USC’s season is a nutshell.
Would one consider USC’s season a failure since they didn’t reach the BCS Championship game?
The loss against Oregon St was unbelievably tough to swallow, and left a reminder to the nation that this year team was beatable, or human after all. However, the Pac-10 didn’t help USC in the Media’s eye by losing important OCC games, and not having a consist number one team. It was not until the last week of the season that the Pac-10 title winner was established.
The Trojans had tough luck, once again, and could do nothing to help their chances in the National picture for the BCS Championship. A one loss Florida team will play a one loss Oklahoma team on Thursday for the BCS Championship. Many have argued that a one loss Florida team shouldn’t have jumped the Trojans since they loss at home to Old Miss while USC played an Oregon St away. One should not argue too much with the details since it’s comparing apples to oranges, or rather crystal to roses.
What one can look back is a season that fellow Trojans should be proud of. We didn’t know what to expect of new quarterback Mark Sanchez. Would he fulfill the legacy left by Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, or the often loved/hated John David Booty? He stepped right into the job, and played great when it counted. He had first year jitters, but finished off the year on a high note with an astonishing performance against Penn St.
Damian Williams demonstrated why he was so converted by the Razorbacks. He established himself as the number one receiver in first year as a Trojan. Rojo and Patrick Turner also played well in countless number of games. Videl Hazelton was lost in the shuffle, and decided to pursue his career elsewhere.
The Running backs were also supportive, and played a pivotal role in USC’s offensive. Their wasn’t a running back who become a standout back, but each had their moment this year. Stafon Johnson, C.J Gable, Joe Mcknight, Broderick Green, and even Marc Tyler got playing time. Sadly, Broderick Green decided to transfer and will be a Razorback next year.
Defensive, defensive, and defensive was the main component that troubled every Trojan’s opponent. Speed, agility, and a NFL caliber mentality created havoc for everyone, and not even the ageless Joe Paterno could stop it. Pete Carroll should be proud of this year unit.
With so many talented athletes at every position one couldn’t believe that Emmanuel Moody to be last Trojan to transfer, and it wasn’t the case. Vidal Hazelton, and Broderick Green both transferred. It wasn’t their time at USC, and they should be well-prepared and conditioned at their future program.??USC might not have the respect from across the country, but we did see USC look-a-like being formed in the North-west and in Tennessee. Two former assistant coaches Steve Sarkisan and Lane Kiffin were hired, and told to build their own Rome. Along the way, both took with them some fellow Trojan’s coaches, and hoping their philosophies, guidance and personalities will make a lasting impression to change their respected program.
As for the future, USC will once again be a driving force for next year. People believe the talent will be down a notch, with the massive graduation, but expect them to be front runners to win the Pac-10, and challenge for a national championship. Yes, they did lose some outstanding players, but this is expected in the Pete Carroll era.
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While the SEC is a good conference, if not the best, I believe all other conference winners have to have one less loss than an SEC team just to neutralize the pre-season SEC hype and the East Coast bias to get a chance at the BCS championship game. Lack of exposure by West Coast teams are also at a disadvantage because so many voters don’t stay up for 10 PM e.s.t. games. I believe this year’s SC club would destroy Oklahoma whose used to the soft defenses of the Big 12. Florida would be a good game, but the Gators had some problems and had to win some nervous close games. Our defense would match up well against Tebow and their run game. We would force them to be one-dimensional. What really drives me crazy is when people say the Pac-10 is weak, mainly because of the Washington schools. That’s a ridiculous argument when the SEC teams play 2-3 games per year against the Delta State’s, Citadel’s, and Louisiana-Monroe’s. It takes USC 8-10 years to fill up one year’s 12 game schedule with patsies. The SEC teams do in 4-5 years. I’m basically saying leading SEC teams only have 4-5 legit games per year, while SC has 8-9 per season. The BCS and ESPN should be called out on this.