Unfortunately, I was there the last time USC came to Ohio Stadium and they DID call the game. John Cooper sent his team into the locker room, trailing by 9 points with 2:30 to play.

The lightning storm, he said, was dangerous. Of course, the 95,000 people in the stands were still in danger (and a little bit pissed off for the basic forfeiture of the game)

Go Bucks.

There’s really no question that even a rebuilt/reloaded USC defense is at least a touchdown better than Texas’ Fiesta Bowl defense was, but, by the same token, there’s really no question that this version of the OSU offense – even given last week’s performance – is at least two touchdowns better against ANYBODY than the shell-shocked, Beanie-less and Boeckmann-led one we took into the Coliseum last year. Still, I cannot really believe that we are going to run wild on Surfer Pete. So 17 sounds about right to me.

As far as holding the Trojans to 10, well, I just don’t see McKnight and company running their way to a bunch of touchdowns, and I don’t see a freshman QB – ANY freshman QB – picking us apart in a night game at the Shoe. In fact, I think that despite the unquestionable ability of USC’s OL, there can really be no question that Gibson, Williams, Heyward et. al. will get SOME pressure on passing downs, and that will create TO opportunities for our secondary – which, let’s not forget, has a pretty good track record of making good plays as well as bad ones. Regardless, they will have plenty of success moving the ball, but the intensity of the defense, and of the crowd as the night wears on, will mitigate into that ball movement translating into many points.

I see it as a ball-control/kicking game/field position battle, and when it comes to that kind of contest, I’ll take The Senator every time.

* No turnovers………1 I can handle in the 1st or second quarter ( you can make up from an early mis-hap ), absolutely cannot have any in the second half against the Trojans.

* We MUST SCORE when we get inside the redzone ……………

* O-line………..wake up , play pissed off…………no penalties.

Lastly, Spread this Trojan defense out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Spread m out and let Pryor do his thing. Run no-huddle , 3 and 4 wide. Keep them guessing no-huddle.

…….and yes, the crowd needs to be relentless. I mean they need to be brutal from start to finish.

Go Bucks!!