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September 14, 2004

Colorado State: Top 50 plays #1

I spent Saturday night watching my alum get plastered by the #1 team in the country - the USC Trojans. The final score: 49-0, or 0-49 depending on who you were rooting for.

My thoughts around the game I can summarize reasonably well. Colorado State looked like they belonged on the field. Neither the offensive or defensive lines looked like they gave too much to USC. Colorado State made most of the mistakes in the ball game. Seven turnover for starters, five of which USC scored on. No one here is delusional enough to think that without that CSU could have won - but it definitely could have been a better game. Despite two significant mistakes and turnovers, CSU should have atleast scored.

The post-game chatter over at RamNation had a lot of posts on what an embarrassment it was (it was in many ways) and how it was dumb to schedule the likes of USC, Colorado, Minnesota (up next for CSU) etc...

I disagree - I think it is important for Teams on any given year that are outside the Top 25 but within say the Top 50, to play teams better than they are. Back in high school, my Tennis coach used to say, "you can't get better unless you play someone better than you are" or something to that effect. I was a marginal player by the way, but I've found that the advice in general is sound. Schools with football (or any sport) programs that have had even a modicum of success, in order to get to the next level, should play those who are already AT the next level.

Those Rams learned a lot on that field. They lined up against a team that is much more athletic and skilled overall, position by position, mostly because California has a wealth of high school talent that lines up to play for the likes of USC, UCLA, etc...

This team is the defending national co-champion, with a good chance to repeat (this is not done often and not recently) and is coached by a smart and successful Coach from the NFL. Playing USC I think may be practically like playing an NFL team! For Colorado State, if they are smart, they will hal recount how Matt Leinert led his teeam with poise and intelligence. They'll recall how after establishing a 28-0 lead at half, USC came out at half time and, despite a few mental errors and breakdowns, never let up, adding another 21 points to the board - and not doing it just to rub it in. Displaying what a well coached, well executed team can and should do.

I applaud USC for their effort and give them good chances this season to compete for a chance to defend their title. I applaud CSU for scheduling and playing the Trojans. Onward and upward!

Posted by gcrgcr at September 14, 2004 6:35 PM

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Comments

I would have to agree with you Tom, you do not get better by playing teams that are push overs, we felt the pain of USC last year. However, the Rammies almost got us at Home this year.

Hope all is well!
GO CU!

Brandon

Posted by: Brandon Dingae at September 19, 2004 6:28 PM

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