USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

**bkrich83** · 07-23-2006, 11:18 AM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Nice. Make sure to get Patrick Turner in the mix on offense.

I am also finding out in games online, Michael Coleman is a beast. Think LenDale White with more speed.

**Acid** · 07-23-2006, 01:11 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

**Husker_OS** · 07-23-2006, 01:17 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Psy, why didn't you put up any pics of USC players?

**Beantown** · 07-23-2006, 01:28 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Originally posted by Husker_OS

Psy, why didn't you put up any pics of USC players?

**elicoleman** · 07-23-2006, 01:32 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Looking nice, thus far. Kudos on the effort.

**poster** · 07-23-2006, 02:11 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Looks good bro. I'll be watching.

**billmatic** · 07-23-2006, 02:16 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Of all the pics to be a broken link, it's the USC Song Girls one. Come on man.

edit: Ah, there it is. Just didn't show up the first time I viewd the page. Nice.

**Psyblast** · 07-23-2006, 03:23 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Originally posted by Acid

Didn't something like that happen to someone you know last night?

**elicoleman** · 07-23-2006, 03:39 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Originally posted by Psyblast

Didn't something like that happen to someone you know last night?

**Psyblast** · 07-23-2006, 04:04 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Rebuilding Troy
2006 will decide if the Trojan Empire will strike back

LOS ANGELES, CA - It was supposed to be their destiny. The crowning point. The culmination of their reign. It was supposed to bring their dynasty full circle, ensuring their place in college football immortality forever.

It was...not to be.

Instead, it turned out to be the crowning of immortality for another. Vince Young's dramatic touchdown with 19 seconds left in the Rose Bowl stunned the college football world, delivering a national title to the University of Texas and ending USC's 34 game winning streak in one of the greatest games in history.

For SC, it was the bitterest of pills to swallow. So many things could've gone their way that didn't: What if Reggie Bush held onto the ball instead of lateralling? What if the referees had caught Vince Young's knee on the ground? What if Ryan Ting hadn't dropped an interception on one of Texas's late drives? What if Darnell Bing didn't get called for a facemask late? What if LenDale White - who had carved Texas up all night - had gotten the first down on 4th and 2? And what if USC's defense made one final stand on that fateful 4th and 5?

The answer to the last two questions is easy - SC would've won the Rose Bowl.

But alas, they didn't. And now the legacy of USC is in question, headed into 2006.

Defensive standouts Frostee Rucker and Darnell Bing are gone. Star Offensive Linemen Taitusi Latui, Fred Matua and Winston Justice are gone.

But the most painful loss is the loss of perhaps the greatest backfield the game has ever seen. LenDale White and his 52 career rushing touchdowns are gone. Matt Leinart - the 2004 Heisman winner, thrower of 99 touchdowns and owner of a 37-2 career record - is gone. And the electrifying 2005 Heisman Trophy Winner, Reggie Bush, is also gone, leaving a year early for the NFL.

How does a team that just had a 34-game winning streak snapped recover from losing two Heisman Trophy winners and a bruising touchdown machine?

It's not easy, but it is simple: Recruit the best to remain the best.

Southern Cal has won the "Recruiting National Title" for three straight years, and this year is the biggest test of all that recruiting prowness. Anyone in the know knows that the number of stars next to a recruit's name is meaningless; it's what the coaching staff does with that talent that determines success. And given Pete Carroll's track record for the past few years, SC is in good shape.

Stepping in to attempt to fill the massive hole Matt Leinart leaves at QB is the biggest story of SC's spring practices. Fighting for the starting job are two super-recruited signal callers, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez. Coach Pete Carroll has not given any indication as to who has the edge right now, but many believe Booty has the upper hand simply due to having more experience. Others feel Sanchez already has the job won.

No matter who starts at QB, he will have a massive amount of talent to throw to. Dwayne Jarrett burst onto the scene in 2004, making fans forget about the loss of Mike Williams. Last season he was a consensus All-American, and a Biletnikoff Award finalist. On the other side, the reliable and fast Steve Smith is back for his senior year after catching 60 passes for 957 yards and 5 TDs last year. Chris McFoy will see time in the slot, but it looks like sophomore Patrick Turner - the #1 receiver of the 2005 class and built in that same Williams/Jarrett mold - will start in the slot. This year SC landed the #2 receiver after a controversial recruiting battle with Penn State. But in the end, Vidal Hazelton chose Troy, and should contribute. At Tight End, Dominique Byrd is gone, but Fred Davis - who was the #3 WR in 2004 - is primed for a breakout season.

Bush and White are gone and can never be truly replaced, but the cupboard is hardly empty. Despite losing Hershel Dennis to another devastating knee injury, Tailback U has plenty to step in. No one has secured the #1 job, but Chauncey Washington, Desmond Reed, Michael Coleman, and freshmen Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Emmanuel Moody will all contend. One has to assume that with all the young talent, one of the freshmen may end up transferring. Also, not to be overlooked is FB Brandon Hancock, who has excellent hands out of the backfield.

Despite losing the three best players on their offensive line, USC has an excellent tradition of big, destructive guys up front, and this year should be no different. Sam Baker, Jeff Byers and Ryan Khalil all have starting experience.

The defense - the one question mark for SC last year - was exposed badly last year vs. Texas, as Vince Young did whatever he pleased whenever he chose. The bumps the defense took in that game should pay off big this year, despite the loss of Darnell Bing in the secondary. DE Lawrence Jackson had 10 sacks last year as a sophomore and could be looking for All-American honors this year. Other than him, there are no Kenechi Udezes, Shaun Codys or Mike Pattersons on the line, but they're adaquate enough.

Skipping ahead to the secondary, it's a youthful group. CBs Terrell Thomas and Cary Harris are only sophomores, so they still have a lot to learn. Josh Pinkard can play some CB, but is currently slated to start at Free Safety, with Ryan Ting at Strong Safety.

But the true strength of the SC defense is the immense depth at Linebacker, where 8 players seem primed for playing time. Coach Carroll has said that the current starters are Dallas Sartz, Oscar Lua, and Keith Rivers, but with great talents like Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Kaluka Maiava, nothing can be set in stone.

Mario Danelo is back doing the field goal kicking, but Tom "The Bomb" Malone is gone, replaced by Taylor Odegard. Reggie Bush obviously isn't taking breaths away with kick and punt returns anymore; those duties seem to be Steve Smith's.

Up Next: The 2006 USC Trojans

**Psyblast** · 07-23-2006, 04:52 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

The 2006 Southern Cal Starting Roster

The Offense

Quarterback - Mark Sanchez, R-Freshman

Pete Carroll has penciled in Mark Sanchez to start the opener

Running Back - Chauncey Washington, Junior

Chauncey Washington is the "starter", but carries will be divided amongst several backs

Fullback - Brandon Hancock, Senior

Brandon Hancock saw time last year along with David Kirtman; Kirtman's gone now.

Wide Receiver - Dwayne Jarrett, Junior

In what could be his last year at SC, Dwayne Jarrett has his sights on the Biletnikoff

Wide Receiver - Steve Smith, Senior

Steve Smith's explosiveness is the perfect compliment to Dwayne Jarrett's strength

Tight End - Fred Davis, Junior

Fred Davis is a Tight End with Wideout speed

Left Tackle - Sam Baker, Junior

Baker returns as the starting LT

Left Guard - Jeff Byers, R-Sophomore

Byers missed 2005 with a hip injury

Center - Ryan Khalil, Senior

Khalil enters 2006 on the Rimington Watch List

Right Guard - Chilo Rachal, Sophomore

Rachal gets the task of replacing Fred Matua...

Right Tackle - Kyle Williams, Senior

...While Williams replaces Winston Justice

The Defense

Defensive End - Lawrence Jackson, Junior

Jackson is looking for a BIG 06 season

Defensive Tackle - Sedrick Ellis, Junior

Ellis will be a key to the run defense

Defensive Tackle - Fili Moala, Sophomore

Haloti Ngata's cousin has Chris Barrett beaten out for now

Defensive End - Jeff Schweiger, Junior

Look for Kyle Moore to get a lot of time here as well

Left Outside Linebacker - Dallas Sartz, Senior

Brian Cushing is breathing down Sartz's neck

Middle Linebacker - Oscar Lua, Senior

Rey Maualuga is too talented to not play here eventually

Right Outside Linebacker - Keith Rivers, Junior

Rivers' speed is useless unless his tackling improves

Cornerback - Terrell Thomas, Junior

USC's secondary will be relied heavily upon, especially in the Pac-10

Free Safety - Josh Pinkard, Junior

Look for super-recruit Taylor Mays to possibly break through here

Strong Safety - Ryan Ting, Senior

Ryan and his brother Brandon will see Special Teams time as well

Cornerback - Cary Harris, Sophomore

Josh Pinkard may move back to CB if Harris struggles

Special Teams

Placekicker - Mario Danelo, Junior

Danelo only kicked 11 FGs last year - as opposed to 83 PATs

Punter - Taylor Odegard, Sophomore

Odegard has to fill Tom Malone's spot

Kick/Punt Returner - Steve Smith

Watch for freshman wideout Jamere Holland to get time here too

Up Next: A look at the Preseason Top 10

**Acid** · 07-23-2006, 04:56 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Originally posted by Psyblast

Didn't something like that happen to someone you know last night?

**Psyblast** · 07-23-2006, 05:27 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Associated Press Preseason Top 10

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes lost their monsters on defense with the graduation of LBs A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel, but they have huge DTs up front in Pitcock and Patterson, and with Troy Smith and Ted Ginn on offense, they may have enough to win it all.

2. Texas Longhorns

Superman (Vince Young) has departed, and the pressure is on either Jevon Snead or Colt McCoy to come through. With Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young, along with a defense that remains nasty, the defending champions have the talent to repeat.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

There's something in the air in South Bend...Charlie Weis has possibly the best offense in America with weapons like Quinn, Walker, Samardzija and McKnight. Two things have to happen for the Irish to win the title: The defense has to step up, and they have to beat SC in Los Angeles.

4. Southern California Trojans

It all rests on how Mark Sanchez or JD Booty and the plethora of young RBs perform. The Trojans get thrown right into the fire on opening day, facing a hostile Arkansas crowd in Fayetteville, thirsty for revenge after SC beat them 70-17 at the Coliseum last season.

5. LSU Tigers

Year Two of Les Miles' tenor at LSU brings lofty expectations. The recruiting has been superb in Death Valley, but can JaMarcus Russell hold off Matt Flynn and super-talent Ryan Perrilloux and lead the Bayou Bengals to SEC glory?

6. Florida Gators

Chris Leak isn't an Urban Meyer kind of QB, but he's still probably the SEC's best QB. Year two under Urban provided greatness for Bowling Green and Utah; Florida fans are starving for an SEC title game berth, something that haven't seen since 2000.

7. Auburn Tigers

The folks on the Plains at Auburn are still stinging over last year, where five missed FGs vs. LSU kept the Tigers out of the SEC Championship Game. This year, Brandon Cox will be better, and with a ferocious defense and maybe the SEC's best RB in Kenny Irons, Auburn has grandiose aspirations.

8. Oklahoma Sooners

Last year's 8-4 record was very un-Sooner like, but they finished by winning six of their last seven, including a Holiday Bowl win over Oregon. Adrian Peterson is healthy, but will the offensive line be sturdy enough for him to return to 2004 form? OU's defense may be enough to get them past Texas.

9. West Virginia Mountaneers

Last year's Sugar Bowl put the Big East - and possibly the nation - on notice. Pat White and Steve Slaton form the nation's deadliest backfield duo, and if things go their way, their blazing speed could help them run the table. Will the Big East be strong enough for them to get into the title game, though?

10. Louisville Cardinals

They're West Virginia's prime challenger in the Big East, they get WVU at home, and Michael Bush is the LenDale White of the east. So what's holding them back? Brian Brohm's knee.

Up Next: Preseason All-Americans and Heisman Hopefuls

**Husker_OS** · 07-23-2006, 05:43 PM

Re: USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

Originally posted by Psyblast

Didn't something like that happen to someone you know last night?

Acid threw up last night? That's your comeback?

USC Trojans (NCAA Football 07)

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