Answer Tuesday!

Q: calkidd32 said:
So Scott, do you think these losses (not necessarily the number of losses, but the WAY we've lost) will have any negative impact on recruiting?

A: Time will only tell but I think any linebacker recruits would be even more interested in USC at the moment because it looks like playing time is available. Same with the defensive line. And wide receivers.
I've never seen one off year kill recruiting but it would mean USC needs to rebound next season or start paying a price.

Q: Trojan in Redondo said:
Isn't the best comparison of Pete Carroll's situation in 2009 that of Gary Barnett at Northwestern in the 1990s?

When Barnett took over at Northwestern, they were dreadful but within just two or three years, he made them into one if the top teams in the country. But Barnett stuck around too long and before long, Northwestern was right back where he took over.

So hasn't Carroll stuck around too long at USC and he's right back where he took over at the beginning of the decade?

A: I would never compare USC to Northwestern. USC has too many things in its favor, including tradition. I think you could make a case that USC's been on top longer than anyone should reasonably expect. The intriguing part is the winning could have continued without even a three-loss season with just a couple different decisions here or there (recruiting choices, coaching hires, Mark Sanchez's departure).

Q: JamesUSC99 said:
When you were covering the 1998 Sun Bowl in El Paso between USC and TCU, did you ever think in eleven years time USC would be back there again while TCU would be a contender for the National Championship?

A: I actually thought USC would be back again at some point. Paul Hackett was coaching so I was just happy to get to cover a bowl for the first time in three years. I was actually very impressed with TCU coach Dennis Franchione, who probably should have stayed there instead of his bad runs at Alabama and Texas A&M.