5 points of emphasis before we take off for the desert...
1.) Nick Folds
He is not healthy. Foles suffered a knee injury similar to Mark Sanchez's preseason dislocation in 2008. He is fine to sit back in the pocket, but he's lost his mobility. USC's defense has been at its best when they attack this season. If the corners jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, Foles will have to wait for the patterns to develop. In that time, the front four and blitzers need to punish him.
2.) Let It Rip!
I agree with the blog commenter who said Matt Barkley should not obsess over interceptions. The Trojans can't beat a very good Arizona team with their star QB "managing" the offense. He has to outplay his counterpart and lead USC to a tough win. Yes, he needs to make good decisions, but he cannot hold back.
3.) The Pillars
We don't talk much about Tyron Smith and Matt Kalil, which is a good thing when it comes to offensive tackles. Barkley called Arizona's defensive ends the best that USC will see this season, so the QB's bodyguards will be tested. Mike Stoops' defense is dependent on pressure, so if Smith and Kalil can shut their water off, Barkley can make it rain down the field.
4.) The Wright Time
Each week, I ask Shareece Wright about the other team's best wide receiver. Each week, he smiles coyly before giving a respectful answer. In that smile, the corner reveals that he is not intimidated. He would love to lock up with Juron Criner on every snap. Criner "always lines up on the right side," according to Wright, so he'll be easy to find. If he can take away Arizona's top target, the Cats' will lose their teeth.
5.) Signature Win
Lane Kiffin's college head coaching career has been marked by near-misses. His teams' best performances came in narrow losses to Alabama last year and Stanford this season. This is the 2010 Trojans final shot to knock off a ranked opponent. While it may not "shock the world," beating a quality Arizona team in Tuscon would qualify as a signature win for Kiffin in his first year as the head of Troy.
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1.) Nick Folds
He is not healthy. Foles suffered a knee injury similar to Mark Sanchez's preseason dislocation in 2008. He is fine to sit back in the pocket, but he's lost his mobility. USC's defense has been at its best when they attack this season. If the corners jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, Foles will have to wait for the patterns to develop. In that time, the front four and blitzers need to punish him.
2.) Let It Rip!
I agree with the blog commenter who said Matt Barkley should not obsess over interceptions. The Trojans can't beat a very good Arizona team with their star QB "managing" the offense. He has to outplay his counterpart and lead USC to a tough win. Yes, he needs to make good decisions, but he cannot hold back.
3.) The Pillars
We don't talk much about Tyron Smith and Matt Kalil, which is a good thing when it comes to offensive tackles. Barkley called Arizona's defensive ends the best that USC will see this season, so the QB's bodyguards will be tested. Mike Stoops' defense is dependent on pressure, so if Smith and Kalil can shut their water off, Barkley can make it rain down the field.
4.) The Wright Time
Each week, I ask Shareece Wright about the other team's best wide receiver. Each week, he smiles coyly before giving a respectful answer. In that smile, the corner reveals that he is not intimidated. He would love to lock up with Juron Criner on every snap. Criner "always lines up on the right side," according to Wright, so he'll be easy to find. If he can take away Arizona's top target, the Cats' will lose their teeth.
5.) Signature Win
Lane Kiffin's college head coaching career has been marked by near-misses. His teams' best performances came in narrow losses to Alabama last year and Stanford this season. This is the 2010 Trojans final shot to knock off a ranked opponent. While it may not "shock the world," beating a quality Arizona team in Tuscon would qualify as a signature win for Kiffin in his first year as the head of Troy.
Kiffin's first season is flying by. (Photo by Jon SooHoo)
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