Keep Your Enemies Closer
Pete Carroll was asked Tuesday about the danger of looking past UCLA and toward the BCS title game.
But if anything, an informed person would argue the opposite is true. Carroll's spent more time watching or mentioning UCLA than any time since he arrived at USC. In past years, Carroll rarely mentioned UCLA in staff meetings or conversations with associates. He even rebuked a staff member for makng a dismissive remark about UCLA in one conversation.
This year, however, he frequently mentioned the Bruins whenever he was around Heritage Hall and kept a much closer eye on their stats and performances. Whether or not this concern is justified is different topic, but the fact is Carroll's pointed toward this game for months. Or at least had some concerns. I'll expand on this later in the week.
Comments
I notice all the SC boys are saying the right things this week about UCLA. They seem to be a reflection of Coach Carroll. I have always wondered why fans boo the other team. It only inflames them, and makes them play even harder. I have always cheered the opposition (although mildly), and paid them compliments. I think that is a smarter way to deal with your enemies.
Posted by: LAWYER JOHN | November 29, 2006 07:13 AM
I seem to remember Carroll being asked during the preseason about the toughest challenges USC would face in the Pac-10. He named several teams, UCLA not among them. When asked if he was forgetting about UCLA, Carroll said he was not. My recollection is not precise, but it went something like I just described.
Posted by: Brian | November 29, 2006 09:58 AM
Would definitely like to hear more on this. Seems unlike PC since he's always preached one game at a time and not looking ahead. It may be a good thing as this will ensure that his coaches and players focus 100% on UCLA...no looking past them.
On another note...you catch Plaschke's yearly article on PC leaving 'SC? My guess is that there's nothing there or you would have reported it. Do you have any info on it?
Thanks.
Fight On!
Posted by: MT | November 29, 2006 10:04 AM
"keep your enemies closer." Is that why they made you the USC beat writer?
Posted by: Babaloo | November 29, 2006 10:25 AM
Hope Pete's not pulling a page out of the Weis book of coaching failure, a.k.a. choking on the big ones.
Posted by: roger | November 29, 2006 11:51 AM
Carroll has never lost to UCLA. What do you have to do to please everybody?
Posted by: Dale | November 29, 2006 08:52 PM
Ha, Babaloo - good one!
Posted by: coffeeman | November 30, 2006 08:31 AM
Make perfect sense. This is the last regular season game, so pete can focus on this opponent without worrying that the guys will be flat next week. They'll have 5 weeks to restart.
Posted by: Mike | November 30, 2006 10:15 AM