How unlike Mr. Wolf to distort the facts. This probably is not the greatest defense in SC history, but it is a very good one despite few tackles for loss i.e. sacks. Offenses are forced to pass, know they will not have much time, and thus resort to quick 3-step drops and dump-off passes for short yardage. I will take this year's defense.

Scott,

I like how you cherry pick rankings. How about giving your readers the rankings for Total Defense? That would seem to be the most comprehensive ranking. You can find it for all teams on NCAA website or for Pac10 teams in the press release.

TOTAL DEFENSE
National Leader: LSU 197.83
10. USC 269.00
13. Oregon State 290.00
20. Arizona State 307.00

At the very least you could give a comparable ranking, such as Rushing Defense.

RUSHING DEFENSE
National Leader: Oregon State 43.3
7. USC 75.8
9. Arizona State 80.8
10. UCLA 81.7

Scott - you have become such a cheap shot artist and, for the lack of a more accurate term, hack.

Scott - you have become such a cheap shot artist and, for the lack of a more accurate term, hack.

Scott - you have become such a cheap shot artist and, for the lack of a more accurate term, hack.

I have to agree, that is a pretty cheap shot at USC's defense. I would say that this defense has appeared to be a lil too hyped (due to all the returning starters); however, the offense is certainly not helping them. The offense has given up points this year, which should NEVER happen, and keeps teams in the game when they should be already out of them.

Tackles for losses also don't matter AT ALL. Who cares if it's 3-8 or 3-13 as long as you force the fourth down and keep the other team from scoring. I look at scoring defense first, then how many yards the team gives up - this usually shows whether or not the other team can 1) score, most important, and 2)move the ball.

I don't care if USC has 0 TFLs if they lead in the other more important categories. It's a lil like golf - you drive for show (sacks, TFLs, etc.) and putt for dough (scoring def, total def).

I'll never understand those who ridcule Scott but will then frequent this site. It beats the hell out of those homer sites where people are shocked at close games.

SC's defense looked menacing coming into this year. There's been some losses among some of those most heralded, but the front line has been intact. Still, they lack the solid number of sacks that were expected -- be it unfairly or not. I mean, Jackson and Ellis are going to be top picks this year in the draft, but there hasn't been as much to show for it as we thought there would have been. Is this their fault? I don't know -- sacks are something in which the entire defense can play a part. Are the linebackers being agressive enough (Cushing out hurts), are the secondary taking out passing options for the QB, freeing up more time for the line to get to him? Don't really know.

Keep in persepctive that SC has played some pretty horrible teams, thus the poor strength of schedule. They've been great on the run, but will they be able to keep this up against teams higher-level teams?

Would be interesting to compare how much they've been on the field relative to teams of years past.

Ok woflie :)

Let's pull some other pretty much meaningless stat out, too, like where are we in number of time outs called?

I think your trying to get us riled up :))

What did Arizona get in rushing yards last week? like 27 or something? and 43 passes for 230 yards?

Dunno that sounds pretty good to me :)

Hey Scott,

Why the never ending sharp edge, smart a## remarks? Your reference to USC’s defense as the best is obviously a slight. If USC repulses you so much then please cover the boys across town. Now back to your anemic comment;

LAWYER JOHN is correct about the quick release strategy employed by our opponents. Idaho, Nebraska, Washington State, Washington, Stanford & Arizona all tried to nickel dime USC to death, resulting in minimal points; exception is Nebraska who scored the majority of their points against 2nd & 3rd stringers in the fourth quarter once USC was ahead by 42-13.

Oh and by the way, this best defense in USC history you refer to has proven themselves to be resilient; diving deep into their reserves to replace starters & they have preformed extremely well, exception being 4th quarter against Stanford.

Fight On!

RB

SW cares about promoting MM...
IT...

"Jackson and Ellis will be top picks." I will be absolutely shocked if Jackson is a top pick. He's done almost nothing for us the last two years.

If you're going to blame anything, blame the slack WR coverage that allows QBs to dump the ball off quickly to avoid TFLs and sacks. But our rushing defense is insane right now and ND is going to have to pass/pass/pass to move the ball.