These are the final questions from last week’s forum, before the Washington debacle.
Q: Free_Thinker said:
Scott, You and certain L.A. Times journalist are among a few who have been critical of USC’s handling of Aaron Corp. Unlike Mitch Mustain, a talented player who has chosen to stick by the team through difficult times, Corp and his dad got their panties in a bunch and quickly bailed for Richmond following junior’s demotion. Based Corp’s first three games as the Spiders’ QB, it appears Pete Carroll and others who were squeamish about Corp’s ability may be vindicated as Corp may not even have what it takes to excel at FCS level, let alone the PAC10. Do you think the coaches who recruited him overestimated his ability to being with and what do you think Corp’s real chances are in D2?
A: I haven’t seen Corp play for Richmond and I’d wait until he plays a few more games before judging him. I do know that a change took place with Corp. He played well in scrimmages at USC and did not throw interceptions. Everything changed when Pete Carroll named Matt Barkley the season starter, a decision that came unexpectedly and while Corp was trying to recover from an ankle injury. He seemed to lose confidence after that, especially when Carroll refused to tell him he was the starter before last year’s Washington game.
Q: I DIg Go Go Girls said:
What is a typical game day routine for you at home and away?
A: I usually get to the game a few hours before kickoff. If it’s a road game, I’ll go around the stadium and down on the field to soak up the atmosphere and try to talk to people about the game. If it’s a home game, I might stop by a tailgate or two to catch up with some friends and try to talk to some coaches if I run into them before the game.
Depending on the kickoff determines how closely you get to watch the game. A lot of times you are writing during evening games and it makes it difficult to see everything, so you have to record the game and go back and watch it afterward.
Q: SCman said:
Hi Scott,
Do you believe in ghosts?
Thanks for your opinion about this matter.
A: Yes, I saw the ghost of former defensive coordinator Keith Burns on Saturday night at the Coliseum when USC’s defense faced third-and-long and fourth-and-long.
Q: Peter Parker said:
Why is it that USC does not throw more to the running backs?
A: That is the forte of Dillon Baxter, who seems to be in a doghouse of sorts right now. Stanley Havili is excellent but Lane Kiffin said his shoulder limited his chances Saturday.
Q:Pop Goes The Weasel said:
Scott, have the Trojans done any work yet that you know of, on compiling a list of players who can graduate in 1/11, and who would come to SC if offered, so that we may get a better handle on the 9 we are hopefully going to get? Thanx for the forums.
A: Yes. As I mentioned in an earlier forum question, they’ve offered a couple recruits scholarships solely on the condition they enroll in January. Tennessee signed more than 10 players for early enrollment last year so Lane Kiffin is confident he can do it again.
Q: Sam Gilbert said:
If the winner of the Stanford-Oregon game goes undefeated, do we see that team in the BCS Championship Game?
A: I think so considering the strength of the Pac-10. But I think it will be pretty hard for Oregon to go undefeated.
Q: USCfan said:
Now that we know for sure that Utah and Colorado will join in 2011, making the new Pac-12, this shouldn’t have any effect on the USC-Notre Dame rivalry right? Would the game be played in different months now? I know in even years USC-ND play in November at the Coliseum and in odd years USC-ND play in October at the ND stadium. So would that current format be altered? I know Larry Scott wouldn’t be dumb to force SC to drop the game because it would break tradition and hurt national exposure for SC and the Pac-12? And the ADs and Presidents meet in October so would this be a topic for SC to bring up? And would SC really cut ties with ND and end the rivalry cuz of the new conference?
A: I’ve heard that the Notre Dame poses a problem for the Pac-10 schedule. One thing I don’t see is USC agreeing to go back to Notre Dame in November. Or USC dropping Notre Dame. But I know the Pac-10 is going through future schedules right now to try and see how it can change things around. USC remains the kingpin of the Pac-10 however, so unless the university agrees, there won’t be changes.
Q: TROJANS32 said:
Scott, we hear talk about that dreaded 55 after 3 years of sanctions, but that assumes we have 85 players on scholarship when the penalties hit. I don’t see how we will, do you? I mean counting the seniors on this current team who will leave, it seems impossible to get to 85, even adding 9 in Jan.
Thank you.
A: Lane Kiffin does not think USC will be at 55. Because of the fact USC is already so low, when it signs mid-year players this year, he thinks he can get the number in the 60s for year 3.
Q: MRSAM said:
Do you think Lane Kiffin will leave USC for another job or will he be fired?
A: Well, it depends on how many more games there are like Saturday’s loss to Washington. Here comes the tough part of the schedule. And remember, Pat Haden and J.K. McKay both said USC had a good football team this season.