With four of USC's six road games on FieldTurf this season, RipsIt reader Tim Sandberg e-mailed in asking whether players like real grass or the artificial surface better. A majority of the players polled are indifferent or like grass over turf, but take a look at their opinions position by position:

• Skill players: Without a doubt, skill players (wideouts, running backs, tight ends, linebackers and defensive backs) face the biggest adjustments when going from grass to turf. Real grass is easier to plant and change directions on, while FieldTurf has less traction and produces more slipping. Basically all skill players like playing on real grass over artificial turf.
• Quarterbacks: The signal-callers unanimously enjoy real grass more because footing is better, it's smoother to drop back and sliding is easier.
• Linemen: Footing is better on artificial turf when the weather is bad (rain or cold), but otherwise most linemen don't have a preference either way.
• Kickers: Some are indifferent, while others prefer one over the other. Real grass provides a better, less-forgiving surface to put down their plant foot, but FieldTurf is a more consistent surface for kicking off of.