USC vs. UGA

Okay, so the Rose Bowl that should have happened isn't going to happen, but we can certainly speculate about what would have happened.

After watching both games yesterday... my assessment...

Offenses:
QB: Booty is the better QB right now. If Georgia really wants to win an MNC Stafford has to take his game to another level. When everything else is equal the team with the better QB usually wins.

RB: USC has superior depth, but Brown and Moreno are as good as anything USC puts on the field. Unless either B or M gets injured this is a wash.

Receivers: Mass, Bailey, and Chandler are good. But USC has a whole mess of NFL talent at receiver. USC has the edge here.

O-Line: Stacy Searels has done a masterful job with a young o-line this year. Seriously, this could have been a huge advantage for USC. Instead it is a wash.

Defense:
D-line: UGA's d-line is big, strong, and fast, and as good as anyone in the country. They pounded two future first round draft picks (and Heisman winner) into the freaking turf. What's more, they pretty much forced my beloved Cowboys into a QB change (which, as it turns out, was for the better, though it cost us the game at Troy). I think Georgia's d-line is among the very best in the country.

Linebackers: USC has a future NFL Hall of Famer at linebacker. That alone gives them the edge.

Secondary: UGA's secondary gave up, what, 3 yards total after the catch yesterday? Dawgs have the edge here.

Special teams: USC has a slight edge in speed on special teams, but probably not enough to make a difference.

Coaching: Pete Carroll isn't quite the coaching god that the media makes him out to be. But he is definitely one of the best in the college game. I truly believe HCMR will win an MNC, maybe pretty dawg-gone soon. But until he does you have to give the edge to the man who has won two (even if one was anointed by the media).

Unfortunately, we'll never know. If I were to pick 'em, Dawgs by 3.

USC eats tofu and listens to Yanni.

I give USC the edge for defense alone. They were flying to the ball yesterday and their run defense is outstanding.

The USC offense is nothing special. I think they have better receivers but they didn't look too special yesterday against Ill.

I think the game would have been close and low scoring. If we win it would be on Stafford and his arm. Our running game would have been decent but not enough to win on its own. I hate to admit it but I would figure USC by 3 to 7.

Same story, different page. All the PAC-10 had to do was want to play UGA in the Rose Bowl. Illinois is coming, but they \"ain't\" UGA. Easy choice. Stadium filled with home fans, on their turf, makes a huge difference. Same with UGA last evening, 3/4 of the folks roaring for the Dawgs . . . huge difference. We didn't have to travel thousands of miles like the Warriors did, but it was more neutral than the USC/Illinois site. When the time comes, lets see who is drafted higher in the NFL, Booty or Stafford. By that I mean, if both were drafted in the upcoming draft, who you gonna take . . .Stafford played a \"team\" game last night, could have thrown a lot more, but what would that prove . . . . all of the NFL powers know who this young man is. Just ask \"Fran the Man.\"

You know guys...I'm not sold on USC. You say they have big time NFL receivers but they have had a bunch of dropped balls this year. It IS the Pac 10, enough said, (besides kentdaddy said they eat tofu and listen to Yanni). Believe their secondary is suspect. Also believe we are just as big, fast and athletic as they are, maybe more so.

After watching the Dawgs these last 7 games....I would have a hard time betting against them....just too much TEAM speed and CONFIDENCE.