USC coach Clay Helton was so overwhelmed by AT&T Stadium during a visit four weeks ago that he decided the Trojans will practice at the facility the day before the game to erase any feelings of awe from being in the stadium on game day.
“I hope it gets rid of the oohs and ahs,” Helton said.
This goes against the USC routine established during the Pete Carroll era of holding a practice elsewhere and visiting the opposing stadium the day before just to walk around and get a feel for things.
This is also means Alabama has an advantage because the Crimson Tide played two games there last season.
“They do have a comfort level there,” Helton said.
Sounds like a loser excuse – not an ” anytime, anywhere” boast.
Imagine the grandeur if the Trojans would play in the new Rams stadium instead of the delapidated Coliseum.
What sort of “practice” does Helton have the day before a game? Is it really different than any other team including Pete?
Just sounds like the same type of walk thru of the offensive, defense, and special teams sets that Pete and most teams do at a visiting stadium the day before if the field is available . I doubt anyone holds an all out practiced in pads and hitting the day before a game from high school to the NFL.
This is making much to do about nothing.
Nothing to see here move on.
If memory serves, the toejams shut down the coli to visiting teams for their walk through a few years ago!!!
Maybe if the Blogger actually attended practices he would know that a walk-through the day before the game is standard operating procedure.
Looks like the Blogger is wrong again in his prediction that ex-UCLA commit Kobe Paras has committed to Creighton and not USC.
Can you imagine John McKay, John Robinson, and Pete Carroll being concerned about stupid petty things like that ? Who cares if Alabama played in that stadium before, and that it’s so overwhelming? SHUT UP, LINE THEM UP, AND LET THEM PLAY FOOTBALL! AND MAY THE BETTER TEAM WIN!
Fred, I have read more than one account of people being blown away the first time they see the stadium. From announcers, to coaches, to players (pro & college) to fans–they all say it is quite impressive and the sheer size was not what they expected. Bringing the team in the day before is a positive; not a negative. Shows me Helton is paying attention to details and preparation.
Fred often fails to get both oars in the water before attempting to row to shore.
Golly Noid often fails to fit into his Star Wars costume.
Too be fair Fred, I have heard of the same things T5 has just described. In 95 we practiced at the old Cowboys Stadium before the Cotton bowl, and 90% of the team wanted to play the game there.
There is something about playing in a predominantly pro stadium that can cause 18 -21 year old kids to get a little wide eyed. I think this is actually a good move on Helton’s part.
“the routine established during the Pete Carroll era…”
Scott, Pete is not coming through that door anytime soon there’s been 4 coaches since then.
How about letting Clay do what he does and we’ll see what happens..
Finally a little sense other than that Pete is almighty stuff. How did kiff and sark work out for you? Clay makes a good point to try and get some work there. Playing ‘bama you”re gonna need
all the help you can.
Sounds like a corny movie sequel to me: “Hoosiers: South Central”
#LetsRunThePicketFenceAt’Em
Texas did a Rose Bowl walk through tour and beat USC in the title game. Just saying. Sorry.
Ouch.
“means Alabama has an advantage because the Crimson Tide play” = [4] total “road” games (Vs USC @ “Texas” Stadium in “Dallas” for all intensive purposes is a Alabama “Home” game) out of a “12” game regular season schedule is frickin “UNBELIEVABLE” for a defending “National Champion” is so BS that words can’t go there
“means Alabama has an advantage because the Crimson Tide play” = [4] total “road” games (Vs USC @ “Texas” Stadium in “Dallas” for all intensive purposes is a Alabama “Home” game) out of a “12” game regular season schedule which is frickin “UNBELIEVABLE” for a defending “National Champion” which is so BS that words can’t go there !
“National [Champions]” ???
Now pretend you’re at Las Vegas and “Double” down !
The current “National Champions” play the following “Home” games against…
Western Kentucky ?
Kent State ?
And second but not last but not least game of the “2016” College Football Season…
Chattanooga ! ? !
In [Bryant–Denny Stadium] ?
Leaving only “1” tough game out of “12” @ LSU ???????
For the “current” [National Champions] ?
Why not just “cancel” the College Football Regular Season and just hand Alabama back their “current” Championship Trophy so everyone can stay Home and save their $$$$ from something that has already been decided ? ! ? ! ?
Like “all” Modern things this crap makes College Football really difficult to follow (If You like your Championship, You can keep your Championship)…
A wow factor may be an understatement. The video board is bigger than a basketball court and more fun to watch than a basketball game.