USC Answers Many Questions in Opener

The beginning of the 2009 season brought many questions for the USC football team.  While the media focused on Matt Barkley, the real questions were on defense and the kicking game.

We knew SC had a lot of great recruits, but how would they fare with the losses of LB Brian Cushing, S Kevin Ellison, CB Cary Harris, LB Kaluka Maiava, DE Clay Matthews, LB Rey Maualuga, DT Fili Moala, and DE Kyle Moore.  To start with, the team speed faced no drop off.  They were extremely quick to the corners and San Jose State couldn't get to the outside.  That said, the interior defense is still questionable.  It is the obvious weakness in the defense and teams will continue to exploit it like last year.  However, keep in mind that it is very difficult to break long runs up the middle, especially with our team speed.  So while SC will give up the occasional 6-8 yard inside gain, it will be very difficult for teams to do that on sustained drives.  That brings up the next topic, kicking.

What many people don't realize about USC over the past few years is how important the kicking game has been.  It seemed like Jason Buehler kicked every kickoff after a score out of the back of the end-zone.  Now, I know I'm exaggerating, but it is important to keep a team from having a good return after a score.  In steps Jacob Harfman and he doesn't miss a beat, 3 touch-backs and every kick, but one, inside the 5 yard line.  The punting game is around the same, solid, but nothing spectacular. 

Of the things we knew, I think the O-Line was as advertised, if not better.  We're going to flat out move people this year and the depth and experience is sick.  The protection should be good, but it seems to me that we are a better run blocking team than a pass blocking team.  Really, two sacks to San Jose State, and one on a mediocre spin move is really inexcusable for the O-Line. 

The bottom line is this may be a better team than last year.  I know, how can I say that with the defense USC had last year?  Well, I base that opinion on the offensive line.  The D may very well be equal or just a little off from last year, but the offensive line is another year older and have worked together for a while now.  They are going to blow big holes in defenses allowing SC to control the ball more.  Gone are the Sarkisian, Kiffen play calling that was great when it was clicking, but horrible because dropped or broken up short little passes kept the clock stopped and the offense in long yardage situations.  We saw the shotgun, finally and a freshman with a big arm making excellent reads and not giving anything away.

Sure, SC is going to face a huge test this week.  Don't put too much into Ohio State's close game against Navy.  Navy ran an offense that OSU hadn't seen in Jim Tressel's tenure at the school and the Buckeyes weren't about to open the bag of tricks against Navy with USC in the wings.  They won the game.  They never trailed.  And the only reason they were in that situation in the first place was because normally conservative Tressel decided to go for it on fourth down.  (However, the didn't convert it and.... it is Navy for heavens sake).  Pete Carrol didn't show much either, basically running a standard vanilla offense.  

First Exam : Saturday 8:00 PM The Shoe.