Ok Scott...you found something positive to say about Pete Carroll after the Oregon loss. But when are you guys going to start asking Carroll the tough questions...like why do his teams of late commit so many costly, often game changing penalties? Why so many missed tackles and turnovers? Aren't these COACHING/PREPARATION issues as much or more than individual player issues? USC has the talent in spades. Isn't it time Carroll stopped hiding behind the "injuries" excuse and took responsibility for getting this amazing stable of athletes ready to execute like the future national champions they are on game day?

Now this is a very impressive statistic. This means Carroll's teams have been in every ballgame during his reign. And some of the most entertaining games (bottom line, college football is about entertainment, is it not?) were the losses: Texas, Oregon State, Stanford, yesterday at Oregon, and You See L.A. (and now you don't).

Like I always say, I have only seen 2 teams beat USC since 2002--Texas with VY and Cal in 2004. Every other loss, USC beat themselves with penalties, fumbles, etc. It's very hard to actually beat them straight up.

And that's the problem. Ever since Leinart/Bush/White left, the coaches have not had enough confidence in the QB or the other offensive players to open up the playbook. Scott even posted that. They are playing not to lose, instead of, to win. SAnd we all know when you play not to lose you lose. They were the same last year, throwing a bunch of safe, 4 yard in the flat passes to CJ Gable all day.

That's what happened yesterday. Oregon brought their safeites up and crowded the line because they knew we won't throw it long. So we couldn't get the running game going or sustain drives.

Until the coaches open it up, we are fuck*d.

And they better do it fast, because we are sliding into the "irrelevant" categoy...we are out of any BCS bowl this year, and lost 2 games last year, too..

comment about playing not to lose is right on, blow out wins of past aired it out, Sanchez has plenty of talent, let him go downfield and the success will far out do the failures. Also, anyone notice the difference in # of receives that Sanchez finds as opposed to Booty...

That is an amazing statistic, and it says to me that our Defense has consistently been so strong that no opponent has been able to run away from us in a blowout. What it doesn't say is that our offense has now become way to familiar/predictable/conservative to dominate the conference anymore. I HOPE that I do not hear Pete continue to simply blame turnovers for this loss. That is such a surface analysis, and 2 of the 3 TOs that UO had were CREATED by great defense, rather than loose play for our players. Remember when our guys used to CREATE TOs in bunches? The real reasons my Trojans have lost their dominance are no creative offense, no running game, stupid, stupid penalties in critical situations, and reckless decision making to not understand the value of the FG and the value of putting points on the board.

It means that the coaches always give the players a chance to win. What else can you ask for?

hey scotty, where is yor ap poll? i noticed that usc only fell to 13th from the 9 spot despite your efforts to keep them out of the top twenty

In the 4th quarter, Oregon was primed to put a serious beating on USC. But Sanchez had a great drive and the Defense held. I guarantee Bellotti's butt was puckering a little
when his conservative offense in the 4thQ almost backfired.

If you read some of the national accounts you would think USC was not even in the game. Maybe the writers aleady had the "Trojans Trounced" angle already written.

Also for all the folks who rip Ohio State they really are a consistent group.

As a coach your primary resonsibility is to win your conference and position yourself for the BCS CG. Tressle seems to have that down pat and it should be respected.

LJ,

our losses are entertaining? ???

never fathomed a trojan feeling that way

Well fletch that's the problem..they won't change.

That's what I learned yesterday. We have been doing this since Bush left and will continue on..plodding, no frills offense that doesn't scare anyone with no deep threat and hope the defense holds.

I see alot of losses coming in the future. And to be honest, I hope people like Alan Bradford, McKnight, Hazelton and other transfer. They have too much talent to waste it on a garbage program like this.

The Ducks PAID BIG yesterday!

See you all in Las Vegas on December 22nd.

Of course, I'm referring to the Las Vegas Bowl!

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Hey USC1966,

Here's an idea why don't you transfer...off this board,

Or better yet, give your degree back to the University.

Nice bandwagoning...feel free to get off and move right along now.

To respond to just4sc's inquiry about how SC losses can be entertaining, let me explain with an example. Last year when Oregon State beat SC for the first time in umpteen years, it was a very big deal for the Beavers' fans. I was the lone Trojan sitting among thousands of them, and when the game was over, and they almost could not believe they had beaten the mighty Trojans, they rushed the field like I had never seen before. I will never forget the sight, or the chill bumps running down my spine.

I don't like sports except SC football and basketball, so it is important to me, and I was depressed for quite some time over the loss. But was the game and aftermath diverting, amusing, dramatic and engaging i.e. entertaining?--You betcha!

And not to wax philosophically, but the journey often interests me more than the destination.

Sorry but I feel like I am on a ND board here scoreboard..

"wow we used to be so great... (insert excuse #1 here) and then, um (insert excuse #2 here) and GO team love it or leave it!"

That's for BYU fans..this is USC.

If your happy with what you saw yesterday, then great, glad you are happy scoreboard. I am not happy when USC looks bad on national TV and I say something about it.

We already have an Ostrich at the zoo to stick his head in the sand

:o)

Hey USC1966:

If you are so unhappy with the loss, why would you want players like Alan Bradford, McKnight, Hazelton and others to transfer? That would only lead to more bad losses, right? You are a walking contradiction.

I too am pissed. I know this team can play better. But, you call this team a "garbage progam." What? You are so far off base, that you are showing your true (lack of) colors. You are a fair weather fan, pure and simple. Go root for ND, they seem to be an upswing (no loss this weekend).

I completely agree with just4sc's thoughts. Lawyer John - Losses are entertaining? Please....is that supposed to the "silver lining?"

Clever but not the point. Losing sux...move on.

Look up the meaning of "fan". The essence of being a fan is being supportive...regardless of the circumstances.

I'm sure it doesn't include references to wishing ill-will on the program or "garbage".

As for animals w/ their heads in dubiuos places, let's just say that you've got me beat when it comes to your inability to embrace Trojan football for what it is vs. what you think it should be.

Warm regards, your fellow zoo mate - the Cardinal and Gold ostrich.

If you really want to know what kind of FAN 1966 is...Read his posts Oct. 6 "Discuss the Debacle"...Stanford, and Oct. 27 "Turning Point"...Oregon.

Every loss is very entertaining! Keep up the great work!

Time for Yahoo to break another scoop on the Reggie Bu$h investigation!

Probation On!