Bill Curry, College Football 20y

Critical moments define USC, Michigan

The most interesting regular season in all of sport, the one in which each game carries the most significance, is the college football season. The reason for that is the BCS. Like it or not, agree with it or not, from the first kickoff in August until the last snap in December, every game matters.

Teams that earn their places among the champions usually find their senses of destiny and purpose at a painful juncture during the regular season. When things seem hopeless, team leaders refuse to lose.

For those players fortunate enough to have experienced it, it is the ultimate reward for the rigors of this painful sport. I call it the miracle of team, and once achieved it is never lost. It is the reason for so many team reunions.

For Southern California that moment came in the third quarter of the Arizona State game Oct. 4. The Trojans had lost at California the week before and were behind the Sun Devils in Tempe, and quarterback Matt Leinart was banged up. The comeback that day began an eight-game tear during which no team could play them close.

Michigan had already lost twice and was being dismantled by Minnesota on Oct. 10 in Minneapolis when much-maligned quarterback John Navarre took a throwback quarterback screen, made a long touchdown run and brought his team back to a 38-35 win that set the Wolverines on track to be perhaps the nation's best team the second half of the season.

Now, having done the best coaching jobs of their lives, USC's Pete Carroll and Michigan's Lloyd Carr are answering more questions about the eccentricities of scheduling and computer programming than about football.

The bottom line is this: Do not try to tell a Pac-10 or Big Ten fan this is a bad match. Michigan versus Southern California in the "Granddaddy of Them All" is what those folks live for.

These two teams have met in Pasadena six times, beginning in 1948, with USC winning four times. The Trojans have been to 28 Rose Bowls, and Michigan has been to 17. As Carr said last week, national titles are very nice, but there is something about that Rose Bowl Trophy that Big 10 folks love.

Carr has an edge in motivational material for this one. His players will have heard enough by now about three worthy teams competing for the national championship(s).

Team leaders Navarre, Chris Perry and Marlin Jackson have endured enough adversity in recent years to know how to channel the perceived slights into production from their teammates.

I was present a year ago when these players defeated Florida in the Outback Bowl, and even then there seemed to be a seriousness of purpose about the Wolverines that set them apart.

Carroll's situation is reversed from a year ago when his Trojans destroyed a fine Iowa team in the second half of the Orange Bowl. Newcomer to the BCS mix no more, Carroll's team is now being told it has been deprived and shortchanged, that it should be in the "other game".

Southern California has already been anointed champion by some in the press. Even some coaches who vote in the ESPN/USA Today poll have publicly admitted to desiring an adjustment to the system.

The game within the game for the Rose Bowl will be Carroll's ability to convince his young team that its contest is indeed for the biggest prize and that Michigan deserves to be the opponent, even with two losses.

Michigan's strength matches the Trojans' lone weakness, which is defense against the pass. The defense gave up 100 passing yards more per game than Michigan. While the Wolverines can run the ball with Chris Perry, they will not win the game without a big day throwing and catching.

Hidden yardage favors Southern California. Michigan does a better job on third down conversions, but turnover margin is huge as the Trojans lead the country with plus-20. Michigan is plus-2, so this critical factor alone could determine the outcome if it holds true.

When all the analysis is over and the ball is put in play, we will be watching two of the best title games ever when USC, Michigan, Oklahoma and LSU converge to make history this New Year.


Game Plans

 

Michigan

USC
Offense John Navarre must be protected when USC rushes with four. Stay with your remarkable turnover ratio and you will win.
  Wide receivers must get off jams so that route timing is not affected. Matt Leinart, this will be your most challenging day in terms of reading defenses after the ball is snapped.
  Chris Perry may not get a great number of carries, but should be given enough to create a semblance of balance. The running game must be more prominent than usual to beat this defense.
Defense This must be a Jim Hermann defensive day! Enthusiasm, pursuit, gang tackling. Front seven, continue the great job versus the run!
  Get Leinart rattled with disguises. Make him think. Corners must jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage in two deep coverage.
  This is a vertical offense. No big plays allowed! Have a few new wrinkles in pass rush with the front four. Do not let Navarre get hot!
Special Teams This must be the best special teams day of the year. You are facing the best you have seen in every area. Finish the job with your great net punting game. You are the best in the country!
  Net punt must be drastically improved. Bowl practice allows for such! Practice fielding every conceivable type of kickoff. They will not allow your normal return game.
  Kickoff coverage plan: be ready to bloop, squib and change up coverage. Do not allow a big one! Be especially prepared for a fake from field goal formation.
Players Sell Coach Carr's idea of a one-game season. You must take it upon yourselves to shut out the noise about your being shortchanged. This is the Rose Bowl and you have an opportunity to go down as one of the great Trojan teams!
  Play with a chip on your shoulder. Prove you belong. Talk ball security and forcing turnovers. It is your biggest advantage.
  Use this one to erase your image as a poor road team. Michigan is better than you think. Study the tape, it does not lie.
Coaches Practices should be forcefully directed at improving special teams shortcomings. Remind the team that this really is the ultimate for your university. Regardless of BCS flap, this is it.
  Carefully plant the notion that this is an historic moment and that a team's long-term legacy is established in such. You can control this game if you maintain normal ball security and field position habits. Have a way to settle them down if Michigan hits something big early.
  As wonderful as the environment is, it is also a distraction. Intense football meetings as the game approaches. Practice should focus on pass defense fundamentals. Jams, open field tackling and defending the deep ball.

ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry coached for 17 years in the college ranks. His Game Plans for marquee matchups appear each week during the college football season.

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