Buckeye Bearings: Reasons to and Not to Worry About The USC Game

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Naval Academy put on quite a show this past Saturday, combining for 58 points and over 900 total yards. Any neutral observer, and maybe some Ohio State and Navy fans sprinkled in, would enjoy the overall performance and quality of the game.

The Buckeyes, who were listed to be a three-touchdown favorite over Navy, squeaked out a four-point win that has left fans, and maybe players, shaking in their boots.

The Buckeye fans that we have all come to know and love, though, probably got the h-e-double-hockey-sticks scared out of them. And it is probably because of who is waiting in the wings for them next weekend.

The mighty USC Trojans, who terrorized the San Jose State Spartans 56-3, will be the Buckeye's opponents in prime-time on Saturday night.

But what if it is not such a bad thing? What if the fans are worrying about all the wrong reasons?

I completely agree with the fact that the Buckeyes will be in a lot of trouble if they do not step it up numerous notches, but what is key is what notches those are.

When asked about the Buckeye's game, most fans will, understandably, only speak of the negatives. Then some will say what bright spots appeared.

I am here to tell you both, and to hopefully ease the pain your consciences are in right now.

Reasons to Worry

1. USC's stable of tailbacks

The Trojans run six deep at the tailback position, and the corps combined for 342 rushing yards in their game against the Spartans. They have the great balance of speed and elusiveness, with a hint of power and pop. USC head coach Pete Carroll will filter in Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable, Allen Bradford, etc. to wear down the Buckeye front seven.

It is imperative that the defensive line improves and that the linebackers keep the backs in check in case they get to the second level.

2. Red Zone should be TD zone

The Buckeyes woes of not being able to produce touchdowns in the red zone showed again against Navy. Field goals of 23 and 25 were taken, and Dan Herron was stuffed on a fourth-and-one inside the 15-yard line.

Whether is be conservative play-calling, or just poor execution, the Buckeyes cannot settle to trade three for seven each time if they want to put pressure on USC.

3. Block for the rock

One of, if not THE main concern for the Buckeyes during the offseason was the play of the offensive line. The left tackle spot was the big question mark as the season approached, and Andy Miller beat out J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams who was suspended. Miller did decent, but along with the rest of the line, needs some tuning.

The line needs to get more of a push for the backs, and needs to make sure that Pryor does not have to rely on his feet the whole time.

4. Secondary concerns

Navy is a run-first team, obviously. Yet the Buckeyes allowed a big 85-yard touchdown pass from Ricky Dobbs to Marcus Curry. Anderson Russell, the senior safety, is a hard worker, but has been known to give up big plays, as in last year's Fiesta Bowl.

Sophomore Jermale Hines has performed well in nickel packages and certain situations. It might be worth a shot to have him start over Russell, as Hines has more versatility. The Buckeyes can ill-afford to let Damian Williams and the rest of the USC receivers to get open and behind them.

5. Pressure 

The Big Ten's image has been marred recently because of poor ability to match and beat top competition. A lot of that is at the hands of Ohio State. Last year, Mark Sanchez and the Trojans tore the Buckeyes apart in their own backyard, 35-3. The rest of the Big Ten should be rooting for the Buckeyes to perform well and win, or else the conference's image will take yet another hit.

Reasons Not to Worry

1. Saine's in the game

Buckeye nation can breathe a little easier if they were worried about the running game. In addition to Pryor and Herron's skills, backup running back Brandon Saine resurfaced in the game as a key component to the Ohio State offense.

Saine had 53 rushing yards and caught a couple passes for 21 yards. He even did well in the return game, taking the opening kickoff, forcing the kicker to save a touchdown by shoving him out of bounds.

Saine's resurgence has assured the Buckeyes of another threat on the ground, and if freshmen Jermil Martin, Jaamal Berry, and Jordan Hall get on board, the Buckeyes can boast about a running back stable of their own.

2. Pryor passes the test

14-for-21, for 174 yards, 38-yard touchdown pass to Dane Sanzenbacher, and a late interception. Not a bad passing line for Pryor, who opened the game completing 10 of his first 13 passes. His accuracy and arm strength seem to have improved. While his footwork (throwing in an awkward position) led to him throwing high on an interception,Pryor was a bright spot of a blurry Buckeye performance.

He should not forget about his gift running the ball, but the fact that Pryor has the chance to run or pass on every passing play makes him the Trojans' number one target come Saturday.

3. Receiving praise

With Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline out of the picture, the Buckeye receiving corps looked to step up and provide Pryor with many targets. Ray Small was ill, but should be back for the game against the Trojans, as he will also most likely return punts. The same goes for DeVier Posey who had a pair of catches for 14 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury.

For one of his two catches, Sanzenbacher caught a touchdown pass and showed nice balance. Herron and Saine provided help out of the backfield, combining for 6 catches.

The Buckeyes may have helped their recruiting trail a bit Saturday. Tight ends Jake Ballard and Jake Stoneburner contributed, Ballard hauling in 3 catches for 51 yards, and Stoneburner had a nice 17-yard catch.

Maybe the most impressive performance of the day was true freshman Duron Carter, who caught three passes for 21 yards.

While Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas were not factors (each dropping a pass), they are still reliable targets and should gel in with the other receivers to give Pryor a plethora of options.

4. Focus is flowing

Maybe the scare against Navy was a good thing. It is very possible that if the Buckeyes had blown out and stuffed Navy, they might have approached the USC game wit a more cocky, nonchalant attitude. 

But now the Buckeyes realize they have to step it up an improve vastly in certain areas. They got their wake up call, and maybe that's the motivation they needed to prepare with more intensity, discipline, and focus, all things they will need against Southern California.

5. This is our house

The Trojans have the perfect set up. A loud, harsh home stadium that they usually dominate in, AND a great chance of going back to the Rose Bowl each year, where they practically play in their own backyard. The Buckeyes' trip to Los Angeles last year was brutal.

But now it's Pete Carroll's turn to take the four-hour flight across the country. His team will need to deal with the Horseshoe and its 105,000-plus fans that will be screaming until laryngitis is inevitable. 

Matt Barkley says he will be fine, but actions speak louder than words, and Ohio State is very different than feeble San Jose State.

Buckeye fans, Trojan fans, and college football fans worldwide should be excited, as this game means the world to the whole outlook of college football. The game's out come will bank on a few things: How Matt Barkley fares in his first ever road game, how Terrelle Pryor plays overall, how the Buckeyes' defense handles the USC running game and vice versa, and a couple other things.

Envy runs through my blood for all the people who get to go to the game, but I will surely watch every second of it, from start to finish.

My predictions:

IF USC wins: 38-28

IF OSU wins: 27-24