USC Trojans - Tusk!!

[Richard B]

The Rose Bowl is today and USC will kick those lame Texas Longhorns down. That's right, there gonna file those horns to dull stumps.

Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! (real savage like)

[DavidMn]

I kinda agree with you. I'm thinking about 31-21 or so myself. BTW I thought Tusk was recorded with the MIT marching band....

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Richard B

The Rose Bowl is today and USC will kick those lame Texas Longhorns down. That's right, there gonna file those horns to dull stumps.

Tusk! Tusk! Tusk! (real savage like)

I hope after tonight, you'll be eating crow.

HOOK 'EM!!!!!! That's right bitches, I said it .

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

I hope after tonight, you'll be eating crow.

HOOK 'EM!!!!!! That's right bitches, I said it .

Haha. You're so gonna cry all the way home. USC is a kick ass team...there defense rules. They will continue their reign yet another year.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Haha. You're so gonna cry all the way home. USC is a kick ass team...there defense rules. They will continue their reign yet another year.

Never count out the Longhorns my friend, we've got a lot of heart. And have you heard of the religion that is Texas football? Those Longhorn fans are gonna drown out the USC fans in their own stadium. Mark my words.

Anyway, here's to a good game.

[johndoe]

Its impossible to predict this game, though I love the Trojans. Not for the FMness, but because a lot of my family has gone there...

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Never count out the Longhorns my friend, we've got a lot of heart. And have you heard of the religion that is Texas football? Those Longhorn fans are gonna drown out the USC fans in their own stadium. Mark my words.

Anyway, here's to a good game.

Yes...it will be a great game and I hope you have fun no matter the outcome. I like our healthy rivalry.

I will look forward to hearing Longhorn fans screaming for a losing team. It will be a raunchy affair over there.

This is also another reason USC gets my vote...

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Richard B

This is also another reason USC gets my vote...

oh good lord.

Whatevs. I'm pulling for my team. You can cram it full of walnuts

I'm just glad it isn't Texas A&M. If A&M ever goes to the Rose Bowl watch out because those fans are rabid! I think it's all the inbreeding .

[Livia]

Haven't you been paying attention to my signatures for the past, oh, I dunno, 4 months????

Yeah, what this guy said....he makes many good points. I predict the Horns will win by 10. Even better if they're trailing at halftime...gets 'em even MORE pumped up!

Tracye, you wanna come over? I'm having a VERY small gathering. Just a handful of people, who will really watch the game...BYOB - munchies provided!

I've bolded what I agree w/ the most...

SI.com

Why Texas will win
Rose Bowl eerily similar to '03 championship game
Posted: Wednesday January 4, 2006 12:22PM; Updated: Wednesday January 4, 2006 4:10PM

LOS ANGELES -- The buildup to tonight's Rose Bowl has given me a giant case of déjà vu. Suddenly it's 2002 all over again, and I am covering the Miami-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl.

Both teams are undefeated, yet hardly a soul is giving the less glamorous Buckeyes a fighting chance. The Hurricanes, winners of 34 straight games, were pre-ordained to win another national championship before the season even started, and they've often played like it, lollygagging for three quarters against Rutgers, needing a miraculous last-minute rally to survive against Florida State. And yet, as the game approaches, my colleagues in the media never consider for a minute that Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee won't roll over Ohio State's heretofore stingy defense.

I've covered both teams several times during the season, and my gut tells me the Buckeyes are being overlooked. They're more physical than Miami is accustomed to and they don't make mistakes. But, alas, I go along with the majority and pick the 'Canes. You know what happens.

Three years later, another star-studded juggernaut, USC, is also riding a 34-game winning streak, and though Texas hasn't lost in nearly two years either, pundits from coast to coast have already chalked up the contest as a Trojan coronation. At dinner the other night, a fellow writer was incredulous that I would even suggest the Longhorns have a chance, or that Reggie Bush will do anything less than run for 200 yards. SportsCenter spent two straight weeks matching up this year's USC squad against the greatest teams of all time -- before the Trojans actually won their third national championship.

All of which is a tad baffling considering the 2005 Trojans, while unquestionably special, have hardly been inhuman. They came within seconds of falling at Notre Dame. They gave up 42 points to a Fresno State team that didn't win a game the rest of the year. The 'Horns had a couple of mild scares against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, but mostly they beat people by scores like 52-17 and 70-3. They went on the road and beat an Ohio State team that will likely finish the season ranked in the top five.

I'm experiencing that same gut feeling I did three years ago. And this time, I'm not ignoring it.

Texas will pull off the upset and here's why:

•USC hasn't seen a defense like Texas'. Bush was asked the other day which defense was the toughest his team faced this season. After a moment of contemplation, the Heisman winner replied, "We've faced a lot of tough defenses ... Arizona State did a great job against us. Notre Dame. Oregon." The three teams Bush mentioned entered bowl season ranked 114th, 75th and 45th, respectively, in total defense. Texas is fifth.

While such stats can certainly be deceiving, Trojans offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin says the 'Horns are not only the toughest defense they've faced this season, but also the toughest in his five years at USC. "It's not even close," he said. "The one thing Oklahoma had [going against it] last year was they'd given up big plays in the secondary. With Texas, you don't see that. We're going to have to go out there and do something we haven't seen happen [against them]."

Texas' defense is much faster, particularly at linebacker, than what the Trojans see in the Pac-10, which means Bush, who usually relies on his speed advantage, may actually take a backseat in this game to the more physical LenDale White. And the 'Horns' secondary, led by All-America strong safety Michael Huff, is better-suited than most to defend USC'sreceivers. Certainly, the 'Horns aren't going to completely shut down the Trojans. No one can. But this isn't likely to be the usual cakewalk for Bush, Leinart & Co. "Talent-wise," said Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, "we feel it's going to be an even game."

•Vince Young is poised for a big game. It's tough for any team to defend the junior quarterback, but the Trojans may be at a particular disadvantage in that they play in the one conference in the country, the Pac-10, devoid of mobile quarterbacks -- and Young just happens to be extremely mobile. "There's nobody like [Young]," said USC coach Pete Carroll. "There are guys who can run and throw, but nobody has ever been this fast."

If this was last year's USC defense, whose front four could overpower any opposing line, Young would have a harder time getting outside the pocket. But it's no secret this year's Trojan D is good, but not great. It's unlikely USC can get pressure on Young with just its front four, and if it does bring linebackers or safeties, Young has the ability to burn the Trojans' susceptible cornerbacks with deep passes to Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman, particularly off of play-action.

There is some thinking that Young will "press" against the Trojans and make mistakes (he does still turn the ball over more than he should). From what I've seen, however, Young is one of those truly exceptional leaders who tends to excel on the biggest stages (see last year's Rose Bowl win over Michigan or the last-minute rally at Ohio State). "It's pretty much my calling," said Young. "I'm meant to be a leader."


•Texas holds a huge special-teams edge. USC has gone 12-0 in spite of admitted deficiencies in its kick and punt-return coverage. That's not such a big deal when you're beating teams 66-19, but in a championship-level game, special teams can make all the difference, and the 'Horns just happen to be one of the best in the country in that area. They've blocked nine kicks and accounted for four touchdowns on the year.

"We're real concerned," said Carroll. "We have not had a great season on special teams. ... I'm sure they're excited about that matchup."

•The 'Horns are hungrier. They won't admit it, but deep down you know Texas' players have to be fuming about the disproportionate adulation their opponent is receiving. "I really appreciate you all," Mack Brown said to reporters on Tuesday. "You've been really good. I don't need to give them a pregame talk." All week, 'Horns players have been answering questions about USC's "greatest offense of all time," even though Texas actually averages slightly more points than the men of Troy.

Meanwhile, I've noticed a disconcerting vibe -- that of slight detachment --among the Trojans this week. While the atmosphere surrounding USC is always loose and relaxed, you have to wonder whether they're truly taking Texas seriously. Numerous players are wrestling with whether to enter the NFL Draft (Bush actually spent a day last month interviewing potential agents). In one breath, Bush says, "I'm not focused on what's going on with the NFL right now," the next, he's answering questions about last weekend's Texans-49ers game. Are their heads really in the right place?

•Texas is the better team. Sacrilege, you say? Perhaps you should take a closer look at the two rosters. Both are loaded with talent and experience, particularly on offense. Each will easily send as many as two-thirds of its starters to the NFL. But USC isn't without its weaknesses. The Trojans' already inexperienced linebacking corps has been riddled with injuries. Their cornerbacks have often appeared overmatched. Their special-teams players, as previously mentioned, have been average at best.

Texas has no such noticeable flaws. Besides Young, its skill players aren't necessarily as heralded as USC's, but nearly any team in the country would love to have Jamaal Charles and Ramonce Taylor in its backfield, or David Thomas as its tight end. All five offensive linemen are solid. Both defensive tackles are future first-rounders. Every member of the secondary is rock solid.

PREDICTION: The 'Horns throw the Trojans off their rhythm and jump to an early lead. USC makes its inevitable comeback, but Young's composure allows Texas to weather the storm. Texas 33, USC 30.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...xas/index.html

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by Livia

Haven't you been paying attention to my signatures for the past, oh, I dunno, 4 months????

Yeah, what this guy said....he makes many good points. I predict the Horns will win by 10.

SI.com

Why Texas will win
Rose Bowl eerily similar to '03 championship game
Posted: Wednesday January 4, 2006 12:22PM; Updated: Wednesday January 4, 2006 4:10PM

LOS ANGELES -- The buildup to tonight's Rose Bowl has given me a giant case of déjÃ* vu. Suddenly it's 2002 all over again, and I am covering the Miami-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl.

Both teams are undefeated, yet hardly a soul is giving the less glamorous Buckeyes a fighting chance. The Hurricanes, winners of 34 straight games, were pre-ordained to win another national championship before the season even started, and they've often played like it, lollygagging for three quarters against Rutgers, needing a miraculous last-minute rally to survive against Florida State. And yet, as the game approaches, my colleagues in the media never consider for a minute that Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee won't roll over Ohio State's heretofore stingy defense.

I've covered both teams several times during the season, and my gut tells me the Buckeyes are being overlooked. They're more physical than Miami is accustomed to and they don't make mistakes. But, alas, I go along with the majority and pick the 'Canes. You know what happens.

Three years later, another star-studded juggernaut, USC, is also riding a 34-game winning streak, and though Texas hasn't lost in nearly two years either, pundits from coast to coast have already chalked up the contest as a Trojan coronation. At dinner the other night, a fellow writer was incredulous that I would even suggest the Longhorns have a chance, or that Reggie Bush will do anything less than run for 200 yards. SportsCenter spent two straight weeks matching up this year's USC squad against the greatest teams of all time -- before the Trojans actually won their third national championship.

All of which is a tad baffling considering the 2005 Trojans, while unquestionably special, have hardly been inhuman. They came within seconds of falling at Notre Dame. They gave up 42 points to a Fresno State team that didn't win a game the rest of the year. The 'Horns had a couple of mild scares against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, but mostly they beat people by scores like 52-17 and 70-3. They went on the road and beat an Ohio State team that will likely finish the season ranked in the top five.

I'm experiencing that same gut feeling I did three years ago. And this time, I'm not ignoring it.

Texas will pull off the upset and here's why:

•USC hasn't seen a defense like Texas'. Bush was asked the other day which defense was the toughest his team faced this season. After a moment of contemplation, the Heisman winner replied, "We've faced a lot of tough defenses ... Arizona State did a great job against us. Notre Dame. Oregon." The three teams Bush mentioned entered bowl season ranked 114th, 75th and 45th, respectively, in total defense. Texas is fifth.

While such stats can certainly be deceiving, Trojans offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin says the 'Horns are not only the toughest defense they've faced this season, but also the toughest in his five years at USC. "It's not even close," he said. "The one thing Oklahoma had [going against it] last year was they'd given up big plays in the secondary. With Texas, you don't see that. We're going to have to go out there and do something we haven't seen happen [against them]."

Texas' defense is much faster, particularly at linebacker, than what the Trojans see in the Pac-10, which means Bush, who usually relies on his speed advantage, may actually take a backseat in this game to the more physical LenDale White. And the 'Horns' secondary, led by All-America strong safety Michael Huff, is better-suited than most to defend USC'sreceivers. Certainly, the 'Horns aren't going to completely shut down the Trojans. No one can. But this isn't likely to be the usual cakewalk for Bush, Leinart & Co. "Talent-wise," said Texas co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, "we feel it's going to be an even game."

•Vince Young is poised for a big game. It's tough for any team to defend the junior quarterback, but the Trojans may be at a particular disadvantage in that they play in the one conference in the country, the Pac-10, devoid of mobile quarterbacks -- and Young just happens to be extremely mobile. "There's nobody like [Young]," said USC coach Pete Carroll. "There are guys who can run and throw, but nobody has ever been this fast."

If this was last year's USC defense, whose front four could overpower any opposing line, Young would have a harder time getting outside the pocket. But it's no secret this year's Trojan D is good, but not great. It's unlikely USC can get pressure on Young with just its front four, and if it does bring linebackers or safeties, Young has the ability to burn the Trojans' susceptible cornerbacks with deep passes to Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman, particularly off of play-action.

There is some thinking that Young will "press" against the Trojans and make mistakes (he does still turn the ball over more than he should). From what I've seen, however, Young is one of those truly exceptional leaders who tends to excel on the biggest stages (see last year's Rose Bowl win over Michigan or the last-minute rally at Ohio State). "It's pretty much my calling," said Young. "I'm meant to be a leader."


•Texas holds a huge special-teams edge. USC has gone 12-0 in spite of admitted deficiencies in its kick and punt-return coverage. That's not such a big deal when you're beating teams 66-19, but in a championship-level game, special teams can make all the difference, and the 'Horns just happen to be one of the best in the country in that area. They've blocked nine kicks and accounted for four touchdowns on the year.

"We're real concerned," said Carroll. "We have not had a great season on special teams. ... I'm sure they're excited about that matchup."

•The 'Horns are hungrier. They won't admit it, but deep down you know Texas' players have to be fuming about the disproportionate adulation their opponent is receiving. "I really appreciate you all," Mack Brown said to reporters on Tuesday. "You've been really good. I don't need to give them a pregame talk." All week, 'Horns players have been answering questions about USC's "greatest offense of all time," even though Texas actually averages slightly more points than the men of Troy.

Meanwhile, I've noticed a disconcerting vibe -- that of slight detachment --among the Trojans this week. While the atmosphere surrounding USC is always loose and relaxed, you have to wonder whether they're truly taking Texas seriously. Numerous players are wrestling with whether to enter the NFL Draft (Bush actually spent a day last month interviewing potential agents). In one breath, Bush says, "I'm not focused on what's going on with the NFL right now," the next, he's answering questions about last weekend's Texans-49ers game. Are their heads really in the right place?

•Texas is the better team. Sacrilege, you say? Perhaps you should take a closer look at the two rosters. Both are loaded with talent and experience, particularly on offense. Each will easily send as many as two-thirds of its starters to the NFL. But USC isn't without its weaknesses. The Trojans' already inexperienced linebacking corps has been riddled with injuries. Their cornerbacks have often appeared overmatched. Their special-teams players, as previously mentioned, have been average at best.

Texas has no such noticeable flaws. Besides Young, its skill players aren't necessarily as heralded as USC's, but nearly any team in the country would love to have Jamaal Charles and Ramonce Taylor in its backfield, or David Thomas as its tight end. All five offensive linemen are solid. Both defensive tackles are future first-rounders. Every member of the secondary is rock solid.

PREDICTION: The 'Horns throw the Trojans off their rhythm and jump to an early lead. USC makes its inevitable comeback, but Young's composure allows Texas to weather the storm. Texas 33, USC 30.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...xas/index.html

Nice.

We'll just see who's "crying all the way home" at game's end. We'll just see, BWAHAHA!!!!!

[Richard B]

Can we say "article a tad biased?"

Time will tell. Bush is my man...is he ever a joy to watch, great sportmanship and very light on his feet.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a great game. I'm very excited. I have a feeling I'll be sweatin' though...thankfully there will be lots of food at where I'm going to watch.

[Livia]

P.S. Listen for Tusk in the third quarter - they always play it then. ABC has promised each band 3 minutes of airtime at halftime. They might play it then too.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Can we say "article a tad biased?"

Time will tell. Bush is my man...is he ever a joy to watch, great sportmanship and very light on his feet.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a great game. I'm very excited. I have a feeling I'll be sweatin' though...thankfully there will be lots of food at where I'm going to watch.

There's an article on the SAME site about why someone else thinks USC will win...

That's how I feel about my main man, Vince Young. Such a joy to watch!

We don't have a Bush (or a Ricky Williams, or a Cedric Benson anymore), but we've got Selvin Young, Jamaal Charles AND Ramonce Taylor. ALL fine running backs.

BRING IT ON! It will be a great game! I can't even concentrate on work today, this whole town is on fire!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Livia

P.S. Listen for Tusk in the third quarter - they always play it then. ABC has promised each band 3 minutes of airtime at halftime. They might play it then too.

Oh for sure. USC has always been fiercly proud of their Tusk moment in history.

And for the record, I have always noticed your sig comments. I snicker. But me loves it. Enjoy yourself. We'll reconvene later so I can send virtual tissues your way (and cliffdweller). I probably just cursed myself. Damn.

[Livia]

^^^^ I've edited my other posts...Tracye!?! Come over!!!