For a game that started out so well 14-3, things went literally south in a hurry. It was a combination of problems:
1. To stop being 'predictable with a Run on each set of first downs as in the Stanford game they actually tried a blend in the first half (about 1:1 pass to run) but had to resort to mostly passes (2:1 passes to run) to attempt a comeback. They did not attack the Texas D-backs with multiple receivers nor did they counter the Texas corrections from their first quarter. Texas was loaded against the run and for a team that didn’t rush the QB much in the first 2 games, they sacked USC3 times. They obviously had the better execution.
2. I hate to say this but the choice of JT Daniels was probably pre-mature. The kid is very talented and will be terrific but with lack of experience, now isn't that time. I was surprised when he started to make poor decisions that Sears or Fink weren’t used for their run and escapability. I think Helton after fall camp was afraid of making the same error as with Browne…and made his pick of JT quickly, and now USC is almost stuck with that decision. But if TJ starts slow next game, please go to the backup QBs.
3. What happened to punting? We gave away starting position big time. A Texas FG plus a fortunate UT fumble at the USC 17 stopped another score. And now McGrath got hurt (ACL) on that blocked FG/ kick 6, And McGrath is gone for the season. That is a huge dagger. Block to the outside and never let the defense penetrate even if it took a penalty, especially directly into the kicking channel.
4. Reffing-Horrible by any low standards. The non safety call was wrong and acclaimed so by anyone that knows the rules. Once in the TD area, when the knee goes down inside that zone- it's a safety and the ball has to be entirely over the end zone line into the playing field if not down. This was neither. Add in that terrible call on Gustin where he hit the opposing player's shoulder is another home town cooking call. Worse than PAC-10 refs? Another reason one must play harder on the road..One other thing comes to mind. Amon Ra St Brown and a defender goes up for the long pass both have their hands on it. Amon-ra has it while on his back alone and then gets it ripped away. Body down, one man has the ball. Its his. That's not what the Refs thought.....Interception. That hurt. Really suspect IMO. They called every close to 50-50 play for Texas.
5. The future and the past…. The recent teams indeed seems to have problems with starts every season but last year (2017) was 4-0. Otherwise (1-2, 1-3, 3-3, 3-2). Part of it is in scheduling tough OOC, and the bad residual of ND is that Stanford early game. Would you give up ND game if it meant a better shot at a title?
But this game is not the end of the world. USC started 1-3 in 2015 and came back. We are 0-1 in the conference and face WSU at home, at Arizona, and Colorado at home before Utah where both could be 3-1 in conference.
1. To stop being 'predictable with a Run on each set of first downs as in the Stanford game they actually tried a blend in the first half (about 1:1 pass to run) but had to resort to mostly passes (2:1 passes to run) to attempt a comeback. They did not attack the Texas D-backs with multiple receivers nor did they counter the Texas corrections from their first quarter. Texas was loaded against the run and for a team that didn’t rush the QB much in the first 2 games, they sacked USC3 times. They obviously had the better execution.
2. I hate to say this but the choice of JT Daniels was probably pre-mature. The kid is very talented and will be terrific but with lack of experience, now isn't that time. I was surprised when he started to make poor decisions that Sears or Fink weren’t used for their run and escapability. I think Helton after fall camp was afraid of making the same error as with Browne…and made his pick of JT quickly, and now USC is almost stuck with that decision. But if TJ starts slow next game, please go to the backup QBs.
3. What happened to punting? We gave away starting position big time. A Texas FG plus a fortunate UT fumble at the USC 17 stopped another score. And now McGrath got hurt (ACL) on that blocked FG/ kick 6, And McGrath is gone for the season. That is a huge dagger. Block to the outside and never let the defense penetrate even if it took a penalty, especially directly into the kicking channel.
4. Reffing-Horrible by any low standards. The non safety call was wrong and acclaimed so by anyone that knows the rules. Once in the TD area, when the knee goes down inside that zone- it's a safety and the ball has to be entirely over the end zone line into the playing field if not down. This was neither. Add in that terrible call on Gustin where he hit the opposing player's shoulder is another home town cooking call. Worse than PAC-10 refs? Another reason one must play harder on the road..One other thing comes to mind. Amon Ra St Brown and a defender goes up for the long pass both have their hands on it. Amon-ra has it while on his back alone and then gets it ripped away. Body down, one man has the ball. Its his. That's not what the Refs thought.....Interception. That hurt. Really suspect IMO. They called every close to 50-50 play for Texas.
5. The future and the past…. The recent teams indeed seems to have problems with starts every season but last year (2017) was 4-0. Otherwise (1-2, 1-3, 3-3, 3-2). Part of it is in scheduling tough OOC, and the bad residual of ND is that Stanford early game. Would you give up ND game if it meant a better shot at a title?
But this game is not the end of the world. USC started 1-3 in 2015 and came back. We are 0-1 in the conference and face WSU at home, at Arizona, and Colorado at home before Utah where both could be 3-1 in conference.
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