FOOTBALL

USC vs. Ohio State Live Blog

I don’t know how much I will be posting here today but I will have comments on my Twitter account, @InsideUSC.

Can USC pull off an upset today? Is Ohio State vulnerable without its quarterback?

This is the kind of game where an upset might make sense, except for the fact Lincoln Riley is not a leader and rarely inspires his teams to meet the moment.

Also, the line of scrimmage appears to definitely favor the Buckeyes.

What’s your score prediction?

How many Ohio State fans will be at the Coliseum? Believe it or not, some season-ticket holders have told me they are not going to the game because it’s Halloween and they are unhappy with the season.

Halloween? Do you think that stops people in the Midwest or South from going to the game tonight?

12 thoughts on “USC vs. Ohio State Live Blog”

  1. With a home game and an untested frosh QB, I would like to say USC 27, buckees, 24, but…

    I worry that Riley is losing the team, which leads me to say Ohio State 27, the diminished Trojans, 16.

    The latter is the same score as the 1969 Rose Bowl game for anyone who remembers that far back. Heisman winner OJ could only take the offense so far, with a defense that stacked the box on virtually every possession.

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  2. Ohio State 34 USC 13

    Day has had two weeks to prepare both QBs and a team that has played Texas and Indiana on the road (and most of the team being veterans of at least one national playoff run). They will physically dominate USC, and not because their players are better.

    67 – My recollection (that was agreed with by a commenter on the board here as well as what I have read and watched) was that USC lost due to turnovers – the vaunted 1968 Buckeyes not being nearly as dominant as history accorded them … believe OJ fumbles were the main culprit but once they fell behind a couple of Sogge interceptions sealed the deal …

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    1. James, something like 5 USC turnovers in that game. OSU was good, not great IMO, Rex Kern at QB wasn’t out of this world, though Jack Tatum on defense was superb.

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      1. Yes – from what I’ve read and heard USC should have won that game, and maybe by double digits … Tatum (and Jim Otis) was great, and it was a good team … always got the sense that that game along with the 1966 ND game were the two that always tuck in McKay’s craw (for different reasons obviously) …

        Guessing tonight’s matchup will not live up to the series … but same uniforms/colors and a historical stadium … and we still have good weather here in the midwest, so whether trick or treat, I’ll take it … but preferably just a big Halloween bag for pest removal …

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  4. OSU’s best CB (who is considered outstanding) is listed as doubtful, so that should open up passing lanes a bit if he doesn’t play. OSU is going to run, so I hope USC stacks the box, and makes sure to body Jeremiah Smith at the line on defense.

    But OMG, I don’t think I have ever seen a team so overwhelmed and not knowing what to do as last week against Wisconsin. Reminded me of Helton and the 2016 ‘Bama game.

    Riley is supposed to be the offensive mastermind, and yet just 7 points last week?

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      1. Well, luckily we avoided Iowa this year…

        Isn’t 17 years (since Pete left) of bad/disappointing seasons (with the exception of 2016, and perhaps Caleb’s first year, though there was plenty of disappointment at the end, including Tulane), enough?

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      2. 67 – By my reckoning, other than the miraculous Rose Bowl win (which wasn’t really all that enjoyable) and the Ed O. win over Stanford with like 12 players in 2013, only the 2011 season was satisfying (especially the beatdown in South Bend).

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  5. hopefully Grandpa Patterson recognizes you trOJies got to “stack the box” and make the OSU freshman beat you. pull off these next two games and we’re playin’ for the playoffs, baby!!! (well, YOU are, but we’re probably in regardless of outcome)

    #PlayingWithHouseMoney

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