WSJ: USC Football Kicks Ass!
#1
09-11-2009, 02:37 AM
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 8,356
WSJ: USC Football Kicks Ass!
USC Brings Hollywood to Ohio
Trojans Dominate by Making Foes Feel Slow and Dowdy
By DARREN EVERSON
For all of the success Southern California has had, all the great game-planning and recruiting it's done, the Trojans' biggest weapon—especially when they travel—may be something that's seemingly in the air in Hollywood: stagecraft.
When eighth-ranked Ohio State plays host to No. 3 USC on Saturday in the most anticipated game thus far this season, the Buckeyes will have to contend with the most elaborate and intimidating production in the sport.
In the dour confines of Ohio Stadium, the constant drumbeat of the USC band, the cheerleaders with the sultry sweaters, the celebrity coach with the pearly white teeth and the parade of massively recruited running backs will make a spectacle the likes of which Columbus has seldom seen. In contrast, Ohio State's discipline, its Midwestern humility, its work ethic may suddenly seem small.
Then there's the way the Trojans play: speed on offense, a heat-seeking hitter at safety, professional-level pass-rushing schemes that bewilder opposing offenses. "If you're not able to adapt," says CBS Sports analyst Gary Danielson, "these guys will crush you."
No. 1 Florida has won two of the last three national titles, but USC has maintained a unique aura in college football because of how the Trojans humiliate opponents from outside their home conference. USC has won 29 of its last 30 such games under coach Pete Carroll, including a 35-3 rout of Ohio State in Los Angeles last season. On the road, the Trojans have been untouchable in non-conference games, winning nine straight by an average of 30 points.
As the unofficial team of Hollywood and a rare big-city football power—most top teams, like Alabama and Oklahoma, hail from smaller college towns—USC has long wielded star power. Its players have won the Heisman Trophy, the sport's top individual award, seven times, tied with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most all-time.
The scene at a USC game—the band, the Trojan warrior galloping about, the comedian Will Ferrell and other celebrities on the sidelines—is a motivator to players and a drawing card to recruits, "especially guys from the East Coast," says former USC defensive back Terrell Thomas, who's now with the New York Giants. "They love that."
Psychologists argue that teams with mystique like USC can be intimidating to opponents. "Athletes are reluctant to admit it," says Saul Miller, a sports psychologist based in Vancouver who has worked with college, pro and Olympic athletes, "but there's no question: Some people are intimidated, whether it's playing in a round with Tiger Woods or against an athlete with celebrity status. It's a real phenomenon."
USC's devotion to stagecraft dates back decades. In 1961, a USC official and student were watching the annual Rose Parade when they noticed Richard Saukko, a paint salesman and horse lover, riding an impressive white horse. They invited him to ride the horse, named Traveler, at USC home games, a tradition that continues today.
Mr. Carroll believes in the importance of student spirit: He visited the band four times before the season, according to band director Arthur Bartner. "His message is, 'We're about to begin this journey,' and the band needs to be along for the ride," says Dr. Bartner, USC's band director since 1970. "I don't know of another coach who makes time for the band."
The USC band—issued sunglasses as part of its uniform—is notorious for being too loud and for disobeying decorum, like playing while the other band is playing. "If you want to play and we want to play, let's do it," says special-events director Monique Ramirez.
Not that Mr. Carroll and his staff need the help. While college football is becoming more competitive across much of the sport's top level, with mid-major teams like Utah and Boise State reaching top-flight bowl games, the truly elite teams are pulling away. Over the past six years, only six different schools have participated in the national-title game—and two of those, Oklahoma and Ohio State, were soundly beaten in each of their appearances during this span.
What makes the best of the best—teams like Florida and USC—stand apart is their sophistication, says Mr. Danielson of CBS.
As an example, he points to USC's post-2006 Rose Bowl matchup with No. 3 Michigan, which had scored 39 points at No. 1 Ohio State in its previous game. In the Rose, USC's pass rushers constantly blew by confused Michigan blockers, who were unclear where the pressure would be coming from. On the game-turning play early in the third quarter, a USC linebacker sped past a flailing Michigan tight end and forced an interception.
The matchup illustrated how a top coaching staff can take apart even a highly ranked team. "In the NFL, if you put your linebackers up in the gaps and bluff a blitz, an offense will have a bunch of ways to counter it, but a college team might only have one," Mr. Danielson says. "Pete is a really, really good defensive mind, an NFL defensive coordinator. If you're not balanced, they'll break you down."
Trojans Dominate by Making Foes Feel Slow and Dowdy
By DARREN EVERSON
For all of the success Southern California has had, all the great game-planning and recruiting it's done, the Trojans' biggest weapon—especially when they travel—may be something that's seemingly in the air in Hollywood: stagecraft.
When eighth-ranked Ohio State plays host to No. 3 USC on Saturday in the most anticipated game thus far this season, the Buckeyes will have to contend with the most elaborate and intimidating production in the sport.
In the dour confines of Ohio Stadium, the constant drumbeat of the USC band, the cheerleaders with the sultry sweaters, the celebrity coach with the pearly white teeth and the parade of massively recruited running backs will make a spectacle the likes of which Columbus has seldom seen. In contrast, Ohio State's discipline, its Midwestern humility, its work ethic may suddenly seem small.
Then there's the way the Trojans play: speed on offense, a heat-seeking hitter at safety, professional-level pass-rushing schemes that bewilder opposing offenses. "If you're not able to adapt," says CBS Sports analyst Gary Danielson, "these guys will crush you."
No. 1 Florida has won two of the last three national titles, but USC has maintained a unique aura in college football because of how the Trojans humiliate opponents from outside their home conference. USC has won 29 of its last 30 such games under coach Pete Carroll, including a 35-3 rout of Ohio State in Los Angeles last season. On the road, the Trojans have been untouchable in non-conference games, winning nine straight by an average of 30 points.
As the unofficial team of Hollywood and a rare big-city football power—most top teams, like Alabama and Oklahoma, hail from smaller college towns—USC has long wielded star power. Its players have won the Heisman Trophy, the sport's top individual award, seven times, tied with Notre Dame and Ohio State for the most all-time.
The scene at a USC game—the band, the Trojan warrior galloping about, the comedian Will Ferrell and other celebrities on the sidelines—is a motivator to players and a drawing card to recruits, "especially guys from the East Coast," says former USC defensive back Terrell Thomas, who's now with the New York Giants. "They love that."
Psychologists argue that teams with mystique like USC can be intimidating to opponents. "Athletes are reluctant to admit it," says Saul Miller, a sports psychologist based in Vancouver who has worked with college, pro and Olympic athletes, "but there's no question: Some people are intimidated, whether it's playing in a round with Tiger Woods or against an athlete with celebrity status. It's a real phenomenon."
USC's devotion to stagecraft dates back decades. In 1961, a USC official and student were watching the annual Rose Parade when they noticed Richard Saukko, a paint salesman and horse lover, riding an impressive white horse. They invited him to ride the horse, named Traveler, at USC home games, a tradition that continues today.
Mr. Carroll believes in the importance of student spirit: He visited the band four times before the season, according to band director Arthur Bartner. "His message is, 'We're about to begin this journey,' and the band needs to be along for the ride," says Dr. Bartner, USC's band director since 1970. "I don't know of another coach who makes time for the band."
The USC band—issued sunglasses as part of its uniform—is notorious for being too loud and for disobeying decorum, like playing while the other band is playing. "If you want to play and we want to play, let's do it," says special-events director Monique Ramirez.
Not that Mr. Carroll and his staff need the help. While college football is becoming more competitive across much of the sport's top level, with mid-major teams like Utah and Boise State reaching top-flight bowl games, the truly elite teams are pulling away. Over the past six years, only six different schools have participated in the national-title game—and two of those, Oklahoma and Ohio State, were soundly beaten in each of their appearances during this span.
What makes the best of the best—teams like Florida and USC—stand apart is their sophistication, says Mr. Danielson of CBS.
As an example, he points to USC's post-2006 Rose Bowl matchup with No. 3 Michigan, which had scored 39 points at No. 1 Ohio State in its previous game. In the Rose, USC's pass rushers constantly blew by confused Michigan blockers, who were unclear where the pressure would be coming from. On the game-turning play early in the third quarter, a USC linebacker sped past a flailing Michigan tight end and forced an interception.
The matchup illustrated how a top coaching staff can take apart even a highly ranked team. "In the NFL, if you put your linebackers up in the gaps and bluff a blitz, an offense will have a bunch of ways to counter it, but a college team might only have one," Mr. Danielson says. "Pete is a really, really good defensive mind, an NFL defensive coordinator. If you're not balanced, they'll break you down."
#2
09-11-2009, 06:48 AM
Of course all this won't matter if the freshman QB chokes... I am still saying SC is in the BCS title game in January. GO TROJANS!
#5
09-11-2009, 08:37 AM
U-Boat; you got the link to the article; I want to email to a few friends
Was already to go to this one; but start a trial on Monday.
No worries, guess we road trip to Chicago for the ND whipping this year
Was already to go to this one; but start a trial on Monday.
No worries, guess we road trip to Chicago for the ND whipping this year
#7
09-11-2009, 09:34 AM
I love USC cheerleaders, I haven't seen better ones yet. But boy it is annoying to hear about USC everywhere.. Wouldn't it be funny if they lost to OSU?! Although it most likely won't happen.
