Poker, Football, and everything sports

So far in my year of blogging every post has been about poker or vegas or something along those lines. However, I now feel compelled to discuss one of my other loves in life: the USC Trojans Football team. Now after the stunning loss to UW on Saturday, people understandably started to point fingers for the loss. For the average and even some avid fans, the reason was obvious: Aaron Corp. After all, the Trojans had no passing TD's and Corp threw a redzone interception with a chance to extend the lead in the 2nd half. However, from a purely on the field perspective, this makes little sense. Corp was not the guy who had several key fumbles throughout the 2nd half, and he was not on the field when USC could not stop UW on 3rd and 15 on the final drive. But I'm not even going to blame the players for this loss. This lies completely with the coaching staff and more importantly their fear of the passing game. Let me explain.

The answer here is not the fact that the Trojans HAVENT been able to pass the ball. Then answer is the fact that they haven't been ALLOWED to pass the ball. For the past two weeks, the coaching staff has asked the running backs to carry the load on offense, praying that at some point, they can bust a few tackles, break off a big play, and bail the team out from having to pass the ball. But if you look at the success of the limited chances the passing game has had, these fears are unwarranted. Think about it. The Ohio State game. USC scored three times. Once on the first drive where they started on the 1 yard line. The other two times: the two minute drills of the 1st and 2nd half. When the Trojans HAD to pass the ball. In this time, Barkley had the shackles removed, and drove USC down the field on two separate occasions, simply because the opposing Defense had to respect the passing game. With the current run all the time game play, the defense can put 7 or 8 men in the box to stuff the run, because they know we are running the ball. And yet in times when passing is a good possibility, the Trojans succeed.

Now I know what you are thinking. That is because Matt Barkley is good and Aaron Corp couldn't do that against Washington. But really think about it and ask yourself if that is actually true. USC dominated the 1st quarter because Washington didn't know how the Trojans would play. They started the game respecting the pass, and were hammered by the running game. After going down 10-0, the Huskies wised up, stuffed the box, and USC was shut down. Until the 2 minute drill of the 1st half, where Corp successfully led USC into field goal range, only to have another horrible play call ruin their shot at 3 points. On to the 2nd half, the Trojans drive the ball into Washington territory on drives where they pass the ball, and end with turnovers, only one of which being Corps fault. For the rest of the second half, USC is shut out again until......the 2 minute drill! Another drive where the defense must respect the pass. USC ran the ball down their throats, yet comes up with 3 points instead of 7...because whats the play call on 3rd and 6 on the 12 yard line...u guessed it..a run up the middle. So ask yourself, did Corp really have a bad game...or was he not allowed to have a good one?

The answer is really a simple one. If USC and the coaches open up the game plan and allow their QB's to make mistakes, the benefits will far outweigh the negatives. If the Trojans stick to their 80% run 20% pass game plan, Trojan fans can expect more down to the wire low scoring battles that look more like SEC games then the high flying Trojans we've come to expect.