**Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

If Michigan loses, I wonder what excuse they'll use. First up might be that they were letdown after not making the NC game. Then it'll be because the game is in Cal. Etc... [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Should be a great game though. I'm looking forward to it.

I can go back to rooting against/hating USC now, so Go Wolverines!

ND game will be a yawner. Unfortunately LSU may not have the offense to really pound ND the way they deserve even though they should still win easily.

b

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

USC will probably get a touchdown on a ball they fumble at the one

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

I think this Rose Bowl matchup is going to be excellent, I'm pumped that the Rose Bowl got its traditional Big 10 vs. Pac 10 game, although Michigan is obviously very disappointed.

I see this game being decided by 7 or less points, with either team winning.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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ND game will be a yawner. Unfortunately LSU may not have the offense to really pound ND the way they deserve even though they should still win easily.

b

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ummm....LSU has the 37th ranked rushing offense in terms of yards per game and averages 4.62 ypc
LSU is 25th in passing yards per game
LSU is 5th in the country in the pass efficiency category
LSU is 18th in total yards per game
LSU is 10th in points at over 33 per game
LSU led the SEC in both total yards and points per game
LSU scored over 40 5 times this year

They have the offense to hammer ND, so you can be happy.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

This is a big game for both programs. I'm hoping OSU and Michigan put a whooping on these other two excellent programs.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

LSU 38, Notre Dame 13

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

This isn't the Sugar Bowl thread. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

right now...I say USC 31 Michigan 20

but, I haven't broken it down position by position yet

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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This isn't the Sugar Bowl thread. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

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I know, I was just posting my opinion on that game as two other posters were discussing it. My apologies for going off topic.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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right now...I say USC 31 Michigan 20

but, I haven't broken it down position by position yet

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Anyone expecting his revised prediction to be like USC 42 Michigan 17?

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

LOL

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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right now...I say USC 31 Michigan 20

but, I haven't broken it down position by position yet

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Anyone expecting his revised prediction to be like USC 42 Michigan 17?

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doubtful...I've seen both teams many times and have a pretty good grasp on what they possess. I'm also very careful to avoid the cognitive mistake gamblers making about becoming much more confident in the team they place a bet on after they place the bet compared to before.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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ND game will be a yawner. Unfortunately LSU may not have the offense to really pound ND the way they deserve even though they should still win easily.

b

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ummm....LSU has the 37th ranked rushing offense in terms of yards per game and averages 4.62 ypc
LSU is 25th in passing yards per game
LSU is 5th in the country in the pass efficiency category
LSU is 18th in total yards per game
LSU is 10th in points at over 33 per game
LSU led the SEC in both total yards and points per game
LSU scored over 40 5 times this year

They have the offense to hammer ND, so you can be happy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope so.

b

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Come on, MyTurn, you know USC's offense better than that. 31 points against the 6th best defense in the nation? I call shenanigans. This game has under written all over it.

My off the cuff prediction is 17-13 Michigan, but I don't have anything solid yet.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

I believe in Pete Carroll almost as much as I don't believe in Lloyd Carr

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Michigan 24-13. I'm just stoked that I got tickets to the game; I just now hope I can find reasonable airfare to get to LA.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

I think Michigan is probably a little bit better, but that USC will win, maybe easily. I think UM will have more of a let down than USC from the way the BCS played out. I hope they play a good game; I love Pac10 v BigT0 in the Rose Bowl.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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Come on, MyTurn, you know USC's offense better than that. 31 points against the 6th best defense in the nation? I call shenanigans. This game has under written all over it.

My off the cuff prediction is 17-13 Michigan, but I don't have anything solid yet.

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nope Tressel laid out the framework. SC is one of the few teams that can match it by putting 4-5 quality wideouts on the field and protecting the QB as he passes. SC isn't Ohio State on offense, so they'll struggle more. But, they have a good script to follow.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Final Score USC 31, Michigan 17

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

If Michigan loses this game and Wisconsin loses it's bowl game. How will Michigan fans look at this season?

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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Come on, MyTurn, you know USC's offense better than that. 31 points against the 6th best defense in the nation? I call shenanigans. This game has under written all over it.

My off the cuff prediction is 17-13 Michigan, but I don't have anything solid yet.

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nope Tressel laid out the framework. SC is one of the few teams that can match it by putting 4-5 quality wideouts on the field and protecting the QB as he passes. SC isn't Ohio State on offense, so they'll struggle more. But, they have a good script to follow.

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From what I saw yesterday, they won't be able to protect the QB. Booty had a good day passing, but he was on his heels all day long. UCLA put tons of pressure on him. Michigan will bring more.

Tressel's game plan worked because of Troy Smith's ability to make quick decisions. It looked like Wuerffel vs. FSU in the championship game. Spread it out and get rid of the ball QUICK. Booty is not Troy Smith and is not going to have the same kind of success. No way.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

you're right that Booty doesn't equal Smith

however, SC ran out of alot of sets that are more within their traditional system verse UCLA. Carroll has no problem switching it up for the title game with 4 weeks of prep time.
SC's offense is 11th in the country in sacks allowed. UCLA is 3rd with tackles for loss.
Michigan got 4 tackles for loss against Ohio State. I expect a few more against SC, but not a big amount.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

It will be an interesting match up for sure. I know that Carroll is going to make some adjustments for Michigan. You have to.

I just thought the biggest difference for OSU's offense was not their offensive line's ability to give Smith time, but Smith's ability to make very quick, smart decisions and get rid of the ball. He's been as mistake-free and accurate as anyone all year. Booty isn't capable of doing what Smith did and I think that will be a huge plus for Michigan.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

you should really stop posting so much rediculousness.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

great factual takedown of my points
I learned so much from the interaction
thanks

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

I'm gonna say
Michigan 24
USC 21

Michigan has better players. Carroll is a better coach.
I can already see JD Booty throwing 2 picks.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Michigan will beat the pants off of USC.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Wow, my two least favorite places in the world head-to-head!!

Well...since I don't feel right wishing for a natural disaster (aloud), I guess I will go for the lesser of two evils and pull for Michigan to eeeeek one out with a ton of injuries to both sides.

[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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If Michigan loses this game and Wisconsin loses it's bowl game. How will Michigan fans look at this season?

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Poorly. I mean, looking back 10 years from now, 11-2 and #6 or #7 is still a very good year. But man, losing a close one to your hated rival and then dropping the Rose Bowl (3 in a row, 4 bowls in a row) would leave a very bitter taste. I don't really think Wisconsin factors in. We don't really expect that they are much better than 11-15, if they lose it just confirms this belief, if they win well hey, maybe they are a Top Ten team. But no one really cares, although it would be kind of cool to have the Big Ten finish 1,2,4, unlikely though it may be.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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It will be an interesting match up for sure. I know that Carroll is going to make some adjustments for Michigan. You have to.

I just thought the biggest difference for OSU's offense was not their offensive line's ability to give Smith time, but Smith's ability to make very quick, smart decisions and get rid of the ball. He's been as mistake-free and accurate as anyone all year. Booty isn't capable of doing what Smith did and I think that will be a huge plus for Michigan.

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This is correct. Smith made quick decisions and threw accurately. Pass rush had nothing to do with it. You can't get much of a rush if he takes a 3-step drop and throws. I don't think Booty can do that.

I'm more worried about our O. Our O-line is soso, and their D is pretty good. The one area of Henne's game that needs work is reaction to pressure. Obviously I don't expect him to be evading rushers left and right or anything, but he tends to turtle and wait for hits instead of stepping up or throwing it away. At least DeBord will probably use the Good Offense Gameplan (ala Penn State/OSU/first half ND) instead of the "let's run on 80% of our first downs because it probably won't cost us the game". God do I not like that guy.

I figure something like 20-13 Michigan.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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If Michigan loses this game and Wisconsin loses it's bowl game. How will Michigan fans look at this season?

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Poorly. I mean, looking back 10 years from now, 11-2 and #6 or #7 is still a very good year. But man, losing a close one to your hated rival and then dropping the Rose Bowl (3 in a row, 4 bowls in a row) would leave a very bitter taste. I don't really think Wisconsin factors in. We don't really expect that they are much better than 11-15, if they lose it just confirms this belief, if they win well hey, maybe they are a Top Ten team. But no one really cares, although it would be kind of cool to have the Big Ten finish 1,2,4, unlikely though it may be.

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I was just throwing in Wisconsin in there for two reasons. One, I think they will lose their bowl game. If get stomped Michigan will lose one of it's marque wins. We all know ND will get stomped. So if Wisconsin lose Mich will have only a 3 point loss to hang their hat on for this season.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

You keep trying to discredit Wisconsin but sadly they are #6 in the BCS. I don't think there that good but according to the BCS neither are Arkansas, Tennessee, or Georgia, all teams Florida beat. LSU is still a very class.

What happens if Michigan stomps USC? Will that win not matter much either. Beating a 3 loss USC team, my gosh, they blow.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

Who cares? The went into the toughest stadium in America, played the #1 team, and played their asses off. As a Michigan fan I am very proud of my team.

On an unrelated note, I don't get all the Carr-bashing. The guy's record in big games (other than OSU recently) is superb and he showed alot of class the last few days, unlike whine-boy Urban Meyer.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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You keep trying to discredit Wisconsin but sadly they are #6 in the BCS. I don't think there that good but according to the BCS neither are Arkansas, Tennessee, or Georgia, all teams Florida beat. LSU is still a very class.

What happens if Michigan stomps USC? Will that win not matter much either. Beating a 3 win USC team, my gosh, they blow.

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Stomping USC would cement them as a number two team. I don't think that will happen though. Just because they are ranked a certain way on the BCS does not indicate who is actually the better team.

I think Michigan will lose and some of the credibility of the Big 10 will go with them and Wisconsin losing will add to that.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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Who cares? The went into the toughest stadium in America, played the #1 team, and played their asses off. As a Michigan fan I am very proud of my team.

On an unrelated note, I don't get all the Carr-bashing. The guy's record in big games (other than OSU recently) is superb and he showed alot of class the last few days, unlike whine-boy Urban Meyer.

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Yeah, Carr's done fine. He has his weaknesses, but a big problem is some of the things he does well (particularly recruiting) get overlooked because people figure "well, anyone could recruit well at Michigan. Anyone can go 9-3 at Michigan." Well, some truth there, but look at Bama. Look at ND the past decade. Miami...FSU...Oklahoma...USC... These are some amazing places and programs that shouldn't really fall off, but they have. Pretending that any idiot could do what Carr has done is foolish.

For all his flaws, I do think he has done a pretty good job. I'd like another Rose Bowl or two (2000, 2001 being prime candidates for when we should have won), but OTOH he has the national title, he's owned Joe Pa, Wiscy, and lately MSU, which is not insignificant. 6-6 against OSU is eh, but they've had some excellent teams. A couple great wins, some bad losses. We should revisit this in the offseason.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

And USC is good b/c why? I don't understand why so many people have so much confidence in a medicore USC team in comparison to the last 3 years. They lost to OSU on the road, they lost to UCLA at home who isn't ranked. They didn't play well in the middle of the year. They stomped ND at home, they stomped Arkansas early in the year. But I doubt they would stomp Arkansas right now in a bowl game.

Face it USC isn't the golden boys of college football this year. They had a LOT of flaws. Michigan has it's own share of flaws, but the only flawful games they've put up all year are against Ball State and tOSU. One which they won and another they lost by 3 points on the road. What has USC done, lost 1 at home to a medicore UCLA team and lost to a mediocre OSU team on the road in which they were getting stomped at half time against.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

I don't think Wisconsin gets enough credit. Some of the criticism is fair considering the schedule they've played, but I think they have a damned good football team. They play excellent defense and PJ Hill has racked up a ton of yards on the ground behind their huge offensive line. The only question with them in my mind is the passing game. Their leading receiver is their tight end and Stocco's been out the last couple of games. Stocco makes all the difference in the world for that team. He's got a ton of experience and makes very few mistakes. If he's back and near 100% I would take Wisconsin in that game. If not, I think they may be in for a long day.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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Who cares? The went into the toughest stadium in America, played the #1 team, and played their asses off. As a Michigan fan I am very proud of my team.

On an unrelated note, I don't get all the Carr-bashing. The guy's record in big games (other than OSU recently) is superb and he showed alot of class the last few days, unlike whine-boy Urban Meyer.

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No way...it's Carr who is the whiner
He targeted Meyer when Meyer has been nothing but consistent with his comments all year.

Meyer has said that he wants a playoff system from the getgo and that winning the SEC title is very impressive in just about every coaches' conference where the question has been asked. I've watched his press conferences all year...nothing but consistency.

It sure beats Lloyd Carr, who talked of not believing in a rematch prior to the Ohio State game. Damn....his tune sure changed.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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SC is one of the few teams that can match it by putting 4-5 quality wideouts on the field and protecting the QB as he passes.

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mttr, you are seriously delusional and its getting old. usc is not close to osu. osu has more talent at wr and qb and rb. usc couldnt even stop ucla's pass rush and tehy werent even spreadign the field. did you watch that game? you know why they lost right? bc booty sucks and ucla put pressure on him.

Re: **Rose Bowl USC v Michigan thread**
 

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And USC is good b/c why? I don't understand why so many people have so much confidence in a medicore USC team in comparison to the last 3 years. They lost to OSU on the road, they lost to UCLA at home who isn't ranked. They didn't play well in the middle of the year. They stomped ND at home, they stomped Arkansas early in the year. But I doubt they would stomp Arkansas right now in a bowl game.

Face it USC isn't the golden boys of college football this year. They had a LOT of flaws. Michigan has it's own share of flaws, but the only flawful games they've put up all year are against Ball State and tOSU. One which they won and another they lost by 3 points on the road. What has USC done, lost 1 at home to a medicore UCLA team and lost to a mediocre OSU team on the road in which they were getting stomped at half time against.

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I would've loved to watch Michigan play SC's schedule this year.

One of the main reasons the Wolverines record improved so much is that the big10 was pretty decent this year, but crappy this year. Michigan lost time and again to decent, but not great opposition last year. Playing difficult teams every week leads to things like Hart being injured. It's a tough grind verse a real schedule. This year's big10 was the biggest walk in the park that I can remember in that conference since 1997.