Stanford week is always a special week. An old and tested rivalry. Some don't consider this game a rivalry, but if you disagree, that's fine I see this as a long-tested rivalry over the decades. The David Shaw-coached Cardinal has been very good at beating teams they should lose to and losing to teams that they should beat. It's a challenge for him as a coach to break this habit, so this week, he has a chance to do just that as the experts are setting the odds today in favor of the visitors, USC.
The USC offense was pedal to the metal from the word go. They were a scoring focused machine with weapons all over the field. A DC's nightmare played out in real-time last week. The offensive line gave Caleb Williams all day to see his options, and he found them all. The line really impressed, and something tells me they are playing with a big chip on their shoulders, and they are out to dispel all that has been said.
The USC Defense looked a little scary in the first half. Memories of the past came to mind all too quickly. Then we hit halftime. The team came out like a different team. They were swarming. They were hitting, and for 30 minutes, they looked like they were jelling in the right direction and shut the Owls down period. Yes, it was Rice, but in the past 10 years, we have seen weak teams do amazing things against us, so this was important. This was different.
David Shaw would like nothing more than to upset the Riley Train. He has that welcoming smile and then that smug look you in the eye like he really doesn't care. But he does. He so wants to win when he plays Notre Dame and USC. Perhaps, CAL has lessened over the years but not the Irish nor the Trojans.
Looking forward to sharing time with the Trojan Family at the farm Saturday. Planning on arriving early and locating the tailgates!
Fight On and see you all Saturday.
TROJAN HIGHLIGHTS
Comments