Lua Gets The Start

Never have I been more disturbed by the returning of a starter than this years Oscar Lua. I believe it is time for Maualuga to get a majority of the snaps, do to the fact that rey had more than half of lua's numbers with less than half of lua's playing time last year. And that's without mentioning the fact that Maualuga was a "true" freshman compared to lua's tenth year junior... I am sure to be as critical of myself for questioning the great Pete Carroll, but come on somebody please tell me I'm crazy and what a loser I am for even caring about the depth chart of a defense that can potentially be great. Maybe It's past my bedtime or perhaps It's all of these anxious moments collecting in the large part of my tiny brain that's reserved for U S C.. The one thing that I'm certain of is that the Arkansas game can't get here soon enough, so losers like me can watch in silence and leave the game planning, depth chart, etc.. up to the professionals.. Not that there's a need to say it but I feel gulty if I don't so here it is "FIGHT ON".

Lua is a great guy but Rey just brings so much more to the table. I hope Carroll didn't do this to avoid controversy, considering Lua is a team captain. Anyways Fight the hell on and beat the piggies!!!

Don't worry folks, it's just the first game. Things will work themselves out. I'm not sure why people are making such a big deal out of the importance of Lua "starting" just because he's a captain. Petros was a captain and the only thing he started was his car!

I'm one who will go with experience first here, this is going to be a loud Hostile environment, Oscar is more likely to remain calm, get the D lined up properly, make the proper adjustments all with 77K plus ready to rip SC's helmets off.

If this was home against San Jose State I might have a different opinion

It looks like Pete is makeing decisions to avoid controversies.

From what I've heard and read...

Sanchez should get the start over JDB and Maualuga should start over Lua.

I know JDB has been patient all these years waiting for his chance. But the reality is, USC can't afford to slip in their first game.

What are the chances that Sanchez comes in for JDB for the 2nd half of the Arkansas game?

hey keith & tommy tee, u guys r both right -- The Mauler has the edge. it's more a nod of respect from PC because Lua is a capt., and it's not a crazy move to at least substitute the both of them thru-out the game. Lua, at 230, is still a solid player, a veteran who will have to play at an elevated level just to keep up with the 260 pd monster Mauler, who is a freak.

I wish espn could put a hidden camera on the helmets of those poor hogs, so we could see what it looks like to have a man-eating carnivorous maniac blitzing at you full-speed.

I wouldn't be surprised where it'll be a situation like a few years ago with dennis being the starter, but bush and white coming off the bench and getting significant, if not more playing time than dennis

I would hope Rey gets the most playing time. I cannot believe Lua beat him out. You need Rey/cushing/rivers in there to be the speed team that everyone is raving about. Lua is a great run stopper, but that is it.

Lua is a beast! Glad he got the nod. Rey will get his time but you can't underestimate leadership experience.

I agree with Keith's comments above and I'll tell you why. Rey Maualuga has the potential to bring the same intensity to the field that Junior Seau and Troy Polamalu brought during their years at SC. Unless Oscar is holding back a can of whoop a_ _ that we have never seen, it comes as a real surprise to me that Pete has given the nod to Oscar, given Pete's past motto - "we put the best players on the field". Perhaps Pete is getting sentimental on us, because I know he is not afraid of Oscar's past threats to transfer. In my observations of Oscar Lua last season, he is a step too slow from side line to side line and he lacks the sheer aggresiveness/nastiness of a true MLB who explodes through people. Even an undersized Lofa Tatupu proved to be more tougher, not to mention more fleet-footed than Oscar - taking away his starting position 3 years ago. Why hold back greatness? I say unleash the Rey-Dawg and let him punish those Arkansas backs, before he terrorizes the Pac 10. My choice for back-up MLB? Luther Brown, not Oscar Lua. Just being real baby, just being real. Can't wait for our boyz to run it up on those razorbacks again, in their own house!

Lua should start. It's a hostile road environemnt and he's been in those before. Starting soesn't really mean nuch though. So he's on the field for the very first defensive play. If physicality turns out to be needed Pete will put Maulauga in without hesitation. I wouldn't be surprised if Lua starts but Rey Rey gets the bulk of the playing time. They are neck and neck adn 99% of college programs would kill for the problems we have.

Oh and the only way I see Sanchez getting playing time on Saturday is if Booty is just having a terrible day turning the ball over (and by terrible I think he's gota throw 2-3 that get returned and just look flat out rattled). Either that or Sanchex plays the entire second half cause we are up 1000 to 7 again.

For those of you who were living under a rock all of last season, I just want to remind that it was OSCAR LUA who led the team in tackles! Not just led the category, but dominated! The guy had 66 total tackles in 12 games. For your information, this was 10 more tackles than the second place finisher, Frostee Rucker. Not only that, he added 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles! The guy was a beast last season and should be given all the credit in the world. He may not have been able to stop that shorthorn former quarterback who shall remain nameless, but then again, nobody did! I can't wait to see him stuff up the run against the porkers! FIGHT ON!

Evan, no disrespect to Lua, but Lofa had 104 tackles in '04 (13.5 for loss), with 3 int's, 8 passes broken up, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 6 sacks. Lua is credited in '05 with 66 tackles (only 0.5 for loss), 1 int, 2 passes broken up, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and only 0.5 sacks. Production-wise, Lua can't carry Tatupu's jock-strap. I'm sure Norton, Holt and Carroll are only too painfully aware. I don't mean to throw Lua under the bus, but they need a big-time disrupter at the mike position, and Rey's the one to do it.