BallHype - Latest Southern California Trojans News Articles

Seahawks to start rookie at defensive end

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 07:28:28 +1900

Defensive end Lawrence Jackson, the Seattle Seahawks' first-round draft pick, earned the starting job with a good training camp and exhibition season, and he's set to become the first Seahawks rookie to start at defensive end in Week One since another first-round pick, Jeff Bryant, in 1982. The last rookie to open the season as a starter for Seattle was Jackson's former USC teammate, Lofa Tatupu, in 2005.

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Ohio State struggles to beat Ohio without Chris Wells

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 07:20:00 +1900

With USC looming on the Buckeyes' minds, they don't take control of Saturday's game until the fourth quarter in a 26-14 victory over the lightly regarded Bobcats. > Chris "Beanie" Wells didn't play. The Ohio Bobcats sure did.

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Two-Man Roundtable: What If?

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 06:02:22 +1900

1. Can Ohio State beat Southern Cal without Beanie Wells? P: Could Ohio State beat USC without Beanie? Sure. But then again you could also try crossing a highway by dodging speeding cars, but it'd be a hell of a lot easier to cross at the crosswalk. Watching ESPN as of late, I’m getting the feeling Ohio State isn’t even in the same league as USC. The Buckeyes should probably just be thankful they were invited. I’ll take this as a theoretical question since all indications lead me to believe that Beanie Wells will be back for USC (and possibly even Ohio). Ohio State could beat Southern Cal without Beanie. In fact, I hope they have a plan to win without Beanie. USC is very good defensively and what happens if Wells (or the other trio) can’t get any space? The last team to hold Beanie to less than 100 yards was Illinois and we all know the outcome of that. What if Wells has to leave the game? Beanie’s been a warrior but he does have some bumps ...

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Will Beanie Wells Be Ready for the USC-Ohio State Game?

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 03:54:58 +1900

This morning, we almost had the second upset of the weekend, following last night’s Vandy win over the Gamecocks. In a scrimmage that capped off a 7 a.m. practice at USC, the hodgepodge Black Shirts nearly upset the first and second unit team. Jurrell Casey’s interception of a tipped pass and his 56-yard TD return put the Black Shirts up 7-0. Mark Sanchez had to lead a 91-yard TD drive with 1:35 left in the scrimmage to tie the score on a 19-yard pass to Patrick Turner. David Buehler kicked a 28-yard field goal in OT to send the stubborn Black Shirts down to defeat. The Word from Rumor Central Beanie Wells has more than a simple sprain. According to rumors on the Bucknuts board, it’s a tear in his foot. If that is true, he won’t be 100 percent for the Trojans game next week. More than likely, though, he will play with painkillers. It Wasn’t Rey Maualuga, or Was It? It may not have been the Trojan rush that caused those ...

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Columbus chapter of Buckeye Nation already focused on USC

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:30:00 +1900

Ohio State has a game Saturday against Ohio, but all the buzz locally is about next week's game against No. 1-ranked Trojans. As fans look ahead, it's hard for players not to do the same. > COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The old football coach flashes a look of incredulity, wincing, like you just don't understood.

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College Football's Top 25 Team Rankings After Week One

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 23:09:15 +1900

Here's my top 25 list of college football teams as of Sept. 5, 2008. Can't wait to see what happens this week; I like Clemson in the top 25 as there is too much talent to leave them unranked. Fresno State is very underrated with Ryan Matthews Jr., Tom Brandstater, and Bear Pascoe solidifying a great offense that ran over Rutgers last week. Go Bucky, he's my boy. Ohio State (1-0) USC (1-0) Georgia (1-0) Florida (1-0) Oklahoma (1-0) LSU (1-0) West Virginia (1-0) Missouri (1-0) Auburn (1-0) Wisconsin (1-0) Texas Tech (1-0) Texas (1-0) Kansas (1-0) South Florida (1-0) Oregon (1-0) Alabama (1-0) Wake Forest (1-0) Fresno State (1-0) Arizona State (1-0) Illinois (1-0) UCLA (1-0) Clemson (0-1) BYU (1-0) Penn State (1-0) Utah (1-0)

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NCAA Football: Heisman Busters Week 1

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 20:56:25 +1900

After week one there are a lot of names that people don't recognized atop the statistical leader boards. A fellow writer at my site ( The BearDown ), Dom, is doing a great job of updating his picks for Heisman as the season progresses, but there are a few players that may break onto the Heisman scene. Everyone knows a BCS buster, but here comes some Heisman busters: My original Heisman hopefuls breakdown can be found: Here Here is a look at three performances from week one that may find themselves on the radar: QB: Mark Sanchez: USC: 26/35 74.3% 338 YDS 3 TD 1 INT 178.0 Rating Why?: If it wasn’t already obvious and I know this isn’t much of a stretch but USC jumps two spots to #1 after going on the road to play a BCS school. More than that though, they won convincingly and have quickly jumped to the national championship favorite again this season. Secondly, think about USC’s last four quarterbacks. In the last eight years they have had four starters, all were drafted ...

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USC will watch Ohio State-Ohio game for quarterback clues

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:27:00 +1900

The Buckeyes can alternate Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor, two quarterbacks with contrasting styles, when they meet the Trojans Sept. 13. > USC coaches and players will watch Ohio State's game against cross-state rival Ohio University today with an eye on the quarterback situation.

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College Football Week One - Lessons Learned

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:49:37 +1900

College football week one is now history. Most fans are still standing behind their teams and looking forward to another Saturday. Others may be wishing that they could call for a "do-over" or a "mulligan"... anything just to wipe that first game off the schedule and start over. But of course we all know that in college football anything can happen. Any team, any week, any stadium across the country may bring us that upset that ruins our hopes and our dreams. Just ask Michigan, or Virginia Tech. So here are a few things I learned this past Saturday (and Monday)... Maybe they will be helpful in preparing you for the rest of the season. 1) When it's 90 degrees in the South, you should not be playing football. As I sat in section 337 of Sanford Stadium this past Saturday, it occurred to me that maybe August is not the best month for football. Of course all I had to do was watch. Georgia and Georgia Southern battled the heat, and each other on the field. UGA VII spent the third ...

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USC football coaches break for high school recruiting

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 07:26:00 +1900

With a bye before Ohio State, Trojan coaches fan out to watch prospective players. The team, led by Mark Sanchez, scrimmages before taking a weekend to relax. > USC running backs coach Todd McNair was out the gate on his way to the airport before today's early-morning practice ended.

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Confidence catches on for receiver Ronald Johnson

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:22:00 +1900

The sophomore's 49-yard touchdown play and other catches in the season opener mark a huge change from last season. > USC wide receiver Ronald Johnson looked anything but scared when he sprinted into the open and looked up at a long, arching pass heading toward the end zone in their season opener against Virginia.

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Jimson Cuenta's 25th Article Special: His Top 25 After Week 1

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 15:10:41 +1900

The Jimson Poll Top 25 Standings AFTER Week 1: 1. Florida Gators (1-0) LW: 1 2. Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) LW: 2 3. Kansas Jayhawks (1-0) LW: 3 4. USC Trojans (1-0) LW: 5 5. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) LW: 4 6. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0) LW: 6 7. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) LW: 7 8. Missouri Tigers (1-0) LW: 8 9. Texas Longhorns (1-0) LW: 9 10. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) LW: 12 11. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0) LW: 11 12. Texas Tech Red Raiders (1-0) LW: 13 13. Utah Utes (1-0) LW: 14 14. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) LW: 16 15. LSU Tigers (1-0) LW: 19 16. BYU Cougars (1-0) LW: 17 17. Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) LW: 22 18. Illinois Fighting Illini (0-1) LW: 15 19. Clemson Tigers (0-1) LW: 10 20. Auburn Tigers (1-0) LW: 18 21. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0) LW: 24 22. South Florida Bulls (1-0) LW: 25 23. Fresno State Bulldogs (1-0) LW: NR 24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0) LW: NR 25. TCU Horned Frogs (1-0) LW: NR

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A Friendly College Football Game? Not For These Top Rivalries!

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 06:40:24 +1900

Anyone who believes college football's perfect day is fans of rival teams watching the game against each other's team while sitting peacefully, being timid, and not getting passionate is very sadly mistaken. These are the nastiest rivalries there are. No one holds back anything (unless they are losing). If you are wise, you will KEEP AWAY from these teams' fans after a loss to a rival! Here are the top nine college football rivalries. 9. Notre Dame vs. USC ND leads the series, 42-32-5. They play for the Jeweled Shillelagh. I know this used to be a great rivalry back in the olden days, but come on USC has dominated in recent years. Also it seems USC is the only one of the two able to maintain a winning record. It would take a large amount of the luck of the Irish to win this one. 8. Georgia vs. Auburn Auburn leads the series, 53-50-8. They play in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. In recent years, this one has been back and forth. They have traded two-game winning ...

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When Does Nebraska Get Top 25 Consideration?

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 03:48:36 +1900

Steve Sipple has posted his Top 25 ballot . OSU No. 1 and USC No. 4? I guess Sipple didn’t see USC trash Virginia on the road while OSU beat an FCS opponent at home. Next question: If the Huskers go 3-0 going into the VT game, will they be ranked in the Top 25? HG guess: No. The next few weeks are the cake part of the schedule. They just had their most impressive win of the first three games. Yes, they can get some impressive margins against NMS and SJS, but I think Husker fans should relax and not worry about the Top 25 unless we are undefeated after the VT game. HG prefers the Huskers to earn their ranking and be under the radar, not get it through non-BCS opponents.

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Danger Zone Ahead for Ohio State Football?

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 01:50:15 +1900

If Pete Carroll is as nonchalant about Beanie Wells’ status as he seems, then Ohio State may be in serious peril. When a coach seems unconcerned with a major opponent’s star player’s injury, that usually means he is confident in his game plan. According to ESPN, Carroll almost seemed to brush off the reports of Wells’ injury. “They stuck (the news) on my chair when I came in,” Carroll said. Generally, though, a coach doesn’t shrug his shoulders at headlines such as Wells' injury unless he wasn’t concerned about Wells' team in the first place. “We were hitting on all cylinders,” Carroll said after USC’s 52-7 win over Virginia Aug. 30. Carroll does not sound like someone who is intimidated by Ohio State with or without Wells. Still, he’s always been quite the gamesman. He was vintage Carroll in regard to Ohio State. Said Carroll, “We play them in two weeks, right?” So why is Ohio State in possible danger? ...

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Trojans boast truly balanced backfield

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 20:50:52 +1900

Keeping a bevy of talented runners happy is one goal, but winning takes precedence. > Todd McNair studied sociology in college, not math.

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Pac-10 Dominates Week 1 of College Football

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 19:35:57 +1900

Week one of the College Football season is over, and what a week it was: Game of the week It's hard to pick just one, but UCLA's win over Tennessee was a classic. The total transformation of Kevin Craft in the second half, the field goal at the end of regulation, the atmosphere at the Rose Bowl, many elements of the game were classic. Rick Neuheisel is very lucky, though. If Craft hadn't turned it around in the second half and instead thrown two or three more picks, Neuheisel would've looked like an idiot. As it is, though, Craft and Norm Chow made him look like a genius for his faith in the QB. Honorable mention Cal-MSU: Shane Vereen's 81-yard TD run brought back memories of Lynch and Forsett, and was the difference in what was otherwise a very close game. The commentators seemed shocked at the speed of Cal, as well as the ability of the defense to bottle up Javon Ringer. Cal update Defeated MSU 38-31. (See above) Next: The Pac-10 opener for ...

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LSU-Troy game postponed until November

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 18:11:38 +1900

LSU has postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav rolled through Louisiana this week. A person with direct knowledge of athletic scheduling at LSU told The Associated Press the Tigers' game versus the Trojans will be played Nov. 15. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not been formally notified yet. LSU has scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. EDT.

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One Week In, BCS Complaints Begin Already

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 13:37:59 +1900

The USC Trojans stomped on Virginia like they were an FCS team. But come on, who didn't expect that? It was somewhat refreshing watching a true powerhouse team come into Charlottesville and show them what a real college football program is about. Over the past few seasons, the ACC has gotten weak. I can remember not too long ago that Virginia Tech was not somebody you wanted to see on your schedule. Clemson does have a good football program, and have produced a pretty good number of NFL caliber players (Brian Dawkins is an example). So how can you deny that USC kicked the crap out of a superior team than East Carolina? Or Clemson? USC does not deserve to be No. 1 yet. I have no doubt that they would have been able to get there at some point later in the season, but Georgia and Ohio State did win big too! Including the shutout by Ohio State. UVA last season lost to Wyoming 23-3. They barely beat UNC, 22-20. The beat Middle Tennesse State 23-21, and then beat UConn 17-16. None of those schools ...

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College Football | USC rises to top of media, coaches polls

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 06:06:09 +1900

USC jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance...

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Rick Neuheisel already making his mark at UCLA

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:18:16 +1900

Pac-10 football felt a little different Tuesday. It had a little more bounce, a little more juice. Suddenly, it wasn't just USC over here...

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USC Jumps Two Spots in Rankings, Sits at No. 1

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:01:00 +1900

After a lackluster performance by the Georgia Bulldogs in Week One, and a cupcake dunkfest for Ohio State at the Horseshoe, pollsters felt strongly enough to name USC the top sheriff in town after they dismantled ACC foe Virginia 52-7 on the Cavaliers home turf. The AP poll was the closest, as USC received 21 first-place votes to the Bulldogs' 20. In the USA Today poll, however, the Trojans had a three vote advantage regarding the top spot. The Pete Carroll dynasty is well-known, but the 2008 version may bring home the hardware once again. With Mark Sanchez poised to put together a Heisman Trophy-caliber season, not to mention the talented smorgasbord of running backs to pick from, the Trojans might just hang on to the top spot for a long time. At No. 4 were the Oklahoma Sooners, who suffered two pretty sizable losses to their title hopes. Outside a nightclub on Saturday, two Sooners players were stabbed, and are being treated in local hospitals. Back to the Trojans though. While this ...

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Understanding Why Georgia and Ohio State Were Jumped by USC

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 04:51:28 +1900

After one week, the AP writers and the coaches participating in the USA Today poll have elected to "take a Mulligan" and reset the top of their rankings. It was painfully obvious that they hooked their first tee shot deep into the woods after an opening week that featured all three of the top teams winning. How can such a thing happen you ask? Is it all about Trojan love, no doubt conjured by those evil gamesters at ESPN? Could it be yet another slight to the majesty of the SEC? How about another way for unbelievers to denigrate the Big Ten? No my friends, we are looking at a proper conclusion to what happened this opening week along with a bit closer observation to what is going on with these three teams. The former number one Georgia Bulldogs defeated Georgia Southern of the Southern Conference while losing starting defensive tackle Jeff Owens for the season to a torn ACL. They had already lost starting left tackle Trinton Sturdivant—freshman ...

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Georgia Ranked No. 2 In Polls

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 03:02:37 +1900

Well, it was expected but I still don't like to see it. Southern California has jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent. Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason No.'s 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC's 52-7 victory Saturday at Virginia helped the Trojans vault past the Bulldogs and Buckeyes from No. 3 in the preseason. Georgia fell to No. 2 and Ohio State to No. 3. The voting was close. USC received 21 first-place votes and 1,539 points from the 65-member media panel. Georgia had 20 first-place votes and 1,506 points. Ohio State got 15 first-place votes and 1,497 points. On a personal note, I'd like to take the time to say that USC and Arizona showed how unprofessional they are by running up the score on an obviously weaker opponent. There is no need for ...

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Buckeyes' Wells likely to sit out Ohio game

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 01:38:00 +1900

Ohio St. wants top back ready Sept. 13 for USC > Ohio State tailback Beanie Wells, who left Saturday's Youngstown State game with a painful injury to his right foot, is "doubtful" for Saturday's meeting with Ohio University, coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.

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After Week One, USC Deserves Their No. 1 Ranking

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 01:28:46 +1900

What is everyone's problem with this? Instead of playing some school from the 1-AA or some low school in 1-A USC went to Charottlesville, VA (that's right they went on the road). They played a Virginia team, who is although inexperienced losing some key players such as DE Chris Long and QB Jameel Sewell, is going to be on offense by senior running back Cedric Peerman and Mikell Simpson. Though many people think UVA will struggle this year since as a team they are very young and inexperienced still better than some other teams. They also receveived 12 votes in the coaches preseason poll. But let's also take a look at four who were ranked in the Top Five going into the season shall we? First up Georgia: Week One Opponent: Georgia Southern. League: 1-AA. They went 7-4 last year and missed the playoffs. Although Georgia Southern is moving to the 1-A in 2010. But letting up 21 points regardless who is in for them and in fact if I am not mistaken the ...

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USC Takes Top Spot in AP Polls

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 23:43:38 +1900

Don't look so confused, Pete. The pollsters got it wrong in the preseason. Georgia, while they definitely deserve some votes, should never have been the top team. The Trojans of Southern California are the most deserving team of the top spot in college football's FBS, and they proved that on Saturday. After watching Quarterback Mark Sanchez pick apart the defense of a Virginia defense that produced the likes of Chris Long only a season ago, it became remarkably clear that Pete Carroll and his Trojans reign supreme in college football. After a 21-0 first quarter, many would assume that the Trojans would hit the cruise control button and glide into a still dominant victory. Not only did the defense continue to punish Virginia's offense, the offense of USC, who amassed 555 total yards, drubbed the Cavaliers 52-7. Mark Sanchez showed very little after-effects of a dislocated knee cap suffered only three weeks prior to his first start of the season. Sanchez completed 26 of his ...

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Former Trojans' All-American Willhoite dies

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 23:32:12 +1900

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Elmer Willhoite, an All-American guard on the Southern California's Rose Bowl ch...

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Inside The Numbers: Week One Of College Football

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 23:07:31 +1900

Week One of the College Football season is in the books, and after scouring through box scores, here's a light-hearted statistical look at the week that was: -11 : Rushing yards gained by Youngstown State against Ohio State. 0: Third down conversions by Chattanooga against Oklahoma (in 16 attempts). 42%: Armanti Edwards' completion percentage against LSU this year. 73%: Armanti Edwards' completion percentage against Michigan last year. 3: Non-offensive touchdowns scored by Florida against Hawaii (two INT returns, one punt return). 5: USA Today-Coaches Poll teams that lost this weekend (Clemson, Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan). Last year, only three teams (Michigan, Tennessee, Florida State) lost. Note Michigan and Tennessee are on both lists. 7: ACC schools with a win after Week One. 8-5: Michigan's record against non-conference opponents since 2004 (bowl games excluded). Michigan's ...

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Where's the Media Outrage About USC Leapfrogging Georgia in AP Standings?

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 21:33:15 +1900

As you can see, USC has leapfrogged UGA in the coaches' poll despite both teams winning. Now, according to the history that I brought up in this article on BCS controversies , such a crime against not only college football, but decency itself should not be countenanced! If Texas (a more talented and incontrovertibly better team) leapfrogging California and getting the Rose Bowl was such an evil occurrence, why is it OK for USC to leapfrog Georgia? The circumstances were similar: Texas won their last game that year in a rout while California barely beat a mediocre Southern Miss team (and they were not mediocre because USM is a small college team—actually USM was mediocre even by mid-major standards that season. They didn't win their conference and they lost their bowl game). But the national media to this day regards Cal's being leapfrogged by a team with the same record after winning as some great injustice and horror. LSU-USC in 2003? Similar story. Members of the media called LSU's ...

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Southern California moves past Georgia into No. 1 spot in poll

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 20:50:45 +1900

Georgia's reign didn't last long. Southern California moved up a spot to take over the No. 1 position in the USA TODAY Coaches' ...

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Ohio State star Beanie Wells feeling 'great'

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 20:22:00 +1900

The tailback caused concern when he was injured Saturday, but he appears on track to play against USC. > COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No one around Ohio State seemed willing or able to discuss the exact nature of tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells' injury, but today brought hints of a timely recovery.

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9 Knee Jerk Reactions to the Start of College Football

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 20:20:52 +1900

The Trojans stomped on UVA like they were an FCS team. But come on, who didn't expect that? It was somewhat refreshing, watching a true powerhouse team come into Charlottesville, Va., and show them what a real college football program is about. Over the past few seasons, the ACC has gotten weak. I can remember not to long ago that Virginia Tech was not somebody you wanted to see on your schedule. Clemson does have a good football program and has produced a pretty good number of NFL caliber players (Brian Dawkins is an example). So how can you deny that USC kicked the crap out of a superior team than East Carolina? Or Clemson? USC does not deserve to be No. 1 yet. I have no doubt they would have been able to get there at some point later in the season, but Georgia and Ohio State did win big, too, including a shutout by Ohio State. Last season, UVA lost to Wyoming 23-3. They barely beat UNC Chapel Hill 22-20. They beat Middle Tennesse State 23-21 and then beat UConn 17-16. None of those ...

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USC jumps to No. 1 in AP football poll

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:59:00 +1900

Dominating victory over Virginia was enough to put the Trojans ahead of Georgia and Ohio State, who played lesser opponents. > USC has jumped two spots to No. 1 in the Associated Press top-25 college football poll, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent.

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USC's reward: Top spot in Top 25

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:55:15 +1900

Southern California jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 on Tuesday, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent.

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USC's reward: Top spot in Top 25

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:52:47 +1900

NEW YORK (AP) -- Southern California has jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 co...

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USC vaults to No. 1 in AP poll after blowout win

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:45:04 +1900

Read full story for latest details.

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USC claims top spot in AP poll; Georgia is No. 2

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:33:25 +1900

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USC takes over top spot in AP poll

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:25:35 +1900

Southern California has jumped two spots to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, rewarded by voters for opening the season with a dominant performance on the road against a BCS conference opponent. Georgia and Ohio State, the preseason Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, started their seasons with glorified scrimmages at home against FCS (formerly I-AA) teams. USC's 52-7 victory Saturday at Virginia helped the Trojans vault past the Bulldogs and Buckeyes from No.

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USC Leapfrogs Georgia in New Coaches' Poll

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:04:12 +1900

One week into the season, Georgia has already lost its much-discussed No. 1 ranking. In this week's Coaches' Poll , USC has taken the top spot by 20 points (1,462 to Georgia's 1,442). The Trojans picked up nine first place votes to lead all teams with 23 total. Georgia lost two first place votes to drop back to 20. Ohio State lost four to drop back to 10, Florida lost two to drop back to three, and Oklahoma lost one to drop back to two. LSU stayed even with three first place votes. I had expected the winner of the Ohio State-USC game to take the top spot from Georgia on the strength of winning the biggest non-conference game of the year. I did not expect that USC would take it after just one week, but I guess the voters were impressed by USC's big win at Virginia and unimpressed by UGA's win over Georgia Southern. I also have a feeling that part of the reason the Dawgs fell was the loss of OT Trinton Sturdivant. There was a wave of pundits getting ready to drop ...

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USC Leapfrogs Georgia in New Week's Polls

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:04:12 +1900

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Chow already lighting it up at UCLA

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 16:24:09 +1900

UCLA’s 61-year-old offensive coordinator Norm Chow is worth every dollar first-year head coach Rick Neuheisel is paying him. Chow may well be the best offensive mind in the modern history of the sport. The only coach who comes close in our mind is Steve Spurrier, when he was at Florida. We all saw what Chow did at cross-town USC, developing Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart into Heisman winners when the Trojans won those two national championships in 2004-2005. Now, he is working wonders with Kevin Craft, the son of former San Diego State coach Tom Craft who started for a year with the Aztecs, then spent another year at Mt. San Antonio JC before transferring. Craft, who started pre-season practice as a third stringer, was elevated to a starting job after injuries to Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan. He struggled early in Monday’s nationally televised game against Tennessee at the Rose Bowl, throwing four interceptions, but was masterful in the second half and overtime as the Bruins ...

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Pete Carroll turns the focus on youth at USC

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 07:00:00 +1900

Trojans' coach will use this week's open date to take a closer look at freshmen who could play key backup roles as the season wears on. > While the Beanie Wells watch continues in Ohio this week, USC's open date on Saturday allows the Trojans to turn inward.

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Wake Forest Tops ACC Rankings

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 02:12:23 +1900

The ACC had a rough opening weekend. Wait, that's an understatement: The ACC had a HORRIBLE opening weekend. Expected conference champ Clemson got blitzed by Alabama, Virginia Tech lost to East Carolina, and Virginia was just a speed bump for USC. ACC teams either looked bad or played subpar teams, so we cannot gather much from their wins. Let's get to the rankings. 1. Wake Forest The Deacs went to Baylor and took care of business—almost like we have come to expect from Jim Grobe's teams. 2. Clemson The Tigers got dominated on the lines by Alabama, and that led to domination on the scoreboard. Clemson just got their head-scratch loss of the season out of the way...I think. 3. Virginia Tech Despite the loss to East Carolina, I still think the Hokies will compete for the Coastal Division title. 4. Miami The Canes were as impressive as you could expect playing a team like Charleston Southern. 5. Boston ...

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Virginia loses Clark for year to knee injury

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 22:39:38 +1900

Virginia starting linebacker Aaron Clark will miss the rest of the season because of a knee injury. The Cavaliers said Monday that the 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior will have season-ending surgery after spraining his knee in his first college start. Clark made five tackles in Virginia's 52-7 loss to Southern California before he was hurt in the third quarter. Denzel Burrell, a 6-4, 230-pound junior, will take Clark's place at one of the outside spots in Virginia's 3-4 defense.

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Virginia LB Clark to miss rest of season (AP)

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 22:08:04 +1900

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Top Five Heisman Trophy Candidates After Week One

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 19:15:13 +1900

After Week One, a ton of players showed that they have the potential to win the Heisman Trophy. That being said, this list isn't necessarily who is going to be on most Heisman lists, but rather who should be. 5) Donald Brown, UConn (23 carries for 146 yards, 4 TD) Brown followed up stellar freshman and sophomore seasons with an enormous game against Hofstra to start the 2008-2009 season. What those stats don't tell is that Brown scored all four touchdowns in the first half. If he can shoulder the load for the Huskies, they look poised to post another 9-4 year. For each big performance Brown has, it definitely enhances his chances as a darkhorse for the Heisman. 4) Mark Sanchez, USC (26-35, 338 yards, 3 TD, 1 rushing TD) There's no darkhorse about this pick. If Sanchez puts up big numbers two weeks from now in the Coliseum, don't be surprised if his name vaults to the top of this list. Everyone in the nation will be watching that game, and if USC can put on a strong showing, Sanchez ...

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Ohio State's Chris Wells becomes a man of mystery with his foot injury

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 18:55:00 +1900

USC could be left guessing on star running back's status for 12 days if Coach Jim Tressel plays his cards close to his sweater vest. > The right foot injury to Ohio State star tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells has unfolded as the season's first big mystery with a potential dangle life that could last days before the Sept. 13 showdown against USC at the Coliseum.

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NFL or Bust: Seven Reasons College Football Sucks

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 17:01:01 +1900

I've had my eye to the Internet lately and have seen words arranged in a most troubling manner. People have wrinkled their fingers and punched keys in specific sequences to create words discrediting the quality of the NFL. And they have done this in favor of college football! I do not appreciate these disparaging remarks being made against my National Football League. As far as I'm concerned, college football might as well be played on another planet. The language is foreign, the population is of a strange breed, and the game re-defines the concept of boring. College football is an exercise in futility, and a punishment from Lucifer to all true, red-blooded NFL followers. 7. The ESPN Ticker It takes way too long to get to important news on a college gameday. And don't get me started on when NCAA basketball starts, with both women and men's games getting in the way of what real sports fans care about. 6. The Ranking System I'm a fairly intelligent guy and have ...

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NFL or Bust: Eight Reasons College Football Sucks

Mon, 1 Sep 2008 17:01:01 +1900

I've had my eye to the Internet lately and have seen words arranged in a most troubling manner. People have wrinkled their fingers and punched keys in specific sequences to create words discrediting the quality of the NFL. And they have done this in favor of college football! I do not appreciate these disparaging remarks being made against my National Football League. As far as I'm concerned, college football might as well be played on another planet. The language is foreign, the population is of a strange breed, and the game re-defines the concept of boring. College football is an exercise in futility, and a practical joke played by Lucifer on all true, red-blooded NFL followers. 8. The ESPN Ticker It takes way too long to get to important news on a college gameday. And don't get me started on when NCAA basketball starts, with both women and men's games getting in the way of what real sports fans care about. 7. The Ranking System I'm a fairly intelligent guy and ...

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