Open Forum

Could Steve Sarkisian's adamant opposition to making a quarterback change be due to the fact that he does not want to publicly admit he made a mistake in picking Sanchez without a true open competition, and he knows this will raise questions about his personal judgment and decision making abilities as he attempts to get a head coaching job?

With all of the complaining, whining and crying (and that's just from you), do you or can you see PC making any changes to OC position for 2009? I guess a lot of this depends on if Coach Sarkisian is offered a position (and if he decides to take it). Have you talk Sark and can you asses whether he is feeling any heat at this time? Fight On!

The reason that is always provided for why Sanchez is the starting quarterback is because he knows the offense better due to length of time in the system. Let's say that Sarkisian leaves after this season to become a head coach somewhere and maybe even Carroll finally leaves for the NFL. In that scenario, Sanchez has no advantages regarding knowledge of the Sarkisian playbook. Does that mean he could be replaced by another quarterback next season due to the playing field finally being equal and decisions based on actual talent and ability?

Agree or disagree -- Palmer, Leinart and Booty at their worst were better than Sanchez at his best.

Every excuse has been provided for why Sanchez has played so poorly, but do you believe what the coaches tell you? Are the problems Sanchez has now exactly what he was long criticized for having before this season?

One of Pete Carrol's most amazing accomplishments at SC is that the Trojans have only lost one game by more than 7 points (11 to ND in Carrol's first year). What would be your top three accomplishments of Carrol's at USC?

What is the point of saying Sanchez has a better grasp of the offense is he is incapable of executing the plays? He can know every play that is drawn up inside and out but if he does not have the talent to carry them out, it is all for nothing. So is it not better to play a QB who can actually execute the plays, albeit a reduced playbook that is tailored to their talents?

Give the 'scouts' rundown on the offense. If he isn't that impressed by the defense besides the talent. What on earth will he say about this whacked out offense ?

I'd like you to name the most impressive victory by LSU and Kansas. I found (by researching the teams) that they have only beaten one team with a winning record between them, yet you have them ranked higher than the rest of the voters. Thanks in advance.

FIGHT ON!

Do you think Sanchez has regressed since the beginning of the season? Is this the first time you have ever seen a quarterback get worse rather than better as time went on?

Cher's full name is Cherilyn Sarkisian. Is she any relation to Steve Sarkisian?

Why did Howell get pulled after 4 series vs. Arizona? Was it the costly holding penalty that likely cost us 7 points?

Scott:

Do you think the near unanimous criticism of Sarkisian & Sanchez on your blog comes from the fact that just like you these posters are bitter, average or below average performers in their personal lives with dead end careers and rather than face that harsh reality they spend their time mocking and criticizing kids who have already achieved far more than these idiots could even dream of?

Just wondering?

Is it safe now to refer to Sanchez as a turnover machine?

Did you know General Robert E. Lee's horse was named Traveller?

How did SC's mascot become Traveler? Confederate sympathizers in the athletic department?

Based upon a number of your postings, I would guess that Taylor Mays is the most quotable member of the team (the Lauren Conrad quote was great). Is that true, and if not, who gives the best quotes on the team?

There were many questions about Sanchez's off the field behavior last year, including a highly-publicized LA Times column, stating how he possessed poor judgment which would translate to poor performance and decision making on the field. So is this poor judgment when it comes to his embarrassing decision making just what people were always saying about Sanchez?

In my mind, Pete Carroll has done a fantastic job at USC, albeit with a few hiccups in the last couple of years. Here is my question: Do you think John McKay or John Robinson (first tenure) would do any better with Pete Carroll's squads from 2001 to the present (e.g., more Nat'l Championships)? If so, why? If not, why not? What would they done the same? Differently? How would they have handled the RB-by-committee issue? Any thoughts on this hypothetical is appreciated. Thanks for the forum, Scott.

oops...What would they have done the same way?

Which of LSU's wins this season do you consider to be quality enough to rank them #10?

Scott, please feel free to ignore my question as sureshot has beaten me to it.

Shaquille Evans will announce his choice of college on November 7. Is USC still recruiting him hard and what will Evan's choice? Also, who else is USC recruiting hard this year beside Te'o, who will mostly go to UCLA?

What is your predication for next year's team since the defense will lose many players about 9 starters like Moore, Mays, Harris and more key reserves like Pinkard. There is no depth at linebacker, safety, and cornerback. The offense will lose some key players such as Byers, Turner, and possibly Sanchez, and is still a work in progress. Pretend Pete Carroll stays, but Sarkisian leaves. Also take in mind the last couple recruiting classes being weak, how do you think USC football team will be next year? Also, do you think the defense will be a weakness next year?

Which Pac 10 teams besides USC will play in bowl games?
Will the Pac 10 have enough bowl eligible teams to meet its tie-in quota?

OK, Not a FB question. What do you know of the player who was one of 3 to decommit from U of A when Olsen retired? I think it was Hill. He is mentioned as interested in SC. Wants to stay close to home. Thoughts?

Thank you for separating the forums. If we have the blowout we expect, who among the backup players do you expect to shine given the opportunity?

Hey Sureshot and Neuheisel's Bookie...Alabamas "vaunted" record also has them only beating 2 teams above 500 LOL...Don't tell Scott though. He might actually give up his pollster ballot if he knew.

Right on SCinHB, criticism is easy, achievment is hard.

HI WOLFIE:

Thanx for continuing the forums in the face of some idiotic comments made about you by some posters--criticism of your rankings are fine, but some of the personal attacks on you by posters are inane--glad they don't bother you.
It appears the Trojans could have a great recruiting class this year--if you were in charge of recruiting,
what are some of the things you might do to insure that it comes to fruition? Would you be doing anything differently is what I'm really asking.

Wolfie, if USC is up 42-0 at halftime, who should be more embarrassed: a) Tyrone Willingham, or b) the SG administration for only turning out an incredibly pathetic 77 girls for trouts (0.2% of the student population). Sorry, I wasn't sure which forum to post in!

If USC wins the Versus Conference and Penn State goes to the National Championship. Who would the Rose bowl invite to play against USC? Is the Rose Bowl allowed to invite Florida or Texas?

Scott, Is Josh Pinkard playing as well as before he got hurt, and, if so, why isn't he starting?

Where is Chauncey Washington now?

Scott, do you know of any Div. 1 players that the Trojan football team would like to get that are contemplating transferring to SC, and why wouldn't we be happy to get Josh Tatum back?

Scott, does it appear Barkley, our QB recruit, is having a disappointing year, after all the honors he got last year? Thanx

I like BRODERICK GREEN, think he is a great kid, but because of a great lack of speed, I don't think he will ever see quality playing time at TB at SC, not even in short yardage situations, barring injuries. I think the coaching staff would be doing him a favor by telling him to transfer, or to switch to fullback, where he could be really good. Do you agree, and , if not, why not? Thanks.

Do you think any of the Pac-10 coaches, coordinators or Lane Kiffin are under consideration for the Tennessee head coaching job and do you think they'd be successful?

Is it time for one of the following to happen. USC leaves the Pac 10 and goes Independent, thus relieving itself of having to play a conference schedule that includes at least 4 pathetic teams a year, or the Pac 10 recruiting Utah and BYU into the conference. By doing this it would create two divisions and then give the conference the all important "Championship" game to boost it's BCS status.