Everybody is getting everybody...except for ASU and Oregon, though I believe that will change.

I don't think the problem with our last two losses was that the conference is so good all of the sudden...give me a break. Other teams aren't making us look bad: we are.

I agree 100%! Chauncey Washington is a lumbering ox and Desmond Reed lacks speed and strength. The tailback position at USC has been terribly mismanaged. Maybe Jolly John Robinson will come out of retirement as a running backs coach

Not only defensively, but I am surprised noone is talking about that Oregon offense. I have never seen a first-step by a quarterback like Dixon had. The guy is flat-out quick. And with the bull Stewart this is the team to beat for the national title. Come on, Trojans, give the Ducks their due. We got beat by a better team. I was proud that the Trojans even remained in the game. The Ducks will be a one-year wonder (Dixon graduates and Stewart probably comes out), but the Trojans will continue on. And on. And on.

This may be the first loss where Pete forces the coaching staff to look at what they are doing and maybe it is time to re-invent themselves with a new strategy; the old look served us well, but times are changing and maybe USC also has to change. Lets hope Pete and the staff have the mental toughness to get it done - I think they do.

This may also lead to a little less intensity on the practice field (mental and physical fatigue, as well as the much discussed injuries) and the belief that the teams they play on Saturday are not as good as the teams they play on Monday - Thursday. No wonder there is a let down on Saturday when you think competition stopped on Wednesday. How about competition Saturday.?

Well said, Jimduck. Mentioned it on another post, but look at the lineup of outstanding coaches in this league....Belotti, Erickson, Tedford, Willingham, Riley. NO ONE is going to dominate the conference forever, even if we do stay on top of recruiting. It just amplifies the brilliance of our 5 year run! The only other conference that comes close in terms of outstanding coaching is the SEC, IMO, with Meyer, Spurrier, Saban, Recht, etc. Big-10...no comparison. Big-12....Stoops, then who?...no comparison. To stay a step ahead in this conference, we need to continually make adjustments and improve, we can't just "plug and play" the same schemes year after year, assuming that the best athletes will dominate. The other Pac-10 coaches are way too smart for this. Riley with OSU scares the crap out of me next week, and his defense is MUCH better than Oregon's. But, I think the boys will find a way at home. Lick the Beavers!

Wow, great Wilner article in the San Jose paper:
http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/collegesports/2007/10/29/weekend-rewind-wow-does-usc-miss-norm-chow/

I think he may have hit the nail on the head:

1) Pete says you can't win with TOs....then, why didn't the Ducks lose it after those two first half special teams fumbles...Pete missed it with this oversimplified explanation.
2) Offense has become too predictable/familiar to the rest of the Pac-10...3-3 in last 6 Pac-10 games with Offense scoring 9, 47, 27, 23, 20, and 17 for an average of 24 points a game.
3) With a less productive offense, points become more critical. Pete, change your philosophy and kick a fkn FG. Buehler is 10-11!!!! And, supposedly was hitting pre-game 50-yarders in Eugene. He would be up for the Groza Award if we used him. Buehler was a walk-on LBer.....way to go kid! A FG on 4th and 1 in Eugene + a 2 point conversion on the Ausberry TD, and Sanchez is driving us from our own 15 only needing a FG to tie! A FG on 4th & 1, and we beat Stanford. Time to change this philosophy, coach.

And, time to accept accountability. It's not the players, it's the coaching....penalties, conservative offense, weak play calling, personnel management, and excellent coaching from the opposition. BUT, I have complete confidence in Pete to dig deeper, and realize that more substantial changes need to be made. Don't blame injuries, turnovers, young players, etc., but let's accept that the overall offensive philosophy needs an overhaul. I support Pete and Sark and believe that they are smart enough to reach this conclusion, and implement necessary changes. But, it may take until next season to turn the ship here.