Trojan fans look away. This isn't something that you’ll
want to read.
With everyone talking about why USC is going to win
another national championship, I thought more
interesting way to tackle this topic is by talking about
why they won't. I guess a better way to say it is by
answering what needs to happen so they won't win a 3rd
title in as many seasons. Let me be clear, this is no
joke. So Oklahoma fans, your team won't be discussed in
the following paragraphs. USC fans, there will be no
mention of a meteor falling on the USC practice field or
an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Trojan locker room
the day before the Rose Bowl. Despite its
likelihood and the national media talking as if it were
all a foregone conclusion, it’s not.
First, let's look at what the Trojans are great at ―
scoring points. Their skills positions are insane.
From Heisman trophy winner Matt Leinart, all the way
down to the backups at wide receiver and tight end, the
talent to move the ball and put up big numbers is
there. Over the last 2 seasons, they have moved the
ball, almost at will, and scored from all over the
field.
Now, the second question is what doesn't USC do so
well? I think that I just heard the Trojan faithful
scream in unison, "Nothing!" Sorry, I am not going that
far. This team took some very significant hits this
off-season, starting with the loss of Norm Chow. Oh, I
know, Coach Carroll is going to call the plays, and all
is well. We shall see. Like I said, they'll move the
ball just fine, but anyone who wants to minimize the
loss of Chow, could be shocked. I know that the Trojans
have the two-headed monster of Reggie Bush and LenDale
White and that should mean more than enough running game
to get them through the year, but the losses of Hershel
Dennis and Chauncy Washington, along with the injury of
Mark Coleman, could prove costly, if the injury bug
bites at running back.
All of that aside, more significant to me, are the
losses on defense, and the lack of players who've
stepped up to replace them. No one thought losing guys
like Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody would be easy, but
you add in Manuel Wright, Lofa Tatupu and Matt
Grootegood, and it starts to get a little less clear as
to just how stout the Trojan defense will be.
Oh, and did I mention all
the ecstasy they found in top cornerback Eric
Wright's apartment? Is it safe to assume no more
parties at his place?
Teams are going to score on this defense, no doubt.
What is the recipe for upsetting a dynasty? Three
things have to happen.
First, whoever plays USC cannot be intimidated by the
mystique that is the USC Trojans. No team in the past
two years have walked out there and punched them in the
mouth. They are good for 5 wins this year,
before they get off the bus, on reputation alone.
Second is enough offense. I am not talking about
matching up man for man with what USC has on offense,
but even best case, it's got to be an offense that can
score pretty quickly, but in my opinion, the most
important part of the offense has to be a great running
game. Grind it out, long drives, eating clock, and
finishing with touchdowns is the key.
And finally, it's the defense. There are only a handful
of teams in the country who have the talent on defense
to slow down (notice I didn't stay shut down) the
Trojans offense. Among that handful, I only see 4 teams
with a defense that good ― who won't be intimidated by
the Trojans and can score enough to win.
In the final analysis, there are 4 teams who have all 3
aspects of what it takes to unseat the champs:
Ohio
State ― A stout defense, who's not intimidated by the
offensive firepower of the Trojans, which is a must.
The Buckeye defense is just plain nasty. Show of hands,
who here thinks A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel and Bobby
Carpenter care who Reggie Bush is? You there, in the
back, with California plates, you don't count. As much
as the Ohio State defense, it's the potential of a high
powered passing game with wide outs Santonio Holmes and
Ted Ginn, Jr., that makes me think if the Buckeyes get
into title game, they can hang on both sides of the
ball. I'd be happier if they could get a running back
to step up ( memo to Antonio Pittman and Erik Haw. Ohio
State just has to make sure they get to the Rose Bowl,
by making sure they work their way through a tough Big
Ten.
Miami
― You'll notice a trend with these picks. Defense with
enough offense to go after a down USC defensive unit.
Man for man, I don't know if there’s a better defensive
team top to bottom in the country. As for the
Hurricane’s back 7, that is the best. This is another
team that's built to withstand the Trojan offense.
Scary good linebackers and über-talented cornerbacks and
safeties who would relish the chance to defend guys like
Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith. The mental side of
playing USC has always been strong, but I don't think
any defensive unit from the "U" is going to care about
press clippings or last season. On offense, this team
is also very, very talented. No, they don't have a
first round pick at quarterback, but does that usually
stop them? They've got a great offensive line, freaks
at wide out, and a herd of running backs. One thing
that I think makes Miami a big matchup problem for the
Trojans is going to be their ability to grind it out on
the ground, keeping that Trojan offense off the field.
Tennessee
― I could probably just write the same thing I wrote for
Miami, but for highlighting the Vols front 7 rather than
the ‘Canes back 7, and be done. Another team with a
big-time defense and dominant running game. This team
can create an insane amount of pressure by its front 4,
and that allows the back 7 to make plays in the passing
game. Gerald Riggs, Jr., at 220-lbs. with 275-lb.lead
blocker Cory Anderson paving the way? That has 9 minute
scoring drive written all over it. What will hurt
Tennessee more than anything is the fact they play in
the best conference in college football, and one slip up
during the regular season could mean they don't get a
chance to go against anyone, much less USC in the title
game. Another thing that really helps Tennessee, maybe
more so than the other 3 teams on this list, if how
great a game planner Coach Fulmer is. If any of these
coaches can draw up a plan for one game, to neutralize
USC's offense, and score on their D, it's Fulmer.
Texas
― Vince Young. For the Longhorn offense, it's all about
Vince Young. Oh, and far and away the best OL in all of
college football. I am talking offense with Texas
first, because that's what they are all about. Selvin
Young will be healthy, and he's a load with breakaway
speed. Romance Taylor is sort of the lightning to
Young's thunder. Neither is the runner Vince Young is,
but it's a group of runners with the kind of blockers
brought in by Mack Brown, that could neutralize the
Trojan offense by keeping them on the sidelines. Their
passing game isn't shabby by any means, with tons of
potential, and would be enough to keep the Trojan
defense honest. On defense, it's all about the big
uglies up front. If all the academic stuff gets worked
out, Dibbles and Wright are the most unstoppable
longhorn interior DL since Shaun Rogers and Casey
Hampton. This strength makes up for a drop in
production at linebacker, with the loss of Derrick
Johnson. Moving to the secondary, it's a case of
experienced strength with Michael Huff anchoring an
underrated and athletic unit, who like to hit. What
will keep Texas out of Pasadena? Choking to an
overrated OU team at the Red River Shootout. If they
can find a way to beat OU, they should be in the
driver's seat for a trip to the Rose Bowl.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for, who is
my pick for the National Championship? As much as it
pains me to say this, I am going to go hook 'em ‘Horns,
and pick the University of Texas Longhorns, in a very
close Rose Bowl, over USC. The other 3 teams I broke
down all have what it takes to tumble the giant, but for
me, Texas’ road to the Rose Bowl is smoother than any of
the others. Now Mack Brown, get past Ohio State on
September 10th, and beat OU for a change, and no one
will argue you belong in the big game.
My Preseason Top 10, because 25 seems excessive...
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