Remember last year’s Achilles’ heel for USC’s offense was third-down conversions? USC is currently converting 53.1 percent of its third-down conversions, which is the second-best in the Pac-10. That stat is definitely un-Bates-like.
Last year USC converted 36 percent of its third downs.
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That’s more like it. I am convinced that Coach Kiffin couldn’t be mre pleased with the 4-0 start to his first season playing against less than formitable foes. The Trojans needed this easy breakin period to learn from the brand new coaching staff, a staff facing incredible depth issues.
Our Defensive coaches are the best in the PAC-10 and superior than anything brought to the table during the Carroll era. What the defense lacks in talent, the coaching staff wil bring us through. If Barkley can find his range, we will compete with Stanford, the Ducks, the rest.
BruinRob, the Bruins defense looked great against the Longhorns. If UCLA’s offense can gain yardage and score average points, they will be in the hunt. I long for the 1965-1969 days when both schools were at the top of the AP.
Third down is unquestionably the most important down in football.
Convert and you crush your opponents spirit, wear out the defense, and keep rolling towards the endzone.
Stop your opponent on third down and you rest your defense.
I don’t mind giving up a couple of first downs on first and second down as long as I can get a stop when third down comes along.
3rd efficiency is a key stat in judging a quarterback’s maturity and effectiveness. I think Barkley has really come a long way in his decision making, and his ability to move and throw on play-action bootlegs has really increased his efficiency as well. Now he needs to cut down on the INTs, which while much improved on a TD-INT ratio versus last year, are still too high given the competition he has faced so far this year vs. last.