Dein erstes Forum » DOUBLE COVERAGE: JuJu Smith-Schuster, USCs top receiver

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!St. Louis BluesOverall: 29 Title track: 82 Ownership: 42 Coaching: 58 Players: 54 Fan relations: 18 Affordability: 39 Stadium experience: 67 Bang for the buck: 23 Change from last year: +14Climbing back toward the top, the Blues regained fans approval this year and found the No. 29 spot on the Ultimate Standings list. Ranked 11th overall in 2014, the Blues took a hit and dropped to No. 43 last year. But after finishing second in the Central Division and third in the NHL with 49 wins -- not to mention putting on a show at the end of May -- fans responded with a standings jump.Whats goodLast season proved to be the Blues ode to fans, as the team regained good graces in St. Louis. Jumping eight spots to No. 18 in fan relations, the Blues allow everyone to feel that St. Louis pride at every home game. From the BMO Harris Bank Kids Captain program to the #BlueSocial program, the Blues understand how to keep the fans entertained and engaged with the team all season long. Best of all, the fans coined the Blues one of the most desirable bang for the buck categories, sliding into No. 23 on the Ultimate Standings list.Whats badUnfortunately, the fan relations and low ticket prices arent enough to keep the crowd pleased with the overall experience at Scottrade Center arena. Ranking as one of the worst stadium experiences in the NHL at No. 82, the Blues cant seem to find the approval of the fans when it comes to the 22-year-old stadium. Lacking in what fans deem uniqueness, the versatility of the stadium -- it also hosts concerts, wrestling matches, NCAA basketball and more -- seems to be the Blues gift and curse. The biggest takeaway for most Blues fans is that they arent getting enough hockey vibes inside the arena -- only six teams scored worse when fans were asked if they had a great stadium.Whats newAlthough the Blues loyal fan base still craves a Stanley Cup finals berth, the Blues proved to be a strong force in the NHL last season. Moving up 22 spots to No. 58 for coaching and 31 spots to No. 54 for players, the Blues also found their rhythm on the ice. St. Louis had fallen to No. 80 in coaching last year, due in part to fans lack of trust in Ken Hitchcocks ability to lead the group to a Stanley Cup, but now theyve turned things around and even made an appearance in the Western Conference finals last season. This season will prove to be a test for both Hitchcock and the younger players, especially with the absence of clutch veterans Troy Brouwer and David Backes.Next: San Jose Sharks?| Full rankings LOS ANGELES -- Adoree Jackson thinks the only good things about a 46-point loss in a season opener are the 11 regular-season games that Southern California still has left to play.So the Trojans returned to work this week with a determination to make sure their humiliation at Alabamas hands wont send a talented USC team into a tailspin.A lot of people think that its the end of the season for us after our first game, but we just want to go out and show them that one game doesnt define you, said Jackson, the Trojans speedy defensive back. I think were hungry to get out there and play. Were pretty disappointed with the loss and how it happened in that fashion.The Trojans (0-1) get their first chance to make amends in an early-starting home opener against Utah State (1-0) on Saturday.USC couldnt hang with the defending national champions while breaking in a new starting quarterback and two new coordinators in Clay Heltons first season opener as head coach. And while much went wrong in the final three quarters for the Trojans, they still emerged with a perversely positive outlook on their progress toward the Pac-12 season.I think its just a good experience either way, said quarterback Max Browne, who got his first start out of the way without a serious injury. Obviously you want to win, but the experience moving forward, it was good to have that environment, I guess youd say.USC hasnt won a football game since Nov. 28, when it beat UCLA at the Coliseum. The Trojans have lost four of five in all, and while their current three-game skid -- against Stanford, Wisconsin and Alabama -- isnt exactly against a bunch of chumps, USC expects to be those programs equal, not their stepping stones.While Tuesdays practice was a bit chippy, the Trojans finished Wednesdays workouts with their usual upbeat enthusiasm, the defense bouncing and cheering on the sidelines while competing in drills with the offense.I think the guys are responding fine, Jackson said. Were still out there practicing like weve been practicing. Nothing has really changed. Were still doing the same preparations. You dont want to change just because aa game like that happened.dddddddddddd Weve got to do the same things coming in.Here are more things to watch when the Trojans open their home schedule in the stadium they now share with the Los Angeles Rams:NO PUSHOVERS: This is USCs easiest game in a murderous September schedule on paper, but the Aggies are no free pass. Utah State has the talent and history to make the Trojans month even worse, with nine starters returning to an offense that scored nearly 30 points per game last season. Devante Mays rushed for 208 of the Aggies 428 yards rushing in a season-opening win over Weber State, while quarterback Kent Myers smoothly took over the starting job after filling in extensively for Chuckie Keeton in recent years.CENTER LOSS: Brownes job got harder with the news that USC center Toa Lobendahn is out for the season after tearing two ligaments in his right knee during the Alabama game. Lobendahn, who didnt miss a play against the Tide, will redshirt this year. Nico Falah will take over the snapping duties against Utah State, while guard Chris Brown might move over at some point.DOUBLE COVERAGE: JuJu Smith-Schuster, USCs top receiver and a second-team All-American, was noticeably frustrated by Alabamas tight coverage in the opener, where he managed only one catch for 9 yards against the cover-2 defense. He could face similar coverage all season, but Browne believes he can still get the ball in Smith-Schusters hands. Theres also another plan for those double-teams: If thats the case, lets make Darreus Rogers a household name, Browne said of the Trojans No. 2 receiver.TOUCHDOWN QUEST: USC didnt get into the end zone against Alabama, and Browne is determined to remedy that problem early and often. Utah States defenses under coach Matt Wells have usually been solid, but the Trojans are determined to handle their pressure on Browne. They slant and angle a bunch, bring some pressure, so theyll be a little different, Browne said. I have to make sure were sound in our protections. ' ' '