Keep Your Friends Close, Enemies Closer: Southern Cal

To get a little inside information on this weekend's epic tilt, we talked with our friend Jim at Conquest Chronicles. Head over to his left coast headquarters to read up on all the game details Trojan-style.

1) I know it was only one game, against a potentially terrible opponent, but did you learn anything about the Trojans in week one?

That Mark Sanchez has settled in to the role of starter quite well.  He is a tough competitor.  He has done a great job of being a leader and he will get the attention of his teammates.  His command of the offense was complete.  He forced a few plays, but for the most part he was dead on.

2) After the Buckeyes' performance against Ohio, the experts changed their minds, elevating the Trojans to a 10-point favorite.  Did the fans’ impressions and expectations for Ohio State change as dramatically?

Not to me...this is still a very dangerous team.  But I do think that it will be a little bit tougher on you guys if you don’t have Wells in the lineup.  His presence makes your offense go.  I think it’s safe to say that the Ohio game was a clear case of looking ahead to SC.

3) With Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Taylor Mays leading the way, is this the best USC defense since 2004?   Do they have a weakness?

Pretty close...the secondary and linebackers are better than the 2004 team, but the defensive line isn’t quite as talented as 2004 that had Mike Patterson, Shawn Cody, Lawrence Jackson, and Frostee Rucker.  The 2008 defense is clearly faster than 2004, and they definitely hit harder than 2004.

4) If you were the Ohio State defensive coaches, what would you do to disrupt the USC offense?

You need to pressure Sanchez, and that means getting past the O-line, which means man coverage in the secondary and a fair amount of blitzing.  If Sanchez doesn’t have time to develop the play, it makes it difficult for him to get the ball down the field.  Disrupting the line also makes it tough for the running game to really get going.

5) If the game comes down to a drive or two, which players are the Trojans going to in the clutch?

Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable, and Damian Williams.  McKnight can really change the make-up of a game, and Gable is the best all-around back we have.  Williams has already shown his versatility as a receiver, and his presence raises the bar for the other receivers to step up, especially after last season.

6) Care to make a prediction?

If Beanie is in the game and is close to 100 percent, I think this game will be closer than some think, as OSU will cover the spread.  If not, it gets a little dicey for you guys.

I suspect Beanie will play AND be close to 100 percent, so I will go with 34-28 USC.

Good luck on Saturday!