USC/Texas opinions

[MyTurn2Raise]

After weighing the arguments, I concede an advantage to USC coaching.

Home field I do not concede

LA fans are wussy
Texas fans are not

Texas played in that same Rose Bowl last year and left with good feelings and are used to getting ready for the game
Though it wasn't the title game, it was very important for the Longhorns

[thatpfunk]

[ QUOTE ]
Home field I do not concede

LA fans are wussy
Texas fans are not

Texas played in that same Rose Bowl last year and left with good feelings and are used to getting ready for the game
Though it wasn't the title game, it was very important for the Longhorns

[/ QUOTE ]

This does not just have to do with fans. It has to do with how one prepares for a game, where they practice, where they sleep, etc. There is a ton going on for these players this week.

USC, fortunately, gets to go through all the hype, the media, the preparation, the practices at home, in their own backyard. They are going through the motions that are familiar to them, 6 times this year and 6 the year before. As good as these athletes are, they are still college athletes, not quite professionals. If you don't think this is at least a .5-1pt advantage for USC I honestly think you're deluding yourself.

edited to add: they have not lost at home in 4 years btw.

[thatpfunk]

Some more information that I find interesting/relevant:
UT vs ranked opponents this year:

Texas vs OU (45-12)
UT had scoring drives of 1 play for 80 yds, 2 plays for 70 yds, and 1 play for 80 yds (fumble recovery).

UT vs tOSU (25-22)
UT had a scoring drive of 7 plays 64 yds (64 yard pass), a good 10 play drive that was assisted by a PI penalty, and another good 7 play drive that was assited by a PI penalty.

UT vs TexTech (52-17)
UT had a 3 play 8 yd TD, a 2 play 23 yd TD, and a 2 play 26 yd TD drive. Their long drives included a nice 7 play 80 yd, a 4 play 88 yd (including a 48 yd pass), a 3 play 80 yd (75 yd pass), and a nice 11 play 66 yd.

UT vs CU (42-17)
UT had a very nice 16 play 90 yd drive, a 6 play 66 yd (passes of 18, 25 and a VY run of 25), a 4 play 77 yd (63 yd pass), an 8 play 37 yd, a 5 play 72 yd (35 yd TD pass), and a 9 play 49 yd (assisted by a 3rd down PI penalty).

USC's defense vs ranked opponenents (or poor deffensive games):

USC vs ORE (45-13)
Gave up a 5 play 62 (two passes over 35 yds) and two FGs (drives of 6 plays for 20 yds and 7 plays for 11 yds)

USC vs ASU (38-28)
Gave up a PR for a TD, an 8 play 63 yd (largest gain 23 yds), a 4 play 55 yd (25 yd pass), and a 10 play 70 yd (largest gain 24 yds).

USC vs ND (34-31)
One 53yd punt return for TD, 13 plays 83 yds, 10 plays 72 yds, and 8 plays 87 yds. Only 3 offensive plays for ND went for over 20 yds, the most being a 25 yd pass.

USC vs FSU, the game everyone likes to talk about (50-42)
FSU had TD drives of 15 and 18 yds in the 4th quarter. Their other scoring drives included 9 plays for 81 yds, 12 plays for 65 yds, 8 for 55yds, and 6 for 65yds. Their biggest offensive play, 21 yard pass.

Basically, USC does not give up big plays on defense. As I stated before, the short pass is what kills them. Can UT do this? A lot of UT's high scoring comes from TO's and big plays. Can UT rely on VY to drive them down teh field consistently without mistakes? Take this for whatever you think its worth.

[TomCollins]

The game will come down to VY's mistakes or lack of mistakes. If he has a 2 TO game, it won't be close. If he can keep from making mistakes, it will be close.

[thatpfunk]

[ QUOTE ]
The game will come down to VY's mistakes or lack of mistakes. If he has a 2 TO game, it won't be close. If he can keep from making mistakes, it will be close.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this sentiment, more or less. I think a 3 and out for UT is almost as bad as well. And, as this thread has made apparent, I think the chances that his TOs are 2 or more are fairly high.

[KingNeo]

Betting on Texas = throwing your money away

Betting on USC = smart and informed.

Usc has not lost a game in about 3 years.

This is the equivalent of betting against the Patriots.

Are you willing to do that?

[Vince Young]

LOL

[CCx]

[ QUOTE ]
Betting on Texas = throwing your money away

Betting on USC = smart and informed.

Usc has not lost a game in about 3 years.

[/ QUOTE ]

hi!