So it is always popular to bash the media but at least among Pac-12 media, there is a difference between it and the nation’s coaches. Why? Because USC is picked to win the Pac-12 over Oregon but ranked five spots below the Ducks in the coaches’ poll (No. 5 vs. 10).
So why SHOULDN’T we bash the media, Scott?
On FightOn247 there’s a cool little piece on How Nelson Agholar is out working the rookies and how Chip Kelly likes him.
Sweet!… Thanks for the heads up!
Translation: polls are useless.
Amen sister!
Translation: Expectations are much higher for SC this year compared to last. Great, but polls ARE useless.
Sark must deliver.
In particular…preseason polls.
UCLA being #14 in the coaches poll without a QB has to be a plus.
They return a lot of starters.
I never hope for players to get injured. Just sayin…If Josh Rosen goes down then the Bruins are in deep doo doo. They have no type of options after him and Nueheisel.
UCLA was in the same spot last year with no backup for Hundley. This year, we don’t yet know how good Rosen will be. If the OL does the job, the rest will fall into place. The problem is that there is little room for error in the South. SC probably has a better backup in Browne but he hasn’t been seen in a game other than mop up time. Is he better than Wittek? My guess is that he probably is, but SC doesn’t want to have Kessler get hurt either. Most teams have a drop off at QB if the starter goes down. It’s good to have a running game.
John Wooden believes BYU is no match for the Bruins. I say watch out because they’re physical and play better against teams they should lose to. What do you think about playing them early with a true freshman QB?
UCLA should win but BYU is a credible opponent. It will be game 3 and Virginia may challenge a true freshman as they dialed up a lot of blitzes last year, although our center was out. We will learn a few things in week 1 against Virginia.
UCLA has a chance to be very good. The question mark obviously is the QB position. Offense returns 10 starters. Good receivers, good running backs and an improved line. We just need the QB to be adequate in order to compete for the South. As I said, the polls mean little and any one of five teams can win the South. Should be interesting.
SC’s questions seem to be more around coaching and the defensive line.
I would think the 2012 pre-season poll should have taught us all a lesson.
But they fill newspapers, broadcasts, and stupid blogs.
If Sark’s Offensive Playcalling confuses the defense, and is therefore effective from the beginning of the second quarter to games end, AND the Trojan Defensive Coordinator’s Defense is able to control the game thoughout the 4th Quarter, the Trojans WILL KICK A## !!! FIGHT ON !!!
schammer, that is a “Big” if !
Sark on play calling, last year was horrendous, everyone knew what calls were coming in, the Defense (Opposing) were laughing (Ever heard of Clay Helton, Offensive Coordinator?)
“D” Defense under Wilcox performed at a level “far” less than previous Defensive Coordinators ! Quarterbacks could finish eating lunch while waiting for receivers to get open (Pass Rush, who ???) ! Considering Sarks obvious play calling and Wilcoxs’ defensive schemes is the reason for (at least) two of the Trojan losses, add Arizona and 5 losses were right there ! ? !
Your above statement relies completely on if’s, and excuses run low !!
I for one am hoping for the best, but fundamental decisions matter, and talk is cheap !!!
Let the Offensive Coordinator be the OC, and demand that the DC be competent (BC was a “JOKE”!) !
2015 is the most talented USC Trojan team in a decade, talk is cheap…
FightOn
Completely agree – only terrible coaching could ruin this stew, but 2 losses overall would be OK in my book.
A lot of Oregon’s #5 ranking has to do with they’re finish last season in the National Championship game and rightfully so. They’re the king of the conference until someone knocks them off the throne.
Oregon vs Michigan State second week will give a good indication of Ducks strength and weakness (QB?).North division certainly not the caliber of south.Ducks new QB will have quite a few games under belt when they play us..
Yep. I don’t think that Vernon Adams can be 3 days late to camp and win the starting QB spot in just 3 weeks for the Ducks.
And I was watching some of last years Stanford game before I delete it and have to say I wish George Farmer would have stayed for this year. He was ready for an explosive senior year.