The big question going into the game this weekend: How can Oregon stop USC’s offense?
Oregon didn’t figure it out.
Watching the Trojans’ powerhouse offense on Saturday against Oregon – especially in the second half – at Autzen Stadium in front of nearly 60,000 rabid fans was astounding.
While running up almost 600 yards on an opponent is impressive. Doing it with the balance the Trojans did was like watching Michael Jordan’s fade away jumper – you know it’s coming, but you just don’t know how to stop it.
Hands down, Reggie Bush is the most exciting player in college football. There is a Barry Sanders-like excitement when he touches the ball. I know I was impressed with his 12-yard run without a shoe and his sideline-to-sideline run for a touchdown.
All of the oxygen seemed to escape Autzen Stadium every time Bush touched the ball Saturday as the record crowd held its breath waiting to see what he could do.
Unfortunately for most other Pacific-10 Conference teams, USC has probably the second-best running back in the conference (behind Bush) on its team in LenDale White. He treated the Ducks defense like bowling pins, knocking over anybody in front of him with a green uniform on his way to over 100 yards.
Heisman Trophy and Playboy All-American-winning, GQ-modeling, ESPN and Sports Illustrated cover-posing (did I miss anything?) Matt Leinart didn’t quite show the dominance a winner of college football’s biggest individual prize should. He did pull it together and had a good day, but with the team’s talent, I realized what could be the biggest factor in USC’s dominance.
Its offensive line.
The five starters combine for a total weight of 1,560 pounds. That’s a lot of dude.
The holes these five created Saturday were enormous. On every running play they seemed to gain at least five yards. I remember one play when I thought Oregon’s defense had stopped Bush, but somehow he still gained three yards.
I don’t even know where to start about the amount of time they give Leinart to throw the ball. Bellotti said it seemed like Leinart had years, and I would have to agree.
On Saturday, Leinart dropped back and scanned the field for his first couple of options, checked his watch, made sure his uniform was on straight, made a call back home to Los Angeles, tried to remember where he put his keys, called for take out, wondered whether the fox trot, the tango or the waltz will be on the midterm of his ballroom dancing class (the one class he has this semester) and then released a perfect pass to one of his many weapons.
Instead of asking how you stop Bush, White or Leinart, maybe teams should be figuring out how not to get bullied by the big uglies up front for the Trojans.

[email protected]