Thoughts?

#1 - Keep it competitive into the 2nd half.
#2 - This is our bowl game...and I hope the players play like it.
#3 - Sounds like some good recruits (Martinez and Sua Filio) will be there. I hope CRN lays it on the line and shows the same emotion he did when he got hired.
#4 - I would think a score something like 31-14 would be respectable. If we create a couple of turnovers and apply some pressure, a 28-24 game is possible.

I'll be happy if we just play with emotion. Hopefully CNC can devise a game plan to focus on the short passing game and mixing in draws and screens to allow us to control the flow of the game.

The only shot is if UCLA comes out in the wildcat formation all game and runs the ball well and drains the clock. Our defense can hang. No doubt. As far as offense we need to direct snap to Coleman and Bell all game. That is our only hope. SC's D will eat Craft alive. Let the kid finish the season alive. Maybe Forcier in the wildcat at times to throw them off? Go Bruins!

As I can't imagine our offense being able to put up many points, our defense is going to have to find a way to slow down suc's running game. If they can't, it could get ugly and you just hope that Petey shows a little class (which would be uncharacteristic) and doesn't rub our faces in it like he did in '05.

I think Tricky Ricky has to pull out all the gimmick plays and take on the role of a riverboat gambler. UCLA really hasn't done any trick plays this year and I'm thinking Rick and Norm have been saving them up for this game. Also, Kraft has to start throwing deep balls...The reason ALL the interceptions go for touchdowns is that DBs know we're not going deep, so they jump the routes and play tight man. Then when they do pick off a short pass, they've got a clear shot to the end zone. Seriously, doesn't everyone think a 40-yard interception is preferable (pre-supposing picks will be thrown)? Almost same as a punt.

SC has been held near the 20-point marker a couple of times this year. ucla has to hold them to 20-or-less. A maniacal defensive effort will be necessary. Also 2 or 3 turnovers will be required. Allow the Trojans their yardage, but make them take 3s instead of 6s.

Offensively, no turnovers. Don't attempt to grind out the yardage, go for the big plays. Try to set up at least a slight threat of a run to stall the defensive rush, and then allow Craft to throw downfield 2 or 3 times for a possible "home-run." Will need at least one offensive touch, one defensive touch and 2 field goals or 20-points.

LJ

Where is it written that we can't borrow Texas' team for this game. I'm sure they'd be up for it.

Have the UCLA defense play offense, too. Keep the 1st string offense off the field.

LAWYER JOHN

Can U2 perform at half time and change their sound to, "Saturday Bloody Saturday"?.

Our defense and special teams will do their best, but this has to be the worst UCLA offense I have ever seen. I thought our offense could not be worse than the last few years, but I was dead wrong.

Don't want to hear excuses, I know them, I hear them. Bad is bad. If UW and WSU weren't so bad, we would clearly be at the bottom.

yea and if usc, oregon st, oregon, arizona, arizona st, cal and stanford werent so good we would definately be at the top!

what kind of point were you trying to make?

I think we all know that it will be hard for our offense to score points, but that's not the side of the ball that will determine how the game goes, imo. Our defense will have to play lights out, maybe get a turnover or two but even more importantly play some good field position defense to give us as many short fields as possible. We need that same type of defensive output on Saturday as we got against ASU when we held their OFFENSE to 3 points. We won't hold USC to 3, but if we can be clean on offense (no turnovers, limit penalties to a minimum) I think it could be closer than most think. I still don't think our offense will get enough points to actually win the game, but they have a shot to make it respectable.

As much as I would like to think we can keep this close, if I am Petey, I am running double moves and deep routes on Michael Norris ALL game. The defense's performance depends on him, I am confident everyone else can hold their own. Remember in '06 when Rodney Van stepped up huge for the SuC game? To be close '06 Van must = '08 Norris. As always, run stoppage is key.

Offensively, I am pulling out all the WRs and going from a lot of 4-spread, 5-wide sets. Lots of quick passes and crossing routes to be sure someone is open, even if it is a yard off the line of scrimmage. SuC should be able to bring any kind of pressure they want with their front 4, and we will be attending Craft's funeral if they bring Rey and Cushing in the same package. Spread it out, complete anything they give you and try and keep the clock running and maybe, just maybe, move the sticks once or twice.

Hope springs eternal
And thats why they play the games
Take the points suckers

Anony of 9:57 a.m.,

CPC didn't play Bush the second half of the game you mentioned. I guess that means he was trying to rub your faces in it, huh?

Best defense in the country vs. maybe the worst offense in the country.

Rose Bowl will be half-empty at halftime.

USC's third-string defense will let in a late touchdown by Coleman.

USC 51, UCLA 10

I don't think this game will be much different than SC vs. Notre Dame. SC is only giving up about 7ppg to teams with respectable offenses. I can't see the Bruins getting more than 2 or 3 first downs in this game. USC 45, UCLA 3

Hey 1:09, Bush actually had six carries in the second half, including a couple on SC's opening drive of the fourth quarter. Admittedly, that's not a lot compared to the first half, but you should get your facts straight.

Hope Carroll and Sarkisian want to build Mark Sanchez' confidence before the Penn State game and try and let him air it out more than usual. Sanchez' deep ball is the biggest weakness of the USC offense.

Have Craft throw short passes.

-USC has always played a soft zone to avoid deep passes, which gives up the short game.
-Craft hasn't exactly proven he can go deep anyway.

And to be completely serious, the kid will get hurt if he holds on to the ball too long.
Cushing, Maualuga and Maiava are looking to prove they should be first round pics.

We an win. If the D scores 4 td's.

Sam,I guess you didn't watch the last SC game did you?

cv,

I saw Mark Sanchez complete only five passes for over twenty yards against a team that could have been beaten by Westlake Village. Regardless of whether or not Pete Carroll didn't want to run up the score, that's all Sanchez threw.
I also saw two other Sanchez passes intercepted by players who shouldn't even be on a college football field.

For better or worse, Sanchez works off confidence and momentum. When he's been off in the past they've simply been able to turn to the run game to keep the team going and not put pressure on their QB.
I'm just saying that they may try to force the issue this week to prep Sanchez for the Rose Bowl Game and that may be the Bruins best shot.

With Wendell Tyler's kid starting to impress the Trojans now have four solid running backs while they really only have two reliable receivers.

Would you really rather they try and run the ball?

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Mark-Sanchez-has-a-strong-arm-but-not-this-s?urn=ncaaf,125478