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Spicy McHaggis

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Posts posted by Spicy McHaggis


  1. Here's my analysis...

     

    Coaching: Pete Carroll versus Mack Brown should be interesting to see. There's a lot of counter-talk to the argument that giving Carroll a month to prepare is a huge advantage for SC. Some say that Mack Brown is a good coach and that his month to prepare will even the odds. But I point to Bob Stoops and the result of last year's championship game. I think Stoops is 10x the coach that Brown is, and what happened? USC laid 55 points on OU's vaunted defense. Personnel wise, Texas is the better defensive team. But combine the coaching of Pete Carroll with the oft-cited "month to prepare" and I think SC's defense should pull even with the Longhorns. The offenses are a different story, however, and I think Texas probably will bring an element that USC hasn't seen. The loss of Norm Chow is still a concern for me, but I believe the quantity, as well as the quality, of weapons at the disposal of the Trojan's offensive coaches should offset that. I give the coaching edge to USC.

     

    Special Teams: I have to be fair here and admit that I have not seen much of Texas's special teams. However, with Reggie Bush as a return man, it's easy to give the offensive side of special teams to USC. The first thing Texas should do, is not kick it to him. Also, and as much as I'd hate to see it, the Longhorns could go the cheap way and do what Troy Polamalu did to a Kansas State return man when I was a freshman... punt one high and spear him in the chin. I have watched enough of the Trojans special teams' coverage unit to give the defensive side to Texas. Covering kicks is a real weakness for USC and UT will need to exploit it if they want to win. Special teams are even.

     

    Defense: The Trojans will have some work to do on defense if they hope to control the game. They have three vulnerabilities that I think Texas needs to attack. Even with the Ohio State game, I think the Longhorns schedule strength is suspect. However, you don't go undefeated without having the right tools. So they need to use their bruisers and hit SC with a steady diet of runs up the middle. The Trojans may be weaker on defense than last season, but they are still quick. Going up the middle is the first way to counter that. The next way is to take advantage of their eagerness... and that is where Vince Young can break loose. The best side on which to break him loose is that of USC's defensive end Frostee Rucker. When he is excited, he breaks containment big-time. I know it will take him at least a quarter and a half to settle down. The Longhorns need to get off to a quick start. The final exploit should occur against SC's corners... Texas should test them deep as much as possible. Comparing the two defenses, I think Texas is better.

     

    Offense: As good as Vince Young, the nation's leader in pass efficiency, and his teammates, leaders in points per game, are on offense, the USC Trojans are better. Young has the numbers, but I say that Matt Leinart is the better quarterback. Now why is that? Physically, Leinart is better mechanically. He can make all the throws, and make them with pinpoint precision. Now, he was shaky to start the UCLA game. And a Vince Young proponent can say, yes he may have a sidearm delivery but if it ain't broke don't fix it. However, in a huge game like this nerves become a factor. Good mechanics limit the impact of nervousness because it is easy to see what, in the throwing motion, is wrong and how to fix it. Mentally, Leinart is head and shoulders above Young in terms of reading defenses. Leinart is also far more battle tested. Two previous national championships, huge battles with Cal, and the game of the century at Notre Dame. Matt Leinart has the edge.

     

    But he is only the start of the Trojans weapons. That's one Heisman winner and then we go to this year's winner Reggie Bush. But everyone knows what he can do, and there's no way to stop him. Then there is Lendale White... I believe he will be a factor because the best way to defend Texas is to keep Vince Young off the field, and you do that by grinding it out. Next, you've got Dwayne Jarrett an all-star receiver. We are already quite deep into the attack of USC and we haven't even talked about one of the best offensive lines in the country. I didn't even mention Steve Smith, their other near-thousand yard wide receiver. I believe he will have a huge impact just as he did in last year's championship. There are so many weapons Texas has to account for, they're bound to not be prepared for one of them. Don't forget about the tight ends, including Dominique Byrd, or the fullbacks catching passes out of the backfield.

     

    Texas will bring an offense to the table that USC has not seen, yes the Trojans stopped Oregon (in that game, the Ducks ran a similar attack). But Clemens, the Oregon quarterback, is not Vince Young. As good as the Longhorns are, the offensive edge has to go to USC. Texas is great at every offensive position... the Trojans are simply greater.

     

    Intangibles: The three main personalities, Vince Young, Reggie Bush, and Matt Leinart all have something in common. They all have the experience of showing off their individual prowess in the Rose Bowl by beating up on Michigan. However, the experience advantage goes to USC because they have simply been in the national title picture much longer than the Texas players. And the Trojans didn't just survive the other championship games, they controlled and dominated them. I also think USC has a schedule strength advantage, but once that first-quarter starts it really does not matter. It's just about these two, awesome, undefeated football teams. Intangibles I give to the Trojans.

     

    Prediction: Texas is simply better defensively. Special teams are a push. USC takes the edge in coaching, on offense, and in intangibles. I think this game will stay exciting for quite a while, and I think that the Texas Longhorns will be the best opponent the Trojans have faced in quite some time. Outside of the Notre Dame game this year, this game is one of the most anticipated I have seen. I think Texas will have some success evidenced by some big plays early in the game. I think Vince Young will have a spectacular first half. But I also think the Trojans will pull away in the third quarter, scoring 17, maybe 21 points. I see too many weapons for USC and too much of a coaching edge. My prediction is:

     

    The USC Trojans 45-24.


  2. You guys all have a special after-Christmas gift coming your way next week:

     

    I, Spicy McHaggis, 5th Year Junior at the University of Southern California, will present my analysis of the 2006 Rose Bowl.

     

    Don't be afraid to admit it... I know you can't wait.


  3. Yeah, both of the last two theories are well thought and sort of make sense, but I won't buy either of them. I also agree that a memory altering scenario would feel too much like a ripoff. And the other theory that was posted from the other board just seems too complex. I can't really see myself getting into something involving a collective consciousness...


  4. Anybody have a comment on the Gold Car Theory I posted at the bottom of page 98?

     

    I'm also still failing to understand the connection between the EMF and the blast doors... is it that

    the doors block the electromagnetic effects

    ?

     

    The people theorizing the fact that time is being messed around definitely have to be onto something. I was just thinking about the last episode... Kate has to be around, what, 24 or 25 years old? Well, when she went to her dad, were they not talking about his involvement in the Korean War, or was it just that he was stationed in Korea? We could have a real interesting clue if it's the former.


  5. 4) Electromagnetic fields + Blast Doors. You do the math. The conclusion is obvious.

    At the risk of sounding like a dumbass, what's the conclusion?

     

     

    I REALLY enjoyed last night's episode, and the fact that the Black Stallion was real lends more credence to, what I like to call, the Gold Car Theory. Some of you may have heard of it before, but I'll sum it up anyway. If you remember from Season 1, a gold sedan appeared in at least three different flashbacks, having a major effect on the events of each character. The ones I can remember are:

     

    1. The gold car that hit Michael

    2. The gold car that was in the parking lot where Locke worked

    3. The gold car that stopped Kate in her getaway

     

    Season 2 has allowed us to add Desmond and now the Black Stallion to the list of devices that have been used to bring the Lostaways together on the island. The fact that Desmond was wearing a Dharma shirt when he met Jack and that the Initiative deals in zoology leads me to believe that everything HAS happened for a reason. Not a spiritual reason. A literal one.

     

    The question is... what do you think?


  6. I'm totally with RRR and the rest of the pro-flashback crew... flashbacks are a KEY PREMISE to the show. They should be and will be here to the end. Honestly, you should find a new show if you don't like them. It's like saying 24 would be much better if they didn't hold to the real-time requirements.

     

    As far as Ana Lucia goes, I too cannot stand Michelle Rodríguez and her limited acting range. However, I think it's a mistake to say the character is no good because the actress sucks. Granted the character can only go so far, the actor is important, but... I think it's important not to write off AL too soon. After last week I, at least, could relate to her even if I wasn't sympathetic.

     

    The reunions were awesome as well. I loved the Bernard and Rose embrace. It was cool to see two people who believed they would survive and then find each other once again see their goal through to the end. Their tears were well earned. Jin and Sun was friggin' emotional.

     

    Question: how is Ecko spelled officially?


  7. FRIDAY

    Arizona State

    Colorado

     

    SATURDAY

    N.C. State

    UAB

    Tennessee

    Iowa State

    Mississippi

    Memphis

    Louisiana-Monroe

    Florida State

    San Jose State

    Georgia

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Nebraska/Colorado game?

     

    50

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many yards passing will Florida's Chris Leak have against Florida State?

     

    188


  8. SATURDAY

    Missouri

    Boston College

    Virginia Tech

    Central Michigan

    Minnesota

    Oklahoma

    Purdue

    Michigan

    Oklahoma State

    BYU

    Washington State

    Auburn

    Marshall

    California

    South Carolina

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Ohio State/Michigan game?

     

    44

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Washington State's Jerome Harrison have against Washington?

     

    100


  9. THURSDAY

    Fresno State

     

    SATURDAY

    North Carolina

    Arkansas

    Missouri

    Nebraska

    Boston College

    South Carolina

    Central Michigan

    Virginia

    LSU

    Central Florida

    Oregon State

    Iowa State

    Georgia

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Boise State/Fresno State game?

     

    77

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Auburn's Kenny Irons have against Georgia?

     

    87


  10. THURSDAY

    Louisville

     

    FRIDAY

    Ohio

     

    SATURDAY

    Northwestern

    North Carolina

    Nebraska

    Northern Illinois

    Eastern Michigan

    Iowa State

    Wake Forest

    Wyoming

    Wisconsin

    California

    Arizona State

    Central Florida

    Virginia Tech

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Pittsburgh/Louisville game?

     

    47

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many total yards will Penn State's Michael Robinson have against Wisconsin?

     

    117


  11. Starks took the words right out of my mouth. For anybody that feels burned by Alias... Damon Lindelof is the true creator and lead writer of Lost. JJ Abrams was asked by ABC for a pilot and he championed Lindelof. You can hear all of this on the bonus features of the DVDs.

     

    With regard to Ethan... does anybody else think he may have some relation to Desmond? I've been wondering if the needle he tried to use on Claire in season 1 was an attempt at inoculating her and her baby.

     

    Thinking back to Hurley's episode, if you do the math the food supply would have been originally scheduled to run out 3 months from the time it was discovered. How will it be replenished, and who will be doing the replenishing?


  12. THURSDAY

    Boston College

     

    FRIDAY

    New Mexico

     

    SATURDAY

    Clemson

    Minnesota

    Oklahoma

    Syracuse

    Kansas

    East Carolina

    BYU

    Florida

    Northwestern

    Kentucky

    Marshall

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Boston College/Virginia Tech game?

     

    45

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many yards rushing will Northwestern's Tyrell Sutton have against Michigan?

     

    134


  13. THURSDAY

    Virginia Tech

     

    FRIDAY

    UAB

     

    SATURDAY

    Michigan State

    Virginia

    Wake Forest

    Iowa

    Missouri

    Texas A&M

    Mississippi

    Rutgers

    Texas

    Tennessee

    Vanderbilt

    Auburn

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Virginia Tech/Maryland game?

     

    54

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will Texas Tech's Cody Hodges have against Texas?

     

    314


  14. THURSDAY

    Clemson

     

    FRIDAY

    UTEP

     

    SATURDAY

    Minnesota

    Michigan State

    Ohio

    Northwestern

    Iowa State

    East Carolina

    Penn State

    USC

    LSU

    Louisville

    Memphis

    Nebraska

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the UTEP/Tulane game?

     

    62

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many passing yards will Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst have against N.C. State?

     

    227


  15. THURSDAY

    Georgia Tech

     

    FRIDAY

    Connecticut

     

    SATURDAY

    Indiana

    Minnesota

    Oklahoma

    Air Force

    Missouri

    TCU

    Georgia

    Nebraska

    Louisville

    Iowa

    Utah

    Texas A&M

    California

    Penn State

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the N.C. State/Georgia Tech game?

     

    63

     

    Tiebreak: #2: How many rushing yards will Syracuse's Damien Rhodes have against Connecticut?

     

    92


  16. FRIDAY

    Rutgers

     

    SATURDAY

    Michigan State

    Virginia Tech

    Navy

    Utah

    Eastern Michigan

    Minnesota

    USC

    Iowa State

    Florida

    Oregon State

    Oklahoma

    New Mexico State

    Notre Dame

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Pittsburgh/Rutgers game?

     

    31

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many yards passing will USC's Matt Leinart have against Arizona State?

     

    340


  17. THURSDAY

    Utah

     

    SATURDAY

    Northwestern

    Minnesota

    North Carolina

    Ohio State

    Clemson

    Wyoming

    Western Michigan

    Georgia Tech

    Colorado State

    Wisconsin

    Memphis

    USC

    LSU

    Tulane

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Air Force/Utah game?

     

    51

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many total yards will Virginia Tech's Marcus Vick have against Georgia Tech?

     

    185


  18. THURSDAY

    TCU

     

    FRIDAY

    UTEP

     

    SATURDAY

    Louisville

    Maryland

    Mississippi

    Air Force

    Notre Dame

    Oklahoma

    South Carolina

    Miami of Ohio

    Middle Tennessee State

    Wisconsin

    North Texas

    Fresno State

    Boston College

    Florida

    Clemson

    Mississippi State

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Houston/UTEP game?

     

    49

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many rushing yards will Utah's Quinton Ganther have against TCU?

     

    90


  19. Friday

    Washington State

     

    Saturday

    Marshall

    Clemson

    Notre Dame

    Air Force

    Iowa

    Northwestern

    Eastern Michigan

    Stanford

    Boise State

    Wake Forest

    North Texas

    Texas

    Arizona State

     

    Tiebreak #1: How many total points will be scored in the Washington State/Nevada game?

     

    45

     

    Tiebreak #2: How many total yards will Texas' Vince Young have against Ohio State?

     

    295

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