Bored for some Football? USC/Va Tech breakdown

by www.nationalchamps.net

http://www.nationalchamps.net/2004/edge/

(long)

WHEN THE TROJANS RUN


The Trojans are loaded with TBs, going four and five deep…enough for a #1 unit ranking nationally by many preseason prognosticators. What has become known as the three-headed monster (a.k.a. junior Hershel Dennis, along with sophomores LenDale White and Reggie Bush) gives USC the multiple proven ground dimensions few teams have. Each rushed for over 500 yards in '03, while Bush led the team with 1,331 all-purpose yards, a school record for a frosh. Bush came to Los Angeles highly touted after being named a 2002 Parade All-American (and top Parade running back). Reggie Bush is a star; anyone associated within this program - boasting a history of lofty RBs - will tell you he could end up as the best ever to wear the Cardinal and Gold.

The RBs are deep, especially in those with experience. But the OL is another story, enough such that it is USC's biggest question mark heading into this August battle. Three key starters have departed (as seniors), and a huge blow was dealt when NationalChamps.net Preseason All-American OT Winston Justice was declared ineligible by the school for disciplinary reasons. This early preseason classic may be just the match up needed for this young USC OL - Virginia Tech had issues in 2003 plugging the middle as well as the outside.

Brothers Jonathan and Kevin Lewis return in the heart of the DL for the Hokies, but the once proud Beamer trademark of quick penetration up front has had its difficulties. The failure of the LBs to get off blocks, fill holes, and make tackles was the most glaring problem for the Hokie defense in 2003. The problem is magnified by the loss of their best LB from this unit, Vegas Robinson.

This battle in the trenches will be full of youth and inexperience on both sides. Penalties and mistakes will likely be a common theme. With all things equal this way, look for the depth and caliber of Southern Cal's tailbacks to be the difference here. But never count out Frank Beamer's overachieving defense, especially this early.
SLIGHT EDGE: USC




WHEN THE HOKIES RUN

VT has been capable of replacing RBs over the course of their decade of dominance. In steps Cedric Humes (for NFL-bound all-time Hokie great Kevin Jones), the next sure-fire 1000-yard rusher in Blacksburg. Oh my…Humes fractured his left fibula in spring practice and is now in rehab for a few months. His return for August may be likely, but how effective he will be is too hard to predict. Mike Imoh, the team's leading kick returner, was the likely candidate to fill the TB slot should Humes continue to hobble. But off-the-field infractions leave Imoh suspended for three games including this one. No fullback returns with worthy real-game experience. If Humes isn't ready physically, Beamer is forced to dig into his third and fourth team running back. If this happens, look for WR Justin Hamilton to get some of the reps as he did in the spring.


The good news is the return of four starting blockers up front. One key will be replacing Rimington Trophy Winner (awarded to the nation's best center) Jake Grove. Most needed for Tech, though, is for the QBs to create ground yardage, too, which would go a long way towards freezing the LBs a needed split-second or two more.
Now, more bad news for the fledging Tech run assault - USC finished as the nation's top run defense in 2003 on their way to a National Championship, giving up a stingy 60 yards per game. What does that mean for 2004? Well, USC will boast two All-American DTs in Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, both savvy seniors. Cody has been moved to DE in (what will prove to be) a marginal attempt to replace NFL-bound underclassman Kenechi Udeze. If the Trojans do have a concern on the DL, it will be protecting the outside, as injuries have forced a number of players to vie for a starting spot. All questions here are likely to be answered with gap support, as USC returns each of its starting three LBs. Junior MLB Lofa Tatupu is a freak, taking away anything underneath seemingly at will (four INTs). Senior Matt Grootegoed has been the starting strongside LB for three years now, and his ability to rarely be out of position is a key for this defense's seamless flow, especially as run-stoppers. Instinctive and fast, he will merit All-America consideration. Junior Dallas Sartz started the last half of the season on the strong side last year when Grootegoed had an ankle sprain. And if that weren't enough, look for incoming freshman Keith Rivers to step in from the nation's consensus #1 recruiting class. Rivers was considered by many recruiting services as the top high school LB.

It looks bad as of now for the revamped VT backfield, but sporadic success could be all they need to keep the USC LBs busy in play-action to achieve aerial yardage when needed. Smart money says Beamer employs option-type roll-outs and misdirection that will exploit USC's outside depth issues and keep the Trojans guessing laterally (but only if peppered in just enough and not too much). If done too often, run blitzes by the Trojans would neutralize Tech this way. For some reason, if USC cannot control this line of scrimmage, look for a higher-scoring game to insue, which is really the only scenario where Tech is competitive.
BIG EDGE: USC






WHEN THE TROJANS PASS

Carson who? The now well-known Matt Leinart answered any questions surrounding the loss of the 2002 Heisman QB, enough to make a Heisman case of his own. In fact, many of Leinart's numbers last fall surpassed those of Palmer's - pass efficiency 164-149, only 9 INTs to Palmer's 10 (same number of games, 13), and TDs 38-33. Most important, though, is that he directed USC to its first National Championship since 1978.

One conclusion has to be that current offensive coordinator Norm Chow is evidently USC's best passing weapon. His offensive system and play calling is unparalleled in today's college football world. But his shelf has been left bare at receiver, as superstar Mike Williams opted to make use of the NFL's "Maurice Clarett Ruling" presently allowing anyone of any age to announce for the draft. Williams' status is now up to the NCAA as to whether he will suit up in this opener. Should that happen, you can slam the door on most opponents. On the other side, steady snarler Keary Colbert's senior leadership will be missed.
But sophomores Steve Smith and Reggie Bush have proven they can stretch defenses, and they will surely step in to make Tech respect the Trojan's passing dimensions. Listeners will be sure to note just how well Head Coach Pete Carroll has been recruiting the last couple of winters - young studs dot the receiving roster. Their names are unheralded, but only until the season starts. Watch out for local California native Whitney Lewis and his multiple threat potential. Combine Lewis with three All-American high school "impact" freshman that will step on the turf for the first time (Fred Davis, Dwayne Jarrett and Derrick Jones), once again, the question quickly becomes up front. The newly reformed OL will marginally (and then consistently) stand up to a blitzing Hokie scheme that is based on quick strikes and a ton of creative heat.

Tech's temperatures may vary, though, for gone are both DEs for VT - Colas and Adibi have finally moved on. Darryl Tapp will bring pressure, but his mates up front have not shown any real flashes in their pass rushing. The Hokies took losses at so many positions, and defensive back is no exception. All-World CB/WR/PR DeAngelo Hall declared early for the NFL. The nation's 76th ranked pass defense of 2003 does have some talent, but not much of it has starting experience. Jimmy Williams and Eric Green can both play either the ball or the developing play just as well, as both are proven tacklers. The rest of the safeties, along with the nickel- and dime-package guys, are capable and eager to fly around in Beamers' creative schemes.


With both the receiver-DB and OL-DL match-ups rather comparable, the major difference becomes Leinart's stellar stature. Look for a classic Trojan war plan - the USC run will set up a plethora of passing successes, including a few TE zingers that should, too, prove to be that extra bit of "Chow" that Tech will not be able to handle.
EDGE: USC






WHEN THE HOKIES PASS

Plain and simple…if VT is to have a shot in this one, the passing game will have to be on target. Senior QB Bryan Randall has the mechanics, feet and accuracy to deliver, but this has not been proven against the tougher Hokie opponents. By mid-October of 2003, a 6-0 Hokie team looked to be on their way to a national title run of their own. During that early stretch, an extremely accurate Randall quickly ended any debates concerning who plays QB with heralded Marcus Vick (yes, NFL phenom Mike's younger brother, in case you have been asleep at the VT wheel) pushing for playing time. His completion percentage was tops nationwide; then came the usual November Hokie shenanigans, and the wheels came off the wagon as VT struggled to maintain any semblance of a passing attack. To show how bad it got, Tech offset all of their earlier success by winding up with a dismal 82nd-ranking in said category. Now Vick is gone after well publicized legal infractions place his status in limbo as a Hokie...possibly for good. Lord help the Hokie nation if something happens to Randall's health.

While accuracy has been there (at times) at QB, VT could never muster a consistent deep threat in '03, and that fact gets multiplied with the loss of their top receiver, NFL-bound Ernest Wilford. Junior Justin Hamilton is likely to be the key replacement, starting much of last year. But don't look for his abilities to exceed what Wilford bought to the table. Yet all totaled, Tech's receivers should (unless secretly stocked with imminent talent - which they aren't) prove manageable for the Trojans.

USC will counter with what many considered their weakest link a year ago. Weakest link? Well, their 110th pass defense ranking was offset by USC having the nation's #1 run defense. Because of that statistic, already pass-happy Pac Ten opponents would choose, each week, to take to the air that much sooner. This ultimately resulted in USC giving up 276 yards passing per game, but they skillfully kept play in front of themselves well enough to rank 26th for pass-efficiency defense, a testament to why this facet is no weakness.

Both starting corners are gone. Their replacements are experienced seniors Ronald Nunn and Kevin Arbet, who received a sixth year of eligibility due to injury, but neither is close to Will Poole's level. Watch out for safety Darnell Bing, an '03 freshman All-American with a rather unlimited future. Pressure from the DL doesn't appear to be as much of a factor with Randall at QB and his short passing attack. The Trojan's ability to contain will once again prove difficult with the USC thin list of DEs. But the LBs are all returning starters, and, if they do not overplay the run, their experience will go a long way towards USC both limiting the underneath stuff and freeing up helmets to track down Tech's elusive one - Randall will surely improvise early and often.

In the end, this is one of, if not the main dimension, that will keep Tech within reach of what will be a sure-fire Trojan offensive showing.
EDGE: EVEN




SPECIAL TEAMS
Frank Beamer knows special teams, coaching this segment in addition to his other duties. But the Hokies need a dependable kicker in 2004, period. Starter Carter Warley has departed. Their return game is the brightest spot, seemingly breaking open so many tight ball games over the course of the Beamer era. But gone is dangerous DeAngelo Hall standing alone, waiting for the punt to fall (or get blocked as the case often is). With Hall gone, look for that traditional punt block specialty to be chosen as more of a needed weapon, a scary, risky notion. Mike Imoh and his 29+ yard per kickoff return is no longer available (see above note). This once stable special teams unit will have a difficult time living up to past performances.

On the other side, the list of All-Stars keeps on rolling. Senior Ryan Killeen is a Lou Groza Award Candidate for the nation's best kicker. Tom Malone is a Ray Guy Award Candidate for the nation's best punter, leading the nation last year with 49-yards per punt. And Pac Ten leader in kickoff returns Reggie Bush, the first USC player to do so since Anthony Davis in 1974, is back to give the Trojans a 1-2-3 punch in special teams. Whew, Coach Beamer will likely need a punt block to keep this one close. If not for a VT track record of consistent high performances in this department, the edge would be glaringly noticeable.
EDGE: USC



FINAL OUTLOOK
On paper (see above mentioned) this BCA Classic looks to be a major mismatch. USC is primed to defend its national title and current NationalChamps.net #1 preseason ranking with talent coming from all angles. Enough chinks in the Trojan armor exist within certain units (OL) to raise some questions this early.

Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, after back-to-back sub par seasons by their usual self-imposed high standards, the Hokies are in an awkward position of having to prove themselves during a time when talent departures leave many pockets of inexperience and concerns. It's well known VT gets off to fast starts, but many of those accolades could easily be attributed to weaker competition faced early. That's about to end (and end fast) in this August gridiron special.

Given the current preseason outlooks, these two football carts appear to be headed in opposite directions. "Just how far apart they are" is what most of the nation will tune in to watch on August 28th via the game's ESPN Broadcast. Others would be wise to take heed when facing Frank Beamer-coached ball clubs - his uncanny ability to get the most out his players will make this battle just close enough to where a fumble or special team's quick strike here or there could always give the home team a chance.

Home team you say? The game is in Landover, MD just outside the capital, where a large contingent (disproportionate amount) of fans from the state of Virginia is likely to make the short travel up and around the beltway. Surely not the same as a Lane Stadium advantage, but Tech will take any edge they can grab - quite a few intangibles like this would have to coordinate for the Hokies to win. Tech has to be within a touchdown early in the fourth to even have a chance. The solace here for Tech is that losing a game this early to a team of this caliber will surely become a valuable lesson Beamer will use for future 2004 successes.

SCORE PREDICTION: USC 37 - VIRGINIA TECH 13

 

Lets see: The Condom Crybabies or VTech who chickened out of playing LSU?

Is there any way posible for both teams to lose?

 

USC should roll them, easily. Hopefully they think that way also as the only chance Va Tech has is for USC to not be ready to play. Being the season opener I doubt if that will happen and they have way more talent than Tech across the board, especially at QB and RB.

 

Post is too long. The only way i am going to read something that long is if it is about LSU. :grin:

 

That's what I was thinking. Life's too short to be reading that much about Trojans and their big battle with Vagina Tech.