In this segment questions include how this year’s team stacks up to some of Pete Carroll’s teams.
Q: ThrowAwayAccount#11 said:
Since when did catching a TD pass become the gold standard of concussion tests? Also, please do not answer if it means you may lose access to practice.
A: I assume you are referring to Robert Woods. Everyone knows he passed the sideline tests at the game. My question to Lane Kiffin on Sunday was if Woods had to undergo any hospital exams when he returned to Los Angeles. Kiffin said “they checked him out” but did not really elaborate on whether the tests were at a hospital or if USC doctors simply tested him again at the airport.
Q: Trojan Conquest said:
Is the O-Line the biggest disappointment this year?
A: It’s had its problems, obviously, whether it’s the run blocking or the problems dealing with Stanford’s defense. I still think the offense in general is a disappointment. The failure to get the ball consistently to Robert Woods, Matt Barkley’s inconsistent play and the way Lane Kiffin seems to often react more than act offensively are the biggest disappointments for me.
Q: NJ Trojan said:
By my count 63 Trojans played at Utah. Please tell us which of the following 10 players did not make the trip to Utah:
Kelly
Heyward
Blackwell
Thomas
Allen
Simmons
Burks
Manoogian
Wood
Albarado
A: I’m not sure who made the trip. Javorius Allen did not go to Utah because of a death in his family. I don’t think John Manoogian went either. Alex Wood did make the trip. Victor Blackwell was expected to go. I’m not sure about the others.
Q: spedjones said:
Scott – although I’m a bruin, and thus smarter than most posters here, I’m also able to admit that SC is a good team. That said, the team that’s falling behind early to Utah isn’t a juggernaut by any stretch. What’s the difference between this year’s team and the great teams of Pete’s past?
A: This is the type of question that could be answer several different ways. The easiest answer would be to say it is still too early to tell whether or not this can be a great team.
I think one issue through five games is that this team has not yet put a full game together.
Pete Carroll told me when he faced inferior opponents, he was eager to see if his team could win big because it meant it played all four quarters and said something about the mental makeup of his team. That aspect has not been apparent in USC’s first five games.
It could still happen but it hasn’t yet. And I think what is surprising is that it didn’t happen already with the experience USC has at key positions.
