Eugene, Ore. – Matt Leinart leaned up against a cement wall outside the Southern California locker room Saturday night and tried to be sarcastic. We think.
“We realize every game we’re not going to score every play or every two plays,” he said with a straight face.
No, but how about two out of every three drives? That’s what the top-ranked Trojans are averaging in exploding to a 3-0 start with an offense that apparently can be stopped only by themselves or government decree. In averaging 59.3 points a game, second nationally to Texas Tech’s marshmallow-filled 66.3 average, the USC offense has become as automatic as exhaling.
After Saturday’s 45-13 win over No. 24 Oregon, in 33 drives USC has scored 23 touchdowns and one field goal with an average time of possession on TD drives of 2:40. Of the Trojans’ nine nonscoring drives, one ended with halftime and another on downs with USC leading Arkansas 63-17.
If it’s possible this offense is better than a year ago, when unbeaten USC won a second straight national championship and earned Leinart the Heisman Trophy, it is. In fact, it’s not even close.
“We’re a very poised group,” Trojans coach Pete Carroll said, “because they’ve been out there before and they’ve been through a lot. It’s mass leadership.”
It’s more than nine offensive starters returning. Leinart, now a senior, is healthy after offseason elbow surgery and has added a new skill. Despite the noise of an Oregon-record crowd of 59,129, he checked off at the line of scrimmage numerous times.
“With all the experience, I’m more confident,” Leinart said. “I’m having fun. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not hesitant with my play-calling or with my checks. I just go out and have fun.”
The highest-profile offseason loss was offensive coordinator Norm Chow to the NFL. However, the two-headed coordinator monster of Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian has eliminated all doubters. The Trojans also are getting the ball more to sensational Reggie Bush, who is averaging 111 yards rushing a game – 41 more than a year ago.
“They’re perfect,” Leinart said. “They’re two great young coaches. There’s all this talk about Coach Chow leaving and how it’s going to affect us. It’s not going to affect us.”
Virginia Tech on radar
The team that can match up best with USC may be third-ranked Virginia Tech (4-0). The lightning-quick Hokies have given up only two touchdowns and junior quarterback Marcus Vick is making like Michael, hitting 63.5 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns against one interception.
“I think they’re the best football team I’ve seen since I’ve been in the ACC,” coach Chan Gailey, in his fourth year at Georgia Tech, said after his Yellow Jackets’ 51-7 dismantling by the Hokies on Saturday.
But with No. 2 Texas capable of running the table, could Virginia Tech be this year’s Auburn, unbeaten but left out of the … no, no. It’s just too early to rip the Bowl Championship Series.
Not big on Brooks
In Week 4, Kentucky’s Rich Brooks became the first coach to officially go on the hot seat.
School president Lee Todd said last week he will be watching the final eight games closely, and the Wildcats went out and got drilled by Florida 49-28.
True, Kentucky lost 19 scholarships in the Hal Mumme cheating scandal and lost 15 players this year to surgeries. But the Wildcats trailed Idaho State two weeks ago with five minutes left.
A possible successor already has surfaced: former Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe.
Cal can run, too
Everyone talks about Jeff Tedford, the quarterback guru. But the California coach also produces great running backs.
One year after J.J. Arrington thrashed USC for 261 yards, sophomore Justin Forsett gained 235 yards Friday at New Mexico State. Forsett replaced the injured Marshawn Lynch, who merely averages 6.7 yards a carry.
Worth quoting
Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, standing before the media after South Florida pulled off a 45-14 upset: “It’s like a firing squad. Go ahead and fire.”
Footnotes
In two road games, Iowa has scored nine points. … The shine has gone off Purdue coach Joe Tiller. The Boilermakers are 7-18 in their past 25 games decided by seven points or fewer. … With Central Florida beating Marshall 23-13 to end the nation’s longest losing streak at 17, Rice and Army now share the honor at eight each. … A loss at high-flying Michigan State on Saturday would give Michigan (2-2) three losses this quickly for the first time since starting 1-5 in 1967, the Wolverines’ most recent losing season.
John Henderson can be reached at 303-820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com.
