Double post time....

So yeah, no recap of last week's game between USC and Nebraska, partly because I was dead tired after the game last week, but mostly because we didn't have internet last week... But yeah, here's the long awaited recap:

#4 USC 28, #19 Nebraska 10

In a reversal of tales from last season, it seems the USC defense is finally returning to form from the 2004 season, while the offense struggles to find some consistency. The defense had little trouble stopping Nebraska coach Bill Callahan's unusual keep away offense, especially with their success with the West Coast offense in their first two games. Callahan had Marlon Lucky try to test DT Chris Barrett, filling in for the injured DT Sedrick Ellis, but all that did was lead to several third-and-longs that the swarming defense was able to stop. They almost had a goal line staind at the beginning of the fourth quarter, if not for an uncalled illegal block in the back. The offense capitalized on a mismatch between WR Dwayne Jarrett and the shorter Cornhusker CBs, as Jarrett exploded for 11 catches for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. QB John David Booty looked sharp in his second career start, going 25-36 for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. The run game, however, had problems getting on track after FB Ryan Powdrell went down with a horrific ankle injury early in the first quarter. USC's foursome of backs could only muster 68 rushing yards. The special teamers could not get the blocks needed to lead to any big, or even decent returns on kickoffs and punts, as Cary Harris did not advance the ball past the 20 on kickoffs and Desmond Reed was forced to call for several fair catches on punts. The kicking game was still solid, led by K Troy Van Blarcom, who's booming kicks have really forced the opposing team into poor field poistion. K Mario Danelo was perfect on 4 point after attempts, while P Greg Woidneck had another solid game. This game didn't end up being a blowout most USC fans are accustomed to, but it was still a solid win over a good Nebraska team, and I expect a great game next year in Lincoln.

Game balls:
Offense - Dwayne Jarrett: 11 catches, 136 yards, 2 TD, really responded to being called out by offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen
Defense - Rey Maualuga: 11 tackles (1 for loss)
Special Teams - Troy Van Blarcom, his big kicks help win the field position battle. Danelo only kicked four PATs, while no one on the return team has really stepped up.

Hmm, season pick'em, I'll be honest, I picked USC (-18) to win 42-14, so
W-L - 2-0
Agsinst the spread - 1-0-1 (the spread was 18 points... so it ends up as a push)

And now for today's game:

#3 USC 20, Arizona 3

20 points! Only 20 points!?! Well, I'm not that surprised after watching the entire game, but if I had just read the box score on ESPN.com, I'd be very surprised. But the offense was really lackluster after losing WR Dwayne Jarrett to an apparent shoulder injury and having another FB, Stanley Havili, go down to injury, with him expected to miss about 4 weeks. QB John David Booty threw his first interception on the year, but thanks to the tremendous USC defense, they held the Wildcats to a field goal try on the ensuing drive that was blocked by DE Lawrence Jackson. But the offense, save for Emmanuel Moody, had a difficult time getting anything going agsinst a solid Arizona team. But while the USC offense struggled to move the ball, getting a first down seemed a monumental task for the Arizona offense against the Trojans' defense. QB Willie Tuitama could not escape the quick corp of linebackers, as the defense gathered 5 sacks and forced him to throw an interception. Tuitama has not been himself this season, or at least has not played like he did against UCLA last year. Arizona finished with negaitve 16 yards rushing, limiting their offense to the passing game, which the Trojans also limited. The 3 points is the fewest allowed by USC since October 2004, when USC shutout Washington 38-0. I'm expecting at least one shutout this year, nothing is more satisfying than keeping your opponent off the board. My prediction; we will shutout Oregon State and Stanford. While the final score looks less impressive than last week's final, I'd rather win every game by a similar score than how we won games last year. Sure, it's less sexy and exciting, but it takes a real team to shut down the opposing offense week after week.

Game balls:
Offense - Emmanuel Moody - 21 rush, 130 yards, TD; he was our workhorse today, and he made several key third down conversions by breaking tackles and reaching for the marker. I'm excited to see what the future holds for him.
Defense - Can I give out 11+ balls to whoever saw the field on defense today? If not, I'd have to give it to Rey Maualuga again. He got 5 tackles, including two for loss, a key sack when Arizona was marching down the field between the third and fourth quarters, and a beautiful interceptions, somehow keeping the ball off the turf. Nothing against Oscar Lua, who is a fine MLB and would start at any other Pac-10 school, but Maualuga is the man, and is looking to become like the guy who last wore #58, Lofa Tatupu.
Special Teams - Had Mario Danelo made that 26 yarder to put us up 13-0, he would have received this ball. But after missing the chip shot, Arizona went down the field and put up their only points of the game on the ensuing drive. Missed opportunites hurt today, but luckily the Wildcats could not take advantage of them. I'd have to give the ball again to Troy Van Blarcom. With no return game and good, but not great play from P Greg Woidneck, Van Blarcom's ability to place the ball in the endzone is huge. One of the few times he didn't send the ball team, Syndric Steptoe took the ball past the 40.

Season pick'em, again, I failed to post my pregame prediction, but here's what it was: USC (-22.5) 35, Arizona 10

W-L - 3-0
Against the spread: 1-1-1 (looks kinda like I'm picking for the Daily Trojan...)

Other thoughts from today: Michigan State Coug'd it today, allowing Brady Quinn and #12 Notre dame to salvage their season with a come from behind 40-37 victory. After the first quarter, it looked like the Fighing Irish were going to get blown out for the second straight week, but the defense tightned up and Quinn threw for 5 touchdowns to put his name back in Heisman contention....No undefeated team looked really special today. #1 Ohio State
used two fourth quarter interception returned for touchdowns to pad their win against #24 Penn State. #2 Auburn started off sluggish before pulling away from perennial Bottom 10 team Buffalo. #4 West Virginia was held under 40 points for the first time this season, but managed to gut out a 27-10 win against an inspired East Carolina team. #5 Florida almost sleepwalked through a 26-7 victory over Kentucky. #8 Louisville lacked its offensive fire power against Kansas State without QB Brian Brohm and RB Michael Bush, taking it 24-6. #9 Georgia was on upset alert for 59:14 of the game before backup QB Joe Cox led the Bulldogs to two fourth quarter TDs to upend winless Colorado 14-13. #11 Virginia Tech trailed going into the fourth against Cincinnati before pulling away, 29-13. #25 Boise State survived a five TD game from Hawaii QB Colt Brennan to win, 41-34 on the blue turf....UCLA was upset by Washington, 29-19 after staking out to a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter....Who wants to be the best team in the ACC? Miami and Florida State are no longer the class of the conference, and Boston College lost a head scratcher to North Carolina State. Clemson is an extra point away from potentially being undefeated.

Up next for USC, a date with the Washington State Cougars in Pullman, Washington on TBS. The importance of the location and TV channel? Here's a hint, it was the last time Pete Carroll and the Trojans lost outside of California (2003 game was in Berekely, 2006 Rose Bowl in Pasadena). Give up? On October 10th, 2002, Ryan Killeen missed a PAT with four minutes left in the fourth quarter to give USC a four point lead, and later missed a 52 yard field goal in overtime as #17 Washington State beat the #18 Trojans 30-27 in overtime. And the game was shown on TBS... Go figure...

Ugh, what a boring weekend

I mean, no USC game, nothing to do other than work (time and a half, woot!), and the OSU/Texas game wasn't very exciting, unless you are a Buckeyes fan. Anyway, next weekend has an awesome slate of games, most of which I won't be able to watch. But I will be at College Gameday to see Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herbstreit, even if I have to wake up at 5:30 to be there at 6:30 (and get one of those awesome GameDay helmets). This will be their fourth visit to Los Angeles, all to see USC play (duh), with the Trojans being victorious each time, and I've been to all of them. The first was between #1 USC and #7 California, the first game against Cal since they beat us the year before in triple O/T. The Trojans won the game, 23-17, on a 1st and goal stand with less than a minute remaining. After we stopped QB Aaron Rodgers on fourth down, the Coliseum erputed, and it was the loudest I have ever heard the crowd. The second trip was later in 2004, when #1 USC hosted Notre Dame, pre-Charlie Weis, which meant another 31 point blowout. It was Thanskgiving weekend, so no one was there, and I got a Gameday helmet, heh. The Fighting Irish kept the game close in the first half, but the Trojans finally saw through the rain to turn it on in the second half to cruise to ao 41-10 victory, with Matt Leinart throwing for a record 5 touchdowns. The third visit was for #1 USC against #11 UCLA, who had they not been blown out against Arizona 52-14, I would have been worried for this game. USC cruised, breaking the scoreboard in the process, 66-19, in the final home game for Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White, and a host of others. I'm not making a prediction for this game yet, I'm saving that for Friday. But back to the point, there's a lot of great games this weekend. Here's the list:
#11 Michigan @ #2 Notre Dame
#6 Louisana State @ #3 Auburn
#19 Nebraska @ #4 Southern Calif0rnia
#7 Florida @ #13 Tennessee
#17 Miami (Florida) @ #12 Louisville
#15 Oklahoma @ #18 Oregon
#24 Texas Tech @ #20 Texas Christian
There's going to be a lot of moving and shaking in the polls after this week. Might catch the Manning Bowl later, if I'm not doing anything else... I can't really get into football anymore. I halfheartedly signed up for three fantasy football teams, but I don't feel into it anymore. I guess I'm out of that phase in my life, kinda like with poker I guess. Oh well, enough of senoritis and back to homework, I guess.

#6 USC 50, Arkansas 14

So much for rebuilding. Six different Trojans scored touchdowns, including career firsts for four of them, and Mario Danelo chipped in three field goals as USC wore down Arkansas, 50-14 in front of a record Fayetteville crowd. John David Booty looked sharp in his first game as starter, throwing for three TDs as it seemed co-offensive coordinators Lane Kiffen and Steve Sarkisian slowly broke Booty into the game with short, safe routes and a lot of running plays. Booty did not have many mistakes, and did not throw an interception while finding eight different receivers in the game. Dwyane Jarrett and Steve Smith made their share of catches, but they were mostly used as decoys to free up Fred Davis, Patrick Turner, and Ryan Powdrell, who caught his first TD as a Trojan. The running game was solid as Coach Pete Carroll rotated several running backs to keep fresh legs in the game, which became more and more effective as the Razorback defense tired as the game progessed. C.J. Gable scored USC's first touchdown of the night, which was also his first touchdown as a Trojan, and Emmanuel Moody and Allen Bradford also had their first USC scores in garbage time. It was encouraging to see Chauncey Washington and Desmond Reed receive carries as well, after injuries should have kept them out of the game. The only problem on the offense was T Kyle Williams, who was flagged for several penalties for false starts or illegal formation. But the defense was very effective in stopping the Razorbacks and coming up with opportunistic turnovers, forcing three fumbles and recovering two, including one on the third play of the game. USC also intercepted three passes as the defense showed off their speed and awareness. Though Arkansas scored two touchdowns, the USC made them earn their points, forcing them to score on long drives. Arkansas freshman QB Mitch Mustain looked to have created a QB controversy in Fayetteville, but Robert Johnson, though ineffective, should hold on to his job for at least next week's game. The Trojans special teams were indeed special, but I use the term in a positive light today. K Troy Van Blarcom booted 9 of his 10 kickoffs for touchbacks, which helped the Trojans with field position. PK Mario Danelo had 3 field goals, including a career long 44 yarder at the end of the half when the game was still in doubt. P Greg Woidneck had all three of his punts land inside the 20 yard line. All in all, it was an impressive debut for the new look Trojans, who should face a stiff test from Nebraska in two weeks.

Game balls:
Offense - John David Booty: 24-35, 261 yards, 3 TD
Defense - The entire defensive unit did their job, no one player stood out, but with a defense this good, that's not a problem Carroll has to worry about
Special Teams - Hard to choose here, as Danelo put points on the board while the game was still close, but Van Blarcom's kicks really helped with field position, which became huge when the defense came up with turnovers in Razorback territory.

Season pick'em
W-L - 1-0
Against the spread - 1-0

Next week: The Trojans have a bye. Next game is September 16th against Arkansas.
Games to watch:
Penn State @ Notre Dame
Arizona @ Louisiana State
Minnesota @ California
Georgia @ South Carolina
Ohio State @ Texas
Oregon @ Fresno State

Senior year, What to do?

Well, there's three things I want to address. First, let's get the business out of the way:

It's college football time, and here's my football preview.

#6 USC Trojans @ Arkansas Razorbacks

The Trojans start off yet another football season on the road, now for the fourth straight year, USC will play away from the Coliseum. In 2003, USC also played on an SEC field against #6 Auburn, winning in Matt Leinart's debut, 23-0. In 2004, the Trojans started off their AP National Championship defense against a pesky Virginia Tech team, fueled by three Reggie Bush touchdowns to win 24-13 on a hostile FedEx Field. The 2005 season started off in paradise for USC, with the Trojans saying Aloha to Hawaii, 63-17. And it all comes around again, starting off anew for the USC football team; new quarterback, new running backs, but the holdovers from last year will look to help hold the team together. Top returnees include All-American WR Dwyane Jarrett, All-American DE Lawrence Jackson, and All-Pac 10 C Ryan Kalil.

This season, the Trojans will look to go from being possibly the greatest offensive team in NCAA history to breaking in an entirely new backfield. Redshirt junior John David Booty finally takes the helm in Troy, holding off back problems in Spring practice ans redshirt QB Mark Sanchez. Booty saw a lot of mop up time in blowouts last year, but still seems to lack the confidence Leinart started off with in Auburn three years ago. But like Leinart, Booty will have a dependable set of receivers to throw to, which should help him transition into a solid QB. Joining him will be senior FB Ryan Powdrell, a converted linebacker who impressed in scrimmages with his running and receiving out of the backfield. The Trojans hoped to have senior FB Brandon Hancock play, but he is lost for the season with a knee injury. Another similarity to the 2003 Auburn game is the new set of running backs, mostly freshmen, that Coach Pete Carroll will rely upon. Of the handful of players vying for the job, Carroll selected freshman RB C.J. Cable to start, but promised playing time to Stafon Johnson, Allen Bradford, and Emmanuel Moody. Projected starter redshirt junior RB Chauncey Washington, finally academically eligible to play, has been hampered by an injury, but should receive some touches. Should Booty get comfortable in the pocket, he has a lot of options to throw to. Jarrett and senior WR Steve Smith return as well as former starter senior WR Chris McFoy. Sophomore WR Patrick Turner and freshmen WR Vidal Hazelton and Travon Patterson have also developed into solid receivers. TE Fred Davis has finally found his niche in the offense, and TE Dale Thompson and Jimmy Miller are solid blockers. Despite losing three starters on the line (Deuce Lutui, Winston Justice, Fred Matua), this offensive line may be just as good or even better than last year. C Ryan Kalil returns as the anchor, and T Sam Baker will also help keep Booty upright and create holes for the running backs. G Jeff Byers will return to the starting lineup after missing all last year with an injury, while look for G Chico Rachal and T Kyle Williams to emerge at the other line positions.

While the defense may have been the weak point last year, and extra year of experience has helped mold the unit into one of the best, especially the front seven. The defensive line is led by DE Jackson and DT Sedrick Ellis. Look for DE Jeff Schweiger and DT Fili Moala or a couple of freshmen to join them on the line. With Carroll looking to play a modified 3-4 defense, where the fourth linebacker plays a down lineman called the "elephant", he is taking advantage of the talented corp of linebackers on the team. LB Brian Cushing has adapted well to the new hybrid position as Carroll tries to take advantage of his speed. The projected starting linebackers are WLB Dallas Sartz, MLB Rey Maualuga, and SLB Keith Rivers, but expect to see Oscar Lua, Thomas Williams, Cushing, Kaluka Maiava, Luther Brown, and Clay Matthews to receive playing time. The secondary is led by S Josh Pinkard, who was forced to play CB after injuries took out several players early in the season. S Kevin Ellison should play opposite of Pinkard, while CB Kevin Thomas and Cary Harris will play the receivers.

Special teams were horrible last year, ranking almost dead last in net punt yardage and return yards allowed, though it did not play a major role in the loss to Texas. K Mario Danelo returns to kick field goals and PATs, where he was solid last year, though his leg was never really tested. K Troy Van Blarcom has to fight off fransfer K David Buehler, who bombed kickoffs deep into the endzone in the open scrimmage, which would help nullify our bad kick coverage. P Taylor Odegard looked to have the job after Tom Malone graduated, but he hasn't impressed many, while P Greg Woidneck has entered the fray. RB Desmond Reed, coming off a devistating leg injury in the Notre Dame game, is expected to field punts, while Steve Smith may join Reed on kick returns.

As for Arkansas, they are pretty much the same team that rolled into the Coliseum last year and got rolled out 70-17 after being blitzed for 28 points in the first quarter. The difference will be the motivation the Razorbacks bring to the game, and the confidence of playing at home. QB Robert Johnson will look for 6-6 WR Marcus Monk, while Arkansas will rely on their running game to wear down the Trojans defense and keep the game close. The current spread is USC (-9), and while I think it should be a close game, USC should cover and have the game in hand by the time the fourth quarter starts.

USC 23, Arkansas 10

Ok, now that's out of the way, I've been watching Scrubs on DVD. A lot. I watched season 2 last weekend, and just powered through six episodes of season 3 tonight (hey, what else am I supposed to do on a Friday night. Actually that's kind of item 3...). I don't know what makes the show so good, maybe I'm relating to it in a way I haven't figured out yet, though I totally get how J.D. feels when he goes out with Turk and Carla and Elliot and Sean, always feeling like the odd one out, always that awkard feeling, always being paired off with the "other" single guy. Well, since I'm on that topic, girls are hard to understand. One moment they want to hang out, and the next minute, you haven't spoken to one in a couple of months. Which I'm fine with. I don't need to worry about someone else in my life right now, well, that's probably less of a choice then the way life is, but oh well. I'm being killed as it is by Gandhi Puvvada, but that's my fault, too, taking EE 454L and EE 457 in the same semester. And being the nice guy that I am, working nights at DEN is killing me, too. I'd rather work the morning shifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays and not have to be in Olin Hall until 9:30. But none of the other returning workers want to do it, and with the amount of new workers we have this semester, it would have been difficult for the supervisors to have to monitor the netops, who are supposed to be monitoring all of the camops (Yeah, that's complicated, oh well.). But back to the girl thing, I guess it's ok not to have one, though I'm a senior, and well, yeah... I guess it's just that one who got away.

And being a senior, I still don't know what the hell I want to do after I graduate. Graduate school? I still don't know if I was accepted into the accelerated degree program, probably not. I don't have any connections in the job industry, though I did get a call today, but haven't been able to return the call because the person won't pick up her phone. Maybe just go back to Hawaii and waste the rest of my life away. I'm not sure yet. I guess the only thing I look forward to every week is the weekend to spend alone, watching Scrubs or playing Madden '06 (not '07...) or writing on the blog, predicting the week's scores (for SC only, unless we have a bye week, then the most intriguing game). Damn, I just realized I don't like my blog title, hope I can change it. Probably get an update after the game tomorrow...

Current want list:
1. Arrested Development Season 3
2. Scrubs Season 4
3. USC @ Stanford tickets
4. A hug? (from anyone but Marc Inamasu, and I prefer it be a girl...)