UNDERDOGS TO HAVE THEIR DAY

This has a special feeling to me much like Christmas Eve did as a kid. I am talking about the build up today to the Rose Bowl. I was talking with Jimmy last night about how this game might go the way of last years Orange Bowl. I mean come on every year we seem to get at least one dog of a game in the BCS. Safe to say that everyone thought that was going to be the Sugar Bowl this year. And I don’t know if I can count the Fiesta as a blow out because Notre Dame is never really out of a game when you have touchdown Jesus on your side. So I started to break down the game a la David Locke and I think this game is going to live up to its potential. Here is how it is going to go down and why I believe that Texas will win….

This has Vu Ja De written all over it again…I am reminded of a 01 game between the unbeaten Canes and the underdog unbeaten Buckeyes. Then Dr. Krenzel and pre prison jumpers Maurice Clarrett wrecked the party for the winners of 34 straight games... Hmmm you sense it to don’t you, that presence you can feel but don’t know what it is. Kind of like Jimbo’s poltergeist –

Well this is how the Horns are being treated. ESPN has run a two week long retrospective on how the UCS offense is the best ever even before they played a down in this game. Talk about media bias. Not that the attention isn’t unfounded we are talking about a two time national champs but the attention gives Mack Brown the ultimate pre game pep talk better yet he doesn’t even need to give a pep talk the media all ready has done it for him

Reggie Bush recently said “we faced a lot of tough defenses this season. We faced Arizona State, Notre Dame and Oregon. The collective average ranking of those team defenses during the start of bowl season was 78th. The Horns come into the game ranked 5th in the nation in total defense. The Texas defense has a huge advantage at linebacker (MLB Aaron Harris) they play big and they are very fast. I could see the Trojans using LenDale White (Props to my boy from Denver-Metro, all time leading rusher in the history of high school football in Colorado, Barnett should have been fired for not recruiting this guy) He is more of a power back and matches up better against the physical defense this would be a huge loss for the Trojans but I suspect they will find a way to get Bush a lot of touches. Texas secondary is lead by Michael Huff a 6-1 250 pound senior strong safety who can hold his own against all the USC receivers. Plus he can hit you into next week. CB’s Tarell Brown and Cedric Griffin are physical Db’s that if caught on an island can hold there own. This D can force a few 3 and outs and that is what is needed to win this game.

With the PAC-10 pretty much the home of the immobile quarterbacks the Trojans look to get a nice lesson in mobility from Vince Young. I don’t believe that the UCS defensive front can get a big enough push to pressure Young. They are going to have to bring a LB or two which will give Young a nice option to run for a big gain or put it up top to Limas Sweed or Billy Pittman. Oh and watch out for the play action coming off of those USC blitz. Simply put Young is a leader and will beat you with his feet or his arm you just have to choose which one. Texas averages 314 pounds on the Oline, USC is forty ponds lighter on the DLine. These longhorns are bulky but are also quick and fast. Oh, and they have two tailbacks that just about any team would love to have at least one of, Jamaal Charles and Remonce Taylor are a home run threat just about every time they get the ball.

After watching last nights game and seeing Penn State have an average start from the 5 yard line I thought what are the special teams like for the Rose Bowl. I don’t even think USC carries a punter. Maybe Bush does that too. USC will be the first to say that they know they have issues with the kicking game but when you are winning games like they have been who cares where or what your punter is doing heck he doesn’t even need to show up. So what you say… Well Texas happens to be very special in the kicking game. They have scored 7 touchdowns on special teams. USC ranks 115th nationally in punting, Horns return man Aaron Ross ranks 8th in the nation in returns but the horns have to make USC punt. This has a huge effect on the field position battle. Texas only had 19 80 yard plus drives and 20 of 70 yards or more. 30 of USC’s drives have been 80 yards or longer and 45 went 70 or longer. Texas has a knack of playing with a shorter field thanks to special teams and defense.

And Finally the Texas Longhorns just have a feeling about them much like the Buckeye’s of ’01. They are getting overshadowed and most don’t think they have a chance and Texas wouldn’t have it any other way.

PREDICTION: Texas 38, USC 31…… Texas comes out the gate fast, USC has its third quarter comeback and Vince holds off the pressure in the 4th.

Oh, and I have 120$ riding on the game too.