It has been said that the best defense is a good offense. While it is true that to win in ANY sport, one must outscore the opponent...BUT, preventing the other team from scoring IS half the game...a part of the game that can have MAJOR implications on the psyche of the team on the other side of the battlefield and more importantly, the final score.

The #5 ranked USC Trojans escaped with a win in the Arizona desert this weekend on the strength of their defense. While the offense had it's moments, 17 points is certainly not impressive...not for a team ranked #5 in the nation anyway. In the wake of the great Lute Olsen's retirement, Arizona was poised to upset (as predicted by many around the blogs in recent weeks...nba is the worst among them)....maybe you should've gotten Pete to sign on too, he seems to have a knack of pulling (SRM) genius picks out of right field...much to the chagrin of SC detractors, it was not to be. SC faithful like myself are wiping the sweat from our brow in relief...(and I didn't even require a helping of Rolaids, though the missed 4th quarter field goal made me a bit queasy) The Arizona Wildcats football team had been 4-1 in their last 5 home games against teams ranked among the top 25 over the last few years, so the predictions had logic behind them, as well as some wishful thinking.....

Last week vs. #25 Cal........won

11/15/05 vs. #2 Oregon......won

11/11/06 vs. #9 Cal...........won

11/5/05 vs. #7 UCLA.........won

9/23/06 vs. #3 USC.........LOST  ....ASS........Take THAT!

...but The Southern California Empire Strikes Back to quell this little rebellion led by the hard hitting Taylor Mays starring as Darth Vader. No Jedi mind tricks by Bob Stoops allowed here.

The SC "D" went Gap Band in the AZ sand:

"Stoops upside your head, I said, Stoops upside your head."

...make that 4-2 vs. ranked teams, with BOTH losses courtesy the Trojans. The play of the game was at the 6:04 mark of the 4th quarter....4th and inches, score 17-10 SC, Willie Tuitama *AKA Willie Heisman* attempts a quarterback sneak that the SC defense smothers - DE-NIED! (Lakers take note...defense is important, ask the Celtics and Tom Thibodaux just how important) Roommates Stanley Havili and Mark Sanchez spearheaded the Trojan offensive attack, but it was the defense that won the game.

I'm just glad to come away with a victory.

I have this Sixth Sense tingling sensation...the NBA season starts Tuesday and I'm like a kid on Christmas eve...anxious to tear the wrapping off and get my shiny new Red Rider BB gun...

I know, I know........"You'll shoot you eye out kid!"

...I love that movie

I'm hoping....praying even, that Colonel Zanders is preaching the defensive gospel to the purple and gold clad troops. Kareem should be making his prot