College Football: Week 1 Watchlist - USC TROJANS v VIRGINIA

USC VA. VIRGINA

USC should win this game pretty handily, but it is the first game of the season and USC has to break in a new starting QB and four new offensive linemen. Pete Carroll said, “The biggest question mark in our program is who will be the starters on the offensive line.” “It might take a while to sort out, and we might start by rotating guys.” For many other schools that could mean real trouble, but this is USC and it’s a little easier to fill holes when you have a plethora of five star recruits.



Lucky for these linemen they have Joe McKnight running behind them, the type of RB you want and try harder to block for. Check that—Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable, Stafon Johnson, Marc Tyler, Broderick Green, and Allen Bradford are the types of RB’s you want to block for. Many thought the receiver corps would be a weak point in 2008, but the returners have a year of experience and don't be too surprised if Arkansas transfer Damian Williams makes an instant impact as well. Also, watch for Joe McKnight lining up more in the receiver spot. Coah Pete Carrol stated at the Pac-10 media day that Joe runs better receiver routes than Reggie Bush did.

Their D line like their O line will be revamped with the loss of two first round draft picks: Lawrence Jackson and Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year Sedrick Ellis. Fili Moala and Kyle Moore will hold the fort down in the trenches as the other starters emerge. The line may not be as good as last year but there is no need to fear because USC is loaded with one of the Nations best linebacker groups, staring Brian Cushing, Kaluka Maiava, and the stud of studs Rey Maualuga. I would rather wrestle a starving crocodile than get hit by Maualuga. Hey, guess what?! USC’s secondary is good too, with pre season All American Safety Taylor Mays leading the group, look for this D to allow little numbers on the scoreboard.

So, USC is good, we all know that, but I’m going to tell you why USC could still lose this game. It’s in Virginia and Scott Stadium will be packed with rowdy fans who want to see an upset. USC has a new QB and 4 new offensive linemen and hopefully Chris long taught his former D-linemen how to pressure and sack a quarterback. USC plays Ohio State next. Hopefully for Virginia the Trojans look past them towards their big match up against the Buckeyes. Hey, they over-looked Stanford and with all their talent lost.

Hey, I can’t make up any more reasons because I don’t think there is. Virginia lost their starting QB Jameel Sewell for academic reasons and has four guys vying for the starting spot, which is never good. The Cavaliers have excellent linebackers lead by three seniors who all had over 60 tackles last year. The man to watch out for though is Virginia’s WR Kevin Ogletree. He will put up some stats and keep it close for maybe 2 quarters, hopefully the whole game. USC is too good and Virginia lost too many good players.



PREDICTION
USC VIRGINIA
38 17