Enemy Report: USC (a Situation report of the Tides match-up)

Enemy Report: USC Trojans 

Target Players

(These are the guys the Tide will need to shutdown to disable their offensives)

-Ju Ju Smith-Schuster WR #9

Schuster was one of the top receivers in the country last year with 89 receiving yards 10 touchdowns averaging 16.3 yards per catch.

- Justin Davis RB #22 and Ronald Jones RB #25

Both Davis and Jones nearly cracked the 1000 rushing yard mark last year. Davis rushing for 902 yards and Jones rushing for 987yards. Look for this one-two punch to come out swinging hard.

Tide’s Counteroffensives

Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey

These where two of the best defensive players in the SEC last year as freshman. We expect them play even better this year because of their added maturity.

Tide’s Defensive Line

Ends Jonathan Allen, Da'Shawn Hand and tackles Da'Ron Payne and Dalvin Tomlinson will be damn near impossible to run against because they are all fast and agile, so expect USC’s running game to be nullified brutally.

USC Offense

USC’s offense was very good last year behind a quarterback with a very good arm and a high football IQ, Cody Kessler, Cody put up some impressive stats last year, Nearly 67% completions, 29 touchdowns, over 3,500 passing yards, and just 7 interceptions, but he is gone and they will replace him with Max Browne, who gets the start against our Crimson Tide this Saturday. Browne only had 12 pass attempts last year, his offensive line has yet to live up to their 4-5 star potential, allowing 38 sacks last year. Their bright spots lie in their All-American WR Ju-Ju Schuster. Schuster can take the top off a defense and score fast, but need a competent passer to get him the ball. They also, have two excellent running backs in Davis and Jones.

TIDE Defense

 Alabama returns most of its defensive front that turned in 52 Sacks last season, Max Browne should serve as a good entre’ for Williams , Allen and the rest of the pack. They led the nation in rushing yards allowed last year, meaning its going to be a long day for USC’s star running backs. Led by All-America safety Eddie Jackson and the corners, Marlon Humphrey and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the secondary is the scariest of any during the Nick Saban era. Expect them to suffocate Ju-Ju and make life miserable for the poor inexperienced QB  Browne.

USC Defense

USC will have a very inexperienced front seven defensive line this year as, they have loss 6 players from last year, meaning young players like Gustin, Masina, Jefferson, and Green, all returning freshman, will have to fill in for them. At linebacker, they have one Significant play maker in Cameron Smith, however, he missed several games last year with an injury. The secondary of USC is solid because they return many veteran players. USC gave up 7.7 yards per attempt (t-93rd) last year, but did manage 14 interceptions from that stout secondary, but they also, surrendered 25 touchdowns through the air in addition to over 3,500 yards.

TIDE Offense

Alabama returns one the best Offensive lineman in the country, in Cam Robinson along with some good experienced hogs up front. We will have a new QB, but it want matter, Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris should find plenty of daylight in that young innocent defensive front of USC. Calvin Ridley and Ardarrius Stewart blazed defenses last year, so they will bail out our young quarterbacks from trouble, if nerves get the best of them.

Notable USC Statistics

Offense

Starters Returning: 10/11

Key Losses: QB Cody Kessler, RB Tre Madden, FB Jahleel Pinner, FB Soma Vainuku, TE Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick, C Max Tuerk

Key Returnees: RB Justin Davis, RB Ronald Jones, WR Ju Ju Smith-Schuster, WR Darreus Rogers, WR Steven Mitchell, TE Taylor McNamara, TE Tyler Petite, LT Chad Wheeler, LG Damien Mama, C Khaliel Rogers, RG Toa Lobendahn, RG Via Talamaivao, RT Zach Banner

FEI Offense Rank: 14

S&P Offense Rank: 15

S&P Rushing Rank: 34

S&P Passing Rank: 38

PPG: 33.9

Turnovers: 12 (7 INT)

Defense

Starters Returning: 5/12

Key Losses: DE Scott Felix, DE Greg Townsend, NT Antwuan Woods, DT Delvon Simmons, DT Claude Pelon, LB Su'a Cravens, LB Anthony Sarao, LB Lamar Dawson, CB Kevon Seymour

Key Returnees: DE Porter Gustin, DE Uchenna Nwosu, DE Osa Masina, NT Noah Jefferson, LB Cameron Smith, LB Olajuwon Tucker, CB Adoree Jackson, CB Iman Marshall, S Chris Hawkins, S John Plattenberg

FEI Defense Rank: 30

S&P Defense Rank: 42

S&P Rush Rank: 35

S&P Pass Rank: 41

PPG: 25.7

Turnovers Forced: 23 (14 INT)

Team

2015 Record: 8-6

F/+ Rank: 17

S&P Rank: 17

FEI Rank: 17

Wins: Arkansas State, Idaho, Arizona State, No. 17 Utah, California, Arizona, Colorado, UCLA

Losses: No. 3 Stanford (x2), Washington, No. 11 Notre Dame, No. 19 Oregon, No. 21 Wisconsin

Final Analysis

The USC Trojans are clearly over-matched in this showdown. Alabama is just way too talented across the board and will probably have to implement the mercy rule during Saturdays match-up. They are a double digit favorite to run away with the victory.