NCAA Football Week 3: USC Trojans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

It is No. 1 vs. No. 5 in the key NCAA football game of the year

USC Trojans vs. Ohio State Overview:

After the USC Trojans blew out BCS team Virginia Cavaliers 52-7, the USC Trojans jumped up the BCS rankings all the way to No. 1. This did not sit well with the Ohio State Buckeyes who were the former No. 1 ranked team before being reshuffled to No. 5. As two of the most proud college football programs in recent memory, the USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes both have strong claims to the BCS Championship. The meeting of both teams will set the tone for the entire BCS and could shake college football to its very core.

USC Trojans Offense:

After fighting through injury in camp, QB Mark Sanchez has stepped up into the leadership role of the USC Trojans. In the same vein as past USC QBs like Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez has great football IQ and a nose for the end zone. RB C.J. Gable is a vicious between-the-tackles runner while young RB Joe McKnight is a speedy receiving threat with breakaway speed that brings many comparisons to Reggie Bush. The USC Trojans receivers may not be the stars they were in past years, but players like Vidal Hazelton, Patrick Turner, and Damian Williams have stepped up. The USC Trojans offensive line is aggressive and very quick.

USC Trojans Defense:

The USC Trojans defense lost three first-round NFL draft picks in players Lawrence Jackson, Sedrick Ellis, and Keith Rivers but still returns as a solid unit. Senior LBs Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are the heart of the USC Trojans defense and fly to the ball. DT Fili Moala is a force up front for the USC Trojans and both stops the run and penetrates on passing situations. The USC Trojans are still looking for a replacement at DE for Lawrence Jackson but are still able to bring monster pressure. S Taylor Mays is a freakish athlete and hits like a linebacker.

Ohio State Buckeyes Offense:

The Ohio State Buckeyes have built their team around the run especially following the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith. RB Chris “Beanie” Wells is the basis for the offense but has struggled with injury as of late. No matter the injury Beanie Wells will be in action against the USC Trojans. QB Todd Boeckman is a solid pocket passer and has a great possession target in WR Brian Robiske. QB Terrelle Pryor shows shades of Troy Smith and will be a wildcard. Big LT Alex Boone is a future NFL star and both opens holes for the running game and protects the passer.

Ohio State Buckeyes Defense:

MLB James Laurinatis leads a great Ohio State Buckeyes defense that returns a ton of starters. The only question mark is who will fill in for OLB/DE Vernon Gholston who was a high NFL draft pick. CB Malcolm Jenkins passed up NFL money to finish his career at Ohio State and is one of the top DBs in all the NCAA. With so many superstars forgoing the NFL draft to stay with the team, the Ohio State Buckeyes have true team unity and strong teamwork. The lack of team speed will be the only weakness in the Ohio State Buckeyes defense.

USC Trojans Keys to Victory:

The USC Trojans defense is undersized but has a great deal of speed. Suited for absolute domination of the Pac-10 conference the USC Trojans defense shuts down the pass with deep speed in the secondary and a quick front seven. This will be somewhat of a weakness against the Ohio State Buckeyes as Ohio State favors power football. The USC Trojans defensive line must play up to a high level to let Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga run wild in an effort to stop Beanie Wells. Taylor Mayes will also have to come into the box to deliver run support.

The USC Trojans offense will need to use their speed advantage to counter the aggressiveness of players like James Laurinatis and the size of the Ohio State Buckeyes defense. Protection of Mark Sanchez will be the key play for the USC Trojans offensive line as their skill players have a chance to burn the slower Ohio State Buckeyes. RB Joe McKnight will be used all over the field and will be next to impossible for the Ohio State Buckeyes to cover. The USC Trojans will probably forgo the run except in cases to loosen up the defense.

Ohio State Buckeyes Keys to Victory:

The Ohio State Buckeyes must find a way to get James Laurinatis involved in the game. The USC Trojans will try and use their speed advantage so James Laurinatis will have to roam sideline to sideline in order to stop the many weapons. Malcolm Jenkins will also have to step up his game and will be asked to cover more field than ever. The lack of a true No. 1 receiver on the USC Trojans means that Malcolm Jenkins will have more freedom to make plays. Pressure on Matt Sanchez will have to be the top priority of the Ohio State Buckeyes and any mistakes forced must be capitalized on.

Healthy or not Beanie Wells will be the focus of the Ohio State Buckeyes offense. A litany of other running backs will also be asked to step up to take advantage of the Ohio State Buckeyes size and power. The connection between QB Todd Boeckman and WR Brian Robiske must be strong as moving the chains will be key to keeping the USC Trojans offense off the field. QB Terrelle Pryor will also be used in certain situations to use his speed and mobility to gain more yardage. Controlling the ball and the clock must be the top priority of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

USC Trojans vs. Ohio State Outlook:

The USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes will match many things against one another. Speed vs. power, Big Ten vs. Pac-10, the pass vs. the run, and many other match ups. Each of these things will be a key part of this thrilling NCAA football game. USC Trojans coach Pete Carroll and Ohio State Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel are the two best minds in college football and will have the schemes ready. Playing in Los Angeles, California will give the USC Trojans a strong home-field advantage.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are a powerful team but have shown to be weak against good team speed. Both the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in the BCS Championship Game due to their speed advantage. The USC Trojans may have even more speed than either of those SEC powerhouses. The Ohio State Buckeyes will fight hard and will pound the football, but the USC Trojans will have too much speed to overcome.