Southern California at tOSU (Sept 12th, 8 pm, ESPN)

[Wells4Heisman]

script ohio under the lights.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by Wells4Heisman

script ohio under the lights.

They might even bust out the Double Script for this one.

[methomps]

Couple position changes to report. DT Armond Armstead is moving to strongside DE. This move helps because SC has a number of smaller DEs, but really lacked the kind of DEs with the strength and size to hold up on the strongside. At 6'5" 295, Mondo could be interesting to watch.

OG Derrick Simmons is moving back to defense, where he started out and prefers.

WeAreSC.com - Armstead to Defensive End

WeAreSC.com - Simmons Moves Back to Defense

[BB73]

A feature on USC safety Taylor Mays. Although he's an amazing physical specimen, and an intimidating force, he only has 1 interception and 1 forced fumble in two years as a starter. But I'd be happy to be his agent in about 12 months.

CFN.Mays

Mays' best game so far was - last September against Ohio State. Mays isn't the type of player who can be easily evaluated by statistics. He's often doing things on the field that'll never show up in a box score, like making a receiver short-arm a pass or a back scoot out of bounds before the first down marker. He played such a role in last year's rout of the Buckeyes, collecting seven tackles and helping hold them to just three points and 207 total yards.

Why you should care about Mays? - If you like an enforcer, who can knock the snot out of an opponent, Mays is the type of player you'll want to watch throughout his senior year. He's one of the most unique all-around athletes in the game today and a candidate to be chosen real early in the 2010 NFL Draft. In fact, he's the type of kid who?s going to blow away scouts next February at the Combine in Indianapolis.

Cont'd...

[BB73]

From CFN's Pac 10 spring preview.

Link

USC

Begins: March 25 Game: April 19

The early spring buzz ... Does the spring buzz ever really fluctuate at USC? It hasn't since Pete Carroll arrived at the beginning of the decade. It's the same old story around Troy. The Trojans lose a truckload of talent to the NFL, insert a bunch of new stars into the two-deep, and prepare for yet another Pac-10 championship. This time around, they not only parted ways with a bunch of really gifted players, but also both coordinators, Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt, to Washington. The focus this spring will be to retool a defense that lost nine starters, and try to contain a quarterback battle that's liable to become a major distraction.

The big spring question is ... Will the situation at quarterback be any clearer in April than it is in March? Last spring, we had Mark Sanchez vs. Mitch Mustain. This spring, it's Mitch Mustain vs. Aaron Corp, with Garrett Green and incoming freshman Matt Barkley playing the wild card role. For those who've forgotten, Mustain is the Arkansas kid, who started for the Hogs as a true freshman before deciding to head west. Corp is the former blue-chipper from the class of 2007, who actually passed Mustain on the depth chart at times in 2008. Both were considered five-star, can't-miss prospects coming out of high school, which will only amp up the interest in this competition.

The most important position to watch is ... linebacker. Although the Trojans won't be hurting at the position, you certainly don't get better by losing Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, and Kaluka Maiava to the NFL Draft. It's time for senior Luthur Brown to live up to the hype that made him one of the nation's most coveted defensive players of 2005. He'll get that chance this fall. So, too, will Chris Galippo, Malcolm Smith, Michael Morgan, and Uona Kaveinga, who've been watching and waiting until it was their time to crack the starting lineup.

Spring attitude... While many of the faces will be new, USC expects nothing less than another Pac-10 championship and a run at a BCS title. Expecting those kinds of results permeates throughout this program and its fan base. This spring will be about creating competition for spots on the depth chart and getting the new coordinators comfortable with their new assignments. Carroll will be keeping a close on the quarterback derby, making sure it doesn't blossom into a circus.

[c-rowbuckeye]

Originally Posted by generaladm

They might even bust out the Double Script for this one.

It's a single script, all the dots have been planned out and assigned already.

But yes, we are all pumped for the night ramp . Penn State was awesome, this should be awesome-er

[southcampus]

When is the last time Jim Tressel lost to a team two years in a row?

[leroyjenkins]

Originally Posted by southcampus

When is the last time Jim Tressel lost to a team two years in a row?

I'm going to go out on an unresearched limb and say NEVER!!

[generaladm]

Wisconsin 2003-04. But I like your spirit, Leroy!

[southcampus]

Anybody know who USC has before September 12th? Is Virginia traveling to their place this year?

[ryan20]

Originally Posted by southcampus

Anybody know who USC has before September 12th? Is Virginia traveling to their place this year?

SJSU on the 5th

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by c-rowbuckeye

It's a single script, all the dots have been planned out and assigned already.

But yes, we are all pumped for the night ramp . Penn State was awesome, this should be awesome-er

Ramp Entrance at Night

[mooktarr]

I had to go look at one.

YouTube - OSU Band Ramp Entrance

[methomps]

on a recent (espn.com?) chat, Mark Sanchez predicted that Aaron Corp would win the tight qb race

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by mooktarr

I had to go look at one.

Nothing in that video has anything to do with the Ramp Entrance from the fan's perspective. It didn't even look like they were about to take the field at the end. I'm not even sure what that was.

The Ramp Entrance, at least from the fan's perspective, is the way the band takes the field. To call it the best pre-game ritual in college football would be a collosal understatement. It is much more than that. My favorite moments with my grandfather were spent in the 'Shoe; and it is sharing The Ramp Entrance with him that I miss the most.

The Ramp Entrance @ Night is something that my grandfather never saw... at least not with mortal eyes. But I promise it will bring tears to yours if you are there.