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SMU_Alumni11 wrote:Once USC has all these little annoying restrictions remove they will slap the other PAC schools around without much challenge. Where would you rather go to school California, Oregon or Washington? Not hard. Which school has the best overall demeanor? Sure it sucks now but it just gives the other schools a chance to see what it's like to be on top.

7-5 puts CLK's job in jeopardy, although he will be back next year. Assuming Mora stays at UCLA and Shaw at Stanford, they're setup very well long term. Meanwhile, USC will continue to struggle with NFL defections and scholarship restrictions. No one stays on top forever- remember 10 years ago when Alabama was a joke and Tennessee was one of the premiere programs in the SEC? I think Kiffin will eventually be the sacrificial lamb for the recruiting violations and a new coach will come in.

That's true about Alabama and Tennessee but its a cyclical thing. USC will return to its throne once it shakes of the restrictions. It's one of the schools that has a natural tendency for greatness. Don't get me wrong it's going to struggle as that's the whole point of penalties but nevertheless in 5-10 years USC will be the giant it once was.

Statler wrote:uh...they are in the PAC-12 with all that cash

SC is still a signature program

their future is brighter than ours (?)

NO They're better cheatahs than we ever thought of

East Coast Mustang wrote:...the scholarship restrictions start this year I believe, they're going to have depth issues for years to come...

The scholarship restrictions started last season so only two seasons remain.

Yes but scholarship restrictions have a delayed affect because they reduce the numbers in the upper classes so they are going to be feeling the effects for about 4 years. Of course, USC is singularly positioned to somewhat survive a collapse because they have historically been the most popular program among top recruits. But it was ridiculous to project them as a national contender this year. Penn St has done a great job this year after losing about 15 plyers but the effects of recruiting santions will kick them in the butt in coming years and they have a long road ahead to be nationally competitive. Same thing happened at just about every major program tht has received major multiple year probations like SMU, TCU, OU, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma St, Florida, Clemson. A lot of people laugh at these probations but when the NCAA severely cuts scholarship numbers over several years its a program killer for the next 5 years or so.

Everyone is quick to assign the total blame to the sanctions et. al.

NOT!

Matt Barkley always had a tendency to be immobile and throw picks and he reverted to form after his one good year (last year).

We USC fans have been always reluctant to embrace Monte Kiffin's Defense but gave him the benefit of the doubt due to his rep.

WRONG!

If the Trojans didn't have such a stellar recruiting class on the books the KIFFINS would be packing their bags this morning.

As I posted on our other site yesterday...

HB Pony Dad wrote:FIRE LANE KIFFIN!


WE SUCK SO BAD WE DESERVE TO BURN IN PURGATORY FOR A FEW MILLENNIUM BEFORE BEING ASSIGNED TO ETERNITY IN HELL!

and

HB Pony Dad wrote:
Re: 7-5 is worse than 6-6

I'm so much prouder of the Ponies record than the effing wasteland of the season my Trojans just finished.

Talk about playing far below your talent level.

At least SMU had a semblance of an excuse but my TROJANS failure is inexcusable!

BLACK SATURDAY!

Thoughts on USC and lane kiffin? Fire June Jones.

Remember USC was all over Penn State trying to get kids to transfer and be immediately eligible. They talked a running back named Redd into transferring with the pitch that he was the last missing link to a national championship. Redd got a lot of playing time, but did not come in and take the starting tailback position. USC had the talent, but they spent the off season believing their newspaper clippings and never recovered after their first loss.

Stallion wrote:Yes but scholarship restrictions have a delayed affect because they reduce the numbers in the upper classes so they are going to be feeling the effects for about 4 years. Of course, USC is singularly positioned to somewhat survive a collapse because they have historically been the most popular program among top recruits. But it was ridiculous to project them as a national contender this year.

USC's failings this year weren't due to the sanctions. A lack of depth wasn't a factor in their losses.

Kiffin has a "plan" to mange the program thought the reduced numbers. However if he has any more stumbles, someone else will get to finish the "plan".

PoconoPony wrote:Remember USC was all over Penn State trying to get kids to transfer and be immediately eligible.

Nice try but Redd was the only player they went after, not multiple "kids".

PoconoPony wrote:Redd got a lot of playing time, but did not come in and take the starting tailback position.

Redd led the team in both rushing yards and rushing TD. (http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... sc-trojans) In fact, he had more rushing TD this year for USC than he did last year at PSU. People either don't know or forgot that McNeal rushed for over 1,000 yards last season (http://espn.go.com/college-football/tea ... sc-trojans) so it isn't like Redd was going to be the only starting TB.