Get Your Trojans On

USC v UCLA Breakdown

There are three reasons why the Trojans were upset by the Bruins Saturday at the Rose Bowl. One, UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker found a weakness in the Trojan offensive front and attacked it with lightning quick DEs. Two, penalties killed momentum changing drives early in the second half. And finally, Lane Kiffin is an idiot who needs to be fired!

UCLA hardly ever brought pressure up the middle, forcing SC's talented offensive line to protect around the edges. Walker realized, unlike every other coordinator in the PAC-10, that JDBooty would pick apart their secondary if they brought pressure straight at them. It was fascinating to see just how quick UCLA was off the edges and how they forced Booty to step up in the pocket, throwing off his timing and forcing short passes. This pressure changed the SC game plan and forced Booty into 3 step drops, eventually forcing the game winning interception late in the 4th.

Momentum is the key to Trojan victories, and USC seemed to have it at the end of the first half. The momentum carried into the start of the 3rd quarter with a drive that took them down to the UCLA 40 yard line. It seemed as if I was watching another scripted USC game against a PAC-10 opponent. The Trojans made their halftime adjustments and looked to blow the game wide open. But that quick UCLA defensive line made SC jumpy and turned a 3rd and short into a 3rd and forever. Goodbye momentum, and goodbye championship.

I know what you're thinking, offsides penalties are not the reason why SC was shut out in the second half Saturday for the first time in like 50 years. It was a combination of penalties and questionable 4th down calls made by Lane Kiffin. Now I know I am a music student who has never coached a down of college football; I know this! But it doesn't take a genius to know not to run a pitch play on 4th and short toward the short side of the field against a defense that had been in the backfield all day long. It's not Kiffin's fault that Pete Carroll is a crazy bastard that loves to go for it on fourth down, but come on, you have arguably the best wide receiver in the nation in Dwayne Jarrett. Throw him the damn ball!!!!

So USC loses another close one in the Rose Bowl this year. Pasadena hasn't been too fun for the Trojans in '06. But I have a feeling Pete Carroll has a New Year's resolution up his sleeve. Check in next week to read my preview of next year's Grand Daddy of 'em All!