| Calcountry |
11-19-2005 12:21 PM |
Fresno State @ USC
Not so fast Trojans. FSU is the giant killer, and has been going on the road to any major powers that will have them for the past 3 years, just to prove to the nation that we have game, and guess what, we do. Just ask KState, and Washington last year. Ask Oregon, who FSU let one they should have had, get away. I know its would a should a could a but had the Bulldogs kept that one in the win column, this game would be as big as the SC/ND game.
One thing I know for sure, winning streaks usually go down when a better team(SC) is up against a GOOD team, that they disrespect. FSU has been the bastard child of college sports forever and they desparately want to shake that and be taken seriously, motivation enough if they get a couple of breaks to go ahead and upset the Trojans in their house. They aren't intimidated by them, and they should give them a good game.
All you K staters are with me on this? aren't you. Remember last year when they smashed you in the mouth? Anyway, I am sick of Matt Leinert this, and Reggie Bush that, and it is high time that they are brought back down to earth, if not by us, then by UCLA next week, and if not by them, then by Texas in the Rose bowl.
Peace out.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fresno State is about to play the most significant game in school history.
The coaches and players at top-ranked Southern California seem to feel the same way.'
Perhaps that best explains why the Trojans have been so successful under coach Pete Carroll -- they've perfected the art of living in the moment.
"Just as much as it's their opportunity, it's ours as well," USC center Ryan Kalil said of Saturday night's game between the No. 16 Bulldogs and Trojans.
"The journey that we're on, we're not going to overlook anybody," Kalil said. "Every week, teams that we play, it's their championship game."
The Trojans could say the same thing, since one loss probably will cost them a shot at an unprecedented third straight national championship.
Three more wins and they'll have it.
"What we have to do is to continue to play at a high level," Carroll said. "This is a great opportunity for them, and a beautiful opportunity for us to take our next step."
USC (10-0, 7-0 Pac-10) brings a 32-game winning streak into the game -- second-longest among NCAA Division I teams since Oklahoma won a record 47 straight games from 1953-57.
Miami won 34 in a row from 2000-03. The Trojans could surpass that this season by beating Fresno State, No. 12 UCLA and an undetermined opponent in the Rose Bowl for the national championship.
The Trojans also have a 25-game winning streak at the Los Angeles Coliseum, where a crowd of about 90,000 is expected, and a 26-1 all-time record against Western Athletic Conference opponents. The lone loss to a WAC team came in the 1992 Freedom Bowl, when Fresno State won a 24-7 decision in what turned out to be the last game for then-USC coach Larry Smith.
That defeat took place during a far different era for the Trojans, who were 71-58-3 from 1991-01, but 46-3 under Carroll the past four seasons.
"I have made it really clear that I am a really big USC fan," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "I am from Southern California, I grew up going to games at the Coliseum. USC has picked up the flag for the west United States, especially California, in bringing us national championships and greatness."
Hill was hired by Fresno State in 1997. The Bulldogs were 26-22 in his first four seasons and 46-17 in the last five. Among the teams they've beaten under Hill are Colorado, California, Oregon State, Wisconsin, UCLA and Virginia.
"He has done it with style and he has taken on all comers, just as he is willing to play us," Carroll said,
The Bulldogs (8-1, 6-0 WAC) are off to their best start since 1991. Their only loss was a 37-34 setback at No. 10 Oregon two months ago, after they took an early 17-0 lead. USC fell behind the Ducks 13-0 the following weekend on the same field before rallying for a 45-13 victory.
"They're a very productive program over the years. We're aware of that," USC's Matt Leinart said. "They don't shy away from anybody. They're in the Top 25 year in and year out."
Both teams rely on productive offenses. USC ranks No. 1 in the country in total offense (577.6-yard average) and No. 2 in scoring (48.4-point average). Fresno State averages 410.4 yards and 40.2 points.
Leinart, last year's Heisman Trophy winner, is having an even better season statistically, having completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,017 yards and 23 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His favorite targets are Dwayne Jarrett (70 receptions for 1,033 yards and 14 touchdowns) and Steve Smith (47 catches for 858 yards and four TDs).
Reggie Bush and LenDale White each average over 100 yards rushing per game, and have combined to score 32 touchdowns.
"They're No. 1 for a reason," Fresno State's Paul Pinegar said. "When they do something, we've just got to answer back."
Pinegar, a four-year starter, has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 2,042 yards and 18 touchdowns with five interceptions. Wendell Mathis has rushed for 932 yards and 13 TDs for the Bulldogs.
"We've just got to go in and play Bulldog football," Mathis said. "We're going to have a whole lot of fans behind us, but it's going to come down to us."
About 20,000 fans from Fresno are expected to attend the game.
"Somebody's going to have to turn the lights out in Fresno when they all get here," Carroll said.
The Trojans are favored by 23 points.
"I get really tired of everybody in the L.A. media telling me, 'Well, Pat, you've got nothing to lose,'" Hill said. "We've got plenty to lose. I don't look at it that way. I think we've got as much on the line as anybody in this game."
|
