Ask Caesar

Is there a competition between your players and the USC Song Girls over who can embarrass themselves more off the field?

What basic principles do you teach football players that could apply to kids playing sports like soccer or girls fastpitch softball? (Or even to being a great student in school)

What do you think of Scott Wolf as a reporter and a man?

Coach, what do you think has been your biggest success so far, the accomplishments on the field or your continual work with trying to take L.A. back from the gangs and crime? Fight On!

Ted Miller (from ESPN.com): First, you should drink the USC punch because anyone saying USC is not, clearly, the nation's No. 1 team right now simply doesn't know anything about football or is trying to be cute. If an all-knowing space alien landed on earth and said, "You must answer correctly or die: Which team is No. 1?" No college football fan would answer anything other than USC -- as much as it might pain them ("Oh, durn! USC! Gahharrah! Please don't kill me I've got tickets to the LSU-Auburn game!").

Because, deep down, everyone knows it's true. At least right now. Until something else happens.

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I think he's talking about you...

Two national championships, a couple of near misses-- you seemingly have nothing else to challenge you. Are there any future challenges for you at SC?

What strategies did you discuss with Jergin Klinsmen?

Coach Carroll...Damian Williams looked terrific at times and at other times looked like he couldn't shake off the coverage. Do you see that at great coverage by experienced corners or does Damian still need to shake off some game rust? How do you explain the two bad slips he had while making his breaks...bad turf or bad foot work? And finally, the replays show he was interfered with twice without getting a call, one right in front of the SC bench. What's your call after reviewing both plays on film?

Coach Pete,
Is there any chance that you would bring your former teammate and first ever recruit (at UOP) to SC as an assistant coach?

Lawyer John...USC shot its own foot in last 3 title game shots and you think there is no challenge?

Not a question for PC

Hey Coach! What are the chances Perry will play this year due to his late start? Is it more probable he will redshirt?

Is there any updated news about when Chris Galippo and Luther Brown will be able to play ?

Hi, Scott. Something I've been wondering about. Maybe if it's not your choice for Coach Carroll, maybe you can try to answer it in the open forum?

Here goes...

I noticed in the past two games that the offense has started using the shotgun formation with some frequency this year for the first time in recent memory (at least compared to past seasons). This never seemed to happen with Carson or Matt and only very, very rarely with John-David.

Why were we reluctant to use the shotgun with previous offenses (or QBs), and what's prompted the change with this one?

OldYellKing/gillyqueen!:
I have talked to a former CFB player at length about Damian Williams(DW). He did NOT have anything negative to say about Damian Williams. Furthermore has become Mark's go to receiver and is probably the best route running receiver on the team. Vidal Hazelton is the team best blocking receiver. The only demerit that I give DW comes as a result of that Interception where he could have batted the ball away from the DB. I don't know what games you have been watching. Do you care to elaborate?
Thank you

Coach, my question is about the decision-making process to kick a FG on 4th down. Do you have a decision matrix in place with variables for score, road/home, time of the game, probability % of making 1st down if you go for it, etc., or do you use a real-time analysis of the situation to make a decision? I don't have the stats, but you go for it on 4th down at an inordinately high %, I would guess one of the highest "go for it" rates in the country. Only in the last half of last season did you start kicking the FG on occasion, whereas early in 2007, in 2006, and all through the Leinart years, you went for it on 4th down probably 90% of the time. Yet this season, you have a very capable kicker with an NFL leg sitting on the sideline that some believe could be used much more as a weapon in the offensive arsenal.

A recent example is the 4th down attempt in the OSU game. With the game in hand, it at least seemed like a great opportunity to give the FG kicking unit some seasoning with a "big game" FG try. Although, I am guessing that you were concerned about running up the score late in the 4th, and out of respect for Tressel, you elected to go for it and give OSU a chance to stop us.

Bottom line, coach, why do you so infrequently elect to take the FG and what factors go into those decisions?

Sincerely,
Dallas Fan of Putting Easy Points on the Board

Do you have any say on the future football schedules?