Bush Proves a Perfect Fit in USC’s Fearless Offense

Observations, reflections and opinions of a kickoff college football weekend during which USC literally sweated out a victory over Virginia Tech in 74% humidity:

* If Trojan tailback Reggie Bush keeps this act up, he could be the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. (OK, that kind of talk is irresponsible and premature, but, for sure, Bush is the NCAA’s player of the month for August.)

Bush, recruited and listed as a running back, scored on three touchdown catches in USC’s 24-13 victory over Virginia Tech and appears to be the most versatile multi-headed monster to slice into a secondary since Marshall Faulk.

Bush, like Faulk, can strike from any position on the field and, as the Hokies discovered, at any time.

The entertaining part is watching how offensive coordinator Norm Chow moves Bush around the field until he finds a mismatch Bush can exploit.

Bush’s last touchdown, a 29-yard reception from Matt Leinart, was executed when Bush found himself covered in the right flat by Virginia Tech linebacker Blake Warren.

See ya.

Warren had no chance to cover Bush and fell down trying.

Bush said later that kind of situation was “like taking candy from a baby.”

Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer stated the obvious, saying of Bush, “He is a guy that turns the ballgame around in a hurry.”

Chow also illustrated fearlessness as one of the secrets to great play calling.

USC was clinging to a 14-13 lead with less than six minutes left Saturday when Leinart pushed forward for two yards for a first down at the Trojan 25.

I thought at that point the Virginia Tech defense was wearing down and USC could grind out a victory with a long drive and a heavy dose of power back LenDale White.

Instead, from the 25, Chow went for the kill, Leinart connecting with Steve Smith down the middle for 46 yards.

On the next play, Leinart found Bush on a wheel route for the touchdown to give USC a 21-13 lead.

Two plays, 75 yards, touchdown, game (all but) over.

* USC’s somewhat sloppy performance probably will not loosen the Trojans’ grip on No. 1 in either the writers’ or coaches’ poll, but it must be noted that the race for the national title is much more of a beauty contest now with the revamped bowl championship series formula.

This year, the human polls account for two-thirds of the power in the BCS standings, the computers for one-third.

That means USC’s quest to remain No. 1 is going to be more subjective.

Read: USC needs to impress the judges.

As the only major-college game on television over the weekend, USC had a rare opportunity to perform in front of large numbers of voting coaches and writers.

It wasn’t an entirely impressive performance, but most voters will cut USC some slack and write it off to opening-night jitters.

Over time, USC figures to benefit from the dropping of strength of schedule from the BCS formula. On paper at least, the Trojan schedule is much weaker than national-title contenders Oklahoma, Louisiana State, Georgia and Miami.

* Consider the cases of Mike Williams, Willie Williams and NCAA hypocrisy.

Last week, the NCAA denied Mike Williams’ request to be reinstated as a USC receiver even though, seemingly, he did everything he could to restore his amateur status.

Williams did nothing wrong in declaring for the NFL draft after Maurice Clarett had challenged, and initially won, his court case.

Meanwhile, in Miami, freshman linebacker Willie Williams was admitted into school and practiced with the Hurricanes, even though he’d been arrested 11 times before he arrived on campus.

And now, in the span of a few days, both Williamses are out.

Mike was ushered to the door by the NCAA, and Willie will be sidelined most of the season after tearing right knee ligaments in practice.

The only good news is that USC and Miami will no longer have to deal with the daily distractions the Williams stories had become.

One last thought on Mike Williams: Just because he did nothing wrong in trying to go to the NFL does not mean what he did was necessarily smart.

Many knowledgeable people thought Clarett would win his legal bid, which would have allowed Mike Williams to coattail, but others figured Williams was taking a huge gamble in assuming the strength of Clarett’s case.

Tulane University law professor Gary Roberts, who said from the start that the first Clarett decision probably would be overturned, said last week that Williams’ biggest mistake was signing with an agent and then taking money from him.

“Had Williams declared himself for the draft without hiring an agent, I think the NCAA would have granted his appeal,” Roberts said. He added that the NCAA in recent years has had almost a zero-tolerance policy for players who sign with agents.

“You can do a lot of things and they will grant you some leeway, but signing with an agent is an absolute no-no and they’re not going to allow you to unscramble that egg,” Roberts said. “This is very consistent with that policy.”

As for Miami’s Willie Williams?

As harsh as it sounds, that knee injury might have been the best thing to happen for all concerned. Williams probably will redshirt this season and disappear, for now, from the microscope of public scrutiny.