Sharing the backfield may not carry the load

We're now in year two of USC's "running back by committee" offense, and the more I see it, the more I see a need for change. The interchangeable parts of the Trojans offense may prosper against lesser defenses, as they did in posting three 100 yard rushers against Washington State. But when it comes to the better defenses, especially in the Pac 10 conference, whatever happened to the phrase, "If it aint broke, don't fix it"?

Aside from the predictable play calling of Steve Sarkisian, some of the USC offensive struggles can be credited to never allowing a runner to get in rhythm. We can use the most recent contest against Arizona as an example. As quickly as Stafon Johnson established himself as a force against the Wildcats defense, is as quickly as we saw new faces enter the backfield to be dropped for losses. Stafon Johnson averages 5.4 yards a carry, yet we resorted to throwing incompletions on 3rd down and 2. In the second half of the ballgame, an Arizona defense was obviously tiring, but we failed to take advantage, looking for the homerun shot, instead of punishing them with smash mouth football.

It hurts when unhappy players transfer out of the program, in hopes of receiving more playing time elsewhere. But it's even more painful to see a great defensive effort nearly go for naught, because coaches are trying to keep everyone happy. Build a lead and everyone can play. Play as a committee, create offensive disruption, and you chance an entire team not playing at all in January. I know "a win is a win", regardless of how ugly. But the offensive play calling and substitutions were the difference between a blowout and a near upset. The Trojans sputtered to an escape in Tuscon, with Mike Stoops also making some bad decisions on the opposing sideline. But we should already know from the notch in the loss column that sometimes when you live on the edge you're liable to fall.

Trojans edge Arizona 17-10 to avoid desert trap

The Southern California Trojans spoil Arizona’s homecoming with a 17-10 victory in Tucson. Though the Wildcats had developed a reputation for sinking top 25 opponents in the desert sand, the Trojans defense ensured that the 5th ranked visitors would leave on their feet.

With Arizona’s defense appearing up to the task, limiting USC to their lowest scoring output on the season, the Trojans' defensive unit flexed their superiority. USC stretched their scoreless string to 11, shutting out Arizona’s offense in the first quarter. The string was finally snapped on a Wildcat’s field goal to begin the second. The field goal was set up by a Mark Sanchez interception that left the Cats sitting in the red zone and looking for the lead. The men of Troy held, and Arizona settled for a tying 3. A third quarter fumble by Mark Sanchez set up the Cats’ only touchdown, with Nicholas Grisby running it in from 5 yards out.

In all, the Trojans limited Arizona’s high powered offense to just 188 total yards, with just 88 in the air. USC moved the ball well, but failed several times to capitalize movement with points on the board. Mark Sanchez went 21 of 36 for 216 yards and a touchdown, but his two turnovers kept the hosts hanging around anticipating a homecoming after party. Stafon Johnson led the Trojans in rushing (83 yards), and Joe McKnight was used sparingly.

Taylor Mays said before the season began that defense is what this team thrives on. He was correct, as the defensive collapse in the first half in Corvallis, and a strong performance in every game since, is the difference between USC remaining in both the conference and national title hunt or packing their bags early for the Holiday Bowl.

Fight On!

Sand trap preview: (5) USC at Arizona

Before the regular season began, and long before the Trojans suffered the unlikely loss in Corvallis, one Pac 10 road game has been circle on the schedule, and that was the October visit to Tucson. It’s amazing that fans of the Empire would circle any game with Mike Stoops coaching on the opposing sideline, but I can see some reason to worry. Over the past 4 seasons, the Wildcats have presented a sand trap. Though their regular season records were woeful, the underdogs of the desert managed to claim a top 25 victim in each. The tombstones would read No. 2 Oregon in ‘07, No. 8 Cal in ‘06, No. 7 UCLA in ‘05, and No. 20 Arizona State in ’04. Are this year’s Wildcats worth the worry for the incoming 5th ranked (BCS) Trojans? Maybe, but they aren’t as problematic as they may appear on paper.

WILDCATS (5-2)
Last Week: W-Cal

What Arizona brings is a load of offensive hype. The Sonny Dykes offense is finally clicking, and quarterback Willie Tuitama has matured into an efficient passer. Nicolas Grisby adds the ground support, and together, the Cats move the ball pretty well. But even with all that said, and all the hype given, Arizona still ranks 32nd in the nation offensively. Both Oregon schools are more productive, and the Trojans are the Pac 10 leader in the category. As we dig deeper, their offensive totals were amassed in games against Idaho, Toledo, New Mexico, UCLA, Washington, Stanford, and Cal, meaning the best defense they’ve faced was Cal’s 32nd ranked unit last weekend.

The same can be said about a Wildcats defense that lost their biggest playmaker, cornerback Antoine Cason, to the NFL in April. Arizona hasn’t battled an offense ranked among the nation’s top 20 this season. USC will represent their first. The defensive line doesn’t apply much pressure on the quarterback, recording an average of one sack per game, and aren’t very strong against the run, giving up more than 130 yards to opponents. Their “paper” strength would be in defense of the pass, allowing 253 to opponents. But as we view the larger picture, some of their opponents have woeful rankings in the air, New Mexico (111th), and Stanford (109th). Ironically, Arizona lost to both struggling air attacks.

TROJANS (5-1)
Last week: W-Washington State

Southern Cal is fresh off the thrashing of Washington State. Since the loss to Oregon State, the Trojans have outscored their opponents 141-10, including consecutive shutouts in the past two weeks. Against the worst BCS conference program in America, USC was given the opportunity to rest healthy players, allow injured players to heal, and give the inexperience on the roster some time on the field. They bring a double edged sword to the Arizona desert, an offensive unit that is very efficient and stingy defense that allows little movement.

USC is the Pac 10 statistical leader in nearly all offensive and defensive categories. Quarterback Mark Sanchez is 7th in the nation in pass efficiency, and the Trojans rank second overall nationally in total defense, surrendering just 220 yards per contest. The offensive line protects well (just 6 sacks on the season), while the defensive line lives in opposing backfields (15 sacks). The defense also allows just 83 yards rushing, and a ridiculous average of just 7 points to opponents.

Analysis: As in every game already played this year, only the Trojans can beat the Trojans in the desert. This unit is far superior to the one led by Mike Stoops, and only the team’s lack of focus would keep the Wildcats in this ballgame. The environment presents the trap, with a full stadium anxious for a field storming. Allow the Cats to jump out to any kind of lead, and the roaring crowd will give them the confidence to finish. This may possibly be the last desert dance for Mike Stoops, but if David can take down Goliath, he may avoid the unemployment line for at least another season.

All Time Series: Trojans lead 25-6
Streak: Trojans won 6

Mike Mayock Is A Pud

There’s nothing more irritating than networks that suddenly want to jump on the college football bandwagon and select just about anyone to give an analysis. In their rush to cash in on a hot commodity, they’ll select a panel of “experts” to breakdown teams, games, and conferences. But much too often, you get a group that may have expertise in one area, but college football isn’t one of them. Fox was guilty of this the past two seasons, latching on to the BCS rights and giving us a group of people that said a whole lot without saying anything at all. The NFL Network is now making that same push, attempting to put more emphasis on college football, and one member of their panel is already under my skin.

Mike Mayock is an NFL draft guru (supposedly), but I recently caught him in a discussion about Pac 10 football and Arizona State. In talking about the Sun Devils’ upcoming game against Georgia, the panel gave reasons why ASU may win or lose. With Mayock, the answer was short and simple, “SEC, spank”, even using hand gestures to act out the prediction. I can think of plenty of reasons the Sun Devils could possibly lose that game, beginning with the poor play of their offensive line in 2007, and an outlook that looks to be the same. But when someone gives one reason, and that reason being that the opponent is from the SEC, that burns me.

I’ve never claimed to be an expert on college football, but I at least attempt to support my assumptions with facts. To believe Mayock’s assertion that SEC vs. Pac 10 equates to a spanking, you would think the Southeastern Conference was 15-0 in head-to-head matchups against the Pac in this BCS era. They are not. Maybe Mayock should realize the Pac actually leads in the series by a count of 9-6. Where’s my spanking?

LSU spanked Arizona (as many teams did), Auburn spanked Washington State (as many teams did), and Cal was spanked by Tennessee in 2006. But Cal managed to return the favor in 2007, when they hosted the Vols. In fact, with Tennessee and Arkansas each reaching the SEC championship game over the past 2 seasons, what they both have in common is getting spanked by Pac 10 programs to start their year (Cal and USC).

Arkansas was spanked twice. Auburn was shutout in Jordan-Hare. UCLA dumped Bama twice. In two games against the SEC, Oregon hasn’t lost. Where’s my spanking? Remember what happened when LSU played a team not at the bottom of the Pac? They won the games, but they didn’t exactly have an easy time doing it. In 2006, they had to come from behind to edge the Sun Devils in Tempe. In 2004, Alexis Serna misses 3 PATs, and the Tigers escape the Beavers 22-21 in Baton Rouge. This was the follow up to LSU’s 2003 championship season. Where’s the spanking?

If Mike Mayock wanted to give a more positive reason for Georgia’s probable beating of Arizona State, the answer is simple. Georgia has a damn good football team. The conference name doesn’t make the program, otherwise Vanderbilt would be world beaters. It’s the roster, experience, and coaching. The Bulldogs have the ability to spank many teams, but it’s because they are Georgia, and not because they are SEC. The media can continue to doubt the Pac and cast them in a lesser light than their SEC opponents. But the truth is, they have no numbers to support their claims. Those snake oil salesmen can sell their product to the rest of the country, but it's not selling on the left coast.

Who is the best quarterback in the Pac 10?

It’s a simple question, with a not so simple answer. John David Booty, Dennis Dixon, and Alex Brink have moved on to join their other Pac 10 brothers in the NFL. What’s left behind, for probably the first time in years, is the lack of one quarterback really standing in the national spotlight. Before Booty, there was Leinart. Before him, it was Palmer, Anderson, Harrington, and Boller. And now I look at the 2008 conference starters, wondering who is the best of the bunch.

Mark Sanchez. USC: With only 3 starts under his belt, Sanchez is still fairly unknown by the national media. He was once the top High School quarterback in the country, but wasn’t as heralded as J.D Booty. What Sanchez will give you is a Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart rolled into one. He can power the ball downfield with a cannon , or float it in with a light touch. Sanchez also offers another dimension that both Leinart and Palmer did not. He’s a mobile quarterback who isn’t afraid to tuck the ball and run. 2008 should no longer show that statuesque figure in the backfield, though it does increase the injury potential.

Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State: I can just concede that Arizona State’s Rudy Carpenter is the leader of the Pac, based on some mock draft sources already projecting him as a first round quarterback selection in 2009. But that information isn’t really conclusive, because it really only says he’s one of the best seniors in the country. Of the senior starting quarterbacks, Rudy may be the best in the conference. But if pooled with underclassmen, is he? If there is no improvement on the Sun Devils offensive line, we’ll never know how good Carpenter is. The line surrendered 55 sacks in 2007, which only makes for a bad quarterback, and a bad QB he has been.

Nate Longshore, Cal: Nate Longshore’s college career has been hot and cold. At times, he’ll show flashes of brilliance, but other moments can leave you head scratching. He’ll be put through the most severe test in 2008, after losing the targets of Lavelle Hawkins and DeSean Jackson to the NFL, along with Justin Forsett, who provided run support.

UCLA’s Quarterback By Committee: The Bruins have the quarterback guru, in Norm Chow, but don’t have a true QB. Ben Olsen will get the opening start, but only because the named starter (Patrick Cowen) is gone for the season, recovering from a torn ACL in the spring. Ben Olsen was another highly touted quarterback recruit, but has failed to live up to his billing. He possesses a large frame and good vision, but his lack of mobility kills him. Though he’s large, he’s fragile, and it will be interesting to see if he survives the Tennessee game unscathed.

Willie Tuitama, Arizona: Now familiarized with the Sonny Dykes offense, Willie Tuitama may finish the season as the Pac 10 statistical leader for quarterbacks. He should appear in the likeness of Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, where Dykes called plays, before being hired by Stoops last year. Unlike Mark Sanchez, Tuitama is limited in offensive weaponry, but playing in that pass happy Wildcats system should give him more pass attempts, completions, and yards. He showed maturity in 2007, and if he limits his mental errors, he may just be the best quarterback in the Pac 10.

Jake Locker, Washington: Locker is already God-like in the Emerald City. With Dennis Dixon gone, he represents the most mobile quarterback still in the conference. He is the West Coast version of Tim Tebow, but his weapons aren’t comparable. UW’s entire success is based on the play of Jake Locker. Athlon Sports has him on “Heisman Watch”, recognizing Jake as one of the best players in the country. Would that make him the best quarterback in the Pac 10? With only a year behind him, the expectations are high, as the Husky faithful look for him to be the next legend of the Lake.

Sixty percent of the conference is represented in this piece, and I still have no clear cut answer. But that’s why they play the games, so the the listed individuals can provide us with one.

Eyes On A Foe: What the Duck?!?!

I never thought I’d envy the University of Oregon, but then I found out the rah rah girls have their own televised show. In the Pacific Northwest, Comcast airs a half hour series called “The cheerleaders of Oregon”. And for anyone without knowledge of the Oregon cheerleading squad, trust me, this is “must-see” TV. Call me shallow, but the Ducks squad is definitely among the top 5 in the nation, in terms of attractiveness. Hell, one of the best parts of the Oregon game day experience is watching those girls shake their pom poms on the sidelines.

Oh, I also have other news about the Ducks, so I’ll just touch on it with a Monday “Six-Pac”:

Oregon Ducks- One of the biggest questions coming out of Eugene is who will replace Dennis Dixon. Nate Costa has recovered from his knee injury, and would look to be the front runner. Is that a good thing? He pressed Dixon for the position last year, but really stunk up the place before getting hurt. Nate Roper led the Ducks to the devastation of South Florida in the bowl game, throwing 4 TD passes. Costa had the ducks on the bad side of a shutout (against UCLA), for the first time in 20 years. The choice should be logical, but it won’t be.

(Inserting another Duckie here)

Arizona State- QB Rudy Carpenter appears on the awards watch list. Why? In the last couple of years, he’s proved to be more mouth than skill. I could defend him, by saying his offensive line has been one of the worst in the country, but I won’t. I still remember his comments from 2 years ago, saying that USC wasn’t even the best team in the Pac 10. Six straight Pac 10 titles, Rudy! Please tell me who has been better.

Arizona- A quarterback being overlooked nationally, and in the Pac 10, is ‘Zona’s Willie Tuitama. Willie has matured immensely in the Sonny Dykes offense. If the line can protect, the Pac will be witnessing a full-fledged offensive attack, similar to the system Sonny coached at Texas Tech. Expect big numbers from Tuitama, and the Trojan trip to the desert in 2008 may be a possible trap game, so look out. No one needs Tuitama to succeed more than Mike Stoops and his blazing saddle. It’s a do or die year for Mike, and I think they will “do”.

Washington- Speaking of blazing saddles, Ty Willingham is at the end of his rope, and his future is also pending on the performance of his QB. Jake Locker is already receiving all the media accolades, touted as God’s gift to football. Is it any wonder that he’s targeted by opponents?

California- In just a matter of 7 months, the Bears have changed their uniforms. It’s pretty amazing, when you consider their local tree sitters haven’t changed their clothes or underwear in over a year. New uniforms, but it’s the same team. I would hardly call that a bargain.

Stanford- I don't have sh*t to say about the Cardinal. Some wounds take a little longer to heal.

Cats Roar No More?

Sunday’s loss to UCLA may have put a damper on Arizona’s tournament run. Unless the Wildcats can roar their way to the finish, picking up big wins in the Pac 10 conference tournament, their 24 year streak of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances will come to an end. It may have also ended any doubts over who is the dominant team in the Pac 10, a league owned by Arizona for many years. The Bruins have firmly planted themselves back on the throne.

The Wildcats are 17-12 overall, and their 7-9 conference record has them tied for sixth with Oregon. And though Oregon may need a miracle to get to the big dance, Arizona’s position is better, yet still slim. ‘Zona has the No. 1 Strength of schedule in the nation, playing Virginia, Texas A&M, Kansas, Illinois, and Memphis out of conference, and going 2-3 against that field. Couple that with the 6 games played against the Pac 10 powers of UCLA, Washington State, and Stanford, and the Cats submit a fairly good tournament resume. But a Pac 10 team with 9 wins in conference has never made the NCAA tournament field, and Arizona is sitting on 7. The last two regular season games, and at least a couple of conference tournament wins are a must, before throwing themselves at the mercy of the selection committee.

Shrinkage

Cornell is the first school to punch a ticket to the Big Dance, as the Ivy League champion. Do you care? I think we need to shrink the tournament field. It’s grown to 65 teams, with one having a “play-in” game. That play-in game has meant nothing, except showing America the winner, and who will be routed by the No. 1 overall tournament seed in the following game.

Taming the Kitty

NCAA tournament hopes remain alive for the Men of Troy. In a period where every game is now of the utmost importance, the Trojans are making it count. Thursday’s trip to the desert showed USC withstanding the Wildcat’s roar, and eventually cruising to a 70-58 victory.

This game also marked the return of Daniel Hackett, who I believed to be done for the season with a spinal injury. Hackett played 24 minutes and contributed 5 points in his return. O.J Mayo continues to impress, dropping 20 points and 6 assists, supported by Davon Jefferson’s double-double of 15 points and 14 boards.

The Trojans now travel cross state to face the Scum Devils of Arizona state, who were beaten soundly by UCLA last night. It represents another important contest in the NCAA tournament run.