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One early look this week:

USC vs Virginia Tech (UNDER - No Line) - 4:45pm - Saturday - 8/28/04 - Landover, MD

No total posted on this game as of yet but I am hoping for a line in the range of 44-49 to qualify this as an "early look" play. Any higher number than that may make this an official RAS 1 UNIT play later in the week. Many factors suggest this will be a low scoring game. USC only averaged 310.5 yards of offense (137.5 less than season average) in their first two games of last season. This year they will start the season with just two returning full time starters on offense unless by miracle WR Mike Williams (very doubtful) is reinstated in time for this game. USC has four new offensive line starters (the lone returning starter has been slowed by injury) who have good size and potential but as is often the case with inexperienced linemen they will be better run blockers than pass protectors in the early going. Practice reports have confirmed this to be the case. This means USC will probably be handing the ball off a lot to their impressive tailback duo of LenDale White and Reggie Bush. Meanwhile, the strength of the Virginia Tech defense is their front seven. With it being the season opener against the #1 ranked team in the country, they will be fired up and ready to go. Fueled by what is sure to be a partisan crowd, the Hokie defense should at least be able to make USC work for yards on the ground. When USC opts to pass, Tech should be able to apply decent QB pressure on Leinart who at 6-5, 220 is not very mobile.

Many teams are going to struggle against USC's defense this year and Virginia Tech will be no different. The Hokies will be trying to fill holes at RB, WR, and center where they lost three of the school's all time greats, all of which are in the NFL now. Two projected skill position starters RB Humes (ankle, probable) and WR Clifton (wrist, questionable) have been slowed by injuries in fall practice. I believe Virginia Tech knows they will not be able to run successfully on USC. Scrimmage reports suggest they will try to implement a short passing game with lots of QB rollouts. This in an attempt to neutralize the imposing Trojan defensive line. However, Tech lacks a playmaking receiver and the USC defense features great team speed as well as one of the top LB groups in the country. USC is very adept at limiting yards after catch. Without the help of a turnover or big special teams play, I do not expect Virginia Tech to score in double figures.

As a general rule, defenses are ahead of offenses at this early stage in the season. Both of these teams appear ready to illustrate a perfect example of this rule in this matchup. Both teams feature outstanding punters with VT's Burns earning Big East 2nd team honors the past two seasons and USC's Malone is a top NFL prospect after being named 1st team all-American last year. USC knows the only way they can lose this game is to make big mistakes (turnovers, special teams). I look for them to come out with a conservative gameplan early on and rely on their defense to set the tone. Play the under if line is reasonable.

If the posted total is less than 44: NO PLAY

If the posted total is between 44-49: Early Look (recommended as 1/2 UNIT)

If the posted total is above 49: Early Look + potential RAS official 1 UNIT play later in the week