[Twig]

According to Bruce Jenkins' piece in the Chronicle, USC knew what was coming after they looked at the film.

"The Trojans, meanwhile, had an impeccable game plan. Studying film during the week, Darnold said, the Cardinal "showed their colors" as far as defensive schemes, resulting in consistent Trojans success on first downs.

We kind of knew what they were going to bring to the table on first down, and that was a really critical aspect of the game.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/college/jenki...186168.php

I know that Jenkins rarely misses a chance to take a shot at the Cardinal, but if the Darnold quotes are accurate, this is pretty disturbing.

[Twig]

According to Bruce Jenkins' piece in the Chronicle, USC knew what was coming after they looked at the film.

"The Trojans, meanwhile, had an impeccable game plan. Studying film during the week, Darnold said, the Cardinal "showed their colors" as far as defensive schemes, resulting in consistent Trojans success on first downs.

We kind of knew what they were going to bring to the table on first down, and that was a really critical aspect of the game.

http://www.sfchronicle.com/college/jenki...186168.php

I know that Jenkins rarely misses a chance to take a shot at the Cardinal, but if the Darnold quotes are accurate, this is pretty disturbing.

[81alum]

I was thinking that during the game on both sides of the ball.  Husak kept commenting on S C's superb play calling--they always seemed to call the right play for whatever defensive scheme we deployed.  In contrast, their "swarming" defenses seemed to be able to disguise whatever they were doing.  If our defense was always tipping itself off, then that would go a long way to explaining its ineptness.

[81alum]

I was thinking that during the game on both sides of the ball.  Husak kept commenting on S C's superb play calling--they always seemed to call the right play for whatever defensive scheme we deployed.  In contrast, their "swarming" defenses seemed to be able to disguise whatever they were doing.  If our defense was always tipping itself off, then that would go a long way to explaining its ineptness.

[Hulk01]

First down success, USC:
Gain of four or more: 18-30, 63%
of five or more: 13-30, 43%
of ten or more:  7-30, 23%

Stanford
Gain of four or more: 11-22, 50%
of five or more: 10-22, 45%
of ten or more:  5-22, 23%

Maybe Chryst knew what to expect on first down, too?

[Hulk01]

First down success, USC:
Gain of four or more: 18-30, 63%
of five or more: 13-30, 43%
of ten or more:  7-30, 23%

Stanford
Gain of four or more: 11-22, 50%
of five or more: 10-22, 45%
of ten or more:  5-22, 23%

Maybe Chryst knew what to expect on first down, too?

[BostonCard]

The real problem was third down, where USC was 10/12 in conversions.  We were 6/12, which while not bad... is not 10/12.

BC

[BostonCard]

The real problem was third down, where USC was 10/12 in conversions.  We were 6/12, which while not bad... is not 10/12.

BC

[washingtonismoney]

The real problem was third down, where U$C was 10/12 in conversions.  We were 6/12, which while not bad... is not 10/12.

BC

Think the third down problem can be broken down into two:
1) the easy third downs (was there even a single third-and-long?)
2) the fact  that, even accounting for that, Stanford couldn't even benefit from a few mistakes/execution screw ups. SC played at an insane level offensively.

[washingtonismoney]

The real problem was third down, where U$C was 10/12 in conversions.  We were 6/12, which while not bad... is not 10/12.

BC

Think the third down problem can be broken down into two:
1) the easy third downs (was there even a single third-and-long?)
2) the fact  that, even accounting for that, Stanford couldn't even benefit from a few mistakes/execution screw ups. SC played at an insane level offensively.