USC coach Steve Sarkisian was asked today about ESPN stats that show the Trojans blitz the least of any big-five conference team and whether it surprised him:
“No, we have a really good front seven, that we take pride in our front four and what we can do,” Sarkisian said. “We also understand that we have some youth in the secondary, that we need to take care of those guys to make sure we are minimizing the big play and defend the pass extremely well.”
I’d say that is both shrewd and smart by Sarkisian – consider we’re up against Cal in 51 hrs. (+/-) – the focus is not Cal it is truly ucla and what will be seen Thursday night will be the same defenses used against CO and WA St.
‘However’ one can pretty sure bet the house that come the 22nd November 2014 the presumed moribund blitz will be unveiled because ucla warrants such – swift assault on ucla’s offensive line will force Hunley to react quicker – the new defense is looming.
Hope you are right. But Hundley can also kill you if he evades the blitz. Then it’s smooth sailing and 15-25 yds a pop. The key to this game for USC is Cravens. I hope something is devised where Cravens spies Hundley much of the time. Hundley’s too athletic for the rest of our D, except Williams.
Bluntly Jack this was the same Hunley Troy faced last year minus that great end that went in the NFL draft last Spring from ucla – i.e. so much for the skill Coach O brought to this game – they lost and it was a telling lost – it rightly cost him any shot as HC even if said shot was tenuous at best.
Your noting his antics after the sad news came out was proof of why the decision was made—ok too much on Coach O – I only brought him up as there would be nothing different this year if he were at the helm – I also liked timtrojan’s insight – our d-back’s are waiting for this game and having played Cal 9 days prior will also hone them sharper.
First off, let me say that I have a lot of respect for Kessler. He seems to be a great kid and a solid QB and he is having a very good year. I wouldn’t trade Hundley for him but he isn’t far behind in my eyes and he should be a monster next year.
Regarding the assessment of UCLA’s wideouts vs. last year, replacing Shaq Evans has not been the problem. Our difficulties have been related to the OL and protecting Hundley. We seem to be doing a better job of that the last few games, but we haven’t faced a front 7 like SC’s. That being said, the Bruins out-schemed SC last year with a patchwork OL that took Leonard Williams out of the game. And, Hundley seems to be rounding into form the last 2 weeks, so it should be interesting.
In addition, our running game has improved significantly this year under Kennedy Polamalu. He is an outstanding coach and we appreciate the gift from LK.
Plus…I wouldn’t sleep on Cal. Jared Goff is an outstanding young QB and if they give him protection, the game could be a close one.
Agreed…. a revolving door on the UCLA OL, due to injuries, and penalties, have continued to hamper the Bruins this year, up until recently…the USC defense has yet to get a clean shot on Hundley the last two years….if Hundley hangs on to the ball looking for his WR’s to get open and gets sacked like he did against Utah, then USC will have a chance….otherwise, it will be the BC game all over again….and Perkins at RB should play a big factor, as well….
I understand that Hundley is a problem to be dealt with, but I have not seen anyone consider what Kessler can do to ucla backfield if Sark lets him do it. Eventually Sark will call an offense based on strength, not wishful thinking. If it is against ucla, then all bets are off, Kessler will rock them.
steveg exactemente – don’t look for too many new offensive or defensive wrinkles unless Thursday’s game warrants it – every coach, assistant, scout and most of the players will be at the Coliseum Thursday night if only to witness a night game at Troy and how USC prepares for and plays the game.
Steve makes a good point. As I mentioned, I think Kessler is a fine QB. A lot will depend upon whether or not we can get pressure on him as SC needs to pressure Hundley. UCLA DL is playing very well right now.
I was not trying to insult SC by saying that Cal could surprise. Goff may turn out to be a better QB than Hundley or Kessler when all is said and done. He throws a great ball and if SC does not get pressure on him, he can hurt you. This league is so even this year that anything can happen.
I’d go one better – Derek Carr is a darn good qb but saddled with the Raiders then again if Raider mgmt. is patient (unlike the NYJ) Carr could be the foundation of a transformed raider team.
Cal historically has produced great qb’s Rogers the latest.
Problem for Cal is they don’t have the other parts to match Goff anymore than Fresno St. did for Carr.
That is all true which is why SC is favored by 14. I am just saying that a hot QB in a game can pull off the unexpected like a guy in a basketball getting hot hitting 3’s. You can’t afford to look past them.
As I said ‘if’ USC loses to Cal Thursday night believe me heads will roll – no one is looking past Cal it is ucla that has the luxury to deny and proclaim they’re focus on Troy this week – @ 10:00 pm PST 13th Nov. so shall USC towards ucla.
No one is taking this game lightly – Cal as is CO, OR St. and WA St. are no more than 2 yrs. time from relevancy – Stanford looks like the one in decline and the jury is still out on WA even w. Petersen.
The Pac-12 is the toughest in the nation.
I think SC wins the game and the Bruins will be 3 to 4 point favorites…once the “venerable” Gold Sheet comes out. Obviously, I think my Bruins will win the game, but what else would you expect?
ND game is a tossup. Sark had better win that one or Haden’s phone will be ringing for awhile.
I think Cal and Colorado are on the rise. Not so sure about OSU and WSU. Riley seems to be in a holding pattern and I have never been a Leach fan. ASU will be taking Stanford’s place.
I’m not worried about Cal – if USC loses to them there are much bigger issues to deal with – lack of preparation.
What I am pleased is that USC was already torched by Hunley last year ‘and’ yes Evans is no longer there – that seems to be Hunley’s achilles – he doesn’t look for all his receivers but the one he’s already chosen in his noggin and then if that one is covered it’s off to the races – fast and deadly but yeah you’re right the ucla front seven is a work in progress.
For USC establish the air attack first and then hit them with the ground gain – for ucla it is dominate the air and elude for big gains on the ground by Hunley.
Again it was Mora who was saddest that Orgeron was not selected as USC’s HC – what he (Mora) saw last year was a gift – it was also what Haden saw as well.
I’m like you. This could be the classic trap. If we lose to CAL, which I am presuming is almost a non-possibility, my optimism in beating ucla drops to zero. I am a bad fan. I am completely overlooking CAL. So, shoot me.
Agree Su’a is key
This team is missing a strong safety and a middle linebacker that strike fear in the opponents – I really like the corners and ends, but its the guys down the middle that are missing – mtc
This season has ruined Hundley’s NFL value. One read and run is not what the NFL is looking for and that is his overall value. You need to treat Hundley just like ASU treated Golson with controlled blitz that makes him throw the ball down the field and not out of pocket to run.
The defensive ends have to watch the flanks against Hundley so when he runs he is traveling up the middle where he can be contained for under 10-yard gains. I don’t believe Hundley can beat Kessler in a pure passing game.
But we shall see soon enough.
‘…under 10-yard gains…’? They’d better be <3 yds. or it is going to be a long afternoon
Hundley only runs up the middle..
THAT is what’s called “playing not to lose”…and it usually results in more losses.
Cal is shaping up to be a classic Trap Game!!!
trOXans can think only of Bruins resting, scheming….waiting. Yup, this is a CLASSIC trap game!!
#TheTrapIsSet
Not so fast Carolyn. Trap games are for contenders, which we are not as of now. Nobody is looking forward to ugly. There is just your rah rah for the ruins, nothing more.
i find no evidence to support the contention that “trap game” refers only to “contendahs”.
You must be the hardest working troll in America…..FEEL PROUD!
#BaitOnTheHook
You could be “Ben Factor” or Anyone else and still you know more than Steve Sarkisian !
Coach Sark needs to stay off the Glue, it’s not good for/to the “Brain” !!
FightOn
For a USC Trojan Head Coach to have such lack of Intelligence/common sense seeing “No Problem” for/with a USC Defense rated last among major College Football teams in Quarterback Sacks is incomprehensible !
This is a USC Trojan Head Coach ?
This guy has Disabilities !!
And that’s not even considering “Stupidity”
BCC (Bad-Choice-Coach)…
?
SC doesn’t have the players to blitz. They only have 50 players available while everyone else has 85, you do the math. If they wear out the players blitzing what will they have left in the fourth quarter. Everyone has seen what has happened in the fourth quarter so far can you imagine if they are more tired what it would be like.
this is what is killing this team…it gives the decent q/b time to pick SC apart…why his brain can’t cognate facts is strange
Leonard Williams.