USC/ALABAMA

[Walter]

Saw an interesting stat line today.

A comparison of the two deep rosters of both teams using only the recruiting rankings of the two teams.


USC 39 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and nine of those were 5 star recruits.
ALABAMA 42 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and 13 of those were 5 star recruits.

Star ratings don't, obviously, tell the whole story, but it does give us an indication that the two teams, from a "raw material" standpoint, are pretty even.

[cbisbig]

Aug 31, 2016 13:31:41 GMT -5 Walter said:

Saw an interesting stat line today.

A comparison of the two deep rosters of both teams using only the recruiting rankings of the two teams.


USC 42 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and nine of those were 5 star recruits.
ALABAMA 42 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and 13 of those were 5 star recruits.

Star ratings don't, obviously, tell the whole story, but it does give us an indication that the two teams, from a "raw material" standpoint, are pretty even.

DOn't know about "pretty even". Development and coaching are a key factor in the process of whether or not these guys reach their full potential. Usc is on their 3rd coaching staff in what....3-4 years?
You have to give BAMA the edge in talent due to the continuity within the program. Saban's "process" is proven to work if the players buy in, and most do

BAMA 31
Usc 16

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2016 13:31:41 GMT -5 Walter said:

Saw an interesting stat line today.

A comparison of the two deep rosters of both teams using only the recruiting rankings of the two teams.


USC 39 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and nine of those were 5 star recruits.
ALABAMA 42 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and 13 of those were 5 star recruits.

Star ratings don't, obviously, tell the whole story, but it does give us an indication that the two teams, from a "raw material" standpoint, are pretty even.

Hate to tell you, but USC is no match for Alabama.   The Tide will win this one fairly easily by 14 points or more.  
The only "even" thing both of these teams will share is the texture of the playing surface.

[Walter]

Aug 31, 2016 13:42:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

Aug 31, 2016 13:31:41 GMT -5 Walter said:

Saw an interesting stat line today.

A comparison of the two deep rosters of both teams using only the recruiting rankings of the two teams.


USC 39 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and nine of those were 5 star recruits.
ALABAMA 42 players on the two deep roster were 4 or 5 star recruits, and 13 of those were 5 star recruits.

Star ratings don't, obviously, tell the whole story, but it does give us an indication that the two teams, from a "raw material" standpoint, are pretty even.

DOn't know about "pretty even". Development and coaching are a key factor in the process of whether or not these guys reach their full potential. Usc is on their 3rd coaching staff in what....3-4 years?
You have to give BAMA the edge in talent due to the continuity within the program. Saban's "process" is proven to work if the players buy in, and most do

BAMA 31
Usc 16

USC does have some continuity issues at HC. That's definitely an edge to Bama.
My point about the star ratings was to say that the talent seems to be there "on paper". But, that said, USC's best O-lineman, for instance, was a 3-star recruit, so who knows what "stars" really mean? Thus your point about coaching continuity is true.

Keys to this game, IMO:

1. Which QB, for which team, (neither of whom have much, if any, experience at QB), is going to get rattled and make mistakes?
2. Can USC's strength, it's O-Line, control the LOS? USC has committed to the run this season. They have two very talented RBs, and folks here in LA are thinking that two 1000 yard rushers on the same team is not going to be hard to achieve with the talent USC has both at RB and up front. IMO, if they handle Bama up front, USC wins.
3. OTOH......USC's front 7 on D is a combination of 1) talented but untested and 2) thin. Crucial that they step up their game if USC hopes to win. They need to play with their hair on fire. The worry is that the Trojan D wears down late if the O doesn't perform.
4. USC must win the Time of Possession. The Offense needs to control the clock to protect the D from wearing down late, because one thing we know...Bama isn't going to stop playing.

USC 24
Bama 20

[cbisbig]

Aug 31, 2016 16:19:31 GMT -5 Walter said:

Aug 31, 2016 13:42:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

DOn't know about "pretty even". Development and coaching are a key factor in the process of whether or not these guys reach their full potential. Usc is on their 3rd coaching staff in what....3-4 years?
You have to give BAMA the edge in talent due to the continuity within the program. Saban's "process" is proven to work if the players buy in, and most do

BAMA 31
Usc 16

USC does have some continuity issues at HC. That's definitely an edge to Bama.
My point about the star ratings was to say that the talent seems to be there "on paper". But, that said, USC's best O-lineman, for instance, was a 3-star recruit, so who knows what "stars" really mean? Thus your point about coaching continuity is true.

Keys to this game, IMO:

1. Which QB, for which team, (neither of whom have much, if any, experience at QB), is going to get rattled and make mistakes?
2. Can USC's strength, it's O-Line, control the LOS? USC has committed to the run this season. They have two very talented RBs, and folks here in LA are thinking that two 1000 yard rushers on the same team is not going to be hard to achieve with the talent USC has both at RB and up front. IMO, if they handle Bama up front, USC wins.
3. OTOH......USC's front 7 on D is a combination of 1) talented but untested and 2) thin. Crucial that they step up their game if USC hopes to win. They need to play with their hair on fire. The worry is that the Trojan D wears down late if the O doesn't perform.
4. USC must win the Time of Possession. The Offense needs to control the clock to protect the D from wearing down late, because one thing we know...Bama isn't going to stop playing.

USC 24
Bama 20

BAMA doesn't give up many rushing yds, ask Leonard Fournette. If Usc can;t pass the ball, it won
t be close

[Walter]

Aug 31, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

Aug 31, 2016 16:19:31 GMT -5 Walter said:

USC does have some continuity issues at HC. That's definitely an edge to Bama.
My point about the star ratings was to say that the talent seems to be there "on paper". But, that said, USC's best O-lineman, for instance, was a 3-star recruit, so who knows what "stars" really mean? Thus your point about coaching continuity is true.

Keys to this game, IMO:

1. Which QB, for which team, (neither of whom have much, if any, experience at QB), is going to get rattled and make mistakes?
2. Can USC's strength, it's O-Line, control the LOS? USC has committed to the run this season. They have two very talented RBs, and folks here in LA are thinking that two 1000 yard rushers on the same team is not going to be hard to achieve with the talent USC has both at RB and up front. IMO, if they handle Bama up front, USC wins.
3. OTOH......USC's front 7 on D is a combination of 1) talented but untested and 2) thin. Crucial that they step up their game if USC hopes to win. They need to play with their hair on fire. The worry is that the Trojan D wears down late if the O doesn't perform.
4. USC must win the Time of Possession. The Offense needs to control the clock to protect the D from wearing down late, because one thing we know...Bama isn't going to stop playing.

USC 24
Bama 20

BAMA doesn't give up many rushing yds, ask Leonard Fournette. If Usc can;t pass the ball, it won
t be close

LSU was 107th in passing offense last season.
Can you say, "11 in the box"?

USC has, arguably the best receiver in college football in JuJu Smith-Shuster and a pretty deep corps of experienced receivers.
So, if QB Browne doesn't freak out with the first game jitters and gets time, Bama will not be able to stack the run.
My guess is Bama WILL stack the run and dare USC to beat them with the pass early. So Browne needs to perform. If USC gets a few quick scores on single coverage, then Bama will have to play straight up on D, and that is what USC wants.

If that happens, it will end up being which unit will win the war up front? the USC O-line or the Bama Front-7. As I said....IMO, it's the key to the game. Bama lost a lot of depth on the Dline, so if USC can pound the ball, they might just wear them down late. But Bama has a lot of talent up front, there is no doubt, so that will be fun to watch.

Lots of USC "ifs" for a double-digit dog, however. I acknowledge that.

[cbisbig]

Aug 31, 2016 18:48:30 GMT -5 Walter said:

Aug 31, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

BAMA doesn't give up many rushing yds, ask Leonard Fournette. If Usc can;t pass the ball, it won
t be close

LSU was 107th in passing offense last season.
Can you say, "11 in the box"?

USC has, arguably the best receiver in college football in JuJu Smith-Shuster and a pretty deep corps of experienced receivers.
So, if QB Browne doesn't freak out with the first game jitters and gets time, Bama will not be able to stack the run.
My guess is Bama WILL stack the run and dare USC to beat them with the pass early. So Browne needs to perform. If USC gets a few quick scores on single coverage, then Bama will have to play straight up on D, and that is what USC wants.

If that happens, it will end up being which unit will win the war up front? the USC O-line or the Bama Front-7. As I said....IMO, it's the key to the game. Bama lost a lot of depth on the Dline, so if USC can pound the ball, they might just wear them down late. But Bama has a lot of talent up front, there is no doubt, so that will be fun to watch.

Lots of USC "ifs" for a double-digit dog, however. I acknowledge that.

Looking forward to kick off

[beuycek]

Aug 31, 2016 16:19:31 GMT -5 Walter said:

Aug 31, 2016 13:42:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

DOn't know about "pretty even". Development and coaching are a key factor in the process of whether or not these guys reach their full potential. Usc is on their 3rd coaching staff in what....3-4 years?
You have to give BAMA the edge in talent due to the continuity within the program. Saban's "process" is proven to work if the players buy in, and most do

BAMA 31
Usc 16

USC does have some continuity issues at HC. That's definitely an edge to Bama.
My point about the star ratings was to say that the talent seems to be there "on paper". But, that said, USC's best O-lineman, for instance, was a 3-star recruit, so who knows what "stars" really mean? Thus your point about coaching continuity is true.

Keys to this game, IMO:

1. Which QB, for which team, (neither of whom have much, if any, experience at QB), is going to get rattled and make mistakes?
2. Can USC's strength, it's O-Line, control the LOS? USC has committed to the run this season. They have two very talented RBs, and folks here in LA are thinking that two 1000 yard rushers on the same team is not going to be hard to achieve with the talent USC has both at RB and up front. IMO, if they handle Bama up front, USC wins.
3. OTOH......USC's front 7 on D is a combination of 1) talented but untested and 2) thin. Crucial that they step up their game if USC hopes to win. They need to play with their hair on fire. The worry is that the Trojan D wears down late if the O doesn't perform.
4. USC must win the Time of Possession. The Offense needs to control the clock to protect the D from wearing down late, because one thing we know...Bama isn't going to stop playing.

USC 24
Bama 20

#3 above tells me there is no way the Trojans hold Bama to 20 points. I don't necessarily expect a rout but I don't see how USC pulls out a win Saturday.

[Walter]

Aug 31, 2016 20:59:53 GMT -5 beuycek said:

Aug 31, 2016 16:19:31 GMT -5 Walter said:

USC does have some continuity issues at HC. That's definitely an edge to Bama.
My point about the star ratings was to say that the talent seems to be there "on paper". But, that said, USC's best O-lineman, for instance, was a 3-star recruit, so who knows what "stars" really mean? Thus your point about coaching continuity is true.

Keys to this game, IMO:

1. Which QB, for which team, (neither of whom have much, if any, experience at QB), is going to get rattled and make mistakes?
2. Can USC's strength, it's O-Line, control the LOS? USC has committed to the run this season. They have two very talented RBs, and folks here in LA are thinking that two 1000 yard rushers on the same team is not going to be hard to achieve with the talent USC has both at RB and up front. IMO, if they handle Bama up front, USC wins.
3. OTOH......USC's front 7 on D is a combination of 1) talented but untested and 2) thin. Crucial that they step up their game if USC hopes to win. They need to play with their hair on fire. The worry is that the Trojan D wears down late if the O doesn't perform.
4. USC must win the Time of Possession. The Offense needs to control the clock to protect the D from wearing down late, because one thing we know...Bama isn't going to stop playing.

USC 24
Bama 20

#3 above tells me there is no way the Trojans hold Bama to 20 points. I don't necessarily expect a rout but I don't see how USC pulls out a win Saturday.

Send me an address and i will ship you as many pair of cardinal and gold colored glasses you need to fix that problem.

[Deleted]

Should be a great game!
Bama 34
SC 17

[bamorin]

Aug 31, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

BAMA doesn't give up many rushing yds, ask Leonard Fournette. If Usc can;t pass the ball, it won
t be close

I'd rather ask Zeke Elliot. I bet he would have a different answer, only Oregon gave up more yards

[cbisbig]

Sept 2, 2016 9:39:13 GMT -5 bamorin said:

Aug 31, 2016 17:44:10 GMT -5 cbisbig said:

BAMA doesn't give up many rushing yds, ask Leonard Fournette. If Usc can;t pass the ball, it won
t be close

I'd rather ask Zeke Elliot. I bet he would have a different answer, only Oregon gave up more yards

Few and very far in between

[cbisbig]

No. 20 Southern Cal vs. No. 1 Alabama

7 p.m. CDT Saturday (ABC)

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

3 SEC teams have had longer winning streaks in season-opening games than Alabama's current 14-game mark. The Crimson Tide hasn't started a season with a loss since falling to UCLA 20-17 on Sept. 1, 2001. Florida holds the SEC record, winning 26 straight season-openers since 1990. Ole Miss won 16 consecutive openers from 1947 through 1962. Mississippi State won 15 consecutive openers from 1933 through 1948. South Carolina also won 14 consecutive openers from 2000 through 2013. Alabama's 14-game streak is not its school record, though. The Tide opened its season with a victory 30 straight times from 1904 through 1934. Only the final two of those victories came as an SEC member.

7 Consecutive victories for Alabama in games against teams ranked in the AP poll. The Crimson Tide hasn't fallen to a ranked foe since last year's 43-37 loss to No. 15 Ole Miss on Sept. 19.

7 Previous games between Alabama and Southern Cal, with the Crimson Tide holding a 5-2 series lead. Saturday's game will be their first meeting since Alabama's 24-3 victory in the Aloha Bowl on Dec. 28, 1985. Both of Southern Cal's victories came in its only games against the Crimson Tide in Alabama, with the Trojans scoring wins at Legion Field in Birmingham in 1970 and 1978.

7 Victories over the No. 1 team in the AP poll for Southern Cal, the fourth-most in history behind Miami (Fla.)'s nine and eight apiece by Alabama and Notre Dame. The Trojans are 7-12 against the No. 1 team after losing each of the past five meetings. Southern Cal most recently scored a victory over the No. 1 team in 1984, when it upended Washington 16-7. One of USC's victories over a No. 1 opponent came at Legion Field in Birmingham in 1978, when it downed Alabama 24-14.

7 Consecutive victories for Alabama in neutral-site openers. The Crimson Tide defeated Ohio State 16-10 to start the 1986 season in East Rutherford, N.J.; Clemson 34-10 to start the 2008 season in Atlanta, Virginia Tech 34-24 to start the 2009 season in Atlanta, Michigan 41-14 to start the 2012 season in Arlington, Texas; Virginia Tech 35-10 to start the 2013 season in Atlanta, West Virginia 33-23 to start the 2014 season in Atlanta and Wisconsin 35-17 in Arlington to start the 2015 season.

11 Teams on Southern Cal's 2016 schedule played in bowls to cap the 2015 season. The Trojans face more 2015 bowl teams this season than any other school. Alabama has nine 2015 bowl teams on its 2016 schedule.

12 Consecutive games have been won by Alabama, the longest winning streak in the nation.

15 Years since Alabama played a Pac-12 team and 30 since the Crimson Tide beat one. Alabama's most recent game against a Pac-12 opponent is a 20-17 loss to UCLA on Sept. 1, 2001. The Tide has played only one other game against a Pac-12 team since beating Washington 28-6 in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 25, 1986. Alabama has a 13-5-1 record against opponents from the Pac-12 and its predecessors, including 6-4 in regular-season games.

16 Consecutive seasons for Alabama have included a first-quarter score in the first game of the year. The Crimson Tide hasn't been shut out in the first quarter of its opening contest since 1999 against Vanderbilt.

SEC Football by the Numbers: AP preseason poll
SEC Football by the Numbers: AP preseason poll
The Associated Press released its 67th preseason college football poll on Sunday. The SEC has six teams ranked among the nation's top 25 -- Alabama at No. 1, LSU at No. 5, Tennessee at No. 9, Ole Miss at No. 11, Georgia at No. 18 and Florida at No. 25.
18 Consecutive victories in season-opening games for Southern Cal, the second-longest active streak in the nation. The Trojans haven't had an 0-1 record since falling 14-7 to Florida State to kick off the 1997 season.

19 Players on Southern Cal's roster played under Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin in his final season as USC's head coach in 2013.

25 Consecutive season-opening games have been won by the team ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll, as Alabama is for the 2016 season. The most recent No. 1 team to start the season with a loss is Miami (Fla.), which fell at Brigham Young 28-21 on Sept. 8, 1990. Since then, every No. 1 has opened with a victory. All but two of the 25 scored at least 34 points, and all but two of them won by at least 17 points.

29 Years since Southern Cal lost to an SEC opponent. Since the Trojans fell to Auburn 16-7 in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1987, USC has beaten all four of its SEC foes to give it a 14-10-1 record against the conference. Alabama will be Southern Cal's first SEC opponent since the Trojans defeated Arkansas 50-14 in 2006.

32 Consecutive non-conference regular-season games have been won by Alabama. The Crimson Tide owns the fifth-longest streak in the NCAA Division I-A/FBS era (since 1978) and the second-longest active streak, behind the record 52 games of LSU. Alabama's most recent loss in a non-conference regular-season game came on Nov. 17, 2007, when the Tide fell to Louisiana-Monroe 21-14.

50 Victories and 10 losses for Alabama when playing as the No. 1 team in the AP poll. The Crimson Tide lost its most recent outing as the No. 1 team, falling to Ohio State 42-35 in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2015.

118 Games have been played by Alabama since the Crimson Tide failed to score in the first half, the longest streak in the nation. On Sept. 29, 2007, Alabama and Florida State headed into halftime tied at 0-0. The Tide has scored in the first half of every game since. Alabama has a 102-16 record during the streak.

157 Rushing yards were gained by Alabama RB Damien Harris in 2015. That's the lowest yardage total for any leading returning rusher in the SEC.

198 Consecutive games without being shut out for Alabama, a school record. Alabama's most recent shutout loss came 9-0 to Auburn on Nov. 18, 2000.

235 Consecutive games without being shut out for Southern Cal, a school record. USC's most recent shutout loss came 27-0 to Washington on Nov. 1, 1997.

[cbisbig]

BAMA to start redshirt freshman Blake Barnett at qb with true freshman Jalen Hurts to play also. SHould be interesting

[Walter]

Gotta give it up to the Bama front 7. They are the difference in the game.
Browne has terminal happy feet and seems rattled.
We might (should) see Sam Darnold in the Second half.
SC's D is much quicker than Bama can handle, but lost the NT and the idiot who got tossed...the second half will be a challenge. They weren't deep there to start with.