Ohio State 3, Southern Cal 35 (Sept. 13)

[bukIpower]

thats what I said a couple pages back. The defenses in this game should be unreal. IMO Beanie running the ball will probably be more effective than Mcknight only because Beanie is so powerful with his speed. If Mcknight gets no room to run, odds are he isn't breaking arm tackles

[bgantz]

I'm excited about seeing Kurt Coleman in this game vs. some young, still learning USC receivers. I loved Coleman's intensity this year and he strikes me as a player who could take a huge leap in productivity heading into '08. This year was a learning curve, and he handled it really pretty well. I think you know what you are going to get from Russell, Washington, and Jenkins.

[Taosman]

Coleman needs more weight to be better at the safety position.
He's light to be tackling even 200lb running backs. But, I love his game!

[bgantz]

Originally Posted by Taosman

Coleman needs more weight to be better at the safety position.
He's light to be tackling even 200lb running backs. But, I love his game!

I think I agree. That will come along though. He sure packs a punch.

I didn't go through the entire thread, but has anyone else checked out that months-old query about Brian Cushing and 'roids last year or so? Was pretty interesting. I think Kiper has him as his 3rd rated Junior linebacker. Not quite the physical specimen of Maualuga, but he's still a playmaker.

[Jaxbuck]

regarding the 2 weeks to prepare thing.

-OSU will get to be in game routine by playing 2 gimmies. Playing live football is preferred to rest at the beginning of the season by any coach you'll ever talk to.

-OSU will still not be in class by week 3 so they have unlimited football focus time and can go out to get acclimated a day early if they want.

OTOH

USC will be breaking in a lot of new faces on the OL along with a new QB and that flat takes time to develop a chemistry no matter how talented they are. I don't see how you have that kind of time/see enough action in week 3.

IMO the timing of this game is a huge advantage for OSU, not USC.

[GrizzlyBuck]

Chiming in here, I agree this will be next years "game of the Century" The two winningest programs over the last 4-5 years, both filled with NFL talent, coached by outstanding coaching staffs.

I think this game puts Beanie on the Heisman map (although the NC game should have) If TB can keep SC's defense honest, then Beanie approaches 2 hundo with his speed/strength and our O-line (could not decide if I should start slowly and build, or start big and temper it a bit, can you guess which one I decided on )

[bgantz]

What do you guys think about the atmosphere of playing at the Coliseum? I've heard mixed reviews....that it's a tough place to play, but that's because it's merely a reflection of the quality of the team, less so the crowd influence. I've heard it can get loud still. I guess we will have to find out. I've watched many USC home games on television, but I never felt I could get an accurate gauge on the volume or tenacity of the crowd. Do they generally sell out? Or do they have empty seats for lame teams?

[Taosman]

Atmosphere at the Coliseum? What's that? The crowds are generally a non-factor.
It's the guys ON the field that make that a tough venue!
EA Sports 25 Toughest Places to Play
1. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Florida

2. Neyland Stadium, Tennessee

3. Ohio Stadium, Ohio State

4. Tiger Stadium, Louisiana State

5. Autzen Stadium, Oregon

6. Husky Stadium, Washington

7. Kyle Field, Texas A&M

8. Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin

9. Memorial Stadium, Nebraska

10. Sanford Stadium, Georgia

11. Kinnick Stadium, Iowa

12. Michigan Stadium, Michigan

13. Lane Stadium, Virginia Tech

14. Doak Campbell Stadium, Florida State

15. Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame

16. Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson

17. Beaver Stadium, Penn State

18. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma

19. Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn

20. Carrier Dome, Syracuse

21. Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama

22. KSU Stadium, Kansas State

23. Mountaineer Field, West Virginia

24. Martin Stadium, Washington State

25. Miami Stadium, Miami

[EidoloN]

first of all, there isnt a louder place to play than the shoe...besides, our boys are returning and have played in louder places than the coliseum....beaver stadium, purdue.....so thats not a problem. IMO, sorry to be like this..but USC doesnt stand a chance. no one can deny the fact that they have talent, but we have experience AND talent. the boys will be hungry, very hungry. i think this team has the potential to be better than the '05 squad.....is that possible?!

[bgantz]

I'm not too terribly concerned about the team getting intimidated by the crowd. I'm more interested and curious about what the actual gameday atmosphere at a USC game is like, much less how vile their fans can harass Ohio State. There are some schools that can sell out every game, regardless of the opponent. Others can sell out only good teams, with empty pockets of seats for the bad teams. Some schools have fans that leave at halftime if their team is up by 3 touchdowns...I'm sort of wondering which of those USC fans fall under.

[craigblitz]

first of all, there isnt a louder place to play than the shoe

What other venues have you been too.. the Shoe can be loud at times but as far as consistently through the game... I personally don't think it is in the top 5. Obviously night vs day, the competition, etc play roles in my opinion but I do not the think the shoe is the loudest.

I agree with everyone, the timining is perfect for the young men and answer the bell....

Go Bucks

[methomps]

Originally Posted by Taosman

Hey, methomps!
How is USC at corner next year?
I heard they will be thin....

Thin maybe, but solid enough in the 2-deep that it shouldn't be an issue in the 2nd game of the season. Cary Harris and Shareece Wright will probably be the starters. I would bet that Pete Carroll brings S Josh Pinkard back to CB, a position he played two years ago because of depth problems. Pinkard is good enough to start, but he's had two devastating injuries so you can't be sure what he's capable of at this point. Mozique McCurtis will be in the mix. Fans always want to move RB CJ Gable to corner, but I think PC likes him at RB.

Originally Posted by bukIpower

Who from SC has gone pro early?

G Chilo Rachal is the only name I've heard of. DT Fili Moala was rumored to be a risk, but I haven't heard anything.

Originally Posted by twoodbuck97

Possibly the two best linebacker units in the country going at each other next year. JL and Maualuga guaranteed all americans next season

Don't sleep on Brian Cushing. The guy is flat out a football player, and a vocal leader as well. Maualuga needs to be more disciplined and a better student of the game.

Originally Posted by bukIpower

thats what I said a couple pages back. The defenses in this game should be unreal. IMO Beanie running the ball will probably be more effective than Mcknight only because Beanie is so powerful with his speed. If Mcknight gets no room to run, odds are he isn't breaking arm tackles

If USC isn't able to find a way to get McKnight going, we'll see a lot more of Stafon Johnson. Could be an interesting battle between the top 2 RB prospects of the c/o 2006. I think whichever school can stop the run best will win (amazing insight, I know).

[TiefHinunter561]

I guess I will have to be there- right after the LSU game- I blew a hole in my TV with my 22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MajesticTurkey]

Oh man, USC's OL which is not their strong suit this coming year by far, against the veteran front seven of Ohio State? A new QB against Jenkins and Washington? Chris Wells like a one-man Greek army decimating Troy?

As Montgomery Burns would say..."Eeeexcellent."

[DaytonBuck]

Originally Posted by ytownbuckeye

who preceded pete? john robinson?

Paul Hackett, an example of an NFL coach working out.

I can't remember a game that had a better collection of LB's at the collegiate level.