Game One of "The Gauntlet" Goes To Troy...

Game 1 of a 4 game Gauntlet goes to Troy, with road tests against Notre Dame, Oregon, and a home revenge game against Oregon State looming.

I don't know, it seemed like this should have been USC 42, Cal 3, as the Trojan's Red Zone offense is sputtering right now. There should have been 3 more TD's and 3 less FG's, and perhaps if Carroll & Co. had the services of Stafon Johnson, the Trojan's Red Zone RB, USC would have had TD's instead of FG's.

But I am NOT complaining, a 30-3 beatdown of the Bears who were #6 2 weeks ago before being completely exposed by Oregon last week is always a good thing. Fun fact, this was the first time Cal has been kept out of the endzone in Strawberry Canyon since 1999. It was also the Bear's first home loss since losing to USC (who else?) in 2007.

Now the Trojans have a BYE week to rest and heal, then a trip back to South Bend against a scrappy Notre Dame team that is starting to believe in itself after winning another squeeker against UW. The Huskies are obviously a MUCH better team under Sark and Holt, and I believe the Irish are in for a rude awakening when Troy rolls into town.

See you at REFS on the 17th, game time I believe is 3:30 PM.

It's DUCK SEASON!!!

Well, after cleaning the Arizona Wildcat kitty litter box, and enjoying a HEAPING plate of Notre Dame Irish stew (to the tune of 38-0!), the Trojans open Oregon Duck Season in Eugene tomorrow at 3:00 PM on Fox Sports Net. This will be the first REAL test for this team and a win in Autzen would go a LONG way to helping erase the "Cardinal Collapse in the Coliseum."

Last week was a historic one in the annals of Troy as this Trojan team was the first to accomplish several feats vs. the inept Irish:

1. First team to win 6 straight
2. Largest margin of victory for USC in series at 38 points
3. First Trojan shutout in South Bend since 1933

Nice.

This week is different. The season will make a dramatic turn here in my opinion. Win at Oregon and I believe the Trojans will run the table. Lose, and they are fighting for the Sun Bowl. History has shown Pete gets up for the B#IG games like this, and no "experts" think the Trojans will win, and THAT is when they are most dangerous. USC's D is more capable of stopping an O that the Ducks who gave up 31 points to Washington last week. I expect the Trojans to hit Oregon in the mouth early and often and hold for a hard fought 24-20 victory.

By the way, anyone else see Dr. Perry Shen on a Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center commercial recently like I did?

Fight On!

NEW Trojan Found!

Hey Gang:

I was at a friend's birthday party and stumbled across another Trojan alum right here in Greensboro. His name is Dr. Paul S. (Ph.D) and he hopes to join us for some viewing parties this year. So welcome to the Triad Trojan Family paul, we're happy to have you aboard!

I have tentatively planned two of the viewing parties for now, the first being the Nebraska game (The Green Burro, downtown Greensboro) because the bar manager, Mike, is a Nebraska alum and we had the game there last year. The second game planned is the Notre Dame game at Fox & Hound in Winston Salem (since it is an early game and I won't have to drive back to Greensboro at Midnight...okay, I'm a bit selfish, but I have a new son to worry about now).

Anyway guys, the Idaho game is at 10:15 PM and I don't think there are too many die-hards who want to be out on Saturday night until 2 AM so that is why I did not schedule anything.

Until next time, Fight On!