Rose Bowl Preview

It is being touted as possibly the greatest bowl game of all time. For the first time in three years there will be an undisputed #1 versus #2 for the national championship when Texas takes on USC in the Rose Bowl tonight.

This game will feature plenty of playmakers including two Heisman trophy winners lining up in the same backfield for the first time ever.

On the defensive side of the ball it’s the safeties that are going to have to be the playmakers because with all the offensive talent in this game most of the tackles will be made in the secondary.

The good news for the Trojans and Longhorns is that they do have those playmakers in their secondary. Junior safety Darnell Bing for USC and Senior safety Michael Huff for Texas.


Here is ESPN.com Bruce Feldman’s description of Darnell Bing.

“His domain is roughly a 20-by-20-yard area of grass, which might as well be college football's version of the Bermuda Triangle. Risk sneaking into this netherworld at your own peril. Some rival coaches have learned their lessons. Venture in there, man, and bad things will happen to you, they whisper. This is the space that Darnell Bing patrols.

His M.O.: Hammer anything that moves, while heaving his chiseled 6-foot-2, 221-pound body around without regard for his own well-being and certainly not for yours.

Since suiting up for USC three years ago, Bing, who has racked up 173 tackles as a three-year starter for the Trojans, has been known for playing with the clichéd reckless abandon.”

When it comes to describing versatile Texas safety Michael Huff nobody does it better then…well, Michael Huff.

"I can play everywhere," Huff said. "I can line up deep. I can be up at corner, and [cover] the slot. I have been everywhere. I used to like coverage a lot better. This year, I got my first two blitzes. I wish I could blitz every game."

On covering Reggie Bush.

"Oh, yeah, I'll be on him," Huff said. "If I'm the best, I want to play against their best player. If I play well against their best player, then the team will do well."

Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com describes Michael Huff like this.

“ Huff has the physical tools -- at 6-1 and 205 pounds with 4.34 speed -- that a defensive back needs to deal with Bush.”

The offenses will be explosive tonight. USC ranks first in total offense, averaging 587 yards a game, and Texas is fourth with 516 yards per game.

2004 Heisman winner Matt Leinart will lead the Trojans #4 ranked passing offense against Vince Young and a Longhorns passing attack that ranks 51st.

Leinart has passed for 3450 yards and 27 touchdowns this season and Young has 2769 passing yards and 26 touchdowns.

Vince Young is also the Longhorns leading rusher with 850 yards and 9 touchdowns for a Texas running attack that ranks 3rd nationally. The Trojans 4th ranked rushing attack is led by 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush who has piled up 1658 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

My Prediction
As I said the offenses will be explosive and the plays will be spectacular but the here is the stat that will make the difference in this game. Vince Young has thrown 10 interceptions this season and has been sacked more this year, 13 times, than any other season. It’s that pressure that has caused him to lose a few crucial fumbles as well.

I say Young makes some mistakes in the biggest game of his life and the Trojans are able to capitalize on them.
USC 38/Texas 20