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Come and get it: attention, heavyweight hopefuls: the Trojans dare you climb between the ropes with marvelous Matt Leinart and the big bad champs and you'll find out the hard way there's nowhere to hide

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005 by Matt Hayes

You want some of this? The throwdown in SoCal town. The extreme-a in Pasadena. Trading blows in the "Rose."

"We play our game," says Reggie Bush, "and nobody beats us."

All would love this. Southern California has the title, the talent and the bravado. Who the hell cares what anyone else thinks?

I'm a baaaad man.

"Really, we're not concerned with any other team," says quarterback Matt Leinart. "Our focus, our goal, is to do it again."

Like we should be surprised. The Trojans saw their coaching staff, which nurtured and developed this monster of a program until it ran on remote, get overhauled. A few star players are gone from last season, and USC isn't as experienced defensively. But, really, who has a chance of sideswiping this ride?

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It starts with Leinart, the Heisman Trophy-winning, Hollywood-scripted star who simply doesn't miss. Come on, the guy celebrated his 22nd birthday in May with a party at the posh Hollywood Club Mood. Celebs were invited.

Then there's the nation's most dynamic player (Bush), a ridiculously gifted receiving unit and a defense that seemingly becomes more talented with each season and each replacement. But as with every prizefighter, there are strengths and weaknesses. OK, maybe not weaknesses. How about slight imperfections?

Jab, jab, jab. It's easy to rattle off Leinart's record as a starter (25-1) and Bush's average per touch last season (10.4 yards) and the three receivers who are potential first-round picks (wideouts Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith and tight end Dominique Byrd). But, please, let's not forget burly, bruising tailback LenDale White. Yeah, he has trouble getting in shape. He drags sometimes and doesn't go full speed every carry. And ... he's still one of the top five backs in the nation. Says one Pac-10 defensive coordinator: "When he decides there's something in it for him, get out of his way."

We saw a glimpse of it in last season's national championship game, when White had 118 yards on 15 carries against Oklahoma's staunch defense--and did it with a severely sprained ankle. The USC staff was hoping Chauncey Washington would gain academic eligibility this fall and force White to get in top shape. Washington didn't make it, but White is said to be in the best shape of his career.

Why is this important? Because Bush is not an every-down back; he can't take the punishment of a 25-carry game. More than anything, his game is better suited for touches in space than grinding away between the tackles. White wears down defenses and sets up USC's dynamic play-action passing game. And for all the grief he has taken about his conditioning--he was pushing 250 pounds going into last season--White still had 1,103 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns in 2004 while sharing time with Bush. If White were playing anywhere else, he'd be a Heisman contender.

And the overhand. Again, let's look beyond Leinart's gaudy numbers (71 career touchdowns in 26 starts) and the fact he could be the greatest quarterback in college football history by the end of the season. Let's look at the USC defense, a relentless unit that often sets up the offense with short fields and demoralizes opponents. The Trojans forced 38 turnovers last season and were plus-19 in turnover differential. Over the past three years, USC has a plus-57 turnover differential. "You make a mistake," says Oklahoma offensive tackle Davin Joseph, "and they're all over you."

Even the losses of tackle Manuel Wright, who was selected in the NFL's supplemental draft after having academic issues, and cornerback Eric Wright, who had off-field problems, won't slow the unit. The defensive front--and its ability to pressure the quarterback and shield linebackers from blocks--is the foundation of the scheme. The Trojans have four ends who could start just about anywhere--Frostee Rucker, Lawrence Jackson, Jeff Schweiger and Rashaad Goodrum--and a rising star in sophomore tackle Sedrick Ellis. The back seven is fleet, aggressive and plays a gambling style that can bring big rewards because of the constant pressure supplied by the front four.

As good as the Trojans were in the back seven last year, they'll be even better this year because of their improved overall athletic ability. A prime example: Linebacker Keith Rivers, who played behind All-American Matt Grootegoed last season, has bulked up to nearly 240 pounds and is one of the fastest players on the team.

Glass jaw. We're not foolish enough to think losing half of a coaching staff won't affect USC. How will new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin react to pressure situations? If Kiffin had been the coordinator last year when USC was down 13-0 in the fog and cold at Oregon State, would he have panicked and strayed from the game plan? Former coordinator Norm Chow, who now runs the Tennessee Titans' offense, didn't, and the Trojans rallied. And who will supply the emotional jolt of former defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, who's now the coach at Ole Miss? His halftime tirade shook a sleepy team that trailed 28-17 at Stanford and inspired the defense to allow the Cardinal to cross midfield just once in the second half.

Come and get it: attention, heavyweight hopefuls: the Trojans dare you climb between the ropes with marvelous Matt Leinart and the big bad champs and you'll find out the hard way there's nowhere to hide

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005 by Matt Hayes

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