Weekend Forum

For the record: How many national championships has USC won in football?

Scott:

A lot has been written and said about the chemistry that Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams have, but what can you say about the chemistry between Mustain and Brandon Carswell? There was a lot of talk about that before Williams came back.

Are you aware that Emily Nerland is not even an American but (gasp!) a.....Canadian?!?!?!

i love all your articles and blog but is it because of YOU THAT USC is third and not second in the final AP poll? They were 15 points behind georgia in the AP standings. How does the voting work anyway?
thanks in advance and hopefully next year you will have us number 1 after we beat ohio state!

Ray F:
Mark is going to start. Secondly MM chemistry is irrelevant with those two recvrs. Ausberry, Hazelton, RoJo and Turner are the depth chart receivers. Start dancing the Latin beat:
It's Sánchez time baby!

SW, now that the 2007 season is history, who will be your 2008 Pre-season #1 (please don't tell us that it will be West Virginia). Also, now that you have had your mug pictured on the sideline of the Rose Bowl and on ESPN, are you going to attempt to have a "real" picture taken with Matt during the off-season. By the way, I like the new look of the blog (needs more Cardnial Red though). Fight On!

What do you think was the biggest story you broke in 2007?

Are you the captain of a fool's ship? You know nothing about football or USC. Nothing.

Mustain is better than Sanchez. Fact.

Scott:

With the dawn of a new semester a mere few days away, these raises some serious questions:

1) What is being planned for the arrival back on Southern California soil for our hero Mitch Mustain? Will it be like Beatlemania at LAX as he departs from the airplane, or will it be very hush-hush due the culprit behind Pedalgate and the Bicycle-Contra affair still being out there?

2) With the assent to the Trojan football throne being a mere formality for our hero Mitch Mustain, what kind of leader do you think he will be to the alleged "competition"? Will he have mercy and let them feel like they are in it until the end, or will he go all out and humiliate them, never letting up until they collapse in defeat?

3) With our fine country now divided due to the presidential election, do you foresee our hero Mitch Mustain bringing the country together between now and election day in November?

4) Can you ever recall another football player who was such a man of the people as our hero Mitch Mustain?

5) Can you speak to the rumors that our hero Mitch Mustain's dorm room will be turned into a museum by USC after he departs and it will be submitted for national landmark status?

Fight On!

Do you think the basketball team will be able to make the NCAA Tournament?

Since going to so many Rose Bowls within just a few years is bad (so you seem to indicate), how did John McKay handle the problem, and how much sharper would USC have been had they gone to a different bowl?

Does PC have a buyout clause in his contract (similar to the Rich Rodriguez-West Virginia contract)? If so, what is the number?

Scott,
What is your favorite color? El Capitan, you didn't even ask a question. You are dumb and stupider. What if his name was Mark Jack Stephan, would you still have the man crush on him that you do? Are you going to vote for Obama because he's black? It's an open competition, may the best PERSON win. I'm sick of you, go away you racist.

Why is Davon being benched by Tim Floyd tonight?

OJ Mayo is getting his stats, but is doing nothing else for this team. This team is bad, and he's gone after this year. There is a good chances USC might not even make it to the NIT. Is OJ Mayo bad for this team, the way Steve Francis and/or Stephon Marbury is bad for there teams -- they are all about themselves and they don't make teammates better?

SW: Is the NCAA going to do anything about the horse collar tackle which is very dangerous?
Would somebody get the mentally troubled flower child a Webster's dictionary?
Ex-Sportswriter: USC CFB NC's:10:
1.1928 2.1931 3.1932 4.1962 5. 1967 6. 1972
8. 1978 9. 2003 10. 2004

Can you offer us any insight as to why the Pac 10 is against a playoff system? Who, in the Pac 10, serve on this group ?

Can you offer us any insight as to why the Pac 10 is against a playoff system? Who, in the Pac 10, serve on this group ?

Do you believe anything will come of Mike Slive and John Swofford's promise that the BCS would explore moving to a plus-one system during their spring meetings, and is there any hope of Michael Adams prevailing in his effort to take the fight for an eight-way playoff system directly to the NCAA Executive Committee?

What's your latest prediction on how the Colisseum negotiations will play out?

Setting aside all the posturing and double-speak, what's your take on Pete Carroll's true feelings about an NFL job? Is he just biding his time at SC until a pro team offers him the level of control he's looking for?

Do Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams know Joe Adams and are they helping with his recruitment?

Thanks for the opportunity to ask these questions!

1. When the dust settles, what do you think will be the result of the Reggie Bush investigation (both for the University and for Bush)?

2. Which member(s) of the coaching staff would be the biggest loss for USC if they were to leave?

Hello Wolfie:
The good Capitan inadvertently left out 1974--we won the UPI national championship--so we have 11 all told.
No school has more--Notre Dame also has 11.
Too bad we pissed away titles in '05,'06, and '07--we should have 14 now, dadgummit! Looks like that was just a typo on the good, non-racist Capitans' part, as he skipped from 6 to 8 above. However, we are now claiming 1939 [Dickinson Trophy], and we have the NCAA approval to recognize that as legitimate,as that trophy was extremely important in that era--just as important as the almost brand new AP title--so that makes the 11 for us.

Onto my question,-- upon reviewing prospects that say they have a medium or high [2] interest in coming to Southern Cal[yes, I LOVE THAT NAME--you can call me a traditionalist if you want--anything else is bad on your part], and who are rated 3 stars or higher on any of the scouting services, I can count only 8 players--2 high as I said, and 6 medium. I am counting only those who we have offerred to. This is worrisome, because if Adams and McNeal de-committ, we will have only 12 recruits left. [By the way, if they do de-committ, it's fine with me, because, in my own opinion, I just don't see either one playing much at Troy, especially Adams]
So, can you take your best educated guess, Scott, you already mentioned the DE that we would take if his scores are ok, how many more good prospects are out there that we would be happy to get, that are not listed on the scouting services, i.e., under the radar, so to speak? Any good transfers likely?
Scott, I do know from past history, that occasionally you will skip over these type of questions, but I am really hoping and trusting that you will give this one your best shot--who else do we know that is on the inside like you are, that will take the time to give us their best guess on something like this, so THANX IN ADVANCE. Finally, I think you are great--the best--as I know flattery will get one anywhere--almost!!

In the run up to the Rose Bowl much was made of the great quality the field was in, but there was more slipping and tripping than in any game since Cal. What gives?

Dirk Diggler:
You got a big mouth and you hide cowardly behind a keyboard to dish out garbage that you can NOT support. I got 195 pounds for cowards like you. SW has reported that PC said that Mark is definitely ahead of MM. Just because I root and defend Mark it does NOT mean that I have a crush for him. Ask your usual suspect friend flower child. He is the one that idiotically calls MM a hero. He insults our men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq who had given their lives for us. Those in uniform are heroes.

Check other blogs and you'll find out that your MM support is virtually NON- existent. Even ESPN Kirk Herbstreit flat out stated that Mark Sánchez is better than MM. Let me ask you do you have a problem with Anthony Muñoz who is in the NFL HOF? He is Chicano like Mark. He was a member of the USC 1978 NC team. Check USC HOF and you'll see a lot of Hispanic athletes on that list. Are you going to ignore or turn your back on that list? Make sure you have it together when you start making accusations you can't support.
Finally George Tirebiter I apologize for leaving out 1974. I also apologize to everybody for that mistake.
Thank you

El captain, you really are as stupid as everyone says. Seriously, your stupidity is breathtaking and limitless. Never have I come across someone with such a poor grasp of reality, the English language, and been so ridiculed by everyone in sight.

Pete Fiutak of College Football News and Fox Sports, who is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on college football in the country, has outright stated that "Mitch Mustain is better" than Sanchez. Fiutak covers USC football closer than any other national sports media source, through Fox Sports, and is routinely at practice.

Kirk Herbstreit, on the other hand, stated this past month:

"According to my sources, Les Miles has agreed to be the new head coach of Michigan and the contract has already been signed. Expect a press conference next week."

"According to my sources, Dwayne Walker is the next head coach of UCLA."

So, yes, Kirk Herbstreit is really known for his accuracy and his "sources," isn't he?

I echo everyone's sentiments, you are an embarrassment and you do more harm for Sanchez, including marginalizing him as a Latino players (rather than a football player), who is a dangerous thug who will beat up anyone who says anything negative about him. Because of your actions, you have not only become a race baiting laughingstock, but you have turned so many people off Sanchez and have them backing Mustain. Just keep this up and you will continue to hurt Sanchez even more.

Scott, do we really have to be subjected to el captain's race baiting filth and insults? Has he ever contributed anything of value to this board? Yes, he is mocked by everyone and we all feel superior after knowing he has no affiliation with USC, but what does that have to do with your blog or USC sports?

I don't mean to pile on El Capitan here but even the LA Times' Bill Plaschke has since retracted his column from October which said that Sanchez should have started over Booty. He now admits that column was a mistake and Booty was much better than Sanchez.

Also, Pete Carroll said that Sanchez has a slight advantage as far as knowing the offense but it will come down to who is better on the field. In that regard, PC nor any coach have ever stated that Sanchez is better than either Booty or Mustain. It is going to come down to who has the most talent and will provide SC with the best chance to win. Everyone who has seen Mustain and Sanchez play side by side has said Mustain is significantly better in every regard - accuracy, reading defenses, timing, speed, progressions, pockets, etc, etc.

When the dust settles down, I do not believe Sanchez will be the one standing behind the line of scrimmage come December. Mustain came to USC for one reason and he is not going to go easy for anyone. He has a goal and is clearly determined to achieve it.

The best quarterback will start. If there is anything we have learned during the Pete Carroll era, it is all about competition and time in the system means nothing. Look at Matt Cassel.

Scott, I didn't see or hear much of Mozique McCurtis after he got burned on the Stanford TD. I don't recall anything happening to him. Did he get hurt, or buried on the bench, or just continue to play and make no impact? And, what are his prospects for next year? Can he transfer to Stanford and have some eligibility left?

Isn't the letter of intent due Feb. 9th. What are the closed and open dates for recruiting between now and then?

Isn't the letter of intent due Feb. 9th. What are the closed and open dates for recruiting between now and then?

Isn't the letter of intent due Feb. 9th. What are the closed and open dates for recruiting between now and then?

Now that the football season is over, which players have officially redshirtted?

Scott: can you tell me the difference in skill sets needed to play the nose tackle position versus the defensive tackle position? Does one line up on the strong side of the football?

Scott: can you tell me the difference in skill sets needed to play the nose tackle position versus the defensive tackle position? Does one line up on the strong side of the football?

Scott: can you tell me the difference in skill sets needed to play the nose tackle position versus the defensive tackle position? Does one line up on the strong side of the football?

On PMS, Petros said that hiring Norton as DC would be a bad move by UCLA and that they the fact Walker is staying saved them from that pitfall. Petros said that Norton is just a rah-rah guy and does not have the skill with Xs & Os to be a good DC. What is your opinion of Petros statement?

What is your opinion of Maiava? I think he is one of the most underrated players on the defense and he reminds me a bit of Grootegoed.

FOR ALL YOU NEW GUYS ON HERE THAT ARE DISSING THE CAPITAN, IT NEEDS TO BE POINTED OUT THAT THIS ALL STARTED QUITE A WHILE BACK, WHEN MORONS STARTED REFERRING TO MARK AS A CONVICTED RAPIST, EVEN GOING SO FAR AS CALLING HIM THE NIGHTSTALKER.

IN THE SPIRIT OF FAIR PLAY, OTHER READERS RESPONDED TO THEIR RACIST REMARKS, AND DROVE THEM OFF THE BOARD.

EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE CAPITAN AND MYSELF, EVERYONE WHO HAS A SENSE OF FAIR PLAY, ALL AGREE---LET THIS BE SETTLED IN SPRING AND FALL PRACTICE, AND MAY THE BETTER PLAYER WIN THE COMPETITION, REGARDLESS OF RACE OR COLOR.

Wolfie: How old is Art Bartner anyway? After the great 20-17 victory by the Trojans over the Irish,in 1964, I remember Tom Kelly clearly referring to Dr. Bartner as the director of the Trojan band--and, hey, that's going on 44 years ago!!

The captain is a race baiting idiot with no friends. He merely exists to insult everyone who merely express interest in Mustain or say anything about Sanchez that he does not want to hear. I heard from others (including some who blog on this board) that he emails journalists urging them not to say anything positive about Mustain and begging them not to bring up anything that Sanchez has done off the field. He is nothing more than a nuisance who is constantly mocked and ridiculed by everyone but keeps coming back for more since he has no friends in real life. Scott should have banned him a long, long time ago.

Fight on (but without the captain)!

Is it true that the real reason Troy Van Blarcom has declared for the NFL draft is because he was actually kicked out of Kansas Wesleyan?

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

It sounds like Pete Carroll is just going year to year with USC right now which is fine. Is there going to come a time soon though were Mike Garrett is going to sit down with him and see what his long term plans are? With the list you put out earlier this week it just seems like USC has their ducks in a row already in the event that he leaves and he is just waiting for right opportunity to leave USC.

I know that nobody cares about the fans but we are barely 1 week into the off-season and this drama has started all over again and I'm sure I'm not the only one who is getting a little tired of it even with as much as Pete has done to restore the tradition at USC.

Do you believe that Big-10/Pac-10/Rose Bowl will ever agree to a playoff system? It seems like other conferences are warming to the idea, leaving the "Rose Bowl conferences" as the only remaining sticks in the mud. What pressure points exist to get the Big-10/Pac-10/Rose Bowl to accept the idea of a playoff? Do you think the other conferences would have a playoff system without the Pac-10 & Big-10? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Is there any analylsis of whether players coming out after their third year do better or worse in the NFL than four year players. It seems more and more players come out after having one successful year. Do they believe that the extra year of maturity, college coaching, and experience is not worth the opportunity cost of playing in the NFL. Also, how close are the draft evaluations provided by the NFL to actual draft levels. It seems there are more first and second round projected draft choices, plus the seniors, than available slots.

Wolfie: Is your relationship with Emily Nerland more than just friends, i.e., is it a [gulp] romantic one?