USC ?7.5
Tailback U took a hit last year when the top 5 tailback went down with injuries. That added more pressure to QB Carson Palmer, who has yet to live up to his hype since arriving at USC. This year, the Trojans are healthy and will try to improve on last years 6-6 record. Coach Pete Carroll said it?s important to get the running game going. "It's a huge concern as far as the well-being of our football team that we run the ball. We've got to have some consistency and balance to our offense.? Balance is obviously wanted by every coach and every team, but without it last year, they struggled. Malaefou MacKenzie will get the start at TB and Sultan McCullough will see time as well. Palmer has the fastest receiver in the PAC 10 to throw to in Kareem Kelly, and with an experienced line, he should get the time. Auburn will counter with a new 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. They have depth at the linebacker position but return only 3 other starters to the unit. Look for the Trojans to get it going with the running attack to open things up for Palmer and Kelly. As much as Palmer has disappointed in his first four seasons, look for him to have a big year in 2002.
6th year senior Daniel Cobb will get the start for Auburn at quarterback. The Tigers will be implementing a new system on offense as they hired a new coordinator on this side of the ball also. Bob Petrino was hired as offensive coordinator to simplify things. Instead of going to the line with as many as 5 plays, Cobb will max out at 1 or 2. This can be good and bad. Depending on the defense, having a few plays in the huddle is good to audible at the line so simplifying to 1 or 2 plays will cut their options down. But it will make things easier to remember and keep everyone on the same page. Basically, this new strategy is a knock on the QB. They are saying Cobb can?t audible and can?t make the right decisions up at the line. Going against a very attacking and aggressive defense in USC, the simple plan may not work. The Tigers plan to base their attack around the running game, which will try to open up the opportunity for the long ball. USC has one of the best strong safeties in the PAC 10 in Troy Polamalu, along with DeShaun Hill at FS and 2 experienced corners including speedster Darrell Rideaux to counter.
Look for the Trojans to move the ball on the ground to open things up and attack the Tigers defensively. Palmer now has a year experience with Norm Chow?s offense and with a healthy team around him, he should have his breakout season.
GLTA!
Tailback U took a hit last year when the top 5 tailback went down with injuries. That added more pressure to QB Carson Palmer, who has yet to live up to his hype since arriving at USC. This year, the Trojans are healthy and will try to improve on last years 6-6 record. Coach Pete Carroll said it?s important to get the running game going. "It's a huge concern as far as the well-being of our football team that we run the ball. We've got to have some consistency and balance to our offense.? Balance is obviously wanted by every coach and every team, but without it last year, they struggled. Malaefou MacKenzie will get the start at TB and Sultan McCullough will see time as well. Palmer has the fastest receiver in the PAC 10 to throw to in Kareem Kelly, and with an experienced line, he should get the time. Auburn will counter with a new 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. They have depth at the linebacker position but return only 3 other starters to the unit. Look for the Trojans to get it going with the running attack to open things up for Palmer and Kelly. As much as Palmer has disappointed in his first four seasons, look for him to have a big year in 2002.
6th year senior Daniel Cobb will get the start for Auburn at quarterback. The Tigers will be implementing a new system on offense as they hired a new coordinator on this side of the ball also. Bob Petrino was hired as offensive coordinator to simplify things. Instead of going to the line with as many as 5 plays, Cobb will max out at 1 or 2. This can be good and bad. Depending on the defense, having a few plays in the huddle is good to audible at the line so simplifying to 1 or 2 plays will cut their options down. But it will make things easier to remember and keep everyone on the same page. Basically, this new strategy is a knock on the QB. They are saying Cobb can?t audible and can?t make the right decisions up at the line. Going against a very attacking and aggressive defense in USC, the simple plan may not work. The Tigers plan to base their attack around the running game, which will try to open up the opportunity for the long ball. USC has one of the best strong safeties in the PAC 10 in Troy Polamalu, along with DeShaun Hill at FS and 2 experienced corners including speedster Darrell Rideaux to counter.
Look for the Trojans to move the ball on the ground to open things up and attack the Tigers defensively. Palmer now has a year experience with Norm Chow?s offense and with a healthy team around him, he should have his breakout season.
GLTA!
