USC's defense to test Illinois in Rose Bowl
There's one quick thought that comes to mind when you mention Southern California football.
OK, skip the glamorous cheerleaders, the Trojan band and O.J. Simpson. After these accessories are eliminated, the Trojans are known for producing Heisman Trophy winners.
Running back Reggie Bush received the award after the 2005 season, beating out USC quarterback Matt Leinart -- who earned the award the previous season. In 2002, quarterback Carson Palmer became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner since Marcus Allen in 1981. Southern Cal, Ohio State and Notre Dame are tied for the most Heismans with seven apiece.
With quarterback John David Booty healthy again, Southern Cal is dangerous on offense. But when Illinois (9-3) meets the Trojans (10-2) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 (3:30 p.m., ABC), the Illini must contend with the nation's No. 2-ranked defense.
Southern Cal ranks in the top seven nationally in all five defensive categories. Defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis was named the Pac-10 Conference's defensive player of the year.
"We have a great group of guys who have been with us for a while,'' said Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll. "We're very fast. They know what the system is all about. The talent shows up when they know what they're doing. These guys are really good at playing our scheme.''
Ellis has 56 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Linebackers Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga, a pair of two-time first-team all-conference selections, combined for 158 tackles and 12 tackles for a loss. Defensive end Lawrence Jackson, who has 50 tackles for a loss and 29.5 sacks in his career, and safety Kevin Ellison were also first-team selctions.
USC ranks second in in total defense (258.8 yards per game), fourth in scoring defense (15.9), fourth in rushing defense (79.2), sixth in pass efficiency defense (99.7) and seventh in pass defense (179.7).
Illinois has experience against top defenses. Behind dual-threat quarterback Juice Williams, Illinois gained 260 yards rushing in a 28-21 win over Ohio State when the Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 in total defense (221.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (9.7 points per game).
"In the Pac-10, you see everything imaginable on offense,'' Carroll said. "We have traditional two-back teams to spread to everything inbetween. We deal with all of that. I know the style of (Illinois') offense. It's volatile. They've torn it up and had a great season. When you factor in a running quarterback, it makes football as hard as it gets for defensive coaches.''
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, a Heisman Trophy candidate before a season-ending knee injury, was named the Pac-10's offensive player of the year. Dixon finished with 147 yards passing plus 76 yareds rushing and one touchdown in a 24-17 win over Southern Cal in October.
"We lost to Oregon with a running quarterback," defensive end Kyle Moore told the Los Angeles Times. "It's going to be a challenge.''
USC won its sixth straight Pac-10 title and makes a record 32nd trip to the Rose Bowl, where the Trojans have a 22-9 record all-time. Southern Cal plays in Rose Bowl for the third straight season and fourth time in the last five years.
NOTE: Illinois coach Ron Zook, the Big Ten's coach of the year, is a finalist for Liberty Mutual national coach of the year. Fans can vote for Zook at www.coachoftheyear.com. Voting ends Dec. 15. Other finalists are Kentucky's Rich Brooks, Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom, Navy's Paul Johnson, Kansas' Mark Mangino, Penn State's Joe Paterno, Georgia's Mark Richt, West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, Ohio State's Jim Tressel and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville. . .
John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more coverage, read Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com <http://www.sj-r.com> and www.pjstar.com <http://www.pjstar.com> .
A look at the Trojans
Record: 10-2 overall, 7-2 in Pac-10.
So far: Def. Idaho 38-10; def. Nebraska 49-31; def. Washington State 37-14; def. Washington 27-24; lost to Stanford 24-23; def. Arizona 20-13; def. Notre Dame 38-0; lost to Oregon 24-17; def. Oregon State 24-3; def. Cal 24-17; def. Arizona State 44-24; def. UCLA 24-7.
Coach: Pete Carroll, 65-12 in seventh year at Southern Cal and overall.
Players to watch: QB John David Booty (2,106 yards passing, 20 TDs, 9 INT), RB Chauncey Washington (894 yards, 9 TDs), TE Fred Davis (55 catches, 794 yards, seven TDs), DE Lawrence Jackson, DT Sedrick Ellis, LB Rey Maualuga.
Did you know: Southern Cal aims for its sixth consecutive finish in the top four in the Associated Press final poll and 11-win season under Carroll.