Close Game?
Cal coach Jeff Tedford was always known as being the one guy to give Pete Carroll fits until last year. Tedford covered the point spread against USC his first three seasons, but things fell apart last year when he had a totally overmatched Joe Ayoob at quarterback. Ayoob threw four interceptions against the Trojans, although he did match Matt Leinart in touchdowns (0).
Cal quarterback Nate Longshore seems closer to the Kyle Boller-Aaron Rodgers model than Ayoob, although his foot speed is considered a weakness. It's one reason USC did not aggresively pursue him in high school.
what a pansie comment, "he did match leinart in TDs (0)."
what a cheapshot. if I remember correct, leinart ran in two, and managed a beautiful game... but whatever makes you feel better scott.
Longshore looked great last week hahaa
..because we traditionally go for running QB's?
To be fair, that year we did take Rocky HInds who could run ..and he did, all the way to UNLV.
As Petros one said, Matt Leinart hasn't bent his knees in three years.
Booty might be a step faster which would make him a silver medalist in a senior citizen track and field event.
And the year after Longshore we took Mark Sanchez, who acording to WeAreSC clocked in slower than Booty
Tedford has only beaten the Trojans once, at home in triple overtime. Why does everyone still claim that Tedford somehow has Pete's number?
Yes, yes the games are close but we all know that only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.
Trojan Man
This is going to be SC's toughest game of the year. Cal lost to Arizona because Cal was looking ahead to SC. This week Cal won't be looking ahead to anyone. SC is their whole season. It's going to be very close.
Ayoob match in Matt in passing touchdowns. What about rushing? (you may want to check that).
rushing TDs don't count as TDs anymore?
Scott, you just had to throw in that Leinart jab didn't you? Matt had 0 TD's. Yes, Scott, he had 0 passing TDs, which means he's obviously on the same level as Joe Booya. But didn't journalism teach you to report both sides of the story? Matt Leinart also had 2 RUSHING TDs in that game. That makes it 2 TD for the day.
Why the hatred towards Leinart, Scott? I realize that you are a short, internet geek with nothing better to do than bash people more talented than you, but why the constant Leinart bashing? Did he not want to meet with you for an exclusive interview? And did you cry to Gary Klein to try to get the interview for you?
Don't hate, Scott. Appreciate that this program's run and Leinart/Bush put your face on the map.
Interesting breakdown but I would have to say that I don't think Longshore is that similar to any of those guys. Boller, Rodgers, and Ayoob are all good athletes with mobility. Longshore is not mobile - he has a great arm but he has concrete in his shoes. The only thing that kept Ayoob back was he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with his passes. He has all the basic physical tools which made him a JC phenomena. And the other great thing about him is Ayoob is Booya spelled backwards!
Watching Cal this year, I have thought all along that you could really rattle Longshore by pressuring him. It’s the classic case of make him move his feet and his accuracy and decision making will go down the toilet. Credit to crazy Mikey Stoops for putting together a game plan that reminded us the Tennessee game was not a total anomaly.
So my feeling on Saturday was - DANG – Cal and Longshore got exposed one week early! In a way, I think this could help Cal. I'm sure Longshore's confidence is in the crapper but they are at their best when they commit to the running game with Lynch and Forsett. If they can establish the run, then they have proven they can be devastating down the field with play action throws.
I’m not thinking this has suddenly become an easier game. It actually might be tougher with the loss last week and the reminder to Cal what they need to do to beat a good team. The real question to me is how healthy is Marshawn Lynch right now? Based on how few touches he had last week, I would say they have been downplaying his banged up ankles and other bumps and bruises.
There you go folks - a post with SUBSTANCE! And there is no charge for this tremendous insight!
Longshore seems much more Boller than Rogers. Watching the AZ game last week, when the pressure is on, he was locking on to DeSean Jackson, and when hurried his footwork deteriorates, and he throws off of his back foot. Hope the Trojans can get good pressure on him Sat.
Way to get a subtle dig in at Leinart again! He might be the most maligned Heisman winner by his own beat writer.
ML had two rushing TD's. We didn't really recruit a top QB in 2004 because Mark Sanchez was already on the radar for 2005 and we had JDB from 2003. You need at least two years of separation between superstars.
Its Reggie Bush II USC has to stop first, an irony.
How could you forget the two touchdowns he ran for? Come on dude...
Hey Scott,
I believe Justin Wyatt played in every game from 2002-2005. His record in games played would have been 48-4. The four year seniors are 45-3. Have any of them played in every game from 2003-2006?
robert you're so right.
ah well, its a blog, therefore mr. wolf is allowed to write like that, i guess.
but it shows that mister wolf is (privately) a hater.
its obvious lobo here is just making snide remarks to get under peoples skin. whatever, it must be a power rush to abuse his power of expression by putting his personal feelings into each usc fact. and i use the term "fact" loosely.
I'll bet anyone $5 Scott Wolf is a regular Air America listener. He has all the classic signs: a very cheeky overly sensitive elitist where things are always better somewhere else like Europe and the SEC.
Europe is better than the US
1st off- Rushing TDs anyone? 2 of them for Leinart to be exact. How many did Ayoob have? Zero. Its kind of hard to score TDs when your on your ass all game.
2nd off- This Morning I read in the LA Times about DeSean Jackson dissing USC because allegedly someone at USC said he was already committed when he wasn't. Then the next day he signed with CAL.
If he truly wanted to go to SC as the paper stated he did, why look at other options. Especially when his best shot at a national title is with SC vs the other 9 in the pac 10.
DeSean states he is ready to take his best shot at SC. Please DeSean, Coach Carroll is going to hold you at bay by not kicking to you all game.
Expect to be well covered on the receiving end as well!
FIGHT ON TROJANS! BEAT THE COMMIES!
Props to you Scott. One can't maintain a very interesting blog without irritating fellow bloggers. For example:
Leinart touchdowns (0)...23(sarcastic) hits!
Trojan's performance in the Oregon game; You respond with mediocre grades...25(mostly irritated) hits!
JDB's production (stats) is similar to Leinart...500(your an idiot) hits!!!
Mention Pete Carroll and Norm Chow in the same sentence...1000 (all hell breaks out) hits!!
Good job Scott, it keeps me coming back.
'Fight on' Trojans....finish 4-0! And in the meantime; Scott, 'irritate on'!
Konyoku is one of those people that thinks the best thing in life is to sit in a trailer eating a big mac and watching big time wrestling and yelling "USA #1!!"
hahah
Let's see..
Europe-Paris, Eifel Tower, Rome, the birth of civilization as we know it
USA- Detroit, murder capitol of the world! :))
Europe- fine foods
USA- the home of "fast food"
Europe- invented art, sculpture, beer, writting, history, sports
USA- invented the escalator, the double cheeseburger, "Milwaukee's best light" Roseanne Barr, Oprah Winfrey, "the pet rock" disco music, "Leisure" suits, homosexual marriage, the 1980 Ford Pinto, people who travel to another country and say "why doesn't everyone speak english here??" and just about anything wrong with the world and are proud of themselves.
Konyoku, here to make the world safe for bad taste!!
Scott, Scott, Scott.
In your bleak, powerless little existance, your transparent, passive/aggressive tendencies only incite pity from us, the fans. Not the anger, rage or controversy you seek. You're just not that important. Nothing more than a pathetic little man writing a inconsequential blog.
Leinart and Bush are not the bullies who beat you up and stole your lunch money, they're just young football players. Cut them some slack.
calsucks - now compare the Pac-Ten to the SEC
Calsucks,
Are you sure that YOU didn't go to Cal with all of your USA bashing? The USA has dental hygiene, deodorant, College Football and Hawaii. Europe’s got culture, but I prefer sunny Southern California.
calsucks - you suck
Move to europe if you hate the US so much.