One Word Sums It Up
Discipline.
USC committed 24 penalties in two games. When Ty Willingham beat a penalty-prone USC team during the Paul Hackett era, he made a comment that once a team gets used to penalties, it's hard to break the habit.
But discipline comes in other ways. Why are boosters allowed in the coaching area during games? The ref told a booster to ``get out of here'' after he complained about a face mask penalty. This playpen mentality even bothers many in the athletic dept. and creates an unprofessional atmosphere.
Discipline also refers to my post last Friday about the office hours being kept the week of the Stanford game.
``I had a feeling we were taking them lightly, especially with the new quarterback,'' a high-placed member of the program told me.
I was told Stanford's offense was basic and did not require as much time to analyze. It sure looked successful in the fourth quarter.
Discipline also means having the sense to hire a special teams coach. There's been way too many penalties on special teams recently and it's because the responsibilities are basically farmed out through the staff.
There's a fine line between genius and hubris. When you win, it's genius, when you lose . . .
After the Japanese Imperial Navy lost the Battle of Midway in June of 1942 Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto wrote a paper titled, "Victory Disease". Maybe coach Carroll should read that paper.
Scott, I've been an ardent critic of yours in the past. But I have to give you credit for this post. Very well stated.
Good points all, Scott. And great comment by ogdocvato. Another WWII era comparison regarding overconfidence: Hitler thought taking Moscow and Stalingrad would not be very difficult, so he sent his troops in without adequate supplies, cold-weather clothing, and rations. Thousands froze and starved to death.
I also have one word for that debacle.
Ridiculous
All I can say is that with Chow gone, bad things happen.
Shame on Carroll for letting him go.
How could Carroll think that Sark. would be a better Off. Coord. than Chow, considering Chow has been doing it for 30 yrs. Carroll's ego got in the way.
Chow taught Sark everything Sark knows, but he not teach him everything CHow knows. THAT'S the issue that Sark and Carroll have failed to realize.
All I can say is that with Chow gone, bad things have happened.
Shame on Carroll for letting him go.
How could Carroll think that Sark. would be a better Off. Coord. than Chow, considering Chow has been doing it for 30 yrs. Carroll's ego got in the way.
Chow taught Sark. everything Sark. knows, but he did not teach him everything Chow knows. THAT'S !! the issue that Sark. and Carroll have failed to realize.
You can also chalk up discipline as being the reason the coaching staff doesn't know when to use timeouts. (But then again NFL guys and college guys screw time outs up all the time)
Know when to use them!
As a USC Alumni who went to school during JRob part 2 and beginning of Hackett, I have cherished the last 5 years and think everyone on this board is either younger than me or delusional.
National Champioships are tough to win. Realize that there will not be another Reggie Bush for 10 to 15 years. Even though Scott hates Matt Leinart, he was one of the best QB's in college history.
I to am disappointed and embarased by this performance, but everyone new with Booty and this group USC was in trouble. It was evident last year v. OSU and UCLA. It was evident this year v. Idaho and UW.
Carroll is an amazing coach. Don't be a band wagon fan. Show your support and realize what he has been doing is very hard.
Fight on and let's beat the Cats this week.
knowing when to use timeouts is not an exact science. The timeout for the challenge was not misused. If PC's challenge stands, as I thought that the receiver did not reach the 19 yard line, I thought at most the 19 1/2, there is no first down and SC escapes with the win. It was a good time out. Other times it is personnel issues, having the right guys on the field. We can nitpick as much as we like after the fact, but in the heat of a game, it is most times, a different story. Vent now, reload and come back saturday with a vengeance. That's the plan I'm sticking with.
Not to be technical, Mr. Wolf, but the words 'genius' and 'hubris' are like comparing apples and oranges. Genius is exceptional intellect, and hubris is arrogance or conceit. People of true genius are confident and do not resort to hubris.
In the coaching context a better comparison would be you are a genius if you win, and a stupid fool if you lose (at least this is the opinion of those with hubris, of which of course Mr. Wolf is immune).
respectthegame,
Considering any questionable play is being reviewed anyway, and it was not clear the receiver was short of the first down, it was a poor challenge. Better to save for a chance at a FG to win.
Since when did Reel Bruin take over this blog. Scott, your latest "opinions" are about as relevant to what happened on the field this past Saturday as any of the crackpot posts from your readers. The backlash for having the temerity to lose a couple of games is unbelievable. The anger in the stadium is borderline stupidity. And your incessant railing of the players, coaches and program is comical. You realize that you are tearing down the basis for your professional existance. But then again, maybe that is why you sound as irrational as your readers. Take a step back and remember that this is college football, the ball bounces funny and sometimes these things happen. That Vegas set the line way, way too high is really no reason to boo these student athletes off the field. Every game is a battle, regardless of your opponent. Now I was not happy to see them lose either, nor did I think the play was any where near the level of excellence that has been the standard of USC football during Coach Carroll's era. But life goes on. You win some, you lose some. The worst thing that happened on Saturday is the opportunity to make a statement for this year's post season has been at best diverted for the time being and at worst derailed. But think back to 2001 and I bet every pathetic one of you were never even Trojan fans back then to remember how bad it really was before Coach Carroll.
Sept. 1 USC 21, San Jose State 10
Sept. 8 Kansas State 10, USC 6
Sept. 22 Oregon 24, USC 22
Sept. 29 Stanford 21, USC 16
Oct. 6 Washington 27, USC 24
Oct. 13 USC 48, Arizona State 17
Oct. 20 Notre Dame 27, USC 16
Oct. 27 USC 41, Arizona 34
Nov. 3 USC 16, Oregon State 13
Nov. 10 USC 55, California 14
Nov. 17 USC 27, UCLA 0
Dec. 25 Utah 10, USC 6
55,
Considering at best, the play is reversed and Troy is victorious, and at worst a defense that is reeling and gave up a 4th and 20 gets a chance to regroup, not such a bad time out.
Stanford made the plays, SC did not. The timeout did not necessarily change anything. There are more urgent things to worry about and fix before the timeouts: Special Teams play, catching the ball, making the right pre-snap reads, the list goes on and at some point, timeout usage is on there with clock management. But we lost that game because Stanford flat out wanted it more. They made the plays, we did not.
I use we loosely, as I am not on the field playing.
Fight On!
It's not THAT they lost that has everyone upset, it's the WAY they lost and the way they PLAYED. Playing with no heart like you're afraid to lose instead of going out there and grabbing the victory leads to games like this where they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
SC doesn't have to win to make me (us) happy, they just have to play with that zest and zeal that Matt & Reggie apparently took with them to the NFL.
Now if only Carroll had the discipline to bench Booty.
Now if only Carroll had the discipline to bench Booty.
THANK YOU TROJANFAN. I too am a refugee of the Smith, Robinson, Hackett era and NOT a fair weather fan. Focus, and energy, and adjustments are missing. That was one of the harbinger's of success in the past 5 years. It was present in Nebraska. Sure we lost some O-line, but we have the best subs in the nation. Stop reading the headlines, and playing for Hollywood. Settle down. Remember the ASU game a couple of years back when Leinart had his epiphany during halftime? That's what we need to find, and if Booty can't get himself there, then he is not the leader he is supposed to be. Heavens, go hire Steve Clarkson like Leinart did - it worked, and a Heisman followed. JDB needs to step up and be a leader and if he can't then he should sit down and let someone else take over who is willing to make the effort.
TrojanFan,
That 2001 year you speak of...wasn't before Pete, that was his first year.
USC is fortunate that in the poll that matters to the BCS they only dropped to #7. Maybe they can string a few impressive wins together vs. UA and ND and then go punch Oregon in the mouth.
They still control their own destiny for the Rose Bowl. Right now USC's postseason could range anywhere from the Sun Bowl to the BCS Championship. I don't see Vegas Bowl or Emerald Bowl unless the team implodes.
Playoff doesn't sound too bad right now.
Pete Carroll's last year will match his first year!
Harbaugh is going to be right!