OPEN THREAD: #3 USC at #8 Ohio State

#3 USC Trojans at #8 Ohio State Buckeyes
Sept. 12th, 5:00 PM PST
TV: ESPN
Radio: 710 ESPN

Since USC’s drubbing of another Big Ten juggernaut, Penn State, in last year’s Rose Bowl, Trojan fans have been awaiting their team’s September 12th matchup against Ohio State in Columbus for some time now. The Trojans, who defeated the Buckeyes 35-3 last year and looked quite impressive in their season opening win over San Jose State, are seven point favorites according to Las Vegas and many feel as if Pete Carroll and company should have no problem taking a victory back home to Los Angeles.

But even with all the hype surrounding the Trojans, there are still plenty of reasons to be concerned. For one, Saturday is their first real test of the season, as they have to travel to a hostile environment (106,00 seat Ohio Stadium) and play a worthy opponent (the Buckeyes are ranked in the top ten and have won four straight Big Ten titles). In addition, USC must start a true freshman at quarterback in 19 year-old Matt Barkley, who will most certainly be nervous in his biggest test of his short college career. If that isn’t enough, the Trojans will be facing an Ohio State with revenge on its mind, as the Buckeyes were embarrassed during last season’s loss to the Trojans in LA.

With the game set to start in roughly six hours, here are a few things to bear in mind:

• Ohio State is a plenty good football team. If you talk to most of my fellow USC fans right now, many of them are expecting the Trojans to roll right over the Buckeyes, citing OSU’s near-week 1 catastrophe against Navy. While their 31-27 narrow win over the Midshipmen wasn’t an encouraging sign, it is important to note that they will likely play much better this week. For the record, Navy is likely an 8-10 win team and runs an unconventional option-style offense. With their upcoming game against ‘SC today, it’s quite likely Tressel’s bunch overlooked Navy and expect them to give the Trojans their full attention today.
• The Trojans won’t be all that conservative again. Against San Jose State last Saturday, Jeremy Bates called a very conservative game plan, primarily utilizing the running game and calling for high-percentage passing plays in order to allow Barkley to get in the flow of the game. However, don’t expect that to happen today in the ‘Shoe. Bates wasn’t conservative last week, because he lacked confidence in Barkley to run a complex offense. If Barkley, who has been practicing with the team since the Spring, didn’t have that ability, he wouldn’t have been named the starter. In reality, the Trojans just didn’t want to give anything away for this week’s contest against OSU. Why show Ohio State anything more than they had to?
• OSU quarterback Terrell Pryor is the X-factor for today’s game. Historically, the Trojans have not fared well against dual-threat quarterbacks (see: Dennis Dixon in 2007, Vince Young in 2006, and Ell Roberson in 2002), and as a result, stopping 6’6″ quarterback is their highest priority. If they allow Pryor to run effectively and throw effectively, it could be a long night for Rocky Seto’s defense. Putting pressure on the inexperience sophomore quarterback will be key in determining whether the Trojans return to Los Angeles with a 2-0 record.
• If the Trojans are successful, it will be because of their defense, which looked quite impressive one week ago. Despite losing a slew of departures on the defensive side of the ball, they looked extremely capable in last week’s win. New middle linebacker Chris Galippo had nine tackles, the defensive line put plenty of pressure on San Jose State’s revolving door of quarterbacks, and Taylor Mays made it increasingly difficult for them to throw over the middle. A near shutout may be too much to expect for this week, but it’s reasonable to assume, that these guys could be at their best yet again.
• The Trojans can’t have afford special teams snafus and turnovers if they intend on defeating the Buckeyes. Last week, punter Billy O’Malley averaged just 34.7 yards per punt, placing the Spartans in good field position on several occasions. Teams can get away with that against lower-echelon WAC teams at home, but when facing top ten teams such as Ohio State on the road, you’re bound to be in for some trouble. Additionally, the Trojans must squash their turnover bug, as running back Joe McKnight and tight end Anthony McCoy each fumbled last week. They can’t afford to be so careless with the ball tonight.

Prediction: Even though Lee Corse picked the Trojans this morning, that usually doesn’t bode well, I’m still quite optimistic for tonight’s contest. Historically, Pete Carroll and the Trojans have fared well in big games with their last two losses to top 25 teams coming against Oregon in 2007 and Texas in the 2006 National title game. It’s the games, in which they’re heavy favorites against unheralded opponents where they so often stumble. Therefore, I see the Trojans, who are 6-0 against the Big Ten under Carroll, once again stepping up for the big game and returning to LA with a big ‘W’ in the wins column…I’m taking USC 35-17

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Now that I’ve had my say, it’s your turn to share your thoughts regarding today’s slate of games. We encourage all USC, Ohio State, and simply just college football fans to spend the rest of today here at SoCal Sports Hub.com and share their thoughts on today’s highly-anticipated matchup. We’ll be here throughout the afternoon and evening talking about the world of college football, and of course, the Trojans’ battle with the boys from Columbus. So feel free to comment bloew.