Open Forum

Now that UCLA has upped the ante with the hiring of Norm Chow, do you think Pete Carroll and Steve Sarkisian believe that is a challenge to provide a "wow factor" when it comes to the quarterback position at USC next year? Could it be they don't care and will not take any risks rather than choosing a QB who can do everything?

Scott:

Is Booty enrolled in classes this semester? Has he graduated?

SW, what do you like best and like least about the "open forum"? Fight On!

So we have Matt Barkley... How do you think this will affect Aaron Corp's playing time?

08 Sanchez/Mustain | Corp
09 Sanchez/Mustain | Corp/Barkley
10 Barkley?

What's going on with the Coliseum Commission? My season ticket order has to be coming up soon.

How many national championships does UCLA have in football, and how many for USC?

I'm fairly new to the site, so forgive me for being out of the loop, but it seems I've noticed in various comments you've made that you either: 1. Don't like Matt Leinhart; or 2. He doesn't like you.

Any truth to either/both? If so, what gives? Just curious, and sorry if I'm completely wrong.

Who transferred last year? And is Coleman coming back?

Who transferred last year? And is Coleman coming back?

In spirit of recruiting season, during your time covering USC, which one recruit was the biggest surprise when they signed with the Trojans?

Thank you.

Is Omar Hunter still going to visit USC?

Any update on Uona Keveinga?

Were you ever aware (or ever suspect) that Reggie Bush was taking a car and money, as alleged by Lloyd Lake? Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks for the forum.

How good is Matt Barkley?

What are your thoughts/feelings about PeteCarroll.com and the USCripsit blog?

There has been animosity between UCLA and USC fans going back forever but I have never sensed the animosity between the athletic departments that I have sensed over the last 4 or 5 years. The relationship between the athletic departments seems to be bordering on hostile. I can't believe anyone is so small as to ban our band and cheerleaders. Your insights oh great one on the cause of this situation.

How good is Matt Barkley?

What are your thoughts/feelings about PeteCarroll.com and the USCripsit blog?

Has Mitch Mustain found a BBQ joint in LA that he likes? Has he tried sushi, and if so, what is his favorite sushi bar? And, is there any truth to the rumor that Jeanie Buss bought OJ a coke at the Lakers/Nuggets game, which violates an NCAA regulation prohibiting professional sports organizations from serving refreshments to NCAA athletes? Will this infraction result in the loss of his amateur status?

Are you able to say which currently enrolled football players are on academic probation? If not, I totally understand.

I know you are infamous for your love of soccer, but did you ever get into rugby?

Hey Scott -

So with Barkley signing up how do you think the next few years under center will look:

Also, If Mustain does not become the starter next year, he can redshirt right, because if he doesn't he would graduate the same year as Sanchez

Assuming Sanchez "wins" out does this "depthchart" look right to you (granted this program nothing is set in stone let alone sand).

'08
Sanchez (RS Junior)
Corp (RS Freshman)
Mustain (Would Redshirt Next Year)

'09
Sanchez (RS Senior)
Mustain (RS Junior)
Corp (RS Sophmore)
Barkley (Red Shirt year)

'10
Mustain (RS Senior)
Corp (RS Junior)
Barkley (RS Freshman) - His First Year Eligible

'11
Corp (RS Senior) or Barkley (RS Sophmore)

'12 and '13
Barkley (RS Junior and Senior).

One more question....What the deal with the football complex. The University released its "vision" for the next 20 years of development (http://www.usc.edu/community/upcmasterplan/) and the new football complex is not on there. Is there a different timeline for this project and do you know when and were it may be??

Hey Scott -

So with Barkley signing up how do you think the next few years under center will look:

Also, If Mustain does not become the starter next year, he can redshirt right, because if he doesn't he would graduate the same year as Sanchez

Assuming Sanchez "wins" out does this "depthchart" look right to you (granted this program nothing is set in stone let alone sand).

'08
Sanchez (RS Junior)
Corp (RS Freshman)
Mustain (Would Redshirt Next Year)

'09
Sanchez (RS Senior)
Mustain (RS Junior)
Corp (RS Sophmore)
Barkley (Red Shirt year)

'10
Mustain (RS Senior)
Corp (RS Junior)
Barkley (RS Freshman) - His First Year Eligible

'11
Corp (RS Senior) or Barkley (RS Sophmore)

'12 and '13
Barkley (RS Junior and Senior).

One more question....What the deal with the football complex. The University released its "vision" for the next 20 years of development (http://www.usc.edu/community/upcmasterplan/) and the new football complex is not on there. Is there a different timeline for this project and do you know when and were it may be??

With signing day just around the corner, name six non-verballed players you think will become Trojans, in order of highest probability.

thanks scott

any last work on why our WR's couldn't catch a thing last year? You already said the position is open to competition which is a good idea considering they all seem to have stone hands.

Do you think they will improve this year? We were pretty much running an offense with no WR's last year

Just how scared is ol'Petey? Obviously he realizes UCLA just upped the ante ALOT by bringing in Chow and RN. Or does his ego have the better of him again?

Do you ever share the poll results on your blog with Caeser? It seems like you make the choices to irk or prod him a certain way

Do you ever share the poll results on your blog with Caeser? It seems like you make the choices to irk or prod him a certain way

No big surprise here, but cStory's buddy, Scott Wolf came in second in the "Worst AP Voter Award" for the entire year, as reported by Pollspeak.com., who monitored the AP votes from week 7 on. Pollspeak also made the strong recommendation to the Associated Press that they REMOVE Wolf and Jon Wilner, of the San-Jose Mercury News from next year's poll, for their poor voting record.

Scott,
Much is being made of JD Booty’s lack of development in the past two years, and that he would have done better under Chow than he did under Sarkisian. Booty had back major surgery and rehab before the 2006 season; and in 2007 he was hampered by an underachieving/pass-dropping receiver corps –with the exception of Fred Davis. Do you agree that Chow would have developed him better? If so, then how?

Scott -

Your comments regarding Norm Chow and Pete Carroll reveal Lane Kiffin to be a rather polarizing figure -could you go into the history there (particularly the Orange Bowl blow up you mentioned) ?

Scott,

How would characterize this last seasons team’s identity compared to that of the past teams of the Casesar Era? And what are the keys for this team to achieve its potential next year? Thanks Scott!

Scott,

Do you know if SC plans on inviting the UCLA Band and Cheerleaders for the basketball game at the Galen Center. It would be nice if we didn't respond in kind to the bRuin pettyness.

Thanks,

Do you think Dwayne Walker will leave UCLA for another job after LOI day?

HI SCOTT:

Let me take a shot at answering a couple of the readers' questions for you, in order to save you time--just refer them back to the question section of the open forum--heh heh.
1.The bruin band and songgirls will NOT be coming to the Galen this year. Good riddance.
2.The bruins lucked out in 1954, and got the UPI version of the natl. championship, but the much more important AP title[until 1974,that is] went to OHIO STATE. That little sniff is their only claim on a football championship in history---Meanwhile the Men of Troy have 11 national championships in football that are officially recognized by the NCAA,
and a few more not recognized officially by the NCAA. No other university has more than the 11 we have.

Hope you don't mind my helping you--heh heh.

My question is: Do you think the announcement of Barkley committing now will help much in this years' recruiting class?

Thanx for continuing the open forums, Scott. I personally look forward to them very much. Thanx again.

PS In the same spirit of feelings that now exist between ucla and the Men of Troy, let me add that that 1954 bruin team was banned, barred, and prohibited from playing in the Jan. 1st, 1955 Rose Bowl game--the Trojans took their place and performed quite well--incidentally, that was the last time it rained on the parade and the game. Finally, my old friend, Aramis Dandoy, returned a punt about 85 yards for a TD in that game.

Why are you so down on this year's recruiting class? Football is won in the trenches, and our trench recruits this year, particularly the o-line, seem awesome. If they stick together, we should have a good 4-5 years.

Why are you so down on this year's recruiting class? Football is won in the trenches, and our trench recruits this year, particularly the o-line, seem awesome. If they stick together, we should have a good 4-5 years.

Any chance of improving the comments feature so it doesn't take 2-5 minutes to submit a post? This is why there are so many double postings. Technology is better than this - it is 2008 after all.

Have you heard of any possible coaching changes or additions to Pete's staff this year?

It seems like OJ Mayo has had a rather subpar season, considering the hype he came in with. Any chance he'll stay around for a stellar sophomore year?

SCOTT:

GEORGE TIREBITER provided the answer to the question "Will the Bruins bring thier band and cheeleaders to the Galen Center for the Basketball game." My Question was WILL USC INVITE THEM (Even though the Bruins have already stated that they won't bring them)

With signing day only two weeks away, many fans view this as a possible sub par recruiting class coming in comparison to previous years. In your opinion, do you think there is one particular factor that weighed into why it was a down year in recruiting?(i.e., was it negative recruiting by other coaches with the Bush scandal and mentioned possible sanctions or Pete Carroll being rumored for a NFL head coach position) Thanks.

"Chow told friends", "said a associate of Carroll and Chow", "a former USC football player told me", etc. Coaches yelling at each other? It's college football. Did Carroll or Chow ever tell you, to your face, any of this information you write about, concerning their relationship?

Regarding Carroll vs Chow, any truth to the rumor that Norm tried to recruit Mark Sanchez to Stanford when he thought he was getting the Stanford job and that this caused further friction between PC and NC?

P.S. Please! Some examples, if the answer is yes.