Southern California Trojans

[Deleted]

Lack of depth has done just about what I have expected to USC over the last few seasons. Hang in there Walt, it's all over except getting better depth and experience into the program as the 15 season progresses. By 16, USC will be a nationally prowling monster again.

Insofar as the at UCLA and ND games are concerned, USC would be doing great to split. It's a good thing USC is already bowl eligible at 7-3. I'm not sure the Trojans have enough depth to win either game. Both games will for sure be interesting and entertaining.

[Walter]

Nov 14, 2014 14:33:47 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

Lack of depth has done just about what I have expected to USC over the last few seasons. Hang in there Walt, it's all over except getting better depth and experience into the program as the 15 season progresses. By 16, USC will be a nationally prowling monster again.

Insofar as the at UCLA and ND games are concerned, USC would be doing great to split. It's a good thing USC is already bowl eligible at 7-3. I'm not sure the Trojans have enough depth to win either game. Both games will for sure be interesting and entertaining.

Both games are big rivalry games against ranked opponents, so it's a worthy gauntlet to run for some national prestige going into the off season. The "even year" sequence of UCLA and ND games back to back basically created Carson Palmer's Heisman out of thin air back in 02, as SC crushed both opponents, 52-21 and 44-13 respectively. But all that said, because they are rivalry games, its gone the other way as well, so anything is possible, from two blowout wins to two blowout losses and everything in between.

Interesting side note...when the SC/ND games were originally set up by Knute Rockne and Howard Jones in the era of long train rides, the "home and home" arrangement was to play at South Bend in October when it was still relatively warm, and in late November in SoCal, so that the Irish and their fans could get out of South Bend, enjoy some warm weather and perhaps linger in SoCal for the holidays. It's been that way ever since.

Don't know if you heard it during the SC/Cal game, but in the modern era, USC, UCLA and Notre Dame are the only three FBS (1-A) teams in the nation to have never played an FCS (1-AA) team.

[mscott59]

Nov 15, 2014 14:36:51 GMT -5 Walter said:

Nov 14, 2014 14:33:47 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

Lack of depth has done just about what I have expected to USC over the last few seasons. Hang in there Walt, it's all over except getting better depth and experience into the program as the 15 season progresses. By 16, USC will be a nationally prowling monster again.

Insofar as the at UCLA and ND games are concerned, USC would be doing great to split. It's a good thing USC is already bowl eligible at 7-3. I'm not sure the Trojans have enough depth to win either game. Both games will for sure be interesting and entertaining.

Both games are big rivalry games against ranked opponents, so it's a worthy gauntlet to run for some national prestige going into the off season. The "even year" sequence of UCLA and ND games back to back basically created Carson Palmer's Heisman out of thin air back in 02, as SC crushed both opponents, 52-21 and 44-13 respectively. But all that said, because they are rivalry games, its gone the other way as well, so anything is possible, from two blowout wins to two blowout losses and everything in between.

Interesting side note...when the SC/ND games were originally set up by Knute Rockne and Howard Jones in the era of long train rides, the "home and home" arrangement was to play at South Bend in October when it was still relatively warm, and in late November in SoCal, so that the Irish and their fans could get out of South Bend, enjoy some warm weather and perhaps linger in SoCal for the holidays. It's been that way ever since.

Don't know if you heard it during the SC/Cal game, but in the modern era, USC, UCLA and Notre Dame are the only three FBS (1-A) teams in the nation to have never played an FCS (1-AA) team.

Love the fact that sc and nd have continued their series in that oct/nov sequence. Hope the fbs ban continues too.

[Walter]

Nov 15, 2014 15:50:31 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

Nov 15, 2014 14:36:51 GMT -5 Walter said:

Both games are big rivalry games against ranked opponents, so it's a worthy gauntlet to run for some national prestige going into the off season. The "even year" sequence of UCLA and ND games back to back basically created Carson Palmer's Heisman out of thin air back in 02, as SC crushed both opponents, 52-21 and 44-13 respectively. But all that said, because they are rivalry games, its gone the other way as well, so anything is possible, from two blowout wins to two blowout losses and everything in between.

Interesting side note...when the SC/ND games were originally set up by Knute Rockne and Howard Jones in the era of long train rides, the "home and home" arrangement was to play at South Bend in October when it was still relatively warm, and in late November in SoCal, so that the Irish and their fans could get out of South Bend, enjoy some warm weather and perhaps linger in SoCal for the holidays. It's been that way ever since.

Don't know if you heard it during the SC/Cal game, but in the modern era, USC, UCLA and Notre Dame are the only three FBS (1-A) teams in the nation to have never played an FCS (1-AA) team.

Love the fact that sc and nd have continued their series in that oct/nov sequence. Hope the fbs ban continues too.

The reasons are easy to figure. I'd like to say its because USC has high standards, but the reality is, USC fans for the most part, and Bruin fans and the casual fan for certain, just won't show up for a doormat game.

There are way too many things in to do in SoCal in late summer than fight traffic to watch a 55-3 blowout.

Where else in the nation could you have casual fans have this conversation about their possible evening's agenda...

"Hmmmm....Dodgers, Angels, Bruins or Trojans....which do you want to see?"
"Who all are they playing?"
"Lessee....The Dodgers are playing the Pirates, Angels are playing the Red Sox, UCLA is playing the Texas...and LOL, check it out, man....the Trojans are playing The freaking Citadel?"

That just won't make it here.

That's just how it is.
Heck, Haden is getting an earful about Arkansas State and Idaho next year.

[Walter]

The saga of Josh Shaw continues. He was cleared by LAPD and reinstated on the team yesterday. Hasn't practiced since August, so I doubt he will be a factor for a while, but could help in a bowl game.

[Walter]

Well, well, well...lookie here.

Don't look now folks, but USC has climbed to #3 in recruiting on the Rivals board. Not only that, but there are still two 5 stars out there, (Rivals overall #4, DB#1 Iman Marshall of Poly and overall #23, LB#4 John Houston of Serra), both from perennial pipeline high schools for USC. Both have visits next week.

As Dick Lane used to say of Bobo Brazil.....Whoa, Nellie!!

EDIT....Hmmmm....apparently the Marshall visit to USC is rumor at this point. I couldn't find any confirmation of it.

[mscott59]

Jan 6, 2015 15:08:18 GMT -5 Walter said:

Well, well, well...lookie here.

Don't look now folks, but USC has climbed to #3 in recruiting on the Rivals board. Not only that, but there are still two 5 stars out there, (Rivals overall #4, DB#1 Iman Marshall of Poly and overall #23, LB#4 John Houston of Serra), both from perennial pipeline high schools for USC. Both have visits next week.

As Dick Lane used to say of Bobo Brazil.....Whoa, Nellie!!

EDIT....Hmmmm....apparently the Marshall visit to USC is rumor at this point. I couldn't find any confirmation of it.

well, i bet that's our first dick lane reference here...

[Walter]

USC lands the first of the four 5 star players they've targeted.
Porter Gustin commits to the Trojans.

One down, three to go to have the best recruiting class in the nation.

[oujour76]

Feb 3, 2015 14:05:20 GMT -5 Walter said:

USC lands the first of the four 5 star players they've targeted.
Porter Gustin commits to the Trojans.

One down, three to go to have the best recruiting class in the nation.

No credit due for the sewer and water system?

[Walter]

Feb 3, 2015 19:37:03 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Feb 3, 2015 14:05:20 GMT -5 Walter said:

USC lands the first of the four 5 star players they've targeted.
Porter Gustin commits to the Trojans.

One down, three to go to have the best recruiting class in the nation.

No credit due for the sewer and water system?

Porter Gustin has not had any trouble with communicable disease caused by poor water quality or bad sanitation, so, yeah, I'm givin' a nod to the people of Utah for helping him become the player he has, so far, become...

...ya wi-zass....

[oujour76]

Feb 4, 2015 12:51:05 GMT -5 Walter said:

...ya wi-zass....

That's me.  Thanks.

[Walter]

Feb 4, 2015 13:02:07 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Feb 4, 2015 12:51:05 GMT -5 Walter said:

...ya wi-zass....

That's me.  Thanks.

Meanwhile, apparently Sark reeled in the last three 5 stars.
Big day for the Trojans.
If these guys pan out and don't mess up and keep their heads screwed on straight, (a tall order sometimes), the Trojan D is going to be nasty good.

[Walter]

Resurrecting the USC team board.

So, it is always difficult to gauge a team in the spring because everything is usually about optimism, and the media writes puff pieces about how happy and improved everything is. In short, it's dangerous to be a diabetic and read about spring ball.

So, what am I to make of the doom and gloom coming out of USC?
It's as though Riley is taking a team from Div 3 to the power 5. No depth, lots of talent but none of it properly developed, bad habits, lack of discipline, every other quote is, "we have a long way to go..."
Geez..Was USC that bad?
Uh...now that I think about it...yes.

So, what's the deal?

Is USC going to be bad again?

Is he dampening expectations because he knows they are bad, or pulling a Lou Holtz, worried whether his team can play with "that great team" over at The Little Sisters of the Poor?

Maybe a little of both, I suspect.

Sounds like he is happy with the talent, unhappy about depth and unhappy about discipline, conditioning and focus.

And wait a minute...Doesn't that describe USC last season? Wasn't that was my beef about Helton?!

Going to be an interesting season, and, on a positive note, reminds me a little of Pete Carroll's first season in terms of expectations. That was the last time a Trojan fan said, "I'm hoping we will be bowl eligible this year!"

[oujour76]

Apr 3, 2022 8:37:24 GMT -5 Walter said:

Resurrecting the USC team board.

So, it is always difficult to gauge a team in the spring because everything is usually about optimism, and the media writes puff pieces about how happy and improved everything is. In short, it's dangerous to be a diabetic and read about spring ball.

So, what am I to make of the doom and gloom coming out of USC?
It's as though Riley is taking a team from Div 3 to the power 5. No depth, lots of talent but none of it properly developed, bad habits, lack of discipline, every other quote is, "we have a long way to go..."
Geez..Was USC that bad?
Uh...now that I think about it...yes.

So, what's the deal?

Is USC going to be bad again?

Is he dampening expectations because he knows they are bad, or pulling a Lou Holtz, worried whether his team can play with "that great team" over at The Little Sisters of the Poor?

Maybe a little of both, I suspect.

Sounds like he is happy with the talent, unhappy about depth and unhappy about discipline, conditioning and focus.

And wait a minute...Doesn't that describe USC last season? Wasn't that was my beef about Helton?!

Going to be an interesting season, and, on a positive note, reminds me a little of Pete Carroll's first season in terms of expectations. That was the last time a Trojan fan said, "I'm hoping we will be bowl eligible this year!"

USC will be fine. Riley is just setting up low expectations.

[Walter]

Apr 3, 2022 9:11:56 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Apr 3, 2022 8:37:24 GMT -5 Walter said:

Resurrecting the USC team board.

So, it is always difficult to gauge a team in the spring because everything is usually about optimism, and the media writes puff pieces about how happy and improved everything is. In short, it's dangerous to be a diabetic and read about spring ball.

So, what am I to make of the doom and gloom coming out of USC?
It's as though Riley is taking a team from Div 3 to the power 5. No depth, lots of talent but none of it properly developed, bad habits, lack of discipline, every other quote is, "we have a long way to go..."
Geez..Was USC that bad?
Uh...now that I think about it...yes.

So, what's the deal?

Is USC going to be bad again?

Is he dampening expectations because he knows they are bad, or pulling a Lou Holtz, worried whether his team can play with "that great team" over at The Little Sisters of the Poor?

Maybe a little of both, I suspect.

Sounds like he is happy with the talent, unhappy about depth and unhappy about discipline, conditioning and focus.

And wait a minute...Doesn't that describe USC last season? Wasn't that was my beef about Helton?!

Going to be an interesting season, and, on a positive note, reminds me a little of Pete Carroll's first season in terms of expectations. That was the last time a Trojan fan said, "I'm hoping we will be bowl eligible this year!"

USC will be fine. Riley is just setting up low expectations.

From what I am reading, I think they are going to have depth issues. And that means avoiding injuries will be crucial, so I think low expectations is a good strategy. A few key injuries and they get ordinary in a fat hurry.