The interesting thing is that SC has not played in very many close games in the 2002-2006 era. Of course, recall that this period produced very few losses-- Washington State, Kansas State in 2002, Cal in 2003, undefeated in 2004, Texas in 2005, Oregon State and UCLA in 2006. I am going on memory here, but outside of the 2004 Stanford, 2005 ND, and perhaps 2006 Washington State games, I don't believe SC had any other close game victories. Which raises the issue of the Trojans not having much experience in close games, and this might account for them losing more than their share.

So they might be the victims of their own success.

Even the 05' team w/ Reggie, Lendale, Leinart and Co. has it's share of close games. As great as that team was they were trailing late in the fourth quarter of three games (ASU, Notre Dame, and Fresno St.). That team could've easily lost three games if it didn't have big time playmakers in Leinart, Bush, and Lendale to bail them out. In my opinion this years team will lose one more game for a total of three losses.