THE USC Trojans Discussion & Predictions Thread

Catstatic · Post by **Catstatic** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:32 pm

RR is settling in at Arizona. He is getting his guys on the team, and the results are beginning to speak for themselves. I also get a sense he knows precisely what to say to get and keep their attention. EG: Love how he casually mentioned that only one Cat (Scroggins) was offered by USC. If that doesn't get you a bit angry and focused, not much will. Perfectly understated ... perfectly infuriating. Much bigger chip than SC's bringing to town over the last second loss to ASU.

Go Cats!!

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:41 pm

dc4azcats wrote:
azgreg wrote:Have USC Trojans received equal Pac-12 scheduling treatment?

http://espn.go.com/blog/colleges/usc/po ... -treatment

LOS ANGELES -- Did extra practice and film study time by Arizona State help lead up to the Sun Devils' last play, a 46-yard Hail Mary victory at USC on Saturday night in the Coliseum?

The Sun Devils, trailing by nine points with just under three minutes remaining and no timeouts left, found a way to exploit some fundamental lapses in the Trojans' defense and position themselves for a miracle 38-34 comeback win.

Even before USC's Saturday night's Pac-12 South Division meltdown against ASU, there's been a growing conspiracy theory, as it pertains to the Trojans' Pac-12 scheduling, specifically in the Pac-12 South Division.

The conspiracy issue?

The issue is that every Pac-12 South team that plays the Trojans has either a full bye week or extra days after a previous Thursday night game to prepare for the Trojans. In kind, USC hasn't been given equal scheduling treatment.
The writer has a point. USC is getting kinda screwed here. Not that I care.
That's interesting but at the same time the UA coachers were out recruiting on Friday night after the Oregon game. Saturday they took off - players had both Friday and Saturday off with everybody coming back to work on Sunday. I get what the writer is saying but I'm not sure it's actually leading to extra film time etc. Extra rest? Certainly. Extra film time? I guess that's up for debate.

I get the premise though and in that regard SC has a legit beef, I'm just not sure it meant more film time by the opposing coaches.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I like what Jim Rome said today as he couldn't understand why they were calling it a "Hail Mary" as a HM is when everybody jumps for the ball and it's either knocked away or knocked to another receiver or it's caught. In this case - none of the USC players jumped to try and knock the ball away, meanwhile the Assu player ran a post and the ball was there.

It's not a conspiracy if players are stupid.

USC could have had a bowl season's worth of weeks to prepare for ASU and those cornerbacks still would have played (read: NOT played) that Hail Mary the same at the end.

USC's corners played that final pass like they were fielding a punt, and I don't think even a new coach in Sarkisian was ignorant enough not to teach that. All on the players, not some "conspiracy."

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:43 pm

I agree cg, USC comes across as not very smart to me.

dmjcat · Post by **dmjcat** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:37 pm

This is a hard game to call, as evidenced by the narrow Vegas point spread.

This will be the first game we have played this year against a team that has large physical players on both sides of the line. I believe our offensive line is up to the task, the defensive line I am not so sure about. I am concerned that Sarkisian might actually find a brain and try to make this game a matchup of Damian Mama (6-5 370) against our undersized walk-on at nt.......what is he,5-11 and all of 240 lbs??? The kid has a lot of heart but physics usually wins in the end. We have the smallest defensive front 7 in the PAC12 and this is the first of 4 PAC12 south opponents (USC/UCLA/asu/Utah) who will feature large, physical lines on both sides of the ball. How we handle the USC running game will be a good indication of what lays ahead.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:25 pm

We will not physically dominate anyone in the conference especially defensivelybut we can and will score.

I dont know how we will beat any particular team from this point out,i just think we will find a way offensively

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:28 pm

azgreg wrote:I agree cg, USC comes across as not very smart to me.

Looked like the USC defense was playing for a stat building interception on the Hail Mary? Looked like they were figuring the game was over so it was time to 'get me mine' on that Hail Mary vs. knock it to the ground and secure the win IMHO.

dc4azcats · Post by **dc4azcats** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:52 pm

dmjcat wrote:This is a hard game to call, as evidenced by the narrow Vegas point spread.

This will be the first game we have played this year against a team that has large physical players on both sides of the line. I believe our offensive line is up to the task, the defensive line I am not so sure about. I am concerned that Sarkisian might actually find a brain and try to make this game a matchup of Damian Mama (6-5 370) against our undersized walk-on at nt.......what is he,5-11 and all of 240 lbs??? The kid has a lot of heart but physics usually wins in the end. We have the smallest defensive front 7 in the PAC12 and this is the first of 4 PAC12 south opponents (USC/UCLA/asu/Utah) who will feature large, physical lines on both sides of the ball. How we handle the USC running game will be a good indication of what lays ahead.

BC ran read option all game long to the tune of 452 yards. QB had 191 on 13 or 14 carries and 2 other RB's had 89 yards each. Then Assu's QB throws for 510 on SC so I'm not sure that Arizona doesn't have some options in this game. SC shut down Stanford but who hasn't?

Arizona hasn't shut anybody down TY and I doubt we shut SC down either. I think we stick to the script of our D making some stops and the O scoring enough to win the game.

Utah has had a strong running game every time we've played them and Arizona is 2-0. They also are usually in the top 3 in rush defense until after they play us. Last year we rushed for 300 yards and Utah rushed for 172. In 2012 we rushed for 320 and Utah rushed for 132.

Zero · Post by **Zero** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 11:00 pm

This game freaks me out. Those damn expectations. I hope Nick is able to play and we double head monster them all night.

CalStateTempe · Post by **CalStateTempe** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:38 am

Wilson+JGrigsby = Two Headed Hydra attack.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:34 am

Depth chart.

https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2886909.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=30700&

TuiTouchdown · Post by **TuiTouchdown** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:36 am

azgreg wrote:Depth chart.

https://admin.xosn.com/pdf9/2886909.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=30700&

Good to hear Bundage and Wilson appear healthy for the game.

Also nice to see Jonathan Haden working his way on there.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:42 am

Both were still in non contact, yellow jerseys last night so i wouldnt count on them playing just yet

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:03 pm

U$C's game notes.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/usc ... 006aaa.pdf

whatisee · Post by **whatisee** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:18 pm

Sorry if a repost and i don't know how to embed around here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBGlQwW ... e=youtu.be

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:22 pm

whatisee wrote:Sorry if a repost and i don't know how to embed around here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBGlQwW ... e=youtu.be

You need to post the embed code between the youtube tags. Make sure the "use old embed code" box is unchecked too.

whatisee · Post by **whatisee** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:28 pm

Thanks!

Carcassdragger · Post by **Carcassdragger** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 1:36 pm

What a huge game.

To the players and all Wildcats in attendance, UNLEASH HELL!

azpenguin · Post by **azpenguin** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:05 pm

Something that jumped out from those USC game notes - USC hasn't turned the ball over in their last four games. And yet they lost two of those. They were +2 against BC and ASU didn't turn the ball over at all. Get a couple of turnovers against them and suddenly you have to like your chances.

Machina · Post by **Machina** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:21 pm

Gotta run fast and run hard and play incredibly fast. USC has an incredible amount of talent but not a good amount of depth.

PieceOfMeat · Post by **PieceOfMeat** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 4:51 pm

Much like the Oregon game, I have no freakin clue how this game is going to go.

Not much of a prediction, but, I expect big emotions one way or another after the game is over.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 4:58 pm

Arizona vs. USC: Game Preview With TV Schedule

http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-football ... -schedule/

It took a great effort and some not so stellar play from Oregon in order for the Arizona Wildcats to topple the Ducks on the road in week six in one of the biggest upsets of the year. Following the game, voters took notice of the solid win and helped Arizona shoot all the way up to No. 10 from unranked in the most recent rankings.

The USC Trojans had the exact opposite luck last week as they took a lead down to the final seconds of the game against Arizona State before losing on a fluke Hail Mary with time expiring. The Trojans were dropped from the rankings and have become one of the biggest disappointments in college football this season after a promising start.

Arizona has one of the best young quarterbacks in the nation in freshman Anu Solomon who has come out of nowhere to lead the seventh-best passing offense in the nation. Rich Rodriguez has placed his trust in the first-year collegiate quarterback and it has paid off with a 5-0 start and a No. 10 ranking nationally. Solomon has passed for an impressive 1,741 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with four interceptions while completing 64 percent of his passes; he has added another 167 yards on the ground. Along with Solomon is another freshman in the backfield in running back Nick Wilson who leads the 28th-ranked run game with 574 yards and six touchdowns on 6.4 yards per touch while senior Terris Jones-Grigsby has been solid as well, rushing for 267 yards and three scores. Sophomore Cayleb Jones leads all receivers with 32 catches for 525 yards and six touchdowns; Austin Hill is the next closest receiver with 18 catches for 275 yards and three scores.

A big reason for USC’s loss against Arizona State was the failure by quarterback Cody Kessler to throw a touchdown pass — the second time this season he went without a touchdown throw. If USC wants to bounce back and remain a force in conference play, Kessler will need to throw a few touchdown passes and play like he has been playing all season long before last week. On the year, the junior quarterback has 1,380 yards and 10 touchdown passes with a nearly 70 percent completion rate and no interceptions. Nelson Agholor has lived up to the hype at the receiver position, catching 35 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns — all team-highs. Freshman wide out JuJu Smith has added 18 catches for 207 yards but has yet to reach the end zone in his young career. Running back Javorius Allen has been dynamite in the run and receiving game, rushing for a team-high 576 yards and four touchdowns while ranking second on the team in receiving, catching 19 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Trojans have been relatively average this season. Ranking just 44th in points allowed and near the middle of the nation in terms of total yards allowed with about 391, the Trojans have a tough task ahead in trying to stop the 21st-best scoring offense in the country. Arizona has been much less successful on the defensive side of things, ranking 75th in points allowed per game and near the bottom of the nation in total yards allowed with 434 per outing.

The Trojans will travel to Arizona to take on the Wildcats at 10:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 11. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN 2.

PREDICTION: USC 28, Arizona 38

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:50 pm

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 7:49 am

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:30 pm

All the PAC 12 bloggers for ESPN except Ted Miller are picking the Wildcats for Saturday. Here is the reasoning:

Why USC will win: The reason I picked USC is because Arizona is undefeated and that's not allowed in the Pac-12 this season. Yes, I love the way the Wildcats have played thus far: opportunistic and mentally tough. That's two things you can't say about USC. But there you have it. What seems like it should happen, won't. The Trojans are going to win this game because the college football gods will not allow any sustained happiness within a Pac-12 fan base this season. -- Ted Miller

Why Arizona will win: Bowl eligibility and a perfect 6-0 start is on the line at home for Arizona. You can guarantee Arizona Stadium will be bumping. I'm expecting a big Wildcats offensive output because, let's be serious, USC has some major defensive deficiencies. They've proven you can throw against them after giving up 510 passing yards to Mike Bercovici. They've proven you can run against them, after giving up 452 rushing yards to Boston College. And guess what, Arizona can both run and throw the ball. If it's the struggling run defense that shows up against the Wildcats, then you can expect Anu Solomon, Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby to show out. If it's the struggling pass defense that shows up, you can expect Solomon to connect with Cayleb Jones, Austin Hill and Nate Phillips. Arizona's offense is going to be stellar and its defense, a week after holding Oregon to just 144 rushing yards, is going to do enough to get the win. -- Chantel Jennings

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:28 pm

Machina · Post by **Machina** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:23 pm

I see 49 in the video

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 4:52 pm

Our history vs U$C.

http://www.mcubed.net/ncaaf/series/usc/az.shtml

USC is (29-8) against Arizona

Average score: USC 30.1 - Arizona 16.6

Code: Select all

Per decade
             W     L     T  PFPG  PAPG
  2010's     3     1     0  36.5  33.0
  2000's     7     2     0  29.6  15.8
  1990's     4     4     0  21.9  23.4
  1980's     7     1     0  24.5  14.9
  1970's     1     0     0  34.0   7.0
  1960's     0     0     0     0     0
  1950's     0     0     0     0     0
  1940's     0     0     0     0     0
  1930's     0     0     0     0     0
  1920's     5     0     0  49.4   2.6
  1910's     2     0     0  25.5   6.5

All games
2013/10/10  USC       38  -  Arizona   31 W  
2012/10/27  USC       36  -  Arizona   39 L  
2011/10/01  USC       48  -  Arizona   41 W  
2010/11/13  USC       24  -  Arizona   21 W  
2009/12/05  USC       17  -  Arizona   21 L  
2008/10/25  USC       17  -  Arizona   10 W  
2007/10/13  USC       20  -  Arizona   13 W  
2006/09/23  USC       20  -  Arizona    3 W  
2005/10/08  USC       42  -  Arizona   21 W  
2004/11/13  USC       49  -  Arizona    9 W  
2003/11/15  USC       45  -  Arizona    0 W  
2001/10/27  USC       41  -  Arizona   34 W  
2000/10/07  USC       15  -  Arizona   31 L  
1999/10/09  USC       24  -  Arizona   31 L  
1996/10/12  USC       14  -  Arizona    7 W  
1995/09/23  USC       31  -  Arizona   10 W  
1994/11/12  USC       45  -  Arizona   28 W  
1993/10/02  USC        7  -  Arizona   38 L  
1992/11/14  USC       14  -  Arizona    7 W  
1991/11/16  USC       14  -  Arizona   31 L  
1990/10/20  USC       26  -  Arizona   35 L  
1989/11/11  USC       24  -  Arizona    3 W  
1988/10/01  USC       38  -  Arizona   15 W  
1987/11/14  USC       12  -  Arizona   10 W  
1986/11/01  USC       20  -  Arizona   13 W  
1984/10/20  USC       17  -  Arizona   14 W  
1982/11/13  USC       48  -  Arizona   41 W  
1981/10/10  USC       10  -  Arizona   13 L  
1980/10/11  USC       27  -  Arizona   10 W  
1979/11/03  USC       34  -  Arizona    7 W  
1928/11/10  USC       78  -  Arizona    7 W  
1925/10/24  USC       56  -  Arizona    0 W  
1924/10/11  USC       29  -  Arizona    0 W  
1923/11/17  USC       69  -  Arizona    6 W  
1922/10/14  USC       15  -  Arizona    0 W  
1917/10/20  USC       31  -  Arizona    6 W  
1916/12/09  USC       20  -  Arizona    7 W

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 12:35 am

Lord how I hate ASU and most of their fanbase! Posted on Scout USC the below re: prediction of the game. Read and enjoy

:

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=15&f=1720&t=13230995&p=2

--------------------------------------------

Hey DentalDamD, you are showing the lack of education so typical of ASU students. Since your reading comprehension is substandard, let me reiterate what I stated below: 'I THINK...'...it's not the same as 'I KNOW..'.

Ok, time for you to get back to work at whatever fast food outlet that an ASU degree is good for.

.....And yes, I'll take fries with that burger. Bear Down.

---------------------------------------------
DevilDanD wrote:
So you consider yourself to be more "in the know" than the "wise guys". Typical UofEh *** clown.
----------------------------------------------

BangkokWildcat wrote:
Leave it to a Scummie to be dumping on Arizona after their generous gift from USC. Doubt they would be here otherwise. This is the same team that got punked by UCLA recently.....wow, they just scored again vs. ASSU

.

While I'm far from confident in the upcoming game, and certainly we aren't #10 by any stretch of imagination, I think the TEAM (that's how we've managed to be 5-0) will be better than people/Vegas expects.....but who the heck knows as this is the P12!

Again, hoping for a close, clean and injury-free game vs. a more talented (but not as well-coached?) USC. I think the Cats will surprise and win a close one. Bear Down.

---------------------------------------------
sundevil76 wrote:

As a rival, I have watched the U of A a lot. As far as Oregon, they have amazing luck in catching the Ducks when they are depleated with injuries ( Dixon, Mariotta, and now down 4 O-lineman) which results in their typical spoiler win. USC has a young line, but it is in much better shape. If the Trojans cannot run against the U of Eh with Buck Allen and your other very good back I would truly be surpirsed? With Oregon, Arizona's small but fast defense matched up well, but USC is not a spread team. Cal and Gloff creamed their bad secondary in Tucson the first half, but the Bears defense is near the bottom in the conference with Arizona and ASU, and could not prevent a last minute on side kick and Hair Mary succeeding. All of the Cats out of conference wins were absolute cream puffs. I will be shocked if they are allowed to roll on offense and beat USC with the players on the defensive line you have and a secondary that until ASU had not given up a score through the air. Anyone that watched Oregon knows if they don't get people back they can eaily lose two or three more games. Duck defense does not impress with the new DC either.So much for their big win and #10 rating which is gone after this Saturday. USC by 10 plus.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:18 am

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:16 am

USC and Arizona SB Nation writers trade info on their teams.

Arizona Desert Swarm interviewed.

7. Will Arizona protect home turf and beat the Trojans?

I think they will. This team feels different than years past, and they are on a mission to do some damage in the Pac-12. Arizona Stadium's going to be rocking Saturday night, and it'll be fun, and it'll probably be close, but I think the Wildcats will pull this one out.

Conquest Chronicles interviewed.

7. How do you think the game's going to go?

This game will either be really good for the Trojans or really bad, don't see much in between. I'm going to go out on a limb and say USC is in for a tough night, despite the emotions that are running high following a tough loss. There's something about Arizona's passing game that strikes imminent fear in my heart, and I wonder whether the Trojan corners can even slightly derail the deep-play threats. I will say Arizona wins 41-30 but the Wildcats will certainly come out looking like the better team.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 9:37 am

Javier Morales with 5 off-the-beaten-path story lines.

3. Sarkisian and Arizona do not mix.

In two trips to Tucson as Washington’s coach in 2010 and 2012, USC coach Steve Sarkisian lost by scores of 44-14 and 52-17, respectively.

He is also 0-2 in Tempe, including a 53-14 shellacking last year at Sun Devil Stadium.

Sarkisian’s teams at Washington and USC on the road have struggled in general with a 9-20 record.

BearDown89 · Post by **BearDown89** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 1:26 pm

I know there's a thread on this elsewhere, but it's apropos here.

Driving through downtown Boise just now wearing my new Arizona hat (there are also a couple of stickers on my truck), and a big Mexican chick on a sweet Harley comes rolling up beside me whoopin' and hollerin' and shouting, "Bear Down! Go Cats!" She roared off still whoopin' and hollerin' with a big thumbs up!

It's going to be a good weekend Boys. Book it!

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 1:32 pm

Final Predictions

USC Trojans • 48

Arizona Wildcats • 38

PAC 12 is tough (and crazy) & anybody can beat anybody which just makes it fitting that Arizona lose.

UALoco · Post by **UALoco** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 1:38 pm

NYCat wrote:Final Predictions

USC Trojans • 48

Arizona Wildcats • 38

PAC 12 is tough (and crazy) & anybody can beat anybody which just makes it fitting that Arizona lose.

USC 24
UA 48

We are gonna run it down their throats and then let our receivers loose when they put 8 in the box. It will be close going into the fourth quarter and their D will start to get winded and then we will be able to exert our will offensively. Anu won't be denied. I feel good about this one and I believe.

NYCat · Post by **NYCat** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:05 pm

qwertyus · Post by **qwertyus** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:05 pm

NYCat wrote:Final Predictions

USC Trojans • 48

Arizona Wildcats • 38

PAC 12 is tough (and crazy) & anybody can beat anybody which just makes it fitting that Arizona lose.

Get the fuck out.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 3:25 pm

ASUHATER! · Post by **ASUHATER!** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 3:28 pm

the 1-6 (.143) as a ranked team thing isn't a good omen. we're 7-23(.233) against them as an unranked team

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 3:41 pm

I have a really good feeling about this game tomorrow. Can't wait for kickoff.

It's a new era and any past failures or successes don't matter. All that matters is that when the Arizona Wildcats take the field they work their asses off to come out winners.

Arizona 42
USC 28

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:23 pm

Gary Randazzo at WSR with Four Downs for the Friday Fizz. Lots of good stuff. Here are some of the points I found important:

If USC was playing at home, it would make sense to stack the box and put pressure on Arizona’s Solomon to make throws in a road venue in the face of a hostile crowd. However, with the game being played in Tucson, daring a quarterback to throw who has already passed for 1,741 yards and 14 touchdowns in just five games could prove dangerous.

A key to watch Saturday is penalties. There’s little denying both offenses will have success on early downs, but penalties could prove detrimental as both clubs attempt to stay ahead of the chains. USC is averaging nine penalties per game, while Arizona is not much better at 7.4 flags per contest.

USC is successfully converting 46.7 percent of its third down tries. That’s four percentage points better than Arizona’s offense. A key is a Trojans offense predicated on play action and utilization of the tight end in its passing game.

Makes me cringe. Coach Casteel has yet to show he can stop a quality tight end.

special teams will undoubtedly play a role. The Wildcats have improved dramatically in this area. T.J. Johnson, Arizona’s fastest player and arguably the fastest player in the Pac-12, is gaining momentum on kickoff returns and is poised to break one sooner rather than later. Kick coverage has also improved on both kickoffs and punts, thanks in large part to Wildcat punter Drew Riggleman finding his leg with a 46.1 average this season on 17 punts. The Trojans have similar talent at all the key positions, and like Arizona, are poised to impress in the kick and punt return game, which makes strategy for both clubs an area of focus Saturday. In a tight game, similar to penalties and especially turnovers, a big play on special teams could prove to be the difference.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:30 pm

Tony Bouie sits in for Jake Fischer with the Sports Guys. Always the best video preview each week.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:50 pm

Video preview from the Linemakers.

http://linemakers.sportingnews.com/matc ... a-wildcats

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:03 pm

Preview from the PAC 12 guys.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:36 pm

Interesting preview from the Sportsbook Review. It is a video preview with no pick because their professional gambler has USC-Arizona as his game of the year for paid subscribers. No real new info in the video and it shocks me that he thinks this 3 point spread is one of the best plays of the year (acknowledging that this guy may never actual give a free prediction and does this every week to promote site traffic).

Here's my simple game breakdown. Arizona is improving every week in all aspects of the game. The team believes in each other and their coaches. They believe they can win and will be playing in front of a sold out stadium. USC has more recruiting star talent, but has yet to pull itself together under this new staff. They lack confidence in their coaches and will be playing tight because they need this win to save their season. Hard not to take Arizona for the win.

OSUCat · Post by **OSUCat** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:42 pm

I wanted to review what USC has seen this season. There are some caveats to this information, and that is the schedule isn't mutual and in items like opposing pts/gm reflects that individual team also. I also have picked stats that I find more interesting than total yards, TOP, ect.

USC:
Fresno State- 3-3 Record, 73rd in pts/gm rank, 111th in pts/gm given up ,106th in 3rd down conversion , 79th in opponent down conversion rank, 91st in turnover margin, 54th in first downs/gm, 93rdin redzone conversion.
@Stanford- 3-2 Record, 91st in pts/gm rank, 1st in pts/gm given up, 81st in 3rd down conversion, 18th in opponent 3rd down conversion, 106th in turnover margin, 92nd in first downs/gm, 117th in redzone conversion.
@Boston- 3-2 Record, 69th pts/gm rank, 28th in pts/gm given up , 87th in 3rd down conversion, 49th in opponent 3rd down conversion, 96th in turnover margin, 64th in first downs/gm, 14th in redzone conversion.
ntOSU- 4-1 Record, 76th pts/gm rank, 54th in pts/gm given up, 113th in 3rd down conversion, 25th in opponent 3rd down conversion, 31st in turnover margin, 62nd in first downs/gm, 39th in redzone conversion.
ASU- 4-1 Record, 17th in pts/gm rank, 93rd in pts/gm given up, 35th in 3rd down conversion, 87th in opponent 3rd down conversion, 56th in turnover margin, 9th in first downs/gm, 24th in redzone conversion.

Arizona: 5-0 Record, 21st in pts/gm rank, 75th in pts/gm given up, 52nd in 3rd down conversion, 42nd in opponent 3rd down conversion, 56th in turnover margin, 3rd in first downs/gm, 41st in redzone conversion.

So my loose take-a-ways:
-Stanford offense is so bad, I can't see it as a good win. I understand Stanford is #1 in scoring defense, but with an offense so bad I can't do it. I think we all can say that Stanford coach threw that game away more than USC winning the game. Stanford will likely be middle of the Pac in the North. I can see Cal as the number 2 team in the north.
-After facing Cal and Oregon, Arizona defense is still average, if not better. I thought it would be worse. Cal is 2nd and Oregon is 9th in pts/gm.
-Arizona is probably the most consistent good team USC has faced so far. The other teams are either good on one side of the ball and not on the other side. Arizona is good on offense and better than average on defense.
- Arizona needs better redzone offense. Although, we can kick field goals!

I don't think the Arizona game will be close. I'm not fond of any USC wins, and the BC loss was terrible, and I mean terrible. Arizona even though winning ugly, is still winning and over what might be the top two teams in the north division.

Arizona 35 USC 24 (A late TD making it look a little better)

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:45 pm

Last year a sight had Az as the best play they had seen in the last 5 years. Hard to imagine USC as a prohibitive favorite. It is easier to see AZ as an upset moneyline winner

splitsecond · Post by **splitsecond** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:00 pm

ASUHATER! wrote:the 1-6 (.143) as a ranked team thing isn't a good omen. we're 7-23(.233) against them as an unranked team

Something my dad says all the time is "nature abhors a vacuum."

In my observation, this tends to hold true in sports when it comes to statistics and streaks. These losses are all independent of each other, and betting that a streak like that will continue is bad news. Now, I tend to lose my ass betting against streaks in baccarat but with sports, these ominous and inexplicable types of stats are made to be broken.

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:03 pm

Here is the prediction from the USC Scout site. Key parts of the story:

USC OFFENSIVE GAMEPLAN

Unless the Trojans’ spirit was completely crushed by the ASU embarrassment, USC should be able to move the ball as readily as they have most of the season. Look for plenty of opportunities downfield for the Trojan receiving corps. Cody Kessler has an chance to have a big night against the Wildcat secondary as it seems likely that the Trojans will open it up against an Arizona defense that has struggled mightily against opposing passers. However, after notching just six sacks in their first three games, Arizona has posted eight in their past two, meaning the USC offensive line will need to perform solidly.

USC DEFENSIVE GAMEPLAN

Can the Trojan defense bounce back from the embarrassment of those two completely defendable long TD plays in the final couple minutes? Yes, physically they have the skills and talent to do so. Otherwise, the group wouldn’t be among the best in the nation on third downs and in the red zone – not to mention in turnover margin.

But is the scheme there – and ready – against an opponent as well balanced and explosive as Arizona? For the Trojans to have a chance, they once again need to shut down the league’s top rushing attack (last week, the Sun Devils entered the game leading the conference in rushing before posting just 31 yards on the ground; this week, Arizona comes in atop the conference in that category). If the Trojans can’t slow the Wildcat running attack, that’ll make things much easier for Solomon in the passing game. Though Solomon has been outstanding, he’s still a freshman starter and is prone to making a mistake or two if USC can put the onus on him to make big plays.

THE PICK

Honestly, who knows what to expect from this USC team on Saturday night? All signs point to a major ambush by the Wildcats, who will be flying high after their big win in Eugene and always get up for USC. Meanwhile, the Trojans must still be in a bit of shock after last week’s defeat. It will be interesting to see how things start – Arizona has not been too hot in the first half so far in 2014, while the Trojans are outscoring opponents 52-7 in the first quarter. Will last week’s results have a lingering effect and flip that script for each squad?

This series has been incredibly close of late, with each of the past seven games being decided by a touchdown or less. There are a couple reasons USC is a minor favorite in Vegas leading up to this one – the Trojans have a lot of offensive firepower that can overwhelm the Arizona defense if things break right and, until last week’s stunner at Oregon, the Wildcats have not played all that consistently in 2014. Was that upset of the Ducks an outlier or a case of a team finding its identity? I’m not certain that question will be answered in full for Arizona fans come Saturday night, but I do know that it’s awful hard to see USC rectifying all of the detail issues they’ve had in a hostile environment. While the Trojans could easily get blown out if they are suffering a hangover from last week, I expect this one to be close. Still, I have to go with the Wildcats.

Arizona 35, USC 31

ANGCatFan · Post by **ANGCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:17 pm

Bleacher Report on how USC stops Arizona.

Summary: Stack the box and bring pressure off the edge to try and force Anu to make some bad throws (The Cal model), maintain assignment discipline and watch over pursuit (The BC mistakes), and play the entire game (The ASU breakdown).

VegasCatFan · Post by **VegasCatFan** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:41 pm

azcat49 wrote:Last year a sight had Az as the best play they had seen in the last 5 years. Hard to imagine USC as a prohibitive favorite. It is easier to see AZ as an upset moneyline winner

Game of the Years are just about marketing. Having worked for a sports handicapper in the past, they decide about a week in advance that they want to do a game of the year to drive phone calls into the company without even knowing who is playing that week. Once they get the phone numbers, then the salesmen call those numbers back and try and sell them more games at a much higher price.

Sorry about changing the subject. Back to talking about us taking down USC!

45-35 Cats

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