Sorry guys, the last two weeks I had some personal issues that kind of kept me from the computer and from doing this daily blog. Don't worry, I'm bringing it back.
USC is coming into the season losing 7 starters on offense, and 4 starters on defense. We all know the defense will be great, but the question asked by all is will the offense just Reload like it always does. And in my opinion, I think that this is the year for USC that they will be forced to rebuild just like every other Pac 10 school.
The QB situation looked solid with Mark Sanchez, but now that he has a dislocated knee cap, I'm questioning if he can play. Last season he looked horrible when asked to replace Booty for a few games, his Touchdown to Interception ratio was almost dead even. And that alone makes me question if he can step up and be the guy, but when coupled with a dislocated knee cap it's a definite no can do in my opinion.
His Receiving core isn't gonna give him too much help either, Last season there leading Receiver was a TE, that's sad when you consider how USC kinda has avoided using the TE that much in the past, but when the rest of the receiving core is that sad, he'll end up getting about 300 yards more than the leading WR. And that alone shows that even USC knows that there Receiving core is sorry. What are they gonna do this year now that Fred Davis is gone? Because they have a TE that has never gotten playing time, and two WR's not used to getting the ball thrown to them, and a new QB who won't throw many balls great. So do really want the one's he does throw great to be dropped?
My biggest question without a doubt on this USC Team has to be the O-line. They are losing 4 out 5 starters from last year, and all 4 went into the NFL draft. Now with the loss of there best O-line perhaps in school history they are looking at a huge rebuilding season on the O-line. From the projected starting line-up of the O-line I'm looking at right now, USC will have 3 sophomore on the line being forced to start this year, none have ever seen playing time before, and two Juniors, one played most pf last season, and the other one is like the freshmen, he's never gotten playing time. So how confident do you feel in this USC line? 4 of 5 of them have never received important playing time. And if you want to get technical and include the TE, aside from a few Goal-line sets, this guy has never gotten playing time either.
Most USC fans will expect USC to suffice for there struggles in other areas with a strong running game, but you have to ask yourself, how well will they be able to run the ball with a struggling O-line?
If this O-line does well, the running game will flourish, and the passing game will be better because Sanchez will have more time to throw. It all depends on this O-line, if they do good this team will be a national contender, if they don't this team will be the first USC team in 6 years not to win the Pac 10.
Let's take a look at there schedule shall we.
8/30@ Virginia W9/13Ohio State *9/25@ Oregon State *10/04Oregon *10/11Arizona State *10/18@ Washington State W10/25@ Arizona W11/01Washington W11/08California W11/15@ Stanford W11/29Notre Dame W12/06@ UCLA W
Now here is the main reason I think a team besides USC could win the Pac 10 this season, look at the beginning of USC's schedule, it starts off with all the difficult games, which mean this USC O-line won't have enough time to get any experience under it's belt, Sanchez's Kneecap will still be injured, and he won't have very much experience, and in past years, USC has never been forced to play all of there difficult games Early when they are breaking in a new wave of players.
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Comments (7) Add A Comment
Good to see ya back! USC's days as a dynasty are fading fast, I still think they are dangerous, but not as good as the past.
84
Total Comments (7228)
Mustain and Corp are VERY good, much so in fact I expect either of them to unseat Sanchez at some point.. USC's season comes down to one game, Ohio State if they win that game and stay healthy they will make another title run. Every year people leave and others step up, so its no different than the post Leinart and now post Booty years. Simply put the names change but the results generally stay the same.
Its been a tough couple years. In 2006 they flat out choked to UCLA and last year injuries killed them.
Its tough being a USC fan here in Louisiana when LSU fans still cry about the 2003-04 season's "title split"
USC is a better program over history, but LSU has had a decent run.
Joel
Slidell, LA
UFCJoel
Slidell , LA
Total Comments (20)
Well this year is differnet from past years, in USC's little run they've never had to replace so many players on offesne, when they lost Bush, White, and Leinert, they got most of there O-line back, in 04 when theylost alot of there o-line they go Jarret, Leinert, Bush, and White back, they've never lost both at the same time, and that combined with all of the hard games being at the begining of the season, I can seriously seee USc not winning 10 games this year.
*LSU*
West Monroe, LA
Total Comments (3042)
3 SEC titles, 6 Bowl games, 6 top 25 finishhes, 5 top 10 finishes, and 2 National Titles over 6 years in the hardest confrence in America and with two coaches, that's not a "decent" run, that's a GREAT run
*LSU*
West Monroe, LA
Total Comments (3042)
Yeah its the opposite of the team that lost to Texas in the national championship game. That team had one of the best offenses in college football and no defense. They gave up a ton of points to Fresno that year.
This year I agree with you on the offense, it has a lot to be said. The WRs are unproven and theres a lot of backs looking for time. Mc Knight is the only constant. The defense at least on paper looks to be fantastic. My guess all anwsers will be close to being anwsered on 9/13.
Whats your opinion on Andrew Hatch for LSU?
UFCJoel
Slidell , LA
Total Comments (20)
He'll do what Jamarcus Russel did in 2004, struggle early and come on later, and he'll be a great starter in the future though
*LSU*
West Monroe, LA
Total Comments (3042)
UFCJoel,
There was no title split in 2003. All of the BCS teams compete by contract for only ONE title. The winner of the NCG wins that title. Period. You would find living in Louisiana a lot easier if you disabused yourself of erroneous ideas that do disservice to that state's flagship university.
xxx84xxx,
Suggesting ONE about-to-be-forfeited/vacated title constitutes a "dynasty" is delusional. Eight other programs equal that result and they did not cheat to achieve that. One other program has won 2 NC's. Dynasty??
bozo_bus
Total Comments (2)
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