This isn't USC's year

[Ryanwb]

They probably have the toughest schedule in all of the NCAA and picked the wrong year to do their road games

@Nebraska
@Washington
@Oregon
@ASU
@Cal
Host UCLA to end the season

I think UCLA is the real deal this season

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

They played a comparable schedule in '05 and made it through undefeated until they ran into Vince Young. Now while I don't think this version is as talented on the offensive end, their defense is certainly better than the 2005 version.

I don't know what to think about UCLA, their offense was atrocious against BYU although that makes me feel somewhat better as a UA fan. I don't think they have the firepower to get through the Pac-10 schedule without losing a couple games as even the best defenses in the Pac-10 have an off week or two. Their defensive coordinator will be a head coach somewhere next season though, you can't turn around one of the worst defenses on the West Coast in two seasons and be voted the conference's best recruiter without getting attention.

 

[Russ Smith]

They played a comparable schedule in '05 and made it through undefeated until they ran into Vince Young. Now while I don't think this version is as talented on the offensive end, their defense is certainly better than the 2005 version.

I don't know what to think about UCLA, their offense was atrocious against BYU although that makes me feel somewhat better as a UA fan. I don't think they have the firepower to get through the Pac-10 schedule without losing a couple games as even the best defenses in the Pac-10 have an off week or two. Their defensive coordinator will be a head coach somewhere next season though, you can't turn around one of the worst defenses on the West Coast in two seasons and be voted the conference's best recruiter without getting attention.

UCLA's offense is brand new that's why I expected them to start slowly. Stanford sort of hid that, BYU exposed them a bit.

The other problem UCLA has is that it's entirely likely if Ben Olson has any kind of year he's going pro, he's already 24 so if he plays well enough he'll go pro. To be honest I'm not all that impressed with him, he's better than Cowan but it would appear all those years not playing have taken their toll on his talent the arm isn't what people said it was.

There are a lot of UCLA fans who think Walker should be the coach not Dorrell.

 

[Russ Smith]

They probably have the toughest schedule in all of the NCAA and picked the wrong year to do their road games

@Nebraska
@Washington
@Oregon
@ASU
@Cal
Host UCLA to end the season

I think UCLA is the real deal this season

Biggest problem for USC is health at RB, they have young talent at WR and RB but most of the Rb's are hurt.

That defense will carry them while the offense gets rolling.

I don't see Cal being able to beat them the defense just isn't good enough this year.

 

[Skkorpion]

Hey, what about Notre Dame? That -8 yds rushing through 2 games is going to make USC so overconfident, they'll be flat when they lose to the Irish.

Combine that with a loss here against ASU, and they don't go to a BCS bowl! Go Devils.

 

[Ryanwb]

Hey, what about Notre Dame?

I was tempted, but I watched them play on Saturday

 

[Gaddabout]

There are a lot of UCLA fans who think Walker should be the coach not Dorrell.

I lobbied very, very hard for Walker during the ASU job search.

 

[Stout]

Skkorp, if USC can go undefeated until a loss to the Irish, I would be ecstatic!

 

[Russ Smith]

UCLA's offense is brand new that's why I expected them to start slowly. Stanford sort of hid that, BYU exposed them a bit.

The other problem UCLA has is that it's entirely likely if Ben Olson has any kind of year he's going pro, he's already 24 so if he plays well enough he'll go pro. To be honest I'm not all that impressed with him, he's better than Cowan but it would appear all those years not playing have taken their toll on his talent the arm isn't what people said it was.

There are a lot of UCLA fans who think Walker should be the coach not Dorrell.

Just thought I'd point out that even I didn't think they were as overrated as it appears after what Utah did to them.

 

[spikecop02]

I thought Cowan showed better promise last year than Olson

 

[Russ Smith]

I thought Cowan showed better promise last year than Olson

A friend who's a much bigger UCLA football fan than me agrees, he says Olson has more "talent" but just doesn't get it. the book on him he says is if the first option is open Olson looks like a future NFL QB. If the first option is NOT open, he gets thoroughly flustered and usually makes a terrible decision. The new offense calls for a lot of reads and check downs and he's just looked thoroughly overwhelmed.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

They probably have the toughest schedule in all of the NCAA and picked the wrong year to do their road games

@Nebraska
@Washington
@Oregon
@ASU
@Cal
Host UCLA to end the season

I think UCLA is the real deal this season

All of those teams are pedestrian now. Nebraska is good, but not great. Washington is below average, ASU is below average, Oregon -no one is sure yet, UCLA is average (at best)Cal looks looks to be the best team out there. USC can certainly run the table.

 

[Russ Smith]

All of those teams are pedestrian now. Nebraska is good, but not great. Washington is below average, ASU is below average, Oregon -no one is sure yet, UCLA is average (at best)Cal looks looks to be the best team out there. USC can certainly run the table.

Cal is not that good. I saw them really struggle with LA Tech for about a whole half. The offense was not good because Longshore is so inconsistent, and the defense has holes. Then they just turned it on with the run game and pulled away.

That won't work against USC. I think USC has a very good shot at going unbeaten. I still think their offense has some questions with all the young WR's and RB's, but that OL is so good and their defense is terrific and having an experienced QB is such a huge advantage in big games.

I think right now LSU and Florida are the most impressive teams I've seen, and USC and OU are right there behind them. OU the freshman QB has been amazing but he is still a freshman you have to think against better opponents he'll struggle some.


I'm just glad LSU and Florida play each other so there's no way all 4 are unbeaten come bowl time(except for a tie).

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Oklahoma looks like they'll only lose one game at most. Texas has been unimpressive, they don't play Nebraska, and the only other two ranked Big 12 teams they get in Norman. USC will beat Cal, but lose to Oregon or ASU and still make the National Championship game. LSU will slip up at least once as well as Les Miles is a merely an above average coach living off Nick Saban, I'm guessing at 'Bama in October if not sooner. Florida has looked go thus far but again, Cal just trounced the same Tennessee team and lame-duck head coach as well. But then again, has Urban Meyer ever lost a big game?

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

Oklahoma looks like they'll only lose one game at most. Texas has been unimpressive, they don't play Nebraska, and the only other two ranked Big 12 teams they get in Norman. USC will beat Cal, but lose to Oregon or ASU and still make the National Championship game. LSU will slip up at least once as well as Les Miles is a merely an above average coach living off Nick Saban, I'm guessing at 'Bama in October if not sooner. Florida has looked go thus far but again, Cal just trounced the same Tennessee team and lame-duck head coach as well. But then again, has Urban Meyer ever lost a big game?

Yeah I am not sold that Tennesee is a team anyone should get excited about beating. They may have 7 wins this year against the Vanderbilt's and Ole Miss's of the world.

I think Florida is good, but how good? I dont know, we will see when they play LSU, Georgia, etc. LSU, imo, is the real deal. Offensivley they are average, defensivley they are outstanding.

Honestly, after USC, and imo, LSU most teams are deadlocked. Lots of parity. I think on any given Saturday, Florida, WVU, Oklahoma, can beat each other. After that, the Cal's, Texas, and Wisconsin's , to me , are good, but not great.

 

[spikecop02]

A friend who's a much bigger UCLA football fan than me agrees, he says Olson has more "talent" but just doesn't get it. the book on him he says is if the first option is open Olson looks like a future NFL QB. If the first option is NOT open, he gets thoroughly flustered and usually makes a terrible decision. The new offense calls for a lot of reads and check downs and he's just looked thoroughly overwhelmed.

Watching Cowan last year,i thought he realy showed that he could be a great Qb, I havent seen Olson play yet.

 

[Stout]

I'm glad that USC's defense is the strength, and that their offense isn't completely overwhelming. It'll make it a much more fun game when PSU plays them for the title.

You may scoff, but we're going to make a run at going undefeated, and how many BCS title games do you think will exclude a Big 10 team that is undefeated? Unless there are a plethora of undefeated teams, of course.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

I'm glad that USC's defense is the strength, and that their offense isn't completely overwhelming. It'll make it a much more fun game when PSU plays them for the title.

You may scoff, but we're going to make a run at going undefeated, and how many BCS title games do you think will exclude a Big 10 team that is undefeated? Unless there are a plethora of undefeated teams, of course.

Maybe, but the Big Ten is sooo weak this year that I think at some point that will be taken into consideration. Outside of WVU I wouldnt mind seeing PSU make a run. I have always liked JoePa (excpet when he beat the mountaineers for 35+ years straight..ugh).

I just dont see it happening though

 

[Renz]

I'm glad that USC's defense is the strength, and that their offense isn't completely overwhelming. It'll make it a much more fun game when PSU plays them for the title.

USC would destroy Penn State.

 

[Mulli]

USC would destroy Penn State.

I think we might need another USC thread to discuss that.

 

[Stout]

Maybe, but the Big Ten is sooo weak this year that I think at some point that will be taken into consideration. Outside of WVU I wouldnt mind seeing PSU make a run. I have always liked JoePa (excpet when he beat the mountaineers for 35+ years straight..ugh).

I just dont see it happening though

If Penn State is undefeated, it won't matter that the Big 10 was weak. I can't remember when the last time there were three undefeated teams.

 

[Stout]

USC would destroy Penn State.

I think not. I won't be stupid and say Penn State would necessarily win; I definitely think USC is the better team. Our offense would do next to nothing, true, but we have arguably the best defense in the country. Our defense would keep it close.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think not. I won't be stupid and say Penn State would necessarily win; I definitely think USC is the better team. Our offense would do next to nothing, true, but we have arguably the best defense in the country. Our defense would keep it close.

I only saw Penn State once, against ND, but I have to say I think USC has the best defense I've seen. The combination of size and speed and experience is pretty hard to beat.

They are absolutely loaded at LB, Rivers and Maualuga are both probably first round LB's, Cushing will play LB in the NFL too. Taylor Mays is a first rounder when he comes out at Safety. Jackson and Sedrick Ellis have a chance to go late first or second round.

LSU and Florida are pretty athletic and talented too but USC is the best defense I've seen. Hard to judge Penn State when ND's offense is so bad.

 

[LVCARDFREAK]

If Penn State is undefeated, it won't matter that the Big 10 was weak. I can't remember when the last time there were three undefeated teams.

I think it would...if LSU and USC go undefeated then I dont think PSU plays for a NC based on strength of schedule alone. WVU is probably in the same boat. If they go undefeated, even though they are ranked 4th, but USC/LSU go undefeated as well, I doubt WVU has a shot at playing for a NC....

As fans of other teams we just have to hope for a USC defeat (which I dont think is likely) or an LSU defeat (which is more likely) and then the WVU's, PSU, Wisconsins of the world have a shot.

 

[Stout]

I think it would...if LSU and USC go undefeated then I dont think PSU plays for a NC based on strength of schedule alone. WVU is probably in the same boat. If they go undefeated, even though they are ranked 4th, but USC/LSU go undefeated as well, I doubt WVU has a shot at playing for a NC....

As fans of other teams we just have to hope for a USC defeat (which I dont think is likely) or an LSU defeat (which is more likely) and then the WVU's, PSU, Wisconsins of the world have a shot.

Well, all of that goes without saying. Like I said, though: when is the last time we had more than two undefeated teams? If Penn State goes undefeated, there's likely only going to be at most one more undefeated team. That's just the way things usually shake out. LSU plays in the SEC, and it is always hard to go undefeated there. USC, I feel, will go undefeated and be in the game. There's a shot for a lot of other teams, especially this early in the season.