Rose Bowl Open Thread

USC 37-30

With USC’s ability to cause turnovers with a plus 22 turnover ratio, Vince Young cant afford in this game to turn the ball over and give USC a short field to work with. Vince Young got away with it (2ints) against Ohio state in week two of the season, but USC would take advantage of those mistakes quickly. Texas will have to win the time of possession game to win, I like USC in a close game 31-27 if texas doesn’t turn the ball over, if they do turn it over, it could be a blow out for USC.

well i dont know who will win. i know that usc has had many close games this year against teams that arent all that great. if that happens against texas they wont pull it out. i will be the first to say
texas-34
usc-31

texas 42-35 usc

I still think USC’s lopsided victory in the Orange Bowl last year was exagerrated by OU giving up on the game halfway through the 2nd quarter.

I live in the heart of Trojan Land, but I am a Big 8/Big 12 Alumni…so I have to pull for Texas (for the first time in my life) to end this streak. I am just not convinced the Powderpuff Athletic Conference aka Pac-10 is as tough as the Big 12. The PAC-10 has reminded me more of the WAC with all their pass-happy BYU style offenses and soft defenses.

Optimistic prediction…I know:

UT – 42 USC – 35

USC takes it 45-17

UT stops everyone but Bush… 27-14

As BP Says , the circus doesn`t stay in town forever.

Texas 37
USC 31

Texas 24 USC 17

WOW RAF……I thought you were in Texas. I thought for sure you would have picked the horns.

Notre Dame took em to the wire.

Fresno State beat em for 3 quarters.

Reggie and Matt are two of the best Collegiate players to ever play. Perhaps best College QB ever. Most explosive offensive weapon I can remember. NAME A DEFENSIVE STUD?

USC fails to stop Vince and company and I think Texas gets it done. I ain’t sold on Young yet as a better qb at the pro level than Leinhart……but he seems to have a touch to when games.

Texas 31 USC 28

Jesse,

That’s funny.

UT 21
USC 17

Hook ’em Horns!!!!!!!!!

Jon, you write “Vince and company,” and that’s telling. Vince and who? A bunch of other normal guys. USC is prepared to stop Vince, who else in the “ompany” steps up? Who knows? Who cares? “Company” ain’t gonna do squat. USC has THREE guys who will KILL you on offense, and they just need a few punts from Texas and a few turnovers to get Texas out of their gameplan. If they get behind, Texas will have to press and take chances vs the 2nd greatest college team ever, and the best college offense ever.
Miami in 2001 best college team ever.

texas 24..usc 17..joey, vince’s co. includes jammal charles a freshman @ rb who set the ut freshman rushing record this year over earl campbell,priest holmes, cedric benson, and ricky williams..usc hasn’t faced an offense or a defense like the horns this year..

Texas 48 – USC 35…..Let’s go Horns!!!!

As a Texas senior, I’ve had the extreme joy of witnessing Vince’s heroics the past 2+ years. He is the ultimate leader and he will carry the Longhorns past USC, or else the Trojans will win a close one.

Texas has a much better defense: particularly a wicked secondary and very deep defensive line (watch for sophomore stud and Dallas native Frank Okam at DT)

To everyone who thinks it’s just Vince, get ready for the amazing Ramonce Taylor (a younger Bush) and freshman freak Jamaal Charles.

Texas’ offensive line is mature, experienced and mean. Both tackles are 1st rounders (cowboys should get one) and Studdard is flat out nasty.

It should be a close game, but Mr. Young will once again be Invinceable and carry Texas past them trojans.

Texas 35
USC 31

HOOK EM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

turnover number one for USC

Advantage, USC

Um, Reggie Bush is pretty good. I LOVE how he hit that LB.

what a touch pass that was

7-0 USC with the help of that turnover, not a good start for Texas

That wasn’t a smart move by Texas,should of punted, giving USC another short field

now we just got it back….relax. Texas was down many times these season until they settled down and Vince took over….

there he goes….Vince for 15 yards..je je je

Texas better hold on to that ball

heck of a game. Hard to tell which team is more explosive. When the defenses tire, and the coaches make their adjustments, this could blow wide open with long TDs.

both teams are turning the ball over alot, some big hits out there.

very good game actually….Young is the $h1t

I’m glad its not a blowout like last year early

wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

texas got a break there, he was down

TD Texas……shouldve been reversed, but anyway….TD

Michael Huff looks good, as does Winston Justice and Jon Scott

Thanks for having the blog open. Texas got six without earning it. It could make all the diference. I know ithe game has started but Texas 23 USC 17.

USC has the Roy Williams syndrome, hit and hope the player goes down, not wrapping up the runner

USC sure isn’t fond of playing defense.

too much vince for them trojans!!

Looks like it Derrick, Texas all the way, USC isn’t as unbeatable as everyone makes them out to be. At least it’s a competitive game to watch. 2nd half will mean something.

Almost another INT.

The guys doing the booth reviews stink.

well, that int call makes up for the touchdown call

mlf, yeah they’ve done a really bad job so far tonight. It’s a championship game, they should be reviewing anyyhting close..i.e. Vince’s knee down on the pitch, and that INT—ground can’t cause a fumble.

You’d think this game would have better officiating.

I’m a Californian (Northern) and I remember Fresno State had USC on the ropes until near game end. I think Texas will win as USC wears down. The QB for Texas seems to be able to handle USC’s D almost at will.

Vince is big and strong, plus that oline is just as punishing. I agree that USC will be worn down at the end, fun game to watch though.

 Last night’s game was incredible, although the field goal kicking was horrendous. I’m a big Florida State fan, we’ve had our fair share of kicker’s that cost us National Championship’s and other close games.

I think the officials are trying not to leave too much of a fingerprint on this game, which i’m fine with. The calls are going both ways.
We’re just so used to announcers commenting on this play and that play and the “right call.”
How about that USC kicker, eh? Parcells needs to sign him up!

I can’t disagree joey, I hate too much officiating in a game also. You just hope that they don’t decide it at the end if it comes down to that.

I don’t know about signing him up, that 43 yarder was his longest of the year. Prior to that it was 36 yards, but hell, he did make it. That’s more than we can say about our kickers..lol

Ugh! The only time I care much about college ball is April…someone wake me up when the draft starts.

joey2z…….it takes 22…….players that is…..and so far the company that is with Vince is just fine.

Good football game. I agree I don’t think the officiating is bad, looks ok so far. Should be a good second half…..maybe another close one like the Geriatric Bowl…..I mean orange bowl. Good football game though. The worst part of all this is football is about to end……I hate that. Baseball and Basketball just don’t do it.

Sterling……..Powderpuff…..I love it. I agree…..not to diminish USC and there streak but if they played in the SEC or BIG10 or Big 12 or ACC they would have not been undefeated for the last 3 years. National Champs maybe…..but undefeated…..unlikely.

Cal and UCLA are overrated. This did not used to be the case, but the balance of power shifted.

I think the officials are leaving their mark on the game by not doing what they’re supposed to do. Get the calls right. It may seem even now but even in errors not correct calls. I think it will be hard to have the errors even at the end. Do you think the refs make an effort keep errors even. I don’t.

I’ll shut up about the replay officials. I look forward to a great finish. This is the first time in many years that I watched more than just the Rose Bowl. I’m retired now so I have the time. I thought GA was going to pull it out against WV but fell just short. I didn’t watch the game last night. Should have.

mlf, you missed a good game last night. Too bad Florida State couldn’t pull it out…those damn kickers! Most of the bowl games this week have been competitive, fun to watch.

On to the 2nd half.

Bushpilot, this game is getting better every minute. Vince Young is a stud. Both teams seem to know what they want to do now. That Texas missed PAT looms.

USC marched right down the field and made it look easy.

I’d really like to see a fake FG here. Lets see after the TO.

Kickers?? Should’ve faked it

4 points that Pino has missed will be a problem for the Longhorns

Vince Young is a stud, but not a great Quarterback, that throwing motion is horrible, not very accurate, he better stay in school another year and get someone to work on his machanics

that was a fumble

Another ‘great’ call by the replay guys

Has there been a OL holding call on either team tonight?

between College and the Pros, this has got to be the worst year for kickers. Last nights game was horrible to watch, those kickers were god awful.

that was a dumb pass

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6+2 WOW!!!!!!!!!

Vince Young is the real deal

hook em horns!!!! game over

267 yards passing, 200 yards rushing, 3 rushing TD’s….against USC…not bad

The game sure lived up to the expectations. What a way top finish the season of college football.

“I still think we’re a better team” by Leinart, right after they lost….nice attitude…Parcells type…

That’s the best college game that I have seen in many years. I don’t even remember the game that might have been as good.

Goodnight, see you at the draft

I was pretty close on my prediction.
I said UT – 42 / USC – 35

The final was UT – 41 / USC – 38

Pretty Close!!

At least we can stop hearing about how great USC is for awhile.

sterling great pick bud I thought Texas would win in a low scoring affair — boy, was I wrong.

Yeah…and I take back all I said about Vince Young…he is absolutely amazing. Like a gigantic Vick who throws with accuracy. Scary.

If Young stays at UT after this game he is officially insane.

I guess we should draft either the UT or USC O-lines cause there were no Holding calls all night.

Poke

Poke:

I also don’t recall any false start penalties either. Both O-Lines played extremely well. It’s nice to watch a football game that is decided by the skill positions and defense and not penalties and sacks from poor O-Line play.

Yes, No false starts and no holding calls on the OL. I hope the Cowboys OL watched and took note. Whoever said that the refs were trying not to over-ref the game was right. The NFL refs should take note.

Vince Young is amazing, he reminds me a lot of Vick, but Vick did what Vince did by breaking ankles, not arm tackles. Young is bigger and stronger than Vick was. thing is, in the Pros, Young won’t be able to break arm tackles, and DEs and OLBs will stay at home so there will be none of those sweet cutback lanes. He’s going to have to learn to throw properly.

wow Joey he made a believer out of you……..oh yee of little faith.

Yeah he is like Vick except bigger and stronger…….dare I say as fast…….he doesnt have that elusiveness he is just stronger. Vick has that Barry Sanders like cutting I just see vince running away from em and a 6th gear that even CBs could not touch.

He hammered it in at the goal that one time.

Most amazing performance I have ever witnessed for a national title. No discredit to Leinhart, Bush, #8 is a definite Pro WR, hech Lindale White may well be the better running back of the two………Bush is still amazing……..

all Vince had to do was look across the field and see Leinhart and know it is time to go PRO!!!! If not then we truly will hear the words once again.

Houston we have a problem!!!

Several points:

You guys are right. What would be wrong with getting one of the line coaches from that game as the new Dallas line coach? Those two teams looked disciplined, especially the O lines—I don’t think it was all refs avoiding throwing their hankies. They were crisp, hit hard, and didn’t commit stupid penalties.

A lot of the draft is always about the lousy teams at the top of the list going for the flavor of the month when it becomes their turn to pick. That is part of how they get to draft early every year. Now suppose Bush, White, and Young all decide to come out while they are hot—not too far-fetched. Doesn’t this help the Cowboys get the players they want to drop to them?

While VY’s stock obviously went up, so did White’s and the O linemen on both sides, as well as the Texas DBs. Going down were Harris and Wright for Texas, and the USC DEs and LBs. The USC DBs were invisible for the most part.

Last, Texas is lucky Lane Kiffin can’t coach as well as Norm Chow. If he had decided to ram White every play, with an occasional throw mixed in to keep Texas honest, and had quit trying to feed Bush’s and Leinert’s egos, USC might have won going away. Texas only stopped White once in the whole game, but fortunately, it was on the one play that ultimately counted.

how can everybody knock vince when he was the most efficent qb in college this year, vick was never accuarate not even in college

vince is a leader something vick has yet to pick up

Hey now Jeff… I don’t know what you remember about Vick’s college career…
He enjoyed a spectacular freshman season in 1999 leading Virginia Tech to its first-ever 11-0 regular-season record and a spot in the national championship game. He led the NCAA in passing efficiency, setting a record for a freshman (180.4), which was also good enough for the second-highest all-time mark to Shaun King’s record from the 1998 season at Tulane. Vick was awarded an ESPY as the nation’s top college player, the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football’s valuable player, and finished third in the balloting for the 1999 Heisman Trophy, matching the highest finish ever by a freshman in the voting.

Michael Vick’s sophomore season was among the most anticipated in college football history. He was favored to win the Heisman Trophy, but a severe ankle sprain kept Vick from living up to the intense media hype. It did have its share of highlights, such as his career rushing high of 210 yards against the Boston College Eagles in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. After finishing with a 11-1 record and a Gator Bowl MVP award in 2001, Mike decided to take his game to the NFL. Virginia Tech has retired his jersey.

Do you remember his play in those days? God, he’d just take off and hurdle guys and cut back and beat CBs to the corner and then burn by CBs and safeties to the endzone. he was AMAZING in college.

He’s easily faster than Vince. Took Virginia Freaking Tech to the national title game in his freshman year. Tech ain’t Texas, jeff.

After having watched last night’s game, and thought about it today, I have this to say…
The best unit on the field, and it’s not close, was USC’s offense. The 2nd best unit was Texas’ defense, 3rd best and it’s close, is Vince and his background players, 4th and it’s a far, far distant 4th is USC’s miserable defense.
If USC’s offense had played their own defense, they’d have scored 70 or more points, perhaps 100. If Texas’ offense had played their own defense, they’d have been lucky to get 20 points.
But what a great game. So close, so fun to watch even though I lost money.

I want that left guard on USC’s offensive line on our team next year. Toodle-oo, Larry Allen.

I wasn’t terribly impressed by USCs OTs. They did hold their own, but I don’t think UT has very good DEs. They tended to force them upfoeld on passing downs, but still let them get around the corner a bit. They also didn’t seem to get much push on the runs on the edges. Anyone else watching that any? I tried to keep an eye on it as the night went on, but it’s so fun watching the skill players in that offense.

joey2zs:

I agree about the USC LG. That guy was making some holes for Lendale, wasn’t he? Those weren’t scrubs he was throwing around, either. What is his story? Is he coming out?