I don’t stay up until midnight for the World Series, or the Super Bowl, but I hung with USC to the bitter end. As I watched the game unfold I was mystified by the inability of Carolina’s defense to contain the rookie Q-back. It became obvious that down and distance were irrelevant. The breakdown of assignments and poor tackling were manifest throughout the game. There were some nice defends by the secondary, but better thrown balls would have negated half of them. I was sure that after playing Auburn the defense would have the perspective and preparation for defending against a dual threat Q-back. Especially at home against a recently promoted freshman, but they were chasing and grabbing like a bunch of rec team flag football flunkies. The offensive line looked like 3rd shift coal miners late in the 4th quarter, and in the overtime the two tackles swung open like barnyard gates and stood with their hands on their hips watching the game get sacked away. The offense was capable, exciting, lucky, and potent. Cooper is the X factor, and the 2 running backs are terrific 1-2 punchers, but that defense lacks a “step on their neck” toughness and aggressiveness. I saw more black uniforms on the ground getting TV timeouts than the guys in white. That is telling me something, and I don’t like it.
Sol Mate
Mako 20B
225 Optimax
