Game of the Century of the Week: OSU at USC

[Icness]

This one deserves its own thread.
My condensed thoughts:
Ohio State at USC: The Buckeyes slummed to the level of my beloved alma mater, Ohio U., in an embarrassing affair at the Horseshoe last week. The Bobcat defense dominated the field for three quarters, and they have just one player who might ever sniff an NFL practice squad (DL Jameson Hartke). USC gets this game at home coming off a bye week, and they have 4 defensive starters who might get drafted in the first fifteen picks next April. The Buckeyes haven’t beaten the Trojans in California since 1974, including the heartbreaking 1980 Rose Bowl loss by Art Schlichter & Co. to Charles White and Paul McDonald, two of the biggest Cleveland pro flops of all time. I expect a better effort from Ohio State, but Team Sweater Vest will need the SoCals to play a sloppy, error-filled game to have any shot. Sorry Dad, not gonna happen. USC 27, Ohio State 13.


Go Bucks!

[Da Schwab]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Laurinitis vs. Maualuga battle.

I'm taking USC in this game, 31-21.

[A.J.]

Whooooooooo. I cant wait for this game. Preseason I picked OSU to win, and Im not changing it.
OSU 28
USC 18

[UrbanLegendMD]

Without the Wells this will be over by half time

[High 5]

I really think this game is going to be a flop.

[AgEnT50]

USC will DEF win


But I think OSU keeps this one close. . .

[LAKESHOW]

this is going to be a good game. close. USC never gets blown out. only very close games, although some of those close ones were embarassing. but osu is just too experienced. i like their experience up front and they will come with a passion to play, unlike last week where they were caught lookin ahead.

the key? of course the QB. if theyre QB runs and picks up chunks of yardage against us, as most spread shotgun teams do, we will be in for a long battle. the QB also has championship experience, and will attempt to hit seams and midrange passes. also dangerous. our QB is a badass. problem? first year starting badass. thats a problem. our defense can make up for any mishaps that occur, and has the speed to recover. but if the QB starts having a young mistakeful type of game, that usually spells trouble.

tons of more stuff to analyze, but QB play is #1.

[studcrackers]

usc gets up big early and towards the end of the 2nd pryor replaces boeckman. OSU still loses by a decent amount but pryor lives up to his preseason hype and plays average to above average. and before you know it the buckeyes will have a QB controversy on there hands

[randomhero423]

USC - 28
OSU: 14

[hermes]

losing wells is going to be big, i think USC will take it, low scoring but without wells OSC doesn't have enough offense to keep up

[El Turco]

without beanie we dont really stand a chance, even with him i have a gut feeling we are going to lose this one but it is going to be a great game. if anything it is a great coaching matchup.

[LAKESHOW]

first of all, NO WAY! i dont believe it. this kid is good enough to request to his coach and get in, and his coach will allow it at gametime.

secondly, the buckeye team does not revolve around a single individual. they are that good. sure they lost 2 titles in a row, but you dont make it that far unless youve got talent, and now theyve got some experience. tons of it. and that line is experienced enough to block for any back theyve got. the defense is experienced and talented enough to stop any offensive threat in college football. and our QB is inexperienced enough to cause mistakes. so the game does not solely rely and revolve around mr. beanie wells. a great back for sure. but you are not USC, georgia, florida, ohio state etc. by recruiting a single runningback in your stable.

and ive seen it before, as sure as most of you have, (possibly) losing a player of that caliber and leadership rallies a team. and the TEAM wins. in this i give tons of props to tress, very very excellent in building chemistry and bonding together as a unit.

so again i say, still a close, very close game. and put nothing past a big time program. these top notch programs around the country, the USCs, osus etc ... find a way to bring forth the hard earned effort, rather than give up as many pundits would suggest with missing 1 or 2 players.

[Ghosten]

USC easy. tOSU doesn't show up in big games. That trend sure isn't ending in LA.

[craig01]

USC cheats, so I hope they lose.

Ohio State has nearly the entire defense returning and will get creamed by the Trojans.

OSU 3 USC 35

[CJ_18]

USC easily, 31-10.

Without Wells, OSU will be forced to go to the passing game, which leads me to my pick for MVP of the game, Taylor Mays.

[Bleeding Blue]

USC wins easily 31-13

[deeney0]

USC by 21+.

The real game of the week is Wisconsin @ Fresno St. That's one that's going to be close.

[Icness]

I think a lot of people are vastly underrating the OSU defense. If the Buckeyes turn the ball over a bit they might give up 30 points, but if the TO battle is even and none are returned for TDs I don't expect either team to put up more than about 25 points. There's an awful lot of speed on that OSU defensive front, and the USC OL is their weak point.

[MadCityBucky]

Let's go OSU!! Beat the Trojans so the game at Madison can be that much sweeter.

Also don't embarrass the Big Ten and get blown out.

[El Turco]

GO BUCKS!!!