Clash of the Titans: SC vs. Ohio State

Regular season games don't get any bigger than this. Two of the perennial giants of college football square off in the venerable Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Where's announcer Keith Jackson when you need him? Only he could do justice describing this game.

SC is coming off a bye and a domination of Virginia, while the Buckeyes are licking their wounds from a close call with Ohio U. and an injured star running back. But be careful of approaching wounded animals . . . Ohio St. has nothing to lose with their backs up against the wall. Will the Trojans take care of business?

Let's break it down . . .

Ohio State:

Offense - QB Todd Boeckman returns to lead the offense. A big guy at 6'5,240lbs, Boeckman posted solid numbers with just over 2300 yards passing(63% completion rate) with 25 TDs and 14 INTs last year. But five of those pickscame in big game losses to Illinois and LSU. Boeckman will line up behind a huge OLine that returns (4) starters,including OT Alex Boone. Boeckman has looked average thus far this year in two cupcake wins. The OLine is a better run blocking group, than it is a pass blocking unit. They will be tested severly by SC's front (7). Chris "Beanie" Wells makes it all go for the Buckeyes, rushing for 1,600+ yards in 2007. But with an injured foot, he's a game time decision. Look for Dan "Boom" Herron, Maurice Wells and Brandon Saine to rotate in if Beanie can't go. The WR corp also returns solid performers Brian Robiske and Brian Hartline, plus the speedy Ray Small. Robiske and Hartline are both 6'3, caught 50+ balls last year,and combined for 17 TDs. But they too, have been average this year, and performed poorly versus Ohio U. last week.

Defense - This unit led the Big 10 in both rushing and pass defense evenas a young group in 2007. They return All American leaders LB James Laurinitis(120+ tackles in '07) and CB Malcolm Jenkins (4 picks in '07). But the departure of DE Vernon Gholston and his (14) sacks leaves a question mark regarding the Buckeyes' ability to put pressure on the passer in'08. No other returning DLinemen had more than (2) sacks last year. Only DE Thad Gibson has shown the ability to get edge pressure thus far this year. LBMarcus Freeman and Safety Anderson Russell are underrated, but important players for the Buckeye defense.

Special Teams - The Buckeye kicking game is solid, if not spectacular. Punter AJ Trapasso averaged more than 41 yards per punt, and FG kickerRyan Pretorius made 78% of his FGs (including 6 of 7 over 40 yards). The return game has a good, speedy punt returner Ray Small who took one to the house to seal the win over Ohio U. last week. The kick return game will feature RB Brandon Saine.

USC:

Offense - After lighting it up vs. Virginia, QB Mark Sanchez is looking and feeling good. He's in command of the offense as a distributor, and he'll need to continue to make great decisions against a Buckeye defense that is strong up front, and fast in the back (7). SC will continue with the (4) RB rotation, but will probably ride the hot hand if it emerges among McKnight, Johnson, Bradford and Gable. Pass blocking by the RBs will be important in this game, as OSU will bring the LBs on blitzes. And look for secret weapon FB Stan Havili to create matchup problems for the Buckeye defense. Two words for the WRs - No Drops. They got it done against Virginia, but SC needs an encore performance this Saturday from this unit.

Defense - Release the hounds! SC's front (7) should be too much for the OSU OLine. But SC's DTs must stop the OSU run game first. OSU will try to line up and get physical with the straight ahead run game - that's a key for them to be competitive in this game. But SC's DBs need to be alert too - OSU will try a deep pass or two early to set the tone, and make the safeties think pass first, rather than crashing the line of scrimmage in run support. SC has shown the propensity to blitz up the middle with Maualuga recently . . . expect more of that to make the sometimes shaky OSU QB nervous.

Special Teams - Kicker David Buehler has been solid, but punter Greg Woidneck must do better. Woidneck only averaged 38 yards per punt in week one, and now he has to make good OSU punt returner call some fair catches if possible. Rule number one for SC's kickoff and punt returners: Protect the football at all costs . . . hear that Joe McKnight?

Prediction Time . . . get them in!!!

USC - 33

OSU - 10