USC = Duke?

Well, on its face, the comparison seems quite obvious. Both are powerhouses in college sports, the former more so in college football, the latter decidedly in college basketball.

So yeah, on that level, sure. But, after Mark Sanchez decided to go pro last week, I got to thinking: is this perennial Pac-10 powerhouse putting out a comparable amount of great pro players? (Enough p-words?)

For a school nicknamed "Tailback U", for a school that has a reputation, at least in recent history, for being know for its great offense, the answer isn't as favorable as you might think.

Let's take a quick look at some of the offensive skill players drafted in recent years.

2007

2nd Round - Dwayne Jarrett, Steve Smith

2006

1st Round - Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart

2nd Round - LenDale White

2005

1st Round - Mike Williams

2004

2nd Round - Keary Colbert

2003

1st Round - Carson Palmer

2000

1st Round - R. Jay Soward

1996

1st Round - Keyshawn Johnson

Out of that list, there's only two that I could say have been or were good pro's: Keyshawn Johnson and Carson Palmer. But, both come with asterisks. Johnson's being that he truly was a disappointment, having been a Heisman Trophy winner, and (more importantly) a number one overall pick (only four thousand yard seasons and one 10 TD year in 11?). Then again, if he was a disappointment, then fellow number one pick Palmer would have to be as well. Thus far in his young career, he has been with only having had two really good seasons, the rest either average-poor or injured.

Of the rest, how many do you remember being very good at USC? Having a ton of potential, being highly rated, having bigtime college careers? Most, if not all of them (and that's not even including the John David Booty's and Chauncey Washington's)

Most of those guys haven't been nearly as good (nor project to be) in the pro's. Jarret and Smith have been average receivers early on. Bush has developed a rep as being a soft player, in addition to being a largely useless player. As far as Leinart's concerned, two words sum up his value: Kurt Warner. LenDale White seemed more likely to eat his way out the league before gobbling up all of Chris Johnson's TD's this year. Mike Williams' is obviously the biggest bust as he barely has even played, and Keary Colbert, unfortunately continues to play, just at a very poor level. Finally, Soward never did much in the NFL because of a little thing called reefer.

So, back to the title, USC = Duke? Well, yes. Because, as I've just shown you, USC seems to have developed a reputation for putting formerly great college players into the professional ranks and watch them disappointment.

Duke? Well, we all know their history...William Avery, Jason Williams, Trajan Langdon, Bobby Hurley, J.J. Reddick, Christian Laettner, Shelden Williams...I think I've made my point there.

And thus, my overarching theme here is, don't get crazy over Mark Sanchez because he's leaving early and bucking trends and any of that nonsense. Get crazy because, frankly, USC hasn't produced a ton of great offensive pro's in recent memory. Kind of like Duke.

Everything You Need To Get Ready For the the NFL's Divisional Round

Baltimore (+3) @ Tennessee

The Titans earned the right to home field throughout the playoffs, but they're probably the least dangerous top seeded team in recent years. Granted, that was because it was usually the Patriots on top of the AFC, and last year they entered the playoffs 16-0. But this Titans team can't possibly scare the Ravens, who come to town Saturday night.

The Titans have an excellent running game, featuring rookie Chris Johnson and the stout and mighty LenDale White. But Kerry Collins is a very ordinary quarterback, and their most productive receiver was Mizzou's own Justin Gage, who had just 651 yards. The Titans running game is good, but it can be stopped. The miserable Chicago Bears defense held this vaunted running game to 20 yards in week 10, and could easily be stopped by an excellent Ravens defense.

The Ravens defense last week single-handedly won the game against the Dolphins last week, by creating 5 Miami turnovers in a 27-9 convincing win. Joe Flacco went just 9-23 passing for 135 yards, but Chad Pennington threw 4 picks, including one that came back 64 yards for an Ed Reed touchdown. They're the sexy pick right now to upset Tennessee after the way they played last week, but keep in mind Jeff Fisher is an excellent coach who will have his team ready. Still, I like the Ravens, considering that defense wins championships (cliche but true), and while the Titans D is good, the Ravens' D is better, and hotter.

Scott's Pick: Baltimore Jordan's Pick: Baltimore

Arizona (+10) @ Carolina

Somehow, the Cardinals showed up last week and actually played a good game. Arizona stumbled into the playoffs playing pitifully, having lost four of six. But against Matt Ryan's Falcons, 'Zona played great defense, intercepting the rookie QB twice and even recording a safety. Arizona's offense played great, as Kurt Warner threw for 271 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he looked like the man many were considering an MVP candidate earlier in the season.

But it's no secret the Cardinals don't win on the road. The Cardinals were just 3-5 away from sunny Glendale and Carolina did not lose at home. That's right. The Panthers went 8-0 in Charlotte this season. So by any measuring stick, this is not an easy game for the Cardinals to come in and win, especially when you consider Arizona's last road win came at lowly Seattle November 16th.

Carolina only lost 4 games this season, and already beat the Cardinals at home, 27-23. The Panthers have won four of their last five games too, the only loss coming at the Giants, who hold the #1 seed in the NFC. Carolina has a good running game, and good receivers. They have a good defense, and solid special teams. They are a definite force in this year's playoffs and will win this game. With the line being 10 however, it's hard to pick a playoff game to have that wide a margin. That's why I'll pick Arizona to cover, even if they barely cover it.

Scott's Pick: Carolina Jordan's Pick: Arizona

(Then again though, go with Scott. Remember, I'm 0-4 in this year's playoffs.)