The official Ohio State-USC smack talk thread
One of the most anticipated games on the 2008 college football schedule is now only days away as No. 5 Ohio State (2-0) travels to Southern Cal to take on Pete Carroll’s No. 1 USC Trojans (1-0). Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM ET Saturday on ABC.
The biggest question surrounding this game is the health of OSU Heisman Trophy candidate Chris “Beanie” Wells, who sat out the Buckeyes’ win over Ohio last week with a leg injury. Wells has been able to run in practice and is expected to play, but the team is still being cautious with their top offensive weapon.
The Trojans come into this game well rested after having last week off. In Week 1, they routed Virginia 52-7 and promptly climbed into the No. 1 spot in the polls. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 26 of 35 passing.
The smack talk for this game started back in July when former USC quarterback Carson Palmer ripped the Buckeyes despite playing professionally in the state of Ohio. A Los Angeles radio station was interviewing Palmer when he had this to say about OSU:
“I cannot stand the Buckeyes. It’s amazing to hear what those guys think about that university and what they think about that football program and Tressel and all the crap I gotta put up with being back there.
I just can’t wait for two years from now when SC comes to the ‘Shoe and hopefully we’ll have a home game that weekend, and I can go up there and watch us pound on them in their own turf.
I’m really getting sick of it, and I just can’t wait for this game to get here so they can come out to the Coliseum and experience LA and get an old-fashioned Pac-10 butt-whoopin’ and go back to the Big Ten.”
Palmer backpedaled a bit, but the damage was done. His comments set the stage for an incredible matchup. Below is a complete list of Ohio State and USC blogs and information sites to get you primed for the matchup.
Top Ohio State Buckeyes Sites
Bucknuts
The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Around the Oval
BuckeyeBanter.com
The Buckeye Blog
Top USC Trojans Sites
LA Times: USC Trojans Page
Conquest Chronicles
WeAreSC.com
USC Trojans.com
FAN Nation: USC Trojan’s Blog
The storied programs have played each other a total of 21 times, but it’s been 18 years since their last meeting. USC beat OSU in back to back seasons in 1989 (42-3 in Los Angeles) and 1990 (35-26 in Columbus), as well as holds an 11-9-1 series edge over the Buckeyes. At the Coliseum, USC is 4-2-1 against OSU.
Oddsmakers have made USC a 10.5-point home favorite for Saturday night’s game.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.
What are the oddsmakers saying about how long it takes a USC fan to chirp on this thread about the Buckeyes just squeaking by OU last week?
Won’t take long.
The key is the Buckeye defense. They were very good, but they need to step up and show they can be a great defense. They have to stop the run and pressure Sanchez.
On offense, if Beanie Wells can’t play, Tressel needs wake up and play Haren and Saine over Maurice Wells. If he plays Maurice he’s giving the game away.
USC looked like men vs boys against Virginia. The Luckeyes looked unimpressive vs Ohio U. at the Shoe. I say Coach Petey will beat the Vest in L.A. this week.
Who had 2 hours and 45 minutes in the pool?
It’s not the Buckeye defense I’m worried about. They have the talent and the leadership to stop USC. I’m more concerned about the Buckeye offensive line. They got pushed around for the the first three quarters against OU.
However, they looked unmotivated and lazy which speaks to the idea that they were looking past a game which should have been nothing more than a speed bump on the way to USC.
The Buckeyes you see this weekend in the Coliseum will not be the same Buckeyes you saw last weekend against OU.
Don’t make your bets based on that game.
Jim – good points – the Buckeye offense line looks a little overrated – they need to step it up.
I also agree we’ll see a different team this week.
As for the defense, they are very talented, but they need to show they can stop an elite offense.
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