2007 Opponent Preview…USC
You've got to beat the best to be the best. That's a saying in sports that goes back as far as anyone can remember. It's been especially true in college football. In 2005, Texas beat #1 USC to win the national championship. In 2002 it was Ohio State over Miami. This year the consensus going into the season is that USC is the best team in the country. If Nebraska were to take out the Trojans in week 3 (and assuming the Huskers were unbeaten prior to the game) the Huskers could well assume the top spot in the country and might be favored in each of their remaining games until they lose.
That's the dream anyway. But USC is ranked #1 for a reason. They look awfully good. Lindy's rates their defensive line, linebacking corps, and secondary each individually as tops in the nation. That makes their defense tops in the country – by a mile. It's not like their offense is chopped liver either. Their offensive backfield is ranked third in the country by Lindy's and their offensive line second. Only their receiving corps doesn't merit a top ten ranking. Does that make their receivers a “weakness�? Hardly. USC can roll out 5-star recruits in wide receivers Patrick Turner and Vidal Hazelton and tight end Fred Davis as well as a bunch of three and four-star guys. What they lack in experience they make up for with loads of talent.
So how do you beat a team that is seemingly unstoppable? Do it with defense. Sure, Oregon State hung 33 on the Trojans in their victory, but 7 of those points came on a long punt return and another 6 came on field goals from the 30-yard line and beyond. On top of that, the Beavers got four takeaways. You can try to make those things happen, but it's a losing bet that the stars will align perfectly like that.
But UCLA got it done with defense. The turnover margin was even. The Bruins hung tough and ran the ball 36 times (against only 21 passes) to gut out a 13-9 win. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't daring. It was mostly just patient mistake-free football. The UCLA defense didn't play great all year, but they did play well when they had to against the Trojans. That's probably Nebraska's (or anyone's) best chance and playing a night game at home can allow the crowd to become almost an extra defender that can intimidate and stifle the USC offense's communication with noise. Regardless of how highly you regard Texas, or whomever you think Nebraska could face in the postseason, USC is the best team that the Huskers will face this season. Win that game and the sky's the limit, because nothing will be harder to accomplish.
7/19/2007
Again you are right on, Steve.
NU fans, quit dreaming of the Huskers somehow thrashing USC. In my opinion, for NU to win, they will need *wackiness* to ensue (special teams, turnovers, etc).
I thought ‘06 USC resembled ‘96 NU. And, scary as it sounds ‘07 USC resembles ‘97 NU - experienced QB, lights out on D. What does that make NU? Well…maybe we are the equivalent of ‘97 Washington, their big early road game trophy pelt.
I don’t WANT any of this to be true. I desperately want NU to win in week 3. But, they will need a perfect storm, so to speak.
7/19/2007
Ahhh yes, wackiness. Like forcing a fumble on the first reception of the game. Or blocking a kick to lead to the winning drive. Start it rolling for a win, but don’t expect a beating. It’s like picking up spares all game instead of going for the strike and getting a gutter ball. I just hope this is the season I don’t wonder “Is this the play we get burned on?” Or “Is this drive going to stall again?” That’s been happening too much these last few years.
7/19/2007
I’m curious…where does Lindy’s rank the Huskers in the same position categories you mentioned?
7/19/2007
Grant,
Lindy’s only rates the top 10 units and the only Nebraska unit to crack the top 10 (offense or defense) was the linebackers at #9.
7/19/2007
The Corncobs will likely lose to WAKE FOREST.So I don’t see how they have a chance against the TROJANS. Nebraksa has been down in a weak division. Their talent level isn’t very high. The only thing Nebraka players are known for is taking roids. Fight On
7/19/2007
Classy, “Corn Cobb”, very classy.
Come on down to Lincoln and let us buy you a beer sometime. Maybe it will get some of that SoCal smugness out of you.
7/19/2007
Why would any self-respecting Californian, especially a Trojan, ever show up in Lincoln unless the Trojans were in town? Answer-they wouldn’t. Real estate is cheaper there for a reason: People place higher value on living elsewhere.
But hey, thanks for supplying us with all that cheap grain…
Time to check out the Sooners. Have they surrendered any more wins lately?
Call me smug, and keep the beer.
7/19/2007
Trojan Jim,
Uh, the real estate right around the USC campus aint all that pricey last I saw. In fact, it’s not really “real estate” so much as it is “gang territory”. But hey, thanks for keeping your smog out of Nebraska’s pristine blue skies.
7/20/2007
Trojan Jim,
I wonder if your glitsy, price gouged, L.A. style BLACKBERRY will get any signal under the bus we’d like to throw you under?!
“....can you hear me now…..can you hear me now….?!”
7/20/2007
Nice article. Sorry about the SoCal dudes that think they’re all that, though i do think the smack talk both ways is pretty funny. I think that Nebraska’s only shot is in the crowd. If the crowd really becomes that extra defender then, well thats one extra guy on the field we got to worry about. But aside from that I think it will be tough for the huskers to pull off the upset. We’ll see. I’m not so convinced about our offense and our defense will live up to the hype in my eyes only if we start forcing turnovers as we have in years past. (last year not included)
7/20/2007
Sounds like Trojan Jim is still mad about a little ass woopin his team took in corvallis.
Go Beavs!!!
7/20/2007
I wish you well, but I think the Trojans take this one. Sorry about the “want to be” Trojans that posted earlier. Those posters are laughed at as “losers” on the SC site so they are desperate to find an audience anywhere. Don’t worry, I’ll take them back home with me and put them back in the Cardinal and Gold room we have built just for “losers”. Anyhow, this will be a great match up between 2 great traditional powers. I can’t wait, good luck.
Fight On!
7/20/2007
I spent 9 years in Oklahoma. Smugness is not limited to the coast. Big twelve football is full of it. Nebraska is certainly not immune. As to the real estate around the Coliseum, you would be shocked to find out how much that is worth. You would have to sell a mighty big farm to buy one of those lots.
As to football, USC is on a roll. We are loaded with talent this year. Pete Carroll is the best coach in the college game. I suspect your fans would be thrilled to employ him if you had the chance. Our team could be very good this year. I suspect Nebraska is not quite up to this challenge yet. But anything can happen. I guess that is why they still pay the games. I’ve got the Trojans by three touchdowns. Well see.
7/20/2007
I think the atmosphere of this game will very much resemble SC at ND 2 years ago. I think we keep it close thru 3 qtrs, but lose by about 10-13 in the end. SC will have to have a mediocre performance and we have to get some real breaks to pull this one out. But who knows, after the TX outcome last year, maybe we’re due for the stars to align in our favor.
The defense is going to have to rock Booty’s world a bit….a lot!
7/20/2007
Also, assuming Keller to be the starter, I think he might be the only guy in the entire organization—including Calli—that might believe NE can beat those guys. He nearly did it before and I’m sure he’s just dying for another shot. After last year, the rest of the team may need significant sports psychology to get their heads right. But who knows, maybe some of them believe or are just really pissed off.
I think we might get a couple hundred yards rushing on them but I still think our receiving corps is too slow to have a great effect on their secondary.
7/21/2007
Two great powerhouses meet and tradition is thrown out the window. Callahan is no Osborne and the Trojans will be too much to handle. But playing in Lincoln will be much tougher than ‘SC thinks. This ain’t Auburn or Arkansas…it’s Husker Country - where God and football are equal ;) FIGHT ON!!!
7/21/2007
SC guy,
‘..... But anything can happen. I guess that is why they still pay the games…..’
Actually, NE doesn’t ‘pay’ it’s players for the games. But you’re probably right, that’s what makes Carroll soOOO effective…..
7/21/2007
Nebraska is a great, great, storied program. You’ve got nothing but respect from the Trojan fans I know… and I know lots of them. It is also amazing how your entire state is behind you in a way that is nothing short of enviable. We have the advantage against you this year, but as our meltdown last year against UCLA shows, nothing is guaranteed. I will be hopeful, but not by any means presumptuous about the win before it’s over. I speak for most Trojan fans when wishing you the best season (minus our game), full of record attendance, freedom from injury, conference championships, etc.
PS: Lincoln is not as bad as my fellow fan makes it out to be (I loved my time there in the past, and look forward to admiring the skyline again this year). Neither, however, is the area surrounding USC’s downtown campus as bad as it was made out to be here. It’s full of neighborhoods with old Victorian houses, well-kept yards, clean and new business fronts, well-maintained apartment houses, etc. There are bad corners as exceptions, but NOTHING like a stereotypical ghetto. It might have been more like that in decades past, but now it’s not. Afterall, you’ve got thousands of USC students doing community service, mentoring young kids, volunteering in the nearby schools, working on clean-up brigades. You’ve also got tens of thousands of grateful and wealthy alumni pouring money into the area for community improvement. USC is not the only source of this urban renewal, either.
—from a lifetime Trojan fan and alumni Class of ‘91.
7/21/2007
Thanks Charles,
I did say on the other thread that SC is my 2nd favorite team. Callahan and Carroll have similar systems and it’s no secret that Calli is trying to emulate SC. Carroll also noted before last year’s game that NE’s offensive system is clearly ‘top shelf’. SC is also one of the storied CFB programs, probably moreso than NE, and has certainly produced some of the best teams/players in the game, both in the ‘olden days’ and since 2000. Just keep beating up on the Naughty Domers and I’ll be perfectly happy, thanks!
We’ll give you guys a better game this year and have a shot at pulling off the upset as long as we keep it close or get an early lead that sustains thru the 1st half. Either of those will keep the crowd electric and that’s what we need.
Lincoln is a great town, has always been rated as one of the more livable cities in the country, especially for families. And I’m sure the area near SC’s campus is mostly good as well.
There really aren’t too many legit SC haters from Husker Nation that I’ve seen: mostly admiration and respect—well deserved. I just hope SC hasn’t been involved too much in the pay scandals as allogated.
Big Red is THE team in all of NE since they’re really the only ‘show in town’. That is a unique thing and by and large a good thing I guess. KC, St. Louis, Green Bay, Minnesota, Chicago, and Denver are sort of NE’s ‘natural’ pro sport outlets.
7/23/2007
I’m another USC fan/alumi who has tremendous respect for the Cornhuskers, we consider this game very important to us, and by no means do we feel that this game will be anything but a close one. There’s to a good game with no injuries on either side.
7/25/2007
SC fan here looking to watch football all day in Lincoln before heading over to the game. Where are some cool places to watch some college football in town? Thanks in advance, and I’m looking forwrad to this roadie.
TJ
7/25/2007
TJ,
I haven’t been to Lincoln for many years, but Misty’s and Valentino’s are 2 classic restaurants you’d have to go to.
Someone else will have to tell of night life.
Chicago, IL
7/25/2007
Trojan Johnny,
If you’re looking for a sports bar near the stadium, you have lots of options. Between the Haymarket District and “O” Street, there are at least 50 bars and restaurants within walking distance of the stadium.
Barry’s is probably the biggest bar and is about 3 blocks from the stadium. It will be packed as you get closer to game time though.
There is a Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Lincoln that is about 1/2 mile from the stadium. It’s a good option if you want to sit down and snarf some wings while you watch the game.
For a “unique experience,” go to Sidetracks. They’ll have other games on TV, but the main attraction is the rowdy band that plays funny but usually off-color songs. Not a good place for the kids but always a great time.
We’ll work on putting together a visitors guide to Lincoln and get it posted before the Trojans come to town.
Have a great time!
7/26/2007
Thanks guys! Much appreciated.
TJ
7/27/2007
Good game in Lincoln..Our “D” so going to be fast.How many sacs did we get last year?..Anyway,,Intanibles go to NE on their turf but Corn Cobbs wil have a hard time matching up with skill players from SC.I think every mojor college program respect NE..I,ll never forget Johnny Rodgers..wow what a storied program..well so is SC..see you in Lincoln