Smelling like Roses...

Well, I'm glad I was wrong again. USC demolished Illinois, 49-17, after the Fighting Illini had a costly fumble in the red zone while down 21-10. The Trojans benefited from 4 Illinois turnovers, which they converted into 28 points. USC scored early and often, opening with an impressive drive capped off by a QB John David Booty touchdown pass to RB Chauncey Washington. After a Rey Maualuga interception, Booty lateraled to WR Garrett Green who lobbed a pass to RB Desmond Reed for Reed's first touchdown since 2005. The Illini defense solidified, though, picking off Booty, but the offense was no match for the Trojan defense, as they were held to a field goal in the first half. USC added a Washington run for a 21-3 halftime lead. In the second half, true to form, the USC offense sputtered and punted to Illinois, who vaulted back into the game on a 79 yard TD run by Rashard Mendenhall. The Fighting Illini again forced USC to punt and reached the red zone before LB Kaluka Maiava punched the ball out of the Illinois receiver's hands, and LB Brian Cushing recovered the fumble in the end zone. USC marched right down the field after a fortunate fumble bouncing right into RB Joe McKnight's hands, who ran it 63 yards. A few plays later, Booty found his favorite target, TE Fred Davis for the touchdown and the route was on. McKnight, WR David Ausberry, and RB Hershel Dennis all found the endzone for the Trojans. Here's the pictures of the scoring recap:
















Chauncey Washington 8 yard pass from John David Booty (David Buehler kick) - USC 7-0
















Desmond Reed 34 yard pass from Garrett Green (David Buehler kick) - USC 14-0

















Chauncey Washington 3 yard run (David Buehler kick) - USC 21-3



















Fred Davis 2 yard pass from John David Booty (David Buehler kick) - USC 28-10
























Joe McKnight 6 yard run (David Buehler kick) - USC 35-10

















David Ausberry 15 yard pass from John David Booty (David Buehler kick) - USC 42-10

















Hershel Dennis 3 yard run (David Buehler kick) - USC 49-10

And for the game balls:
Offense: John David Booty























In his final game as a Trojan, he played pretty efficiently, throwing three TDs, with his lone interception being due to a receiver slipping. Many have called for his head (I might have as well...), but with the receivers not growing into a new Dwayne Jarrett or Steve Smith, Booty really used the weapons he did have, the Mackey award winner in Fred Davis, and FB Stanley Havili, who needs to work on his hands in the offseason. But best wishes to Booty on his NFL future.

Defense: Rey Maualuga
















Three sacks, all in the second quarter, and a interception will win you honors. Maualuga really played well, staying in his lanes and position. The entire defense played good, as forcing 4 turnovers will lead to a lot of praise from the public.

Special Teams: David Buehler























(Yeah, the pic is not from the Rose Bowl, but if I find one, I'll put one here...) 7-7 on PATs and several touchbacks on kickoffs in a stellar performance on the anniversary of Mario Danelo's final game. Buehler played well all year in his first year as the kicker.

Other thoughts from the Bowl Season:

Sugar Bowl, sorry to see Hawaii get blown out by Georgia, but coach Mark Richt really had his team focused. The Warriors didn't have a chance after Boise shocked Oklahoma last year, and it seemed Hawaii was a step slow the entire game. QB Colt Brennan was sacked eight times and failed to throw a touchdown while tossing three picks and fumbling twice. And I'm even more sorry to see coach June Jones to leave Hawaii, but I can't really blame him, with the sorry state of the facilities there and AD Herman Frasier dragging his feet on offering Jones an extension. Sad to see while being in Hawaii for the last two weeks. All the best to Jones at SMU or wherever he ends up.
Orange Bowl, not too surprised to see Kansas winning, and it does prove that they did belong in the BCS. The Hokies looked uncomfortable the entire time, even if they did lose by only 3 points. And this guy:










does deserve credit for leading the Jayhawks to a great 12-1 season. With a lot of pieces returning, Kansas looks to be the favorite to win the Big 12 North and maybe the Fiesta Bowl next year. Speaking of which,
Fiesta Bowl, wow Oklahoma, you did it again. It seems like when the Sooners lose in the BCS, they lose on the big stage, being blitzed by LSU in 2003 in the National Championship, blown out by USC a year later, tricked by Boise last year, and losing to a coachless West Virginia team. Damn.

For now, my top 25, with the top 2 teams being safe. For now. All I can say, the LSU-tOSU winner may not be #1 after the BCS National Championship... Basically, double digit win teams in top tier, then remaining nine loss teams.

1. Louisiana State (11-2)
2. Georgia (11-2)
3. Southern California (11-2)
4. Missouri (12-2)
5. Kansas (12-1)
6. Ohio State (11-1)
7. West Virginia (11-2)
8. Virginia Tech (11-3)
9. Oklahoma (11-3)
   
10. Texas (10-3)
11. Boston College (11-3)
12. Brigham Young (11-2)
13. Tennessee (10-4)
14. Arizona State (10-3)
15. Cincinnati (10-3)
    
16. Hawaii (12-1)
17. Michigan (9-4)
18. Auburn (9-4)
19. Florida (9-4)
20. Oregon State (9-4)
21. Oregon (9-4)
22. Illinois (9-4)
23. Texas Tech (9-4)
24. Wisconsin (9-4)
25. Clemson (9-4)