USC/ND Preview Offense
Edge: USC
Charlie Weis might just be Peter Pan in terms of Offensive genious but that isn't enough to give the Irish even a slight edge over the Trojans. USC has two Heisman candidates in the same backfield, a second running back that could be a Heisman candidate had he chosen a different school, and the most dynamic receiving corps in the entire nation.
By the numbers:
USC- 54 ppg/619.5 ypg ND-37 ppg/504.2 ypg
Offensive Ranks-
USC (R/P/T/PPG)-1/6/3/2
ND (R/P/T/PPG)-9/11/39/20
(Has the numbers ever looked so good for these two?)
Quarterback: USC- Brady Quinn's numbers have been sick, but I will take the reigning Heisman winner everyday and twice Sunday when comparing him to Brady Quinn. Despite the sick numbers, I am still speculative when saying Brady Quinn is not just a product of the system. Leinart is a true leader who has flourished when USC has been in trouble this season (Oregon, ASU) and has been reluctant to hand the USC offensive circus over to his two RB's when facing pass-oriented defensive schemes.
Running Back: USC- The top two Trojans backs (Bush and White) are averaging 7.5+ yards per carry. The Irish top and only back, Darius Walker, is averaging a hair over 4.5 ypc and has yet to show a single sing of explosiveness. Chances are better to see Reggie Bush back-flip into Touchdown Jesus than to see Walker go step-for-step with two of the nation's best. The best thing Darius Walker can do is maintain that 4.5 ypc average to help keep the Trojan horses off the field. SR FB Rashon Powers-Neal has been brilliant despite limited opportunities and it will be interesting to see if he can be the "spike in the punch bowl" and deliver some key plays for Weis' Irish.
Wide Receiver: USC- ND's receivers have done well against tough defenses during the 2005 campaign. SO Jeff Samardzija is chasing some age-old Irish receiving records and SR Maurice Stovall appears at time to have gotten out of the coma that was his sophomore and junior campaigns. But is that enough? Simply put, no. Even if Rhema McKnight returns, the Irish just don't have the elusiveness that the USC recievers possess. Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett and Co. have been even more effective than the ND duo, and in limited action. Dominique Byrd is everything that Anthony Fasano is not, despite public affection for Fasano. Fasano is a Mark Bavaro type, which will defineatly help him earn a living someday somewhere, but Byrd is more of the playmaker that can make a TE change the game. His numbers are subpar, but look for his influence to be a key factor. The Irish defensive secondary has been far from dominant, personally granting MSU QB Drew Stanton his own place in the Heisman race and by allowing an average of over 300+ passing yards per contest. ND has allowed more than 20+ points 3 times. USC is 45-5-0 when scoring 20 or more since 2001.
Offensive Line: Even- I wont get into depth. ND returns 4 starters and have allowed 11 sacks as a unit. JR Ryan Harris leads the unit, but is no match for USC RT Winston Justice. The three-year starter leads the unit after a year layoff following a pellet-gun incident. The USC O-Line has allowed 5 sacks in 2005.
Miscellanous: ND, I am standing firm that Charlie Weis' adjustments will always be a step ahead of Lane Kiffen. Weis has proven himself in the toughest of circumstances (Super Bowl, AFC Playoffs, Michigan in Week 2), where Kiffen has proven himself as a capable replacement to Norm Chow. However, Kiffen's game plan in the desert left his quarterback banged up and seeing stars for most of the second half. On a lighter note, Kiffen always has a second option knowing LenDale White and Reggie Bush's ability to move the chains. It will be interesting to see what Charlie Weis can do with a bye week to work with. Arizona State finally found some areas to exploit the USC defense, as it was evident during the second quarter Saturday when ASU QB Sam Keller looked more like Leinart than Leinart himself. But maybe that is the scary thing for ND knowing that USC beating themselves might be the only chance they have to play four quarters with the Trojans.
Prediction: Notre Dame needs to have its best offensive game in order to trade punches with the Trojans. The Trojans lack nothing on offense, as evident in wins dominant wins over Oregon, Arkansas, and Hawaii. The Irish are far more superior than those three ball clubs but have yet to prove themselves defensively. It will be interesting to see how Brady Quinn reacts to the pressure that is playing USC, once again he will find himself in the spotlight. But this time it is much bigger, having to trade punches with the reigning Heisman champ and his arsenal that includes a few possible future Heisman candidates. ND has home-field advantage, but even Touchdown Jesus can't even stop the heresy that is the USC offense. Don't count the Irish out, their numbers are pretty but it is tough to compare them to the champs on paper. They have faced three challenging defenses en route to a 4-1 start. Weis must find a way to work his magic again despite tough circumstances for the Irish to be able to fight to the finish. But God, Country, Good Luck Notre Dame.
Charlie Weis might just be Peter Pan in terms of Offensive genious but that isn't enough to give the Irish even a slight edge over the Trojans. USC has two Heisman candidates in the same backfield, a second running back that could be a Heisman candidate had he chosen a different school, and the most dynamic receiving corps in the entire nation.
By the numbers:
USC- 54 ppg/619.5 ypg ND-37 ppg/504.2 ypg
Offensive Ranks-
USC (R/P/T/PPG)-1/6/3/2
ND (R/P/T/PPG)-9/11/39/20
(Has the numbers ever looked so good for these two?)
Quarterback: USC- Brady Quinn's numbers have been sick, but I will take the reigning Heisman winner everyday and twice Sunday when comparing him to Brady Quinn. Despite the sick numbers, I am still speculative when saying Brady Quinn is not just a product of the system. Leinart is a true leader who has flourished when USC has been in trouble this season (Oregon, ASU) and has been reluctant to hand the USC offensive circus over to his two RB's when facing pass-oriented defensive schemes.
Running Back: USC- The top two Trojans backs (Bush and White) are averaging 7.5+ yards per carry. The Irish top and only back, Darius Walker, is averaging a hair over 4.5 ypc and has yet to show a single sing of explosiveness. Chances are better to see Reggie Bush back-flip into Touchdown Jesus than to see Walker go step-for-step with two of the nation's best. The best thing Darius Walker can do is maintain that 4.5 ypc average to help keep the Trojan horses off the field. SR FB Rashon Powers-Neal has been brilliant despite limited opportunities and it will be interesting to see if he can be the "spike in the punch bowl" and deliver some key plays for Weis' Irish.
Wide Receiver: USC- ND's receivers have done well against tough defenses during the 2005 campaign. SO Jeff Samardzija is chasing some age-old Irish receiving records and SR Maurice Stovall appears at time to have gotten out of the coma that was his sophomore and junior campaigns. But is that enough? Simply put, no. Even if Rhema McKnight returns, the Irish just don't have the elusiveness that the USC recievers possess. Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett and Co. have been even more effective than the ND duo, and in limited action. Dominique Byrd is everything that Anthony Fasano is not, despite public affection for Fasano. Fasano is a Mark Bavaro type, which will defineatly help him earn a living someday somewhere, but Byrd is more of the playmaker that can make a TE change the game. His numbers are subpar, but look for his influence to be a key factor. The Irish defensive secondary has been far from dominant, personally granting MSU QB Drew Stanton his own place in the Heisman race and by allowing an average of over 300+ passing yards per contest. ND has allowed more than 20+ points 3 times. USC is 45-5-0 when scoring 20 or more since 2001.
Offensive Line: Even- I wont get into depth. ND returns 4 starters and have allowed 11 sacks as a unit. JR Ryan Harris leads the unit, but is no match for USC RT Winston Justice. The three-year starter leads the unit after a year layoff following a pellet-gun incident. The USC O-Line has allowed 5 sacks in 2005.
Miscellanous: ND, I am standing firm that Charlie Weis' adjustments will always be a step ahead of Lane Kiffen. Weis has proven himself in the toughest of circumstances (Super Bowl, AFC Playoffs, Michigan in Week 2), where Kiffen has proven himself as a capable replacement to Norm Chow. However, Kiffen's game plan in the desert left his quarterback banged up and seeing stars for most of the second half. On a lighter note, Kiffen always has a second option knowing LenDale White and Reggie Bush's ability to move the chains. It will be interesting to see what Charlie Weis can do with a bye week to work with. Arizona State finally found some areas to exploit the USC defense, as it was evident during the second quarter Saturday when ASU QB Sam Keller looked more like Leinart than Leinart himself. But maybe that is the scary thing for ND knowing that USC beating themselves might be the only chance they have to play four quarters with the Trojans.
Prediction: Notre Dame needs to have its best offensive game in order to trade punches with the Trojans. The Trojans lack nothing on offense, as evident in wins dominant wins over Oregon, Arkansas, and Hawaii. The Irish are far more superior than those three ball clubs but have yet to prove themselves defensively. It will be interesting to see how Brady Quinn reacts to the pressure that is playing USC, once again he will find himself in the spotlight. But this time it is much bigger, having to trade punches with the reigning Heisman champ and his arsenal that includes a few possible future Heisman candidates. ND has home-field advantage, but even Touchdown Jesus can't even stop the heresy that is the USC offense. Don't count the Irish out, their numbers are pretty but it is tough to compare them to the champs on paper. They have faced three challenging defenses en route to a 4-1 start. Weis must find a way to work his magic again despite tough circumstances for the Irish to be able to fight to the finish. But God, Country, Good Luck Notre Dame.
posted by Broadway at Tuesday, October 04, 2005
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