Week 5 Game Matchup: USC Trojans VS. Cal Bears
USC Trojans (3-1) vs. Cal Bears (3-1)
Saturday, October 3, 5:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: USC -5.0
*AllPac10 Game of the Week*
Sam’s Take (22 – 10):
A few weeks ago, I was certain that Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Chris Fowler and the rest of College Gameday would be in Berkeley this Saturday for an epic west coast showdown with national championship implications. Oh well.
While the Trojans and Bears will not enter this game undefeated, the stakes are still very high. Both programs entered the 2009 season with high expectations, and Saturday’s loser will likely see those expectations go unfulfilled.
Perhaps no team in the country has faced more adversity in 2009 than USC. The Trojans have been dealing with unfortunate circumstances since fall camp, and Stafon Johnson’s terrible weightlifting accident has been especially difficult on the team.
On the field, Pete Carroll’s club continues to be a work in progress, at least on offense. ‘SC played an extremely sloppy three quarters against Wazzu, and the Trojans must raise the intensity level considerably this Saturday. For ‘SC to win, more may be asked of Matt Barkley in the passing game, because the Bears D is typically strong against the run (with the exception of last week’s debacle in Eugene). I still expect a few big plays from Joe McKnight and the rest of the backs, but I believe Barkley’s performance will be the biggest key to victory for USC.
For the Bears, QB Kevin Riley must establish a rhythm early. His accuracy issues are worrying, so he needs to gain some confidence on the first few drives. Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen were rendered useless last week largely because of a poor performance from the o-line. The line must be more physical this week, or else Cal’s two-headed monster at tailback will continue to struggle.
USC never losses the big game, but I believe Cal is due to finally win one. The Bears certainly have their issues, but they also have the talent to beat SC. I expect Jeff Tedford’s team to play inspired football in front of an energized home crowd at Memorial Stadium, where Cal has not lost since 2007 (of course the last loss was to the Trojans). While you can never count out a Pete Carroll-led team in a game like this, I see the Bears pulling out a nail-bitter.
Prediction: Cal 27 – USC 24
USC Player to Keep an Eye On: RB Allen Bradford - With Johnson out, Bradford may be the new red zone back. He looked very good against WSU last week, and could provide the thunder to McKnight’s lightning.
Cal Player to Keep an Eye On: TE Anthony Miller - Riley needs to be able to complete easy passes and Miller is a big target with solid hands.
Dave’s Take (25 – 7):
Before the season started, many were projecting this game out to be the game of the year in the Pac-10. Cal was almost unanimously rated as the top contender to end USC’s dominance over the conference, and this was going to be USC’s first major test in the conference after bullying over the Washington schools.
Hmm, a lot can change in a month, can’t it? For Cal, all systems appeared to be go heading into the Oregon game. For USC, coming off of a big win over Ohio State, people were writing off the offensive troubles they had as an indication of how well the Buckeyes played, not an indication of offensive struggles.
And yet here we are. Both teams have major concerns, and more importantly, both teams already have a conference loss. So for me, I honestly can’t drive myself crazy trying to figure out who is more dejected or motivated or anything like that. I think it is safe to call it a wash as far as motivation and struggles are concerned, and focus strictly on the game itself.
And it is a game that I believe the Trojans will win. Cal will not come close to repeating the poor effort they had in Oregon, but that game did leave me doubting that they can dig deep and come up big in a big game. We’ve seen USC do it for years (it’s the LITTLE games they have problems with), and we’ve already seen them do it this season against Ohio State.
Pete Carroll and USC own this series, and I believe the defense will guide them to a win here; assuming, of course, that Joe McKnight can hold on to the football.
Prediction: USC 27 – Cal 17
California Bears, USC Trojans
| 
Football, Game Matchup, Jahvid Best, Jeff Tedford, Joe McKnight, Kevin Riley, Matt Barkley, Pete Carroll, Shane Vereen, Stafon Johnson
Man that was very entertaining and at the same time informative..~”,:
*There are some interesting points in time in this article but I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner as well
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
i actually know justin bieber
Well We certainly liked studying this. This topic acquired through a person is very efficient for accurate planning.
Enough is enough
hairdo jessica simpson
שלום לכל ידידי הפורום שמחתי נורא לקרוא את המאמר קודם ,אני הייתי מעוניין להציע על אתר מרכזיות ip ומרכזיה פנסוניק ומרכזיית טלפונים.
I wanted to thank you for this great I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your web site to check out the latest stuff you post.
I enjoyed reading your post and I couldn’t agree with you far more. By the way, as a blogger myself, I’m very impressed with the high quality of your writing. Will undoubtedly visit again. Cheers!
I don’t commonly comment but I gotta admit thanks for the post on this amazing one : D.
Definitely, the article is truly the freshest on this deserving field. I concur with each of your ideas and will desperately expect your upcoming up-dates.
your blog is very good.It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not good. I also found your posts very interesting
Awesome blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Cheers!
Everyone loves your blog.. comfortable shades & concept. Do an individual design and style this website yourself or perhaps do anyone hire an attorney to accomplish it available for you? Plz reply when I!|m looking to design my personal web site plus wish to learn wherever u acquired the following out of. many thanks
This will be a terrific web page, will you be involved in doing an interview regarding just how you created it? If so e-mail me!
Your website won’t show up appropriately on my android – you may wanna try and fix that
I enjoy your blog site.. great colorations & design. Performed a person design this amazing site on your own or maybe does anyone bring in help to make it happen in your case? Plz reply when I!|m seeking to design my personal website in addition to want to realize the place oughout obtained this via. many thanks
3 hardest words to say I FORGIVE YOU|jay_spaz|
Text me if your making an appearance at my pool party on thee 23, wanna make sure that there’s enough food…|WOAHstopTalking|
It’s a good day to put in our air conditioner I think. Otherwise tonight will be like the past couple nights; too hot to sleep.|katiekavallines|
This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a design here thats not too flashy, but makes a statement as big as what youre saying. Great job, indeed.
I recently found and came across your blog and have reading along , i will keep reading this blog everyday.
Telling my whole life with his words, killing me softly… with his song (8)|giubeeh|
Comfortabl y, the post is really the sweetest on that notable topic. I match in with your conclusions and also definitely will eagerly look forward to your upcoming updates. Simply just saying thanks can not simply just be enough, for the phenomenal lucidity in your writing. I can directly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. De lightful work and also much success in your business endeavors!
excellent article. i like this. continue the good work.
I adore your blog post.. pleasant colours & style. Did an individual design this web site your self or maybe did you actually hire someone to make it work available for you? Plz respond as I!|m planning to pattern my own website along with would wish to learn in which oughout became that out of. thanks a lot
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
This is a awesome write-up. Many thanks for bothering to summarize this all out for folks. It is a great help!
Youre so awesome, man! I cant believe I missed this blog for so long. Its just great stuff all round. Your design, man…too amazing! I cant wait to read what youve got next. I love everything that youre saying and want more, more, MORE! Keep this up, man! Its just too good.
That is a remarkably amazing powerful resource that you’re offering and you simply provide it away cost-free!! I quite like discovering websites ones comprehend the particular valuation on offering you beautiful learning resource for zero cost. We truly dearly loved examining this article. Be thankful!
Well, another blogger already posted a topic like this.;-:,`
I would really love to guest post on your blog.”,;’,
Wow, you seem to be very knowledgable about this kind of topics.-`.*;
“”I admire what you have done here. I love the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that is working for you as well. Do you have any more info on this?”"
Appreciate it for this post, I am a big big fan of this site would like to keep updated.
Was actually doing some browsing and came across this site. Have to say that this info is great! Keep it up. We will be following your posts
I actually wanted to develop a brief note so as to say thanks to you for these superb pointers you are showing at this website. My rather long internet look up has at the end been rewarded with useful facts to write about with my best friends. I would claim that we site visitors are undeniably blessed to live in a really good community with very many brilliant professionals with useful principles. I feel extremely fortunate to have discovered your site and look forward to tons of more pleasurable minutes reading here. Thanks a lot once more for everything.