First off - the Buckeyes will still get their @$$e$ handed to them on Sept. 13, no matter who starts at quarterback for USC.

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Ok - the word out of camp is that Mark Sanchez hopes to be ready for the season opener in Virginia on Aug. 30. His dislocated knee cap isn’t serious and he should be close to 100 % within a couple of weeks. Not that USC really needs Sanchez to beat Virginia or anything, but you would think Pete Carroll would want the man who will start against the Buckeyes on Sept. 13 to have some game reps.

While Sanchez claims that he should be good to go, I don’t think the Trojans should take any chances at this stage of the game. The worst thing that could happen is him playing against the Cavaliers at less than 100 % and further aggravating his knee in the process. The snowball effect would leave Mitch Mustain without enough preparation and his first real game action will be against one of the nation’s better defenses.

Mustain is a proven winner. His 8-0 record with Arkansas in the unforgiving SEC should give Carroll more than enough confidence to go with him against UVA and OSU. After those two games, re-evaluate the position and if you’re still sold on Sanchez, give him the job. But hypothetically speaking, if Mustain were to start and USC were to begin the season 2-0, you have an excellent problem on your hands - two quarterbacks who you can rely on.

I don’t want USC to be in a position where they have to  play Ohio St. with a quarterback who hasn’t played much in the previous game. They have that Virginia game to beat up on a weak opponent and fine tune their offense, so they need the guy who will start against the Bucks to play at least the first three quarters before they pull that player when the score’s 56-0. I think given the set of circumstances, Mustain should be that guy.

And to all you Buckeye fans - we don’t make excuses. Only idiots, who go out of their way to accuse other team’s fans of making excuses, would even consider making those excuses to begin with. Bottom line: if you walk into our barn and win, all the credit to you. And Tom - you’re one of the idiots I’m referring to!!

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Meanwhile, it looks like UCLA’s season has ended before it started. Their quarterback, Ben Olson, is out at least eight weeks and they don’t have a Mitch Mustain available to step and lead the complex-Norm Chow offense to any sort of success. What’s worse - they open against Tennessee on Sept 1! That game will be ugly.

But they’re UCLA…so I’m not exactly crying too hard.

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Four spots still available in the STB yahoo fantasy league

LEAGUE ID: 316025

Passowrd: sf49ers

DC

It appears Vegas agrees with what I’ve been saying all along. 2008 will be USC’s year. Below are thespread.com’s preseason odds for who they believe will come out on top in the BCS Title Game.

USC 3/1

Florida 6/1

Georgia 6/1

Ohio State 6/1

Oklahoma 6/1

LSU 12/1

Missouri 14/1

Auburn 20/1

Clemson 22/1

West Virginia 25/1

Michigan 30/1

Tennessee 30/1

Texas 30/1

Wisconsin 30/1

Miami Florida 35/1

UCLA 35/1

Alabama 40/1

Virginia Tech 40/1

Florida State 50/1

Illinois 50/1

Penn State 50/1

Rutgers 50/1

Notre Dame 60/1

Kansas 65/1

Arizona State 80/1

California 80/1

Nebraska 80/1

Texas Tech 80/1

Boise State 100/1

Boston College 100/1

Cincinnati 100/1

Georgia Tech 100/1

Iowa 100/1

Kentucky 100/1

Louisville 100/1

Maryland 100/1

Michigan State 100/1

North Carolina 100/1

North Carolina State 100/1

Oregon 100/1

Oregon State 100/1

South Carolina 100/1

South Florida 100/1

Texas A&M 100/1

Virginia 100/1

Washington 100/1

Arizona 125/1

Kansas State 125/1

Oklahoma State 125/1

Wake Forest 125/1

Arkansas 150/1

Field (Any Other Team) 25/1

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