(Also on “Roger Graf” Facebook page)
An intriguing match-up is in the offing for Friday, Dec. 1, the PAC-12 championship game. It’s a rematch of Sept. 9’s face-off.
Prior scores make betting odds superfluous. Check out these scores:
Sept. 9 had USC outplay Stanford 42-24. It was an early season contest before any team had time to gel. And it happened before Darnold lost his confidence, USC’s shallow bench proved troubling, and Darnold’s quick short-circuit to his athleticism has shown itself to be a weakness. Conversely, Stanford may have found a quarterback in Costello.
On Oct. 21, USC embarrassed itself before Notre Dame, 49-14. Injuries proved to be a problem due to a shallow bench, and Darnold’s high school approach to the game were key determinants of the outcome. Plus, ND is no pushover this year.
Nov. 25 had Stanford convincingly beat Notre Dame, 38-20. It was 21-8 at halftime in a game that was supposed to be a nail-biter. Costello’s play was fantastic, and Stanford exhibited that hard-nosed style for which they have become famous since the glory days of Harbaugh.
If these scores are any indication, USC fans (of which I am one) shouldn’t be comforted by the LA media or Las Vegas bookies. Either USC’s mid-to-late-season lackluster performances were due to a lack of focus and therefore subject to change, or Stanford’s late season surge indicates the rise of a powerhouse.
I don’t know. The game has to be played. My money is on Stanford; my heart is with USC.
RogerG