Storylines for USC
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
The big stage: Will Ferrell made a surprise appearance last month at a USC team meeting — which of course became a raucous occasion. Last season rapper Snoop Dogg mingled with players and coaches at Camp Carroll. USC boasts not only the nation’s best college football program in the last five years, but also the most glamorous. So, stage lights will be bright tonight at Los Angeles Coliseum. How Nebraska handles the hyperbole and glitz might well prove crucial to the outcome. “The last few years, we haven’t had an opponent this big. It means a lot to the players,” low-key Husker senior tight end Matt Herian said. “At the same time, we can’t get distracted by all of that stuff. We have to focus on what’s going on between the lines. That’s our job.”
USC’s big advantage: Let’s face it, as soon as 6-foot-2, 195-pound cornerback Zackary Bowman suffered a season-ending knee injury on Aug. 5, many Nebraska fans began gnashing their teeth as they pondered this particular game. Those fears aren’t misplaced. USC’s group of wide receivers is arguably the nation’s best. The Trojans pose severe matchup problems for most any secondary. Bowman’s injury left NU without a true lockdown corner who can match up well with big receivers such as 6-5, 215-pound Dwayne Jarrett, who needs only two touchdown catches to become USC’s career leader. Two other 6-5 receivers — tight end Fred Davis and wideout Patrick Turner — will make life difficult for Big Red’s smallish secondary. No matchup is more critical tonight for NU than this one.
Trojan ballhawkers: USC didn’t boast a highly ranked defense last season — that is, except when it came to forcing turnovers. The Trojans ranked second nationally in turnovers gained with 38 (22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries). USC continued that pattern in this year’s 50-14 season-opening win at Arkansas, coming up with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In 65 games in the Pete Carroll era, the Trojans are plus 99 in the turnover department. Nebraska has taken notice. “If we can go in there and not have any turnovers, I promise you it will be a great game, and we’ll have a good shot to win,” Husker quarterback Zac Taylor said. “That’s something we’re focusing on — ball security and not forcing passes are things that really will help us out.”
What it all means: After years at the forefront of the national picture, Nebraska generally has settled into a background role. Finishing with records of 7-7 and 5-6 evidently will do that to a program. At the moment, the Huskers are in the rearview mirrors of top programs like USC. But Big Red seems to be steadily gaining ground. However, proof needs to occur in the only place it counts: on the field. If Nebraska wins tonight, the Huskers immediately would return to prominence in the national consciousness, not to mention the national top 10 for the first time since October of 2003. At the very least, the Huskers need to show they can battle toe-to-toe with the Trojans. Make no mistake, this game is a measuring stick for Bill Callahan’s program.
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