Does anyone remember it was about a year ago to the day? You heard it around your office, at school, at your local grocery store, or the sports bar you frequent. Last year, just about every college football fan KNEW the unbeaten Big 12 Champion Oklahoma Sooners were going to fly down to Miami and “open a can” on USC. They had Jason White, Adrian Peterson, Michael Clayton, and that defense, man that defense would blitz Leinart and force turnover after turnover. Hey, what was the outcome of that game? Below, I give my 5 reasons why I believe this year’s BCS Championship game will end much the same way as last year’s.5. “No Extra’s”. Just like in that very game that I speak of last year, USC will play mistake free football. They currently lead the nation, not the division or conference, in turnover margin with a plus 22 (their defense, that everyone says is so horrible, leads the nation with 37 turnovers gained), while Texas needed three turnovers at Colorado to finish at plus six. USC IS NOT COLORADO.
4. “Location, Location, Location”. To get from 3911 South Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA, 90037 to 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA, 91103 it would take you about 20 minutes, maybe 30 with traffic. The two addresses are exactly 16.33 miles away from each other. These happen to be the addresses of USC’s home field, The Memorial Coliseum, and The Rose Bowl, home of the 2005-2006 BCS National Championship. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, and practicing on your own field. While Texas fans do travel well, I expect most USC fans will be willing to make the 20-minute drive on January 4th.
3. “One if by Air”. Ok yes I understand that Vince Young has shown a marked improvement throwing the ball this year, but he has only thrown for more than 300 yards in exactly one game (Leinart has thrown for 300 yards in 6 games), while averaging about a interception per game (Young has 10). Texas’ top receiver has less than 700 yards and no receiver has more than 5 touchdowns. While USC has not played great pass defense by no stretch of the imagination, they have used 6 different cornerbacks due to injury and with the month off everyone is expected to return.
2. “The two headed monster”. Texas finished a very respectable 30th in rushing yards allowed this year, allowing 124 yards a game (USC allows 117). The problem is, the best back they played this year, Adrian Peterson, was limited to three carries in the Oklahoma game due to a sprained ankle. Therefore Texas has not seen anything this year like Reggie Bush or LenDale White. I am sure by now everyone has heard all about Bush and his ability to “step it up” when USC needs him most (Fresno State, Notre Dame, UCLA), but your 2005 Heisman winner is not the only person Texas has to worry about in the USC backfield. LenDale White averages about 7 yards per carry, leads USC in rushing touchdowns (21), and has rushed for 150 yards or more every time he has gotten at least 17 carries.
1. “Been there, done that”. Before this year Texas was best known as a team that has all the talent, but chokes in the big game. This year they made it past an Ohio State team unsure of their Quarterback situation, and an Oklahoma team that is obviously rebuilding. Before this year USC, well USC was still winning championships. This team has won 45 of there last 46 (the only lost coming in triple overtime), two national championships, and 34 in a row. 16 of those 34 were against ranked opponents. On January 4th, 2006 USC will line up against Texas with, a Quarterback that is 37-1 as a starter, a Heisman winning running back that has not lost a college game that he has started, and 14 players, including all the skill position players, from the team that hung 55 on Oklahoma around this time last year.
21 replies on “5 reasons why USC will beat Texas”
some… mistakes, but a good article and good argument.
comment I agree, most notably a problem with the usage of the word “there.”
I do it all for the argument I think I fixed most of the errors (thanks H).
I do not write, nor have a desire to write professionally. I attempt to be a knowledgeable sports fan, not an english major. I wrote this piece to start conversation, or arguement. Either way, I agree with the comments and I will make sure I “Microsoft Word” anything I post from here on out.
Thanks
Fellow football fans and Mr JaxDuece or whatever, — Does anyone remember the SAME Oklahoma team that Mr Jackson opps, I mean JaxDuece keeps referring to is the SAME Oklahoma team that squeaked by Texas A&M (they scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:32 to play). Not to mention Jason White (6th round pick), Michael Clayton (19 catches this year) ok, i’ll give you Peterson, BUT, let’s face the REAL facts here, SC’s defense is NOWHERE, NOT EVEN CLOSE (you get my point) to what it was last year. Fact is, they play a PASSIVE schedule. This sounds familiar, huh Mr Jackson” LenDale White rushes for 215 yards and four touchdowns and Bush rushes for 210 and three touchdowns in route to a 55-20 win against…… HAWAII. WOOOOOW. That’s something to be proud of. So, with that said, it’s my turn to give you my 2 reasons (that’s all I need) that Texas will be your national champion vice USC:
1.Conference Play
The PAC 10 is weak! You have SOME argument saying that the Big 12 isn’t much better, but let’s face some facts here; The game comes down to one thing: who produces snot bubbles. USC has faced NO TEAM that is ranked in the top 10 in defense. The toughest defense they faced is Notre Dame. Texas has played Ohio State (#1 defense in the nation) and Texas A&M (# 9 in the nation). You can argue that the Ohio State game was a good game, but they got shredded through the air….. something that some people said couldn’t be done….. let alone by Vincent Young. They struggled against A&M……. but STILL scored 48 points. There are three teams out of the Big 12 that would come into the PAC 10 and do ALLOT better than …shah… UCLA and the mighty Ducks of Oregon because of defense alone. Those teams would be Texas, Oklahoma (in a rebuilding year), and Texas A&M. If you don’t think so, ask Oregon December 30th.
2. The Truth
Let’s take a closer look at the stats. Yes Matt Leinert threw for 300 yards in six games vs. Vincent Young’s one……BUT, how many COMPLETE games did number 10 play. You don’t have to look, because I’ll tell you…… 3. Ohio State, Texas A@M and Oklahoma State. He didn’t have to play in the rest. SO, what does that tell you……. Mr Young was runner up in the Heisman, the Maxwell award winner, Davy O’Brien award winner (quarterback of the year) and First Team All American…… and he only played 3 complete games ALL YEAR. All of this is pretty simple to put together……. Texas plays COMPLETE football, so it’s unnecessary for him to play the whole game. USC gave up ALLOT of points this year to some mediocre teams. They don’t play the kind of ball control, smash-mouth football and good defense to beat a team like Texas. Period. This game will come down to exactly that….ball control offense and solid defense…. something that USC hasn”t done all season…. they just outscore everybody they play in a shootout (with the exception of UCLA, which has the # 102 defense in the nation). If you seriously think that they’re going to run up and down the field, scoring at will, and holding Texas to numerous three and outs, you’re sadly mistaken. Seriously. The two biggest advantage that Texas has in this game is TEAM SPEED and TACKLING. USC hasn’t played ANYONE in two years who could flat-out run with them and when they get there, knock the fool out of WHOEVER has the ball… but, on Jan. 4, that all changes. No TEAM in the country (do you see how i keep referring to the word TEAM) plays better TEAM football than Texas. Look at the stats one more time…Texas: #2 offense and #6 defense….. SC’s offense….#1…..SC’s defense….. don’t bother to ask. If Fresno can put up 40……..well, you know what i’m getting at. USC will get VERY FEW opportunities to score Jan. 4, and if they want to stay in the football game, they better do so. Even then, they’ll still get run the whole 16.33 miles……20 minutes from the Rose Bowl, 30 with traffic, back to 3911 South Figueroa St, LA…… pimpin’.
Hookem’ Horns,
comment shakes head you poor ignorant Texas fans. I apologize in advance for how badly USC will humble your team and your All-American QB in the Rose Bowl.
It’s over.
Hold up. Snot bubbles? As a Michigan fan, I don’t care about Texas or USC (they beat us in the Rose bowl the last 2 years so screw them both), so my opinion isn’t as blinded as Mr. Texas.
History Any one else find it odd that int he same year, we may be seeing the first team to ever win 3 straight National titles and the first team to go 19-0 and win the Super Bowl. These are once in a lifetime teams, and we get them in the same year.
nonsense — In regards to Mr Deuce’s comments about the Pac-10…. here’s something…Pac-10 plays passive football. I mean, Texas Tech puts up OUTSTANDING numbers year in and year out…. BUT, when is the last time you saw them in a BCS bowl game….WAIT, I got it… NEVER. Here are some facts that YOU, Mr Deuce, failed to mention: SC’s defense (with the exception of Mr Bing) is sub-par (at best)…. sure, the shut down UCLA, but so did ARIZONA. Texas plays TEAM FOOTBALL. USC plays TEAM OFFENSE….that’s about it. People baffle me saying things like “this year’s USC team is one of the best EVER”…. are you serious? Maybe one of the best OFFENSIVE teams ever, but not TEAMS. They play PASSIVE on defense… just like the rest of the Pac-10.
Another thing, your coaching comment…. if Pete Carrol is such an outstanding coach, why isn’t he still in the NFL? Sure, for the last 2 years, he’s been on top of the world…. 2 national championships, coach of the year, etc. That’s great, and I would never knock another man for doing his thing, BUT, let’s be serious here, they have been in some VERY close games, and it wasn’t COACHING that got them out of them with that pretty little winning streak in tact. The truth is, he’s living off the talent that’s there NOW, and that’s all. Do you think he could go somewhere else and do what he’s doing now? NO. it’s not that simple…. think I’m talking out the side of my neck….. ask Urban Myer. January 4th, we’ll finally see USC play somebody with as much, if not more, talent as they have…. and Mr Carrol and company better be ready…. oh, yeah, Mr Deuce…. Texas beat Michigan, WITH Braylon Edwards…. so I know that you’re just going aginst them….. not a smart choice… you’ll see soon.
Mr. Anonymous You know what baffles me? There are people out there that talk like Texas really has a chance.
The Big 12 has 2 teams ranked in the top 25 (the very least to end a season in the leagues EXISTANCE) and you talk like Texas did something by beating up on some nobody’s. People who think the Big East may not deserve it’s automatic bid need to look no further than the fact that Colorado was one miracle game away from being not only the Big 12 champ, but playing in a BCS bowl game. Texas running through the Big 12 this year is equivalent to running through the Mountain West, or the WAC. Truth be told, Texas only beat one TEAM (the word that you like the throw around so much), and to win that game they had to play the game of there life. I must add again that Ohio State, at the time, did not know who their starting Quarterback was, and had problems offensively in the game their constant QB switching. RIGHT NOW OHIO STATE WOULD BEAT TEXAS!
Another point, you throw out the fact that Vince Young has only one 300 yards game because he only played until the final whistle 3 times. Umm, so then please explain why he has thrown 10 interceptions? Please explain how you do not expect the team with the most takeaways in the nation to capitalize on the numerous mistakes made by Young while playing lesser teams? Texas will not be able to survive giving USC ANY extra possessions!
USC on the other hand, has played 2 teams in the BCS top 5. Also, while I will not come out here and say the Pac-10 is a smash mouth or defensive league, they do boast 6 teams in the top 25 in total offense and scoring offense. So not only was USC up against good offensive teams just about every week this year (again that defense is not looking so bad now are they), but they dominated Pac-10 teams, beating their 8 conference opponents by an average margin of almost 30 points.
In closing, the decline of the Big 12, and the soft Texas schedule has allowed them to survive the regular season without their traditional Mack Brown choke game. While losing to USC would not be considered choking, losing as bad as I assume they may WILL!
History UMTerps25 you have a great point. It is a good year in sports. We may be explaining to our grandkids about both the Colts and the Trojans. Now as you can see I feel fairly certain that USC will threepeat, but while I feel they may win the championship, I do not think the Colts are going to go undefeated. I do not see them playing their key players in the second half and risk injury in any game no matter how close. If the lose a key starter chasing 16-0 and do not win it all, Dungy would not be able to live with himself!
A little of topic but screw it… Quick! Who the Superbowl in 1973 or 1995 or 1980?Took a minute didnt it? Who went undefeated in 1972? Exaclty. There have been roughly 39 Superbowl champion teams. There has been 1 undefeated team and ZERO 19-0 teams. Go for it Dungy!
Lot of one sidedness out there — Each side acts like the other doesn’t have a chance.
I am a big UT fan, probably the best fan you will ever meet. I know this has the potential to be a great game. I don’t know why either group of fans would puff their chest out too much right now.
USC fans, don’t be fooled, this is not Texas of the past few years, this is a different team, a different Mac Brown, and most importantly a different Vince. This guy doesn’t let us lose, so you guys are going to have to go out and win it to win. He’s not going to hand it to you.
He’ll have his stupid turnover early, and then be great the rest of the way. See you then.
You have a point Deuce, you are right, I mean going undefeated would be great, but think about this. What if they play every game out, go up to a cold Seattle and lose. In that same situation, what it Peyton, or Edge, or Dwight, gets hurt in the fourth quarter. That could cost the Colts the Super Bowl.
I also hope they go for it, but they are already sitting people with minor injuries. I honestly just do not think that they are going to play their stars late in games…
Someone who has seen them both I attend Baylor University. I saw Texas play in person. It’s not a good indicator when Brandon Whitaker (you’re all thinking “who?!”) gets two big 21-yard gains on the Texas defense (coming in the first half before the score was 20-0) and makes the Texas defense look slow.
I have seen USC numerous times on TV. Everything looks slower on TV. So when I see both Fresno State and UCLA defenses look faster on TV than Texas’s in person, it makes you wonder how the D will hold up against all of USC’s team speed (which has been their constant in the Carroll era).
Regardless of all my (crappy) rambling, it’ll be a close one, no doubt.
Reality — Texas 41 USC 38
Looks like Texas forgot to read this column.
USC STILL THE BEST — USC is the the best team in college foot ball. Texas doesn’t have a running back anything like the LenDale White. And there is no way that Texas deserved to win that game. They got so many breaks with the calls, not to mention lucky that they didn’t even challenge the play where Vince Young’s knee was down and they scored this touchdown. This game belongs to USC. The dominated the game the whole way, there’s one thing USC doesn’t have…LUCK…so sue them.
USC FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT — “I still think we are the best team, they just made a few good plays.”…matt leinert
hola — wow, good prediction, but USC still crushes
Reply to USC is still the best #16 dated 1-6-05 — The mighty USC team dominated in every area except
for the following areas: “Playing Defense” “Playing Offense” and “The Scoreboard At The End Of The Game” Give it up………….
USC FIVE REASONS WHY THEY LOST —
USC — For such a good football team USC really does have some dumb fans. Texas beat you at home and you still think you won. Amazing