Oct 22 | Southern Cal

[ulukinatme]

This will not be an easy game. Don't care if USC is down this year, we have to go in like we're going to steamroll them and they're still the powerhouse they were pre-Kiffin. Can't be lazy, they're going to give us their best and you know they're feeling the sting after they lost last year in Southern Cal for the first time in forever...and they had a chance to win.

As far as Barkley and Woods, has anyone contained Woods this year? Say we stick Blanton on him and a Safety over the top. Are there any other USC receivers to worry greatly about?

 

[LWeis15]

This will not be an easy game. Don't care if USC is down this year, we have to go in like we're going to steamroll them and they're still the powerhouse they were pre-Kiffin. Can't be lazy, they're going to give us their best and you know they're feeling the sting after they lost last year in Southern Cal for the first time in forever...and they had a chance to win.

As far as Barkley and Woods, has anyone contained Woods this year? Say we stick Blanton on him and a Safety over the top. Are there any other USC receivers to worry greatly about?

I think we really need to take a look at the Pitt film and see what Pitt did to Mike Floyd. Now Mike Floyd still had a decent game in terms of blocking, but if we can "contain" the long explosive plays that USC seems to live and die by then I think we have a real good chance at winning this one by multiple TD's. Can't beat the atmosphere of this one either.

 

[LWeis15]

Watched USC vs Cal last night, as I'm sure a lot of IE members did. Honestly, wasn't blown away by anything last nigth. Cal made USC's D look better then they were. I look at our D line and start drooling over the thought of how much pressure we are going to put on Barkley. If you watched the game you saw how timid Barkley looked in the pocket with Cal rushing 3-4 people. Not expecting a blow out or anything, but I really think ND matches up well with this one and we can make this 2 in a row.

 

[irish4ever]

Update on the Injuries

Tyler (dislocated shoulder)
Lee (sprained shoulder)
Brown (broken ankle)
Wright (lower leg contusion)

Just part of the game. Based on this prognosis, Brown would probably be the only one out next Sat. against the Irish. The other 3, though slowed up during this coming week's preparation for the mighty Irish, I suppose will be 'ready to go' in some capacity. You think so?

 

[Otto]

Watched USC vs Cal last night, as I'm sure a lot of IE members did. Honestly, wasn't blown away by anything last nigth.

I wasn't either. But understand that Cal's QB, Zach Maynard, is nothing special. I saw him play here at University of Buffalo and he never really impressed anyone in the MAC.

 

[LWeis15]

I wasn't either. But understand that Cal's QB, Zach Maynard, is nothing special. I saw him play here at University of Buffalo and he never really impressed anyone in the MAC.

Maynard did struggle. Uncomfortable in pocket, happy feet, poor QB mechanics.

 

[Grahambo]

Just part of the game. Based on this prognosis, Brown would probably be the only one out next Sat. against the Irish. The other 3, though slowed up during this coming week's preparation for the mighty Irish, I suppose will be 'ready to go' in some capacity. You think so?

Dislocated shoulders typically take 2-3 weeks to heal but I wouldn't be all the surprised to see him play next week. I kinda hope he does as I want the best USC has to offer. Besides, a hit by Lynch, Nix, Manti, Tuitt, and the gang into that shoulder will make it hurt even worse.

 

[LWeis15]

Just part of the game. Based on this prognosis, Brown would probably be the only one out next Sat. against the Irish. The other 3, though slowed up during this coming week's preparation for the mighty Irish, I suppose will be 'ready to go' in some capacity. You think so?

You're right, unfortunate, but it is part of the game. I don't think this changes anything in our preparation. If anything I think it puts Kelly, Molnar, and Diaco on watch for players they haven't seen that will get more action.

 

[Grahambo]

Cal's offense lost this game more then the USC offense winning it.

5 turnovers won't win you many games, as we can attest to from firsthand experience.

Barkley was 19-35, a sparkling 54% completion percentage. With only 198 yards in the air, 140 in the first half, 58 in the second half.

While their 2nd string RB, McNeal looked good, they finished the game with 118 yards rushing and 37 carries for a 3.2 average.

Almost looks like a ND box score from the past 20 years. lol

USC also fumbled twice.

Not like the Cal offense is mind blowing either. Maynard has been average throughout his career.

A lot better post game reoprt:

Grades: USC-Cal - Los Angeles Usc Blog - ESPN Los Angeles

"Why play Amir Carlisle again?" lol

 

[PANDFAN]

i would prefer to have Tyler to play because speed is something we have difficulty with and all their backups are fast!!! Farmer who everyone thought was going to redshirt sure enough was used-quick as hell....

 

[Grahambo]

Just took a look at the drives that USC had, not good at all:

START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT
13:17 1 01:39 USC 37 5 24 Fumble
09:37 1 00:29 USC 40 3 -5 Punt
07:34 1 01:33 USC 30 3 8 Field Goal Good
03:38 1 05:03 USC 20 11 32 Punt
10:40 2 03:04 USC 20 6 80 Passing Touchdown
06:43 2 01:30 USC 20 3 8 Field Goal Good
04:32 2 01:46 USC 37 5 37 Passing Touchdown
00:49 2 00:49 USC 20 2 1 End of Half
15:00 3 06:56 USC 28 15 66 Field Goal Good
04:07 3 01:27 USC 16 3 -1 Punt
00:06 3 01:46 USC 43 4 9 Punt
10:40 4 04:06 USC 15 8 44 Punt
05:50 4 00:36 USC 9 2 9 Rushing Touchdown
02:50 4 00:40 USC 41 2 3 Fumble
00:39 4 00:39 USC 38 1 3 End of Half

 

[LWeis15]

i would prefer to have Tyler to play because speed is something we have difficulty with and all their backups are fast!!! Farmer who everyone thought was going to redshirt sure enough was used-quick as hell....

I really don't think we struggle with speed as much as we used to. You can throw Denard Robinson out there, but that dude kills everyone and he just makes plays.

 

[LWeis15]

Just took a look at the drives that USC had, not good at all:

START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT
13:17 1 01:39 USC 37 5 24 Fumble
09:37 1 00:29 USC 40 3 -5 Punt
07:34 1 01:33 USC 30 3 8 Field Goal Good
03:38 1 05:03 USC 20 11 32 Punt
10:40 2 03:04 USC 20 6 80 Passing Touchdown
06:43 2 01:30 USC 20 3 8 Field Goal Good
04:32 2 01:46 USC 37 5 37 Passing Touchdown
00:49 2 00:49 USC 20 2 1 End of Half
15:00 3 06:56 USC 28 15 66 Field Goal Good
04:07 3 01:27 USC 16 3 -1 Punt
00:06 3 01:46 USC 43 4 9 Punt
10:40 4 04:06 USC 15 8 44 Punt
05:50 4 00:36 USC 9 2 9 Rushing Touchdown
02:50 4 00:40 USC 41 2 3 Fumble
00:39 4 00:39 USC 38 1 3 End of Half

The whole game was just sloppy.

 

[PANDFAN]

Cal's offense lost this game more then the USC offense winning it.

5 turnovers won't win you many games, as we can attest to from firsthand experience.

Barkley was 19-35, a sparkling 54% completion percentage. With only 198 yards in the air, 140 in the first half, 58 in the second half.

While their 2nd string RB, McNeal looked good, they finished the game with 118 yards rushing and 37 carries for a 3.2 average.

Almost looks like a ND box score from the past 20 years. lol

USC also fumbled twice.

Not like the Cal offense is mind blowing either. Maynard has been average throughout his career.

A lot better post game reoprt:

Grades: USC-Cal - Los Angeles Usc Blog - ESPN Los Angeles

"Why play Amir Carlisle again?" lol

what is the Carlisle reference about???? i know we recruited him but don't get the reference

 

[PANDFAN]

I really don't think we struggle with speed as much as we used to. You can throw Denard Robinson out there, but that dude kills everyone and he just makes plays.

we still struggle w/ speed in the open spaces...with woods, lee-2 legit playmakers w/ nasty speed...just look at last years game...they were blowing by our DB's and safeties...we got lucky w/ drops by their wr's ....but we got toasted plenty of times and if our secondary is giving a cushion as to not get burnt...quick screens to farmer or jet sweeps could be dangerous as we haven't contained the outside..all of the games we stopped the rush were teams who are north south runners

 

[LWeis15]

what is the Carlisle reference about???? i know we recruited him but don't get the reference

I didn't understand this either...

 

[Otto]

The whole game was just sloppy.

It's what happens when they play in a baseball only stadium. They fawned over the stadium on the telecast, but it just didn't look right.

 

[FLDomer]

PLEASE everyone pray for me, I will be sitting in the USC section! I dont want to get attack for laughing and celebrating to much as we stomp the life out of USC! GO IRISH!!!!

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

PLEASE everyone pray for me, I will be sitting in the USC section! I dont want to get attack for laughing and celebrating to much as we stomp the life out of USC! GO IRISH!!!!

There are tons of USC section tickets for sale on the websites. I have a feeling there will be lots of ND fans sitting in there.

I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on getting some of them (they are selling for less). I'm still holding out for something in my price range that isn't with USC.

 

[FLDomer]

There are tons of USC section tickets for sale on the websites. I have a feeling there will be lots of ND fans sitting in there.

I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on getting some of them (they are selling for less). I'm still holding out for something in my price range that isn't with USC.

Beggers cant be chosey! My buddy scored 3 free tix so I cant complain! It will be rough for him who is flying all the way from Cali to watch his beloved Men of Troy get owned! GO IRISH BABY!!!

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I expect a lot of QB hurries unless they finally find cohesion on the OL. Barkley is good enough to feel pressure and get rid of the ball so I am not sure about the sack total--2 maybe. He is prone to throwing the interception, though. Maybe 2 of those, like his boy Mustain, to Harrison Smith.

 

[Grahambo]

Pandfan/LWeis...that's what the author, Pedro Moura of the article I posted wrote. I saw the box score and he wasn't listed in it so I assume Kiffin trots him out there but doesn't use him so the author is saying what's the point of putting him out there if you don't use him?

Just my guess.

 

[Grahambo]

"Unlike earlier points this season, most of the mistakes this week were his (Matt Barkley). The offensive line wasn't great, no, but it's not going to get any better than it was Thursday. And there were only one or two notable dropped passes from receivers as opposed to the usual four or five. "

"He was asked about Dion Bailey's two interceptions, both of which appeared to come on relatively easy plays for the redshirt freshman linebacker.

"I don't want to take anything away from him, but (Cal quarterback Zach) Maynard just telegraphed the heck out of his passes," Galippo said. "Dion played an awesome game, obviously, having two picks, but he was just in the right spot.

Maynard did not have an impressive game. Even much-maligned Notre Dame signal-caller Tommy Rees, for example, can't be counted on to make the type of mistakes Maynard did against the Trojans on Thursday."

"But for those looking at that game in attempt to find evidence that Kiffin's up-and-down USC squad is ready to beat Notre Dame in South Bend in nine days, keep looking."

Just some quotes from some players and writers about USC last night. If I read it correctly, did Cal play a freshman CB against Farmar?

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

"Unlike earlier points this season, most of the mistakes this week were his (Matt Barkley). The offensive line wasn't great, no, but it's not going to get any better than it was Thursday. And there were only one or two notable dropped passes from receivers as opposed to the usual four or five. "

"He was asked about Dion Bailey's two interceptions, both of which appeared to come on relatively easy plays for the redshirt freshman linebacker.

"I don't want to take anything away from him, but (Cal quarterback Zach) Maynard just telegraphed the heck out of his passes," Galippo said. "Dion played an awesome game, obviously, having two picks, but he was just in the right spot.

Maynard did not have an impressive game. Even much-maligned Notre Dame signal-caller Tommy Rees, for example, can't be counted on to make the type of mistakes Maynard did against the Trojans on Thursday."

"But for those looking at that game in attempt to find evidence that Kiffin's up-and-down USC squad is ready to beat Notre Dame in South Bend in nine days, keep looking."

Just some quotes from some players and writers about USC last night. If I read it correctly, did Cal play a freshman CB against Farmar?

Farmer didn't line up as a WR as far as I saw. He ran the ball a few times and didn't look too impressive. He definitely had some nerves. He is young and he will probably be a good player after some reps.

 

[t3hjc]

Rees is much maligned?

 

[Grahambo]

Rees is much maligned?

So says the USC author. Funny because Rees and Barkley have similar numbers.

 

[greyhammer90]

There are tons of USC section tickets for sale on the websites. I have a feeling there will be lots of ND fans sitting in there.

I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on getting some of them (they are selling for less). I'm still holding out for something in my price range that isn't with USC.

What websites are these? Sorry I'm not knowledgeable on how to find tickets online.

 

[Otto]

What websites are these? Sorry I'm not knowledgeable on how to find tickets online.

Start with Stub Hub.

 

[Carlyle Javar Holiday]

Injury Update: Marquise Lee expected to be back next practice, only a slight shoulder sprain

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Injury Update: Marquise Lee expected to be back next practice, only a slight shoulder sprain

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