from a first hand account of the USC spring game.
Thoughts on scrimmage...
I admittedly stopped watching the scrimmage when Sanchez came out of the game. However, there were certainly a few things that stuck out....
*The OL has a looong way to go. Ruel will get them there. This unit reminds me of the one PC marched out in D.C vs Va Tech. There will be alot of uncertainties and they will likely struggle early (false starts) but should be an imposing force by the middle of the season.
*Has the coaching staff fallen too much in love with the 6'4-6'5 receiver? I keep hearing how dominant Ausberry is in practice but we heard this last year to. He doesn't break tackles like BMW did on those quick tosses to the outside (or atleast he didn't last year) and his juking ability is below average for a college WR. Unless something has drastically changed this is not a YAC guy meaning he is solely a possession receiver. From what I have seen he does not run crisp routes and doesn't look like a natural catcher out there unlike most possession receivers. Turner has never done anything to impress me much other then that 11 catch game against UW.
* In continuation of my previous point I have a hard time believing that some combination of Hazelton, Williams, RoJo, and Carswell wouldn't be our most dangerous/best lineup. Carswell's run after the catch today is unlike anything I have seen a receiver do at SC since Kareem Kelly, maybe even Soward.
* The linebackers are truly fantastic. We all know what Cushing and Maualuga can do but Luther Brown was the best linebacker donning a white jersey today. Maiava is going to have a tough time holding onto that stop. Galippo should be given #55. I think he will end up being the best backer of the PC era. Morgan has improved a ton and gained alot of weight. There is no way he could of put that lickin on Gable a year ago.
* Will Harris looked much more instinctive and comfortable out there filling in for Ellison. I think he will see the field more this year.
* This DL is going to be very opportunistic. I think we will see the most sacks since the NC team in 04. They may also overpursue at times leaving the QB with a monster hole to bail out through.
* IMO, Stafon is definitely the back that I want getting the most carries.
* Gable is really efficient. I love watching him run after swing passes or screens.
* If Sanchez is #1 who is #2? Corp looked awesome albeit against the 2nd team and even some walk-ons.
* Sanchez very much reminds me of Palmer. He will make alot of big plays for us but I expect him to make some boneheaded throws early.
Kind of what we have heard from other sources. Some are saying the SC secondary could be their best ever. Yes, we've heard this all before.
They are better than the New York Giants and Patriots combined.
Then......how did you lose to a sucky Stanford team...at home?
Will we win out in LA? I honestly don't think so.
But, this is not "The Greatest College Football Team of the Decade".
Oh! Wait! Didn't we beat that team already? When no one said we belonged on the same field?
We will be underdogs going out there no doubt. This will be a low scoring, defensive battle. Both defenses are too good to allow much scoring.
