Keys to USC

[tommyIRISH23]

With Barkley out, the defense is going to have to key on stopping the run.

1. SC is going to try and bully our Dline with there Oline. They aren't going to beable to run effectively up ND's gut, but will likely try to attack our edges. This is where the athleticism of Shembo, and Schwenke needs to step up. They have to stay disciplined, and make plays. IF SC wins that battle, ND is screwed.

2. SC will rely mostly on the run, but will take chances down field for big plays. Our corners have to be conscience of the pass, and not get lulled to sleep by 5,6,7,8 runs in a row.

3. ND has to get pressure.

4. ND has to keep in mind that SC will make plays, they can't get down on themselves.


Offense

1. Keep it simple with Tommy Rees, but don't play "not to lose". He, and ND can win without him doing too much. Keep him under 25-30 passes, and ND should do well.

2. Run the ball with authority. Our Oline has to dig and go after peoples heads. If ND can establish a solid run, then we'll be in great shape. Use all 3 backs. Fresh legs against a weary/thin SC defense in the 4th quarter is a must.

3. Come out with some wrinkles/gimmicks that ND has not shown this season much. Throw Monte and Kiffin some fits. Use some wild cat with Cierre.

4. Score early, make SC throw the ball late.

5. Get the game into the 4th quarter.

6. Use Floyd early. Keep him on SC's radar.

7. Knock SC out when they are on the ropes. DO NOT let SC hang around. This is my biggest worry. ND has to attack attack attack until the clock says 0:00.

I think ND can win this game...I really do. 7-5 going into a bowl against a solid opponent, and getting a win to 8-5 will spring board this team into 2011.

 

[phork]

Knee cap RoJo.

 

[irishff1014]

Don't give up the big plays. Just that easy we haven't in the last 2 weeks and it has worked well for us.

 

[ryno 24]

Play with Heart they cant beat us we are almost as good talent wise but they dont care and we are starting to play with heart... beat them early

 

[Irish Man3]

ROBERT WOODS IS A MONSTER. I really dont think it matters who the quarterback is with the weapons USC has. Im obviously being sarcastic but USC is still loaded. It is going to be a very good football game and our defense will have to play the best game they've played all year.
I still worry about Rees in that enviornment in only his 3rd career start. Cierre Wood is going to have to be huge in this game.

 

[ryno 24]

Also random thought but anytime we hold a team to 20 or less we win but if we give up more than 20 we usually lose

 

[tommyIRISH23]

ROBERT WOODS IS A MONSTER. I really dont think it matters who the quarterback is with the weapons USC has. Im obviously being sarcastic but USC is still loaded. It is going to be a very good football game and our defense will have to play the best game they've played all year.
I still worry about Rees in that enviornment in only his 3rd career start. Cierre Wood is going to have to be huge in this game.

Isn't this a homecoming for Cierre Wood? Hopefully he plays with a chip on his shoulder, and something to prove all while putting on a show.

 

[Irish Man3]

Isn't this a homecoming for Cierre Wood? Hopefully he plays with a chip on his shoulder, and something to prove all while putting on a show.

Yea. He needs to hit the whole hard against this team and not dance in the backfield and not try to get to the outside on every carry. USC has struggled this year but they are still a very fast and very aggresive defense. The key number I look for in this game is yards per rush. If we can get 4.5-5 yards per carry, I thnk it will really help out Tommy Rees.

 

[irishff1014]

Yea. He needs to hit the whole hard against this team and not dance in the backfield and not try to get to the outside on every carry. USC has struggled this year but they are still a very fast and very aggresive defense. The key number I look for in this game is yards per rush. If we can get 4.5-5 yards per carry, I thnk it will really help out Tommy Rees.

Thank you someone else thinks the same thing about wood. He needs to hit the whole full speed.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

Thank you someone else thinks the same thing about wood. He needs to hit the whole full speed.

Yeah, his whole HS career he could probably dance around and cut ppl out of their cleats, but now he can't. It's just breaking bad habits, and he's getting better with it.

 

[Irish Man3]

Yeah, his whole HS career he could probably dance around and cut ppl out of their cleats, but now he can't. It's just breaking bad habits, and he's getting better with it.

I agree that he is getting better. He looked better against Army but USC and Army are different teams. If the gap is filled initially, he needs to take the 2-3 yard gain and not get greedy.

 

[Riddickulous]

USC has had huge problems defending spread offenses. Hawaii hung 36 on them. Oregon put up 50+.

We need to be creative with our plays, keeping USC on their toes.

 

[irishff1014]

I also think it might be good for Hughes to get some touches to pound it up the middle.

 

[jboxer562]

this is USC's bowl game. gotta punch them in the mouth in that first drive

 

[IrishLax]

Just found out Mitch Mustain is a 5* guy ranked one slot behind Stafford in his class, so it's not like there is going to be that much of a talent drop off between the two. Basically, winning this game is as easy as stopping the pass with double coverage on Woods and hoping Dillon Baxter remains ineligible. I think we will have an easy-ish time scoring on the Trojans who haven't played good defense all year.

Plus, I saw Riddick catching passes before the game and he looked fine. I'm sure they were just resting him so that he is fresh for USC. We'll see what happens, but if the game is in the 20s I like our chances.

 

[ryno 24]

mustain hasnt played in a while though so that is a good thing

 

[BeatSC]

Oregon St game

Oregon St game

watched this game and USC looks fast with a strong D-line. Floyd is going to need to block and catch some big passes. Quick reads will be a must for Rees. The pressure will be greater and we will have a dcent ND contingent at the game. I got invited by a USC fan to the game but not sure I can survive sitting in the USC alum section. Win or lose I will defnitely get into it with someone and I dont see backing down at 6' 2" 255. A recipe for disaster win or lose.

 

[irishff1014]

I think we will see alot of crossing patterens

 

[IrishLax]

woups

 

[IrishLax]

Oh snap posted reply in wrong thread lol.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

Basically we need to continue what we have been doing. It will take another complete team effort to beat Southern Cal.

Neither Quinn nor Clausen could beat SC singlehandedly. All Tommy has to do is make a couple key plays. Hopefully the defense turns in another great effort and we can move the ball on the ground.

 

[DillonHall]

watched this game and USC looks fast with a strong D-line. Floyd is going to need to block and catch some big passes. Quick reads will be a must for Rees. The pressure will be greater and we will have a dcent ND contingent at the game. I got invited by a USC fan to the game but not sure I can survive sitting in the USC alum section. Win or lose I will defnitely get into it with someone and I dont see backing down at 6' 2" 255. A recipe for disaster win or lose.

If what you saw from the SC defense is correct, I'd hate to play the Oregon State team that beat them 36-7.

 

[jason_h537]

Wr are NOT USC's bowl game, why do people keep saying that?

we are at best the 4th biggest game on their schedule this year and the players themselves have said all year long that UCLA at the Rose is their bowl. It makes our fanbase sound so egotistical to say that ll the time

 

[irish1958]

I am not sure how to attack U$C, but I know dancing in the backfield and trying to run wide won't work; and if our D-line can't establish the line of scrimmage it won't make any difference how good out offense is.

 

[nd1]

we need to use quick hitters on offense like slants and screens to slow down the rush.

on d i think we will be fine if the same d shows up that has for the last 2 weeks. they have made adjustments during the game that have work great.


i think this is the year we beat usc boys. we will at least be close don't see a blowout.

 

[irishff1014]

I agree we will need to have quick passes and a good job from the running so that we can get somewhat of the play action going. I do think we need to try a misdirection play early to slow the rush down.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

I think the key to this game is the obvious. We need to play another solid game defensively and keep the offense relatively simple for Rees. Our Offensive Line really needs a big game so we can run the ball effectively. If we play sound defense and are able to run the ball we will win this game. If we get shoved around and USC's defensive front wreaks havoc then we will have some serious problems.

 

[lookingdeadred]

I said something similar a while back

I said something similar a while back

ND is a big game now for USC after the shellacking they took from a .500 team (Ore St), but ND was never "their bowl game".

Wr are NOT USC's bowl game, why do people keep saying that?

we are at best the 4th biggest game on their schedule this year and the players themselves have said all year long that UCLA at the Rose is their bowl. It makes our fanbase sound so egotistical to say that ll the time

 

[IrishInFl]

ND is a big game now for USC after the shellacking they took from a .500 team (Ore St), but ND was never "their bowl game".

Technically Hawaii was their bowl game, as it was the added 13th game.

 

[PANDFAN]

barkley is looking to play...nothing broke