Well, reality has a way of doing that to a guy. Jerry Palm, BCS guru, said that even if SC ran the table the odds were heavily against them playing in the championship game. That was good enough for me, because this guy is seldom wrong. But I am still going to Oregon and Cal because each game is still a "universe" unto itself.

Scott I really enjoy your commentary and insight concerning the USC program.
As far as a shift in the thinking of a member of the program, publicly I would find it ridiculous to make a comment or enter into a discussion about the Trojans being in the mix for the National Championship in light of our injuries and recent performance. However, that does not mean that the players, coaches and fans don't want and expect the National Championship this year. If and when the team gets healthly and if their performance is
objectively(if that's possible for an SC Fan) worthy of a ranking among the top 3 0r 4 teams, then it would make sense to talk about the BSC Title.

19... NINETEEN... 19... NINETEEN... maybe we need to repeat it nineteen times...How many injuries can one team take?? That should be the question of the day and of the season.

When you have your offensive line coach validating that he even thought about suiting up to play, you know you have a desperate situation. Your super soph red shirt phenom is jittery and fluttery... your next coming of Reggie is flumbly and bumbly and, meanwhile all those 4 and 5 star recruits have to gut check and, yes, possibly start... Just goes to show, be careful what you wish for...

Then, you must ask, what is the average survival of a college football dynasty - of multiple championship runs in modern history? I would argue that it's about 5 years when ego and entitlement creep into a program and things begin to falter a bit... Florida State, Nebraska, Ohio State - they all have experienced the highs and lows that come with building championship programs. We would be arrogant to believe that USC would be immune to such downfalls. The five years of total dominance we've enjoyed (3 out of the last 5 Heisman's), in the historical scheme of college football, is pretty prolific.

The interesting task will be seeing this coaching staff respond to keep the young 5 stars focused and understanding how much WORK, dedication, focus and humility it takes to reach that summit. It will not just come... it must be earned.

They had a great fourth quarter last week. If that carries over to the ND game, and some guys can get healthy over the next week, then things look pretty good. If the ND game is a struggle, then I would agree the remainder of the season could be a bit grim.

I think the difference is that in previous years USC was never so depleted by injuries. The offensive line has never been so devastated by injury. The starting QB being hurt is also not something that USC has had to deal with much in previous years. I think that is why we are in survival mode right now and not too worried about the NC game. If we can focus on each game at a time and win out, then maybe it will happen, but we have much more to worry about right now.

There are 2 big factors at play here right now. First, the injuries are really taking their toll on the team. Second, the play of the WRs has been really poor. We are missing DJ and Steve Smith a lot right now. Because of these issues we barely beat Washington, lost to Stanford and had to fight to get a win over Arizona. How can you be thinking of the national championship given where we are right now??

There are 2 big factors at play here right now. First, the injuries are really taking their toll on the team. Second, the play of the WRs has been really poor. We are missing DJ and Steve Smith a lot right now. Because of these issues we barely beat Washington, lost to Stanford and had to fight to get a win over Arizona. How can you be thinking of the national championship given where we are right now??

The end of an era? Slow down there chicken little, it sounds as if us trojan fans have been a little spoiled the past few years and are not use to a little adversity. I do remember close calls to ASU & UW at home as well as loses to ucla and osu last year but we were all content at the end of the year winning the Pac 10 and Rose Bowl.

I never like to make excuses but the fact is USC has suffered injuries that would have an average football team out of the top 25. Carroll is Mr. November, the master of the second half adjustment and will have this team ready to go come the second half. The goal was to survive the first 6-7 games and be healthy for the tough road games to close out the year. While the injuries are mounting they still can get the rose bowl if they win out(and we should be pleased with that after watching these past two games, right?).

While they never lost to a team like stanford in the past, haven't trojan teams over the years played down to competition. Nebraska has turned out to be a bust this year, but that was by far our most impressive win. At the time the whole world was watching and the boys had something to prove in a big road game. Come on, you think these guys won't be motivated come game day in Eugene, Berkley or Tempe after hearing week in and out how the "dynasty is over" and "Over Rated"?

I personally think that this 07 team is overrated. But that's just me, what do I know.

Joe McKnight must be saying to himself, "I should've gone to LSU."

I don't think so. I think the program is taking things one step at a time. How can you think of a BCS bowl when the next step is ND and getting some guys back healthy this week. Cushing, Stefon Johnson, maybe Chilo Rachal ect. and folding these guys back into the game plan. I think every team ahead of them right now loses one more game. If they can get some guys back and up to speed quickly, I'm happy w/ their chances. Last time I remember it was "Beat the Irish" not "Win the BCS". Richard Simmons stirring things up as usual. Its like these damn people getting all excited about the pending real estate crash, rooting it on. Last I looked Cal is nursing an injured QB along and Oreg is nursing some injuries too. We'll see. Fight on!

OK I do alot of complaining and this sounds like one of my posts..maybe I wrote it last night before I fell asleep...

seriously Scott...what was the point of this one?

"do you think we are worried about the NC right now?"

OK, what was the context? They could be spouting the ever popular line "we are taking it one game at time". Or, they could actually be focusing on each game because this is an upset filled year. Isn't that what PC always says? "we are worried about this game, not the NC" ??

I heard him say it a shit pot of times..

Scott really wants some bickering here today hehehe

I don't have a problem with the survival mental approach. BT same token there isn't anything wrong with aiming at the Rose Bowl. The RB in itself is dignified, period. I have a question. JDB's finger injury was addressed during last week's press conference by PC. I understand/understood that the injury occurred during the first half. Does anybody know how badly if swollen was JDB's finger? Did he have a good grip then?
Thnx

People keep forgetting USC's terrible turnover margin this year (and last year). 2003 and 2004 we lead the nation in forcing and recovering turnovers. It's not secret...a great turnover margin usually means national titles or at the very least....contention for it.
At least we finally were on the plus side of the turnover battle with Arizona....even if it was only +1.
I believe the turnovers will start to increase and along with that many of our troubles'. We will win the PAC 10 for sure and at the very least be in the national title picture.
The PAC 10 looks to me right now that it will end with:
1.USC
2.ASU
3.CAL
4.ORE

Sometimes I think people forget that we are 5-1 with a one-point loss (albeit to Stanford). Carroll has never been focused on the possibility of playing for a NC at this time of year. It may be trite, but a team can only take it one game at a time. That is Carroll's approach. Otherwise, the team is caught looking ahead, and will not perform at its peak.

Having said that, it is a strange college football season this year. Anything is possible. IF USC can run the table, includng wins against OU, Cal, ASU, and UCLA, then our chance at the NC game will improve. Unfortunately, we need some major upsets, and thus the NC game, unlike the past few years, is definitely out of our control. Who knows what those stupid computers will do?

For now, however, let's just focus on Notre Dame. They will be hungry and geared for an upset. Weis is giving the junior QB the start...so he has something to prove. This game will be a defensive struggle.

As for the future, it is still bright. Even if the Stanford loss ultimately prevents us from going to the NC game, the cupboard is still loaded for next year, as well.

FIGHT ON!!

It's useless to keep saying "we really miss DJ and Smith" or "we don't have a Reggie anymore". You play and win with who you have....that's the beauty (and the frustration) of the college game.

Two observations:

1) I distinctly recall concerns about DJ and Steve Smith (yes, the DJ and Steve Smith that everyone keeps pining for) not getting open last year and causing all sorts of problems with their short term inability to separate....go back to the press clips to check. Wishing they were still here is kind of like pining for the Chow years....when you look back objectively there were problems and opportunities. SC has too much talent at wide receiver. Things will break open soon.......

2) All these injuries and a season that is not the walk in the park people seemed to be expecting tells me that we may not see a mass exodus of underclassmen. I suspect many of the ones who would have bolted will be sticking around one more year....it bodes well for our team next year.

Let's be realistic: even a win against the 1-win Domers isn't going to help much in the computers. Besides, for them to beat SC would salvage the remnants of their season. Charlie will have them pumped.

...Not that SC should be scared, more prepared.

I can't recall a team so low in the rankings making this time of the year making the NC. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Let's be realistic: even a win against the 1-win Domers isn't going to help much in the computers. Besides, for them to beat SC would salvage the remnants of their season. Charlie will have them pumped.

...Not that SC should be scared, more prepared.

I can't recall a team so low in the rankings this time of the year making the NC. If I'm wrong, please let me know.

That's the point I'd make: rankings and bowl games will take care of themselves (this is USC, not USF, after all), the focus right now needs to be on Notre Dame.

Geoff ... I believe in the BCS era, you have to go back to LSU in 2003 (10th) or Oklahoma in 2000 (against eventual 11-1 Florida State rather than 11-1 Miami, which beat top-ranked FSU the first week of October but was 8th at the time) to find a team from the fringe of the Top 10 that made the title game.

Thanks MD.

Ricky, some good points too. Hate to look to next year, but I would imagine Cushing and Maualuga would return if they turn up injured for most of the season. Turner definitely won't be leaving.

My season is still in on track.
1. Beat ND
2. FUCLA
3. Win Pac-10
4. Rose Bowl
5. Win Rose Bowl
6. FBCS

Fight ON!

``You think we're worried about a national championship?''

Because they always take it one game at a time stupid head.

The odds of a national championship THIS YEAR are not nearly as bad as you think. Check out the latest futures odds on College football:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/futures/

Only LSU, Ohio State, and Oklahoma have higher odds than USC of WINNING the national championship.

Say what you want about the morality of gambling, but the Oddsmakers wouldn't make a living if they didn't have a clue.

Jerry Palm was down on USC's chances last year too and then, after a few big wins, USC was in line to be in the NC with a win at UCLA.

USC just needs to focus on each game, one at a time, win out and then we'll see.

Correction. Looking at the odds again, we have the same odds as Oklahoma. Only LSU and Ohio State have better odds than USC of winning the National Championship.

Just win and USC has a shot.

I really hope that the coaches are not thinking about a national championship. I hope they're focused on how to score and avoid turnovers. Do that and get stronger when player return healthy and who knows? Lose again and the National championship or any BCS bowl is gone. But my hell, don't give up on the sason now.

"Say what you want about the morality of gambling, but the Oddsmakers wouldn't make a living if they didn't have a clue."

USC +40.5 vs Stanford

Sometimes... they have no clue. The oddsmakers jobs isn't to accurately get the odds or spread correct, but rather to make the most money for their bosses (ie casinos) The cache of the names (LSU versus South Florida for instance) can swing the money in a different direction. So just like home field advantage gives certain teams extra points, so does the name recognition of the program.

Hey everyone. I just wanted to provide a quick rundown of how the betting line is determined so we're all clear.

The initial betting line is determined by the oddsmakers after an analysis of the match up of the two teams. However...

After the initial line is set, the eventual betting line is determined by the bettors. Ideally, a casino hopes to have the bets spread evenly on both sides. That way, there is no risk involved, the bets are balanced, and the casino just takes in the fees for placing a bet.

Now, for instance, if the line is set at, say, 11 points between two teams, but then there is much heavier betting on one side - let's say the team that's getting 11 points - they will adjust the line - maybe one or two points - to persuade bettors to place their money on the other side to balance things out.

The initial betting line for Stanford was not 40.5. It was less than that. The point spread was increased to encourage bettors to place their money on Stanford. So you can never trust the final point spread heading into a game as much as you can trust the initial point spread. But even that is a little questionable because the motivation of those setting the line is trying to get the betting action spread evenly on both sides, not trying to show their expertise in predicting outcomes.

Just thought some of you might be interested.