USC enters Memorial Stadium for rematch

By Josh Lashley  |   Sunday, May 13, 2007  |  Comments( 18 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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It's possible that Nebraska may head into its Sept. 15 game against the USC clicking on all cylinders. The offensive and defensive backfields could be shored up, the receivers could be living up to expectations, and both lines could be doing their jobs without missing a beat.

All of this -- which would include a thumping of Nevada at home in the season opener and an impressive road win over Wake Forest -- might just be in the cards. Still, though, the Cornhuskers still may not up to the task of defeating the Trojans.

Sure, USC lost some high-profile players from a 2006 team that finished 11-2 overall and handled Michigan (32-18) in the Rose Bowl. However, that was the case after the 2005 campaign, as well, and the Trojans still dealt Nebraska a 28-10 loss last fall. This is not by any means saying that a setback against USC is imminent, but more than a couple of things are likely going to have to go Nebraska's way for it's able to celebrate its first-ever victory against the Trojans.

The Huskers will have to find a way to rattle veteran senior quarterback John David Booty, who threw 29 touchdown passes against a meager nine interceptions last season. Booty had three TD tosses and no picks last September against the Huskers. Then again, that was in Los Angeles, not in Memorial Stadium, and that in and of itself could be a significant difference this time.

If the Nebraska defense can slow down the passing game and cause the Trojans to run more, possibly handing the ball to capable players like Chauncey Washington, Emmanuel Moody and C.J. Gable, it could mean a significant momentum swing toward the home team.

The USC defense will of course be quick and hard hitting (so will Nebraska's), but the Huskers, at least on paper, have the kind of talent at all of the offensive skill positions to move the ball in a variety of ways, even against a program like USC. The Trojans will likely feature linebackers Keith Rivers and Brian Cushing, defensive tackles Sedrick Ellis and Fili Moala, and end Lawrence Jackson, among other notable athletes on the 'D'.

The question regards whether Nebraska can sustain long, punishing drives that keep USC's defense guessing, while it gets tired and frustrated. This, along with solid special teams, the ability to force turnovers and maintain the edge in field position may very well be the secret for Nebraska's success against Pete Carroll's squad.

USC opens with a home game versus Idaho on Sept. 1, then has a bye week. Obviously, the Trojans will be very much looking to Nebraska as their first real test of the season. Is Nebraska the team that poses a test but ultimately falls short? Possibly. But they could be a team that takes the Trojans out of national title contention, too.

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CommentsComments: 18  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Andrew Epp		01:17 AM
05/22/2007
All I can say is that I can't wait. But I guess if I had more than one thing to say it would be this: Coach Callahan, I think you ...
No.2
Huge HuskerFan		04:51 PM
05/22/2007
Great article Andrew couldn't agree with you more home field advantage is huge in college i'm from California and love Nebraska i ...
No.3
Andrew Epp		01:34 PM
05/23/2007
Well, as for the D-Line, I'm not as concerned as many are, I think. There are a lot of positives there. Yes, Carriker and Moore ...
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