Stanford Versus USC

[donovan]

I think this is the match-up of the week. This will be a battle of coaches. Shaw is a cerebral coach with cerebral players. The challenge is pretty obvious, stop Barkley. This will not be done by sacking him or even putting a great deal of pressure, though I believe that will be the defensive lines goal. The key is the defensive backs. They are going to have to read the plays and get their before the receivers. There is a baseball analogy to this type of defense, like a guy stealing second, he reads the pitcher and runs before anyone else knows where the ball is going. Shaw employs this technique. I think it will work because I don't think USC will know how to react. I am not a great Kiffin fan. USC did not look dominate. It will also depend on tackling...USC can not miss tackles because you will not catch them if they do. In the end, I pick Stanford by 10.

[Spence]

I think this is the match-up of the week. This will be a battle of coaches. Shaw is a cerebral coach with cerebral players. The challenge is pretty obvious, stop Barkley. This will not be done by sacking him or even putting a great deal of pressure, though I believe that will be the defensive lines goal. The key is the defensive backs. They are going to have to read the plays and get their before the receivers. There is a baseball analogy to this type of defense, like a guy stealing second, he reads the pitcher and runs before anyone else knows where the ball is going. Shaw employs this technique. I think it will work because I don't think USC will know how to react. I am not a great Kiffin fan. USC did not look dominate. It will also depend on tackling...USC can not miss tackles because you will not catch them if they do. In the end, I pick Stanford by 10.

I think you are right. The game will be decided by the Dlines on both sides of the ball. SC's defensive line looks beatable to me right now.