So yeah, USC vs. Stanford.  I can’t say I’m looking forward to this game. In fact, I dread it.

I am about as big a Trojan fan as they come. My car’s license plates are LOVSCFB (Love SC football). I passionately rooted for my team throughout the dark days known as the 1990s. I plotted ways to take Paul Hackett out. Anything to help my Trojans. So it pains me to say this, but: We very well could lose this game.  I would not be surprised if we do.

We’ve been riddled with injuries. We have no true team leadership. We’ve played six of our nine games on the road. We’ve played five ranked opponents.  We now come home to the Coliseum to face Stanford. And we’re beaten up. And the rose colored glasses have been ripped from the eyes of both fans and players alike.

We face Stanford, who has handed USC its last three losses in the Coliseum and is coming off a big win over Oregon.  However, we have one big fat advantage going into this game:  Some of the key injuries that have hampered the Trojans all season are healing.  The biggest advantage for the Trojans is the return of the powerful and dynamic fullback Stanley Havili.

Havili gives the offense a big boost in firepower and playmaking. Tight end Anthony McCoy is expected to play this weekend. Linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive end Everson Griffin return and look to restore some of the power to their Trojan team that was lacking last week against ASU.

WR Damian Williams is still doubtful for Saturday, which could present an issue for this young offense. Center Kristofer O’Dowd is still out.  USC is starting true freshman Devon Kennard at strongside linebacker. You can’t underestimate the loss of Williams, as he’s been the most consistent play maker for Matt Barkley. The biggest evidence of chemistry on this Trojan team is between Barkley and Williams.

The Trojans are not lacking in talent or depth. They never are. But where this 2009 team differs from other Trojan teams of the Pete Carroll era is in discipline and chemistry. Last week at ASU the Trojans had nine penalties for 98 yards. That’s inexcusable. Where is the leadership on this team?  Surely the revolving door on the coaching staff can’t help (and will be addressed in a future post).  QB Matt Barkley is 19 years old.  Basically, Trojan fans are spoiled and this is a rebuilding year that has been nearly a decade in the making.

On Twitter last night, a friend asked me if Carroll has hit the end of his prime. I don’t believe he has. He’s only been at USC since 2001. I believe the true problem lies in the new coaching staff.  Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is an NFL guy and has sucked calling plays for the Trojans. It makes one wonder if he’s reviewed the tapes from 2001-2008. Because this 2009 offense is not a Trojan offense. Rocky Seto, the defensive coordinator, has some truly odd schemes going this year. Odd and ineffective.

I said last week that this Trojan team bore an eerie resemblance to the Paul Hackett teams of a decade ago. And for any Trojan fan that lived through that dark era in history, it was enough to make you sick. But this isn’t a Paul Hackett coached team. It’s a Pete Carroll team. We don’t call him Big Balls Pete for nothing.

Can we win this game? Of Course We Can. The only thing beating the Trojans right now is themselves. The penalties, the lack of chemistry and discipline, the anemic play calling, and the injuries.  We have the talent.  We’re just lacking in experience.

I predict it will be a close one in the Coliseum on Saturday. It’s Homecoming for USC, and I really don’t see this team dropping a game at home especially on Homecoming. Look for another ugly win by the Trojans.

Follow me on Twitter @GridironGoddess

(This post was originally posted to Buster Sports )

-Your Gridiron Goddess

Hey Football Fiends!

I am so not sure what to do about the Indianapolis-Arizona game. Not sure at all. As of the moment of writing this post, I’m going with AZ. However, I MAY change my mind before game time. It’s only fair to let you know. My Pick Em league lets me change my pick up to five minutes before the start of the game. If I do change my mind I will note it with an asterisk.

TN over Jets—guys, I keep changing this game too. Will decide by Sunday morning. One minute I think Jets, of course. The next—hmm TN has played tough…

Texas over Jax

Eagles over KC

Baltimore over Cleveland

NY Giants over Bucs

Redskins over Lions

Green Bay over Rams

Vikings over San Francisco

New England over Atlanta

Chicago over Seattle

New Orleans over Buffalo

San Diego over Miami

Pittsburgh over Cincinnati

Oakland over Denver

Arizona over Indianapolis

Dallas over Carolina

-Your Gridiron Goddess

 

Oakland over KC

Tennessee over Houston

New England over Jets

Green Bay over Cincinnati

Minnesota over Detroit

New Orleans over Philly

Atlanta over Carolina

Redskins over Rams

Jacksonville over Arizona

Seattle over SF

Buffalo over Tampa Bay

Denver over Cleaveland

San Diego over Baltimore

Pittsburgh over Chicago

Giants over Dallas

Colts over Miami

 

-Your Gridiron Goddess

Hey Football Fiends,

Check out this article about former USC (and New England Patriots) back up QB Matt Cassel.  Cassel is a career backup who is now about to get his chance to show everything he learned while sitting behind  Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC  and Superbowl winning QB Tom Brady at New England.

When Brady went down last season with injury, Cassel got a chance to show off his skills.  During the off season Kansas City came calling. Cassel has not officially been made the starter at KC, but with a $15 million salary for this season and the franchise tag, that announcement can’t be too far off.

Career Backup Cassel Gets His Shot as a Kansas City Chief

-Your Gridiron Goddess

 

Hello, football fanatics!

Are you enjoying your summer? I’ve had a good break and am all rested up and ready to attack the 2009-10 NCAA and NFL season.

On July 1, I will kick off Gridiron Goddess’ third season of BCS/NCAA and NFL coverage. 

Some details are still TBD, but I’ll be doing some conference previews, some divisional previews, and likely a whole lot of speculating on just what kinds of quarterbacks Aaron Corp and Jay Cutler will be for my Trojans and my Bears.

In the meantime—are you a fan of mine on Facebook? 

What are you waiting for? Facebook will be an integral part of GG.net’s 3rd season.

Perhaps there will even be giveaways and contests and such.

You’ll have to tune into GG.net and my FB fan page for all the details this season!

See you next week!!!!

—Your Gridiron Goddess