Answers VI
Even more answers . . .
Q: Here we are struggling just to make it into March Madness. But yet you and others still expect to see several underclassmen turn pro after the season and supposedly we have all this rock star talent on the team. Can you provide a Cliffs Notes summary of what's going on with the basketball team? I'd expect this kind of celebration for players on a championship team, but how can we have both a mediocre team and stellar team members?
A: USC has rock-star talent but most of it is first-year talent. You'll notice I didn't say ``young'' with 21-year-old freshman Davon Jefferson and 20-year-old freshman O.J. Mayo and Taj Gibson, the 22-year-old sophomore. But this was always going to be a transition year of sorts, even though this team has a lot of talent. That's why it can beat Arizona in Tucson and lose to Arizona State in Tempe.
I think with nine conference victories, USC will make the NCAA Tournament. But with its inconsistency, it can be the type of team to pull off an upset or lose in the first round, depending on how it comes out and performs.
Q: How big of a threat will University of Virginia pose to USC in the big season opener on the road? Al Groh is a good coach but the Cavs will be without their returning starting QB(Sewell) and now they lost their best defensive player, DE (Fitzgerald.)
(Academic Issues)Looks like the Trojans and their new QB are catching a huge break before hosting tOSU. This sets up as an easier game than other Southern roadies in the past like Auburn, Ark, and VT.
A: This goes back to a blog posting several weeks ago about the luck Pete Carroll's had in previous season openers. Hawaii before it named Colt Brennan a full-time starter (2005) and Arkansas when tailback Darren McFadden was recovering from an injury (2006), not to mention two meetings against Oregon State without Yvenson Bernard, the Pac-10's No. 6 all-time leading rusher.
It's been a pattern, but sometimes luck is part of the game. Virginia will still be a formidable opponent, especially on the road and it will be a good test before the Ohio State game. Of course, we'll have to see who won't be playing for the Buckeyes. JK.
Hi scott,
if your still fielding questions, here is one last one:
You have said yourself you do not think USC will win another NC without Norm Chow. PC is a tradition guy so i am sure Sanchez will be starting for the next 2 years. And seeing how he did vs. Oregon and our below average WR's, I would say we are looking at more 10-3 seasons and rose bowl or holiday bowl wins.
Do you think MG and/or fans will get tired of this somewhere down the road? The bar is way high (set by PC himself) and if we get to 2011 and have not won any more NC will there be pressure on PC and crew?
thanks!