USC backfield "cooking steaks" behind strong offensive line

Matt Barkley threw on interception but was otherwise strong in Saturday's afternoon practice for USC. Here are highlights from the afternoon session from the USC RipsIt blog

Running backs coach Todd McNair yelled out during the play, "We're cooking steaks back here! Well-done steaks!"

And Pete Carroll site up as well

We also have added a site under USC football links for coach Pete Carroll.

Coach Tressel site added

We've now added the official coach Jim Tressel site to the Ohio State football links.

Three Trojans on ESPN All-America team

In case you missed it, here is ESPN's preseason All-America team, including USC guard Jeff Byers, center Kris O'Dowd and free safety Taylor Mays.
USC and Florida were the only teams with three All-Americans. The team was selected by ESPN senior writer Ivan Maisel.

OSU guard Boren out with knee injury

Ohio State junior Justin Boren, expected to start at left guard, sprained his left knee during practice Friday and could be out at least a week.

Find stories on Boren here, here and here.

Boren's injury likely means Connor Smith should step into the starting role.

USC's Friday's scrimmage

Photo from USC athletic department

Coach Pete Carroll watches
as Mitch Mustain rolls out.

Here is a story from the Orange County Register on Friday's scrimmage and here are the stats from Friday's scrimmage.

USC linebackers eager for their opportunity

Much of the preseason hype for USC's defense has focused on Taylor Mays and the secondary, but Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times has a feature on the Trojans' new linebacking corps

The Duke from "What it means to be a Trojan"

For your Saturday (or Sunday) reading:

Here is an excerpt from "What it means to be a Trojan" by Steven Travers on none other than The Duke, John Wayne.

Containing Terrelle Pryor

Here's a story from Bleacher Report on how USC will try to stop Terrelle Pryor. Think Taylor Mays first and foremost.

One thing the author says is "containment of the Buckeyes' running game that no longer features Chris "Beanie" Wells is critical to the Trojans success."

Beanie Wells didn't play in last year's game, so containing him was no factor last year.