5 things the Trojans need to do to get up off the canvas after a round five knockdown:
1.) Believe
"This is not your old SC," Lane Kiffin said this week. The Trojans are a pedestrian 6-5 in their last 11 conference games. They were hammered by Stanford last year at the Coliseum. They're coming off a crushing loss. And, they are double-digit underdogs for the first time in almost a decade. The Cardinal will test their belief Saturday.
2.) Put Luck in a Locker
Last week, Jake Locker proved that a superstar quarterback can win a game by himself. This week, the Trojans will get another taste of NFL talent staring across the line of scrimmage at Andrew Luck. The #1 pro prospect in the country has great feet and an accurate arm. He is particularly dangerous on 3rd down, which was the underrated storyline of last year's game (Stanford was 8/11). The front seven cannot lose contain. With that plan, the secondary has to play their best game of the season.
3.) Hit First
The Trojans have said all the right things this week. They do not sound remotely intimidated and they are playing with a new found anger. With all the talk about Stanford's physicality last year and leading up to this game, USC would make a real statement by delivering the first (legal) blows of what will surely be a gruesome battle.
4.) Good to Great
As I've said before, the 2010 Trojans are as good as Matt Barkley. The sophomore QB was solid last week. He completed 70% of his passes and did not throw an interception, while guiding the offense to 31 points. However, he missed two dagger throws that opened the door for Locker to prove his greatness. "Take the next step from being a good quarterback to a great quarterback," Kiffin said of his hopes for Barkley this week.
5.) Tackle and Get Off the Field!
I can hear you saying it through your TV and computer screens. Stanford is a strong and sound team, but they do not have the kind of playmakers that should be shaking USC tacklers out of their Nikes. Against a more traditional pro-style offense, the linebackers will be free to play fast and downhill. They need to pursue the ball and make an impact when they arrive. To protect their depth issues, the Trojans cannot yield 3rd down conversions by giving up yards after contact. Washington's punter was introduced one time to the Coliseum faithful last week, USC needs to get to know Daniel Zychlinski.
1.) Believe
"This is not your old SC," Lane Kiffin said this week. The Trojans are a pedestrian 6-5 in their last 11 conference games. They were hammered by Stanford last year at the Coliseum. They're coming off a crushing loss. And, they are double-digit underdogs for the first time in almost a decade. The Cardinal will test their belief Saturday.
2.) Put Luck in a Locker
Last week, Jake Locker proved that a superstar quarterback can win a game by himself. This week, the Trojans will get another taste of NFL talent staring across the line of scrimmage at Andrew Luck. The #1 pro prospect in the country has great feet and an accurate arm. He is particularly dangerous on 3rd down, which was the underrated storyline of last year's game (Stanford was 8/11). The front seven cannot lose contain. With that plan, the secondary has to play their best game of the season.
3.) Hit First
The Trojans have said all the right things this week. They do not sound remotely intimidated and they are playing with a new found anger. With all the talk about Stanford's physicality last year and leading up to this game, USC would make a real statement by delivering the first (legal) blows of what will surely be a gruesome battle.
4.) Good to Great
As I've said before, the 2010 Trojans are as good as Matt Barkley. The sophomore QB was solid last week. He completed 70% of his passes and did not throw an interception, while guiding the offense to 31 points. However, he missed two dagger throws that opened the door for Locker to prove his greatness. "Take the next step from being a good quarterback to a great quarterback," Kiffin said of his hopes for Barkley this week.
5.) Tackle and Get Off the Field!
I can hear you saying it through your TV and computer screens. Stanford is a strong and sound team, but they do not have the kind of playmakers that should be shaking USC tacklers out of their Nikes. Against a more traditional pro-style offense, the linebackers will be free to play fast and downhill. They need to pursue the ball and make an impact when they arrive. To protect their depth issues, the Trojans cannot yield 3rd down conversions by giving up yards after contact. Washington's punter was introduced one time to the Coliseum faithful last week, USC needs to get to know Daniel Zychlinski.
Shareece Wright can't be the only delivering punishment. (Photos by Jon SooHoo)
Great job, Jordan. #4 is looking quite prescient. It's almost as if every single game in the Pac10 may come down to whether or not Barkley outplays his counterpart. Against, UW, Barkley had better stats, but Locker made the bigger plays.
I must say that the blog is great. You really have a deep understanding of football and are a knowledgeable Trojan. In the past, the blog was more of a bubblegum infomercial for Pete and the Trojans, not that Ben had a choice in the matter. I really enjoy where you have taken the blog. Keep up the good work and fight on.