match the number of running plays with passing plays. The only thing they need to match is the point spread, which will be huge in both of these games."
Another great point. USC needs to DOMINATE their last two games. Notre Dame and UCLA are perceived to be weak so USC needs to play each game like it was a championship game by playing aggressively, smart (no dumb penalties or turnovers), and open up the offense. This offense I feel can be very good but Sarkisian also need to stop playing it close to the vest so to speak. Take some chances but be smart and utilize the weapons that are available.
I am a die hard USC fan and feel that they will get into a BCS Bowl Game even if they don't win the Pac-10 but depending on their performances the last two games will determine which bowl game they will play in. At this point I feel they are in the 5-6 rankings due to the greatness of their defense plus the potential but lack of consistency in their offensive play calling and execution. FIGHT ON!!!
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Paul Peszko 7 months ago
Michael, thanks for your comments. In order to take the reins off the USC running game, I think Pete has to put the reins on Sarkisian and take over the play calling. Sark is impressed with his own knowledge of the complicated play schemes and various sets that he has devised and tries to use as much of it in a game as he can.
I think Pete need to give Sark a great big KISS...Keep It Simple, Stupid!
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Felix Iamacat 7 months ago
All good points. But another thing you should have mentioned about USC is that they currently have only 2 Top 25 wins (#10 Ohio State and #23 Oregon). If Oregon State beats Oregon this weekend, Oregon will drop out of the Top 25 giving USC a whopping 1 Top 25 win (they would match mighty Florida and Alabama in that 1 Top 25 victory category).
There is absolutely no good reason for USC to be ranked where they are.
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Ronald Weathersby 7 months ago
Felix,
What planet are you living on my brother? USC will end this season just like it has ended the last six...
Pac-10 Champions (Co-champs hopefully. I will tell you why later.)
At least 11 wins
In the BCS top 4 (probably 1 or 2)
In a BCS Bowl game
By the way, each of those accomplishments are unprecedented. Let me add one more stat for you. The Trojans are 5 - 1 in BCS Bowl games. That record alone should be enough to quite you folks but I guess hate springs eternal.
I have witnessed Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech run up some very impressive offensive numbers but what I have also noticed is there is no 'D' being played in the Big-Twelve. These soft defenses would be victimized by a rather ordinary but potentially potent Trojan offense. Don't think so? Ask BCS #10 Ohio State.
I have seen some absolutely horrible examples of so-called big time college football offense being played by the SEC. Their offensive ineptitude and predictability would be easy prey to USC's top rated defense.
That is why I am hoping if the Trojans do not sneak into the BCS title game to play the SEC Champion they get an opportunity to play in the Sugar Bowl. I want to see them annihilate the SEC runner-up. I am tired of hearing and reading pronouncements like yours and other haters. Admit it. USC is the best college football program in the nation. That's why they are on the UNPRECEDENTED run they are on.
And guess what? They are only going to get better! With the debacle in South Bend last week and the whipping the Trojans should give Notre Dame this weekend you might see some of those Southern California verbal commits to ND backing away from that school real soon which will only enhance SC's 2009 recruiting class which is already ranked in the top 5 nationally.
What's the problem? You can't deal with success?
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Paul Peszko 7 months ago
Felix and Ronald, thanks to you both for your comments. I think you have presented both sides of the USC argument very well. All I can see is to wait and see how things play out. If USC doesn't make the spread against ND and bRuins, then they simply don't deserve a BCS bowl game.
However, on the other hand, it remains to be seen how Fla. does against Fla. State and Bama vs Auburn and OU against OSU and Texas vs. A&M. And then after that, we'll see how the conference championship games play out.
Should a couple of the teams ahead of them wind up with 2 losses, USC will probably get a BCS bowl game even with less than convincing wins over the Irish and the bRuins. Whether they deserve one or not will be another reason to question the BCS and the lack of a playoff.
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