Mays will chat on ESPN SportsNation

USC All-American safety Taylor Mays will chat live on ESPN SportsNation at noon Pacific on Thursday.

Mays is considered the best free safety in the country and expected to be one of the top picks in the 2010 NFL Draft.

DT Spicer suffers severe sprain

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that defensive tackle Averell Spicer suffered a severe ankle sprain in Wednesday's practice. How much time Spicer will miss is unknown.

"It's not like he's going to just brush this off," coach Pete Carroll told the Times.

Spicer will be replaced by transfer Hebron Fangupo.

USC singing "Lean on Me"

Here is the popular "Lean on Me" video from USC's team meeting

Hunter on Buckeyes' practice policy

Columbus Dispatch columnist Bob Hunter has an interesting take on why Ohio State coach Jim Tressel might want to close practices to the media.

Also here is a video of Tressel talking about Terrelle Pryor and Tyler Moeller.

Lesmerises reveals AP ballot

Cleveland Plain Dealer beat writer Doug Lesmerises has the Buckeyes No. 10 in his preseason Associated Press ballot, and Penn State at No. 9. He has Florida at No. 1 followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, USC, California, LSU and Alabama.

The poll comes out Aug. 22.

Ohio State media guide online

The 2009 Ohio State media guide is now available online and can be accessed here.

The guide is available in forms best for online viewing as well as printing.

Pettrey on Groza watch list

Ohio State kicker Aaron Pettrey has been named to the Lou Groza Award watch list.

Catch Coach Carroll on KLAC

Coach Pete Carroll will be KLAC's (570 AM) "Petros Money Show" at 5:30 p.m. today

Aaron Corp out 1-2 weeks, Barkley takes over

Photo courtesy of US Presswire through the L.A. Times

USC starting quarterback Aaron Corp will be out one to two weeks after an MRI revealed he has a small crack on his left fibula. True freshman Matt Barkley will take over for Corp.

"Matt's going to try and make the most of this opportunity," coach Pete Carroll told media.

Here is a report from the Los Angeles Times on the injury and here is ESPN's take on the injury.

USC fall practice schedule

Here is USC's practice schedule for the rest of fall camp until the Sept. 5 opener against San Jose State, courtesy of the RipsIt Blog.

Aug. 12 - Practice 3 p.m.
Aug. 13 - Practice 9 a.m.; Practice 4 p.m. (two-a-day)
Aug. 14 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 15 - Practice 9 a.m.; Practice 4 p.m. (two-a-day)
Aug. 16 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 17 - Practice 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 18 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 19 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 20 - Practice 9 a.m.; Practice 4 p.m. (two-a-day)
Aug. 21 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 22 - Practice 9 a.m.; Practice 3 p.m. (two-a-day) - Salute to Troy at 5 p.m.
Aug. 23 - OFF
Aug. 24 - OFF (First day of fall semester)
Aug. 25 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 26 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 27 - Practice 4 p.m.
Aug. 28 - Practice 4:15 p.m.
Aug. 29 - Mock game at 12:30 p.m. (Coliseum)
Aug. 30 - OFF
Aug. 31 - Practice 4 p.m. (Normal game week commences)
Sept. 1 - Practice 4 p.m. (Competition Tuesday)
Sept. 2 - Practice 4 p.m. (Turnover Wednesday)
Sept. 3 - Practice 4 p.m. (No Repeat Thursday)
Sept. 4 - Practice 4:15 p.m. (Review Friday - CLOSED to the public)
Sept. 5 - USC vs. SAN JOSE STATE 12:30 p.m. (Coliseum)


Here is a guide to USC practices from the invaluable USC RipsIt Blog

Corp will undergo MRI; Barkley impresses

Aaron Corp will have an MRI today on his left knee.


"My pain tolerance is the only thing now, which is good news," Corp told the Los Angeles Times.

Meanwhile, freshman Matt Barkley performed well in Corp's absence and is pushing for the starting spot.

"He's not shy a bit and he believes very much in his ability to move the club when he gets his chance," USC coach Pete Carroll told the Times.


Here is USC's practice schedule for Wednesday from the RipsIt Blog:

7 a.m. • Wake up/breakfast
8:15 a.m. • Meetings begin
10 a.m. • Team walk-thru
11 p.m. • Lunch
2 p.m. • Position group meetings
3 p.m. • Practice (full pads)
5:30 p.m. • Dinner
7:30 p.m. • Nightly meetings begin
10 p.m. • Nightly meetings end
11 p.m. • Bed check