Has USC underachieved under Pete Carroll?
It was one of those comments that when I first heard it my response was: “That’s absurd.”
The comment was made by Mike Lupica on ESPN’s “The Sports Reporters.” Lupica was trying to make the point that at the end of the day, USC has actually UNDERACHIEVED under Coach Pete Carroll.
Let’s see:
**–Carroll has been at USC for a little over eight seasons and has won 90 games.
**–He has won or shared seven straight Pac-10 championships.
**–He’s played in the Rose Bowl five times and the Orange Bowl twice in the past seven years.
**–He shared the national championship in 2003, won it outright in 2004, and was within seconds of winning a third straight title in 2005, but Texas and Vince Young had other ideas.
But since 2005, which I believe was his best team with two Heisman Trophy winners (Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart), USC has killed its chances at a national championship with an inexplicable loss to an unranked team. Let us review:
2006: Was ranked No. 2 and lost to UCLA 13-9 on championship Saturday. Florida went to the BCS title game instead.
2007: Was ranked No. 2 and lost to Stanford, a 41-point favorite, 24-23.
2008: Was ranked No. 1 and lost at Oregon State, 27-21, on an unforgettable Thursday night.
2009: Was ranked No. 3 and lost at Washington, a three-touchdown underdog, 16-15. The week before Washington had snapped a 14-game losing streak.
So what is going on here? Is it a lack of concentration? Do the USC players simply not believe they can lose to these teams and just don’t get ready to play? You could see last week’s loss t Washington coming. The Trojans won a hard-fought (18-15) victory before over 100,000 fans at Ohio State. Freshman QB Matt Barkley led a game-winning drive that propelled him to instant stardom. But Barkley (injury) couldn’t go at Washington, which has been re-energized under new coach Steve Sarkisian, a former Carroll assistant. It was the perfect storm for USC.
I have people tell me that we in the media over-hype USC as the glamour team in college football. Is there something to that?
My buddy Dennis Dodd at CBSSports.com theorizes that we may be watching the beginning of the end for this incredible run by USC. The Trojans have a new quarterback for the second straight year and had to replace nine starters on defense from last season. Is there something to that?
All I know is that for the fourth consecutive year it looks like USC is going to come up one win short of playing for it all and will accept the Rose Bowl as a consolation prize. That’s not bad but for USC fans it has to be getting old.
Is there anything really wrong at USC? Or is this just the nature of college football today? I’m interested in your thoughts.
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139 comments Add your comment
Ali Akbar Allah
September 22nd, 2009
8:26 am
If Paul Johnson was at USC, the Trojans wouldn’t have lost to Washington. There isn’t a better big game coach in the land.
Max Sizemore
September 22nd, 2009
8:27 am
USC is considerably better than under previous administration. As Idi Amin once said, Uganda win ‘em all.
Are you that STUPID?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
September 22nd, 2009
8:31 am
Hey Ali, the first big game that Paul Johnson coaches in will be his first. Try winning your own division before you claim Paul Johnson to be the best coach in the land.
Warren Sapp is a baaaaaaaaaad man
September 22nd, 2009
8:33 am
33-17 techmites, more to come later
Atlanta Gator
September 22nd, 2009
8:33 am
The problem for Pete Carroll and his USC Trojans football team is that most years they are so much better than their Pac-10 competition that they start to take the wins for granted. Even a top-10 team can get picked off a by a cellar dweller if they don’t bring their “A” game. Lesser teams live to play Number One — it’s the lesser’s team’s conference championship, bowl game and national championship rolled into one. College football is a game of emotions, and virtually every team can play above their talent level once a season. That’s why true upsets happen, and that’s why they play the games.
BTW, I think Washington may be a pretty decent team this year. Moreover, the Huskies’ win over the Trojans puts LSU’s close win over Washington is a somewhat different light.
JIMBOB
September 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
It’s not like SC has had a huge drop-off in terms of their success. Only one team (or maybe two, when the second team goes undefeated like Auburn a few seasons ago) can finish as the best team in the country. They’ve underachieved only if ‘underachievement’ includes a team that fails to win the title every single season.
If they’ve underacieved, then Richt and almost every coach in the country should be given a pink slip.
Coach Cool
September 22nd, 2009
8:43 am
No way. No how.
Pete Carroll has put the “Spoiled” in the U-niversity of S-poiled C-hildren.
New Year’s in Pasadena getting old? Please.
Let me say two words: Paul Hackett.
Case closed.
Vince Neil
September 22nd, 2009
8:43 am
Nachos is the man. I hung out with him this past Saturday and he drank like 14 beers during the Bama game.
Ron Mexico
September 22nd, 2009
8:43 am
No underachievement, just big game hangovers. Compounded this year by playing a team featuring USC’s former offensive and defensive coordinators, as well as all-everything QB Jake Locker to make things tick. Even with Washington’s recent struggles, with the insight from the coordinators, it was not hard to see that they’d do well against USC this year.
gatorcali247
September 22nd, 2009
8:44 am
As someone closely exposed to the USC program I can say that they have a entitlement chip on their shoulder as if to think that they can waltz in on any given day and beat people. USC players do believe the hype and take on this Hollywood persona of big bad USC. Also the swagger and fear me cus we are USC is no longer there, teams are not afraid of USC anymore.
I got to see USC up close this past spring and predicted them to lose 2-3 games and with Cal and Oregon ahead on schedule I may not be far off that mark.
Alfonzo S. Tangerine
September 22nd, 2009
8:45 am
You shouldn’t have been so surprised, Tony. If you look up “absurd” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Mike Lupica (and a reference to Ole Miss’s AP ranking, but that’s another topic).
GeezusDawg
September 22nd, 2009
8:49 am
I think you would be remiss in not mentioning the fact that Pete Carroll has also lost several of his coordinators over the years too; that’s the price of a successful program. I don’t think they have under-achieved; they have just hit some gaps with folks leaving early.
BugKiller
September 22nd, 2009
8:49 am
Are you stupid??? Yeah, man, look in the mirror and ask yourself that question. You’ve been had by obvious sarcasm.
PT
September 22nd, 2009
8:51 am
Hey Ali your comment on PJ is absurd. He has never even been in a BIG game
im4bama
September 22nd, 2009
8:55 am
It’s over for USC’s reign in the media and voter’s eyes and I’m glad to see it. For years, all they had to do was go through that cupcake conference without losing, not even have to play a conference championship game and they would always be playing for the BCS title.
That always pissed me off because of what the SEC teams have to go through to get to the big game.
It is no doubt over for USC. Neuheisal and Sarkisian will both be getting some of those talented recruits that USC has been stockpiling all these years and now the playing field will be level. Plus, losing both your offensive and defensive coordinators is a big thing to overcome. Oddly, the media isn’t really addressing that about USC but should be. I had forecasted that Cal would beat USC, but Washington beat them to the punch. Oh well. It’s all good because I don’t have to hear about USC, Carrol or Barkley anymore this year. I will say one last thing; I am dissapointed that Bama or Florida won’t get a chance to play them for the BCS Championship, because an SEC team would have torn them a new one.
SimpleDawg
September 22nd, 2009
8:56 am
TB,
The landscape of college football is changing every year. The 85 scholarship rule has had a dramatic impact on college football in general, and on the traditional powers in particular.
The talent is getting spread out more and more each year. These talented freshmen players are more interested in going to a school where they can play early and “show their wares”, as opposed to going to an established program where they can be assured of being a member of a championship contending team, but maybe not playing for a couple of years.
Coaches can no longer scholarship players to avoid facing them as an opponent. It is beginning to be the “Law of Greater Numbers”….there’s more very talented players than there is room at the traditional powers to stockpile them. Being in a “Hotbed” of talent no longer assures that the big state school will get most of the talent, or even the best talent.
It’s a brave new world….see the rise of Boise State, Utah, Rutgers, Okie State, Texas Tech; occasionally Oregon, Oregon State, and the resurrection of BYU, Ole Miss, Miami, Ga. Tech, etc.
quaildawg
September 22nd, 2009
8:58 am
I beleive that the level of competition has been down for so long in the PAC 10 that when USC, under Carrol, was trying to re-emerge they were hungery as a group, now they play to the level of the competition w/in the conference and that has not been very good for some time. They are head and shoulders above any other team in the PAC10 but complacency has robbed them of that killer instinct they once had (see Aub,Neb,VA,OSU,AR).
Bama Aaron
September 22nd, 2009
8:58 am
I don’t think USC has under achieved. They’ve had let downs after bigs wins, and you can’t win them all.
But I don’t think they’ll be accepting any Rose Bowl bid this year. They’ve still got 1, possibly 2 losses left this season. Even USC has to rebuild occasionally.
Tony, Tony, Tony...
September 22nd, 2009
8:59 am
…get a better editor – “and lost to Stanford, a 41-point favorite” – I believe Stanford was a 41 point UNDERDOG!
Miles
September 22nd, 2009
8:59 am
Only at a handful of schools (USC included) will a one loss season be less than satisfactory.
quaildawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:03 am
Come on Ali meant “big” as in Jax ST, Gardner Web, Duke.
Fleischman in Chattanooga
September 22nd, 2009
9:03 am
meet me in the bathroom
1L
September 22nd, 2009
9:04 am
Why does everyone have to qualify the 2005 loss? They LOST THE GAME!!! Just because Vince Young played out of his mind doesnt mean that the trojans should get an asterisk beside the loss.
But at least you dont just give them the 2003 national title. Most people just give them the first title, when everyone and their mother knows that year LSU won the BCS national Championship.
Gen Neyland
September 22nd, 2009
9:09 am
Ali Akbar : Stick to goat herding and try not to think anything football.
The hotbeds of football talent, due to sheer population numbers and love of the game, has California, Texas, Florida and Georgia ranked among tops in the country. Carroll stays close to home in recruiting and IMHO, it doesn’t benefit him the same as it does programs in the other states mentioned for some reason. I can’t put a finger on it. Looking at his teams over the years, he has turned out some darn fine players at the college level and moved many up to the pros. Personally, I don’t know how he ever loses a game but he finds a way…
UGASlobberknocker
September 22nd, 2009
9:09 am
USC hasnt underachieved..its just that the natl media wants so badly to put them on a pedestal that when they lose there is overreaction from those same prognosticators who want to make their bad analysis seem less so.
USC’s problem is that in a crappy conference, they lose their edge playing so many bad teams..all of whom can beat you if strange things happen (such as the starting QB going down and the other team playing out of their shoes for the first time in 20 yrs.) The SEC champion always almost always loses 1 game..it isnt considered as bad because the conference is so much better, If the SEC champ loses one game to say, Georgia or LSU..that is a lot better than losing to Wash or Stanford.
Since USC cant change conferences, they’d best seek out a quality SEC opponent home and home every single year instead of traveling east to play an ACC team. They need 2 quality non conf opponents every years ,given the 9 game PAC 10 schedule, to get past this problem.
David
September 22nd, 2009
9:09 am
If you want to talk about underachievers… look at FSU’s run from 1988 until 2000-whatever… only 2 titles.
Joe
September 22nd, 2009
9:10 am
I think we see why Carroll was so upset with Mark Sanchez for leaving early. It wasn’t that Carroll thought that Sanchez was not ready, it was that he knew he would have to endure a tough season this year without Sanchez at QB.
Column is interesting, Tony, but you and I both know that if USC cakewalks through the Pac-10, at the end of the season all the pundits will point back to the U-dub loss and say it was because Barkley did not play.
I would not be shocked if USC somehow finds their way back into the MNC/BS talk by the end of the season.
honest_abe
September 22nd, 2009
9:11 am
lol if carroll was the coach at uga the fans would’ve ran him out by now. usc has either the #1 or #2 recruiting class every year. the fact that they are losing to some of the bottom feeders of the pac 10 are more than enough reason to fire someone.
the coaches coach. the players play. sure he probably could’ve done somethings differently last week. but it was his qb that couldn’t convert a 3rd down. not his coordinator, not him.
Dawg from DC
September 22nd, 2009
9:11 am
Pi$$onaDawg, you must be #120, god what has this world come too. Can’t even read an article and have a conversation with being rude. Are you kin to Kanye?
honest_abe
September 22nd, 2009
9:12 am
that was sarcasm for those of you not bright enough to know
joe joe
September 22nd, 2009
9:12 am
USC has one Crystal Ball. Fla & LSU have two.
Is Carroll an underachiever, I would say no but he sure gets a lot of mulligans.
His talent level is head over heels better than what else is in his conference unlike SEC teams where it is more balanced.
Eric
September 22nd, 2009
9:13 am
It’s the nature of the beast….you can’t win ‘em all. Even the last 2 NC have had losses. As for nachos, I think he’s the nachos that have already been eaten and are now floating in the rtr bowl. WDE!!!
honest_abe
September 22nd, 2009
9:14 am
you have to ignore pi$$… everyone that blogs on ajc know’s he’s a techie. a rude, obnoxious, immature one at that.
Andre "Pulpwood" Smith
September 22nd, 2009
9:16 am
Perhaps USC hasn’t underachieved, but Pete Carroll surely gets a free ride from the national media. Imagine the uproar if Mark Richt, Urban Meyer or Nick Saban lost every year to Miss. State, Vandy or Kentucky. Pete’s good looks and openness with the press assures that he’ll never be criticized by the Tony Barnharts of the world.
Howard
September 22nd, 2009
9:16 am
Tony…the mainstream sports media…not you…love the Pac-10 and the Big-10 and always salivate about those two conferences supplying the two teams for the BCS title game. Look at what’s happening now…Penn State number six?? Come on…it’s just to keep a Big 10 team near the top in hopes Joe Pa and his over-rated bunch run the tables. It’s always about USC, Ohio State and Penn State it seems…used to be Michigan and Notre Dame in there too, but they’re rebuilding. Oklahoma took their places as one of their favorites. I feel if teams are gonna be in the BCS game, then their conferences need to have conference title games…like the ACC, SEC and Big-12. USC and Penn State can be over-rated but they’re always gonna be rated near the top because their leagues have no title games. Oh, Cal has been elevated as the best great hope for the Pac-10…the media is now dreaming of Cal-Penn State. Their worst nightmare?? Texas vs. Florida!! Big-12 vs. SEC would drive them crazy…esp., with teams sporting quarterbacks that are great role models and Christian kids!!
BankerDawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:19 am
**–He shared the national championship in 2003, won it outright in 2004, and was within seconds of winning a third straight title in 2005, but Texas and Vince Young had other ideas.
First, can we please stop perpetuating this myth that the Trojans shared the title in 2003? There is no sharing in the BCS era. It is the BCS National Championship Game….if you’re not playing in it, you can’t win it. Come on, Tony. Enough is enough.
Regarding Carroll underachieving, certainly a case can be made.
With all the vast amounts of 5 star talent, he has guided USC to one (yes, ONE) title with perhaps the easiest path each year…A PAC 10 schedule and no conference championship game.
He continues to trip up every year….Oregon State twice, Stanford, Washington, etc…losing to inferior teams has cost him dearly.
I do believe he has underachieved, as crazy as it may seem.
athensdawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:24 am
who cares what dennis dodd, mike lupica or whomever else writes.
what matters is what happens on the field.
USC is a great program and has been an elite team the past 10 years.
they lose to washington and all the sportswriters want to dump on them.
typical. and, because there is no “big game marquee matchup” this weekend, they spend their time arguing about whether or not it is “over” for use. We have to endure this until saturday…..
Dennis Dodd “USC is finished.”
Tony Barnhart : “No they are not”
Lou Holtz: “Yes they are, Notre Dame will run the table to win the National Championship.
Mark May: “Lou, you are insane.”
Herbstriet: “They are not in the big ten so they are irrelevant.”
Corso: “Not so fast, my friend. USC beat a big ten team, so they must be considered a national title contender.”
Rocket: “We beat them at Notre Dame. Notre Dame is better.”
Jim Donnan: “Had they not run me off at UGA, I would have beaten pete carroll heads up….if i didn’t leave to take the (insert college looking for coach) job first.”
Spencer Tillman: “Let me fix my eye makeup….”
dan
September 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Maybe now everyone can see why Carrol was so upset at Sanchez leaving early. I can assure you it had nothing to do with his belief Sanchez wasn’t ready for the NFL.
And since when is it a given USC will make the Rose Bowl as a consolation. My guess is they will lose to Cal and possibly Oregon considering Carrol’s record on the road in Oregon. No QB = No offense. They are a top 20 team, but not a top 5 team, I don’t care what their school name is.
PTC DAWG
September 22nd, 2009
9:26 am
To be short and concise on Tony’s question…NO…
And the first poster about Paul Johnson cracks me up. Thanks for the laugh on a day where so many in the Atlanta area are suffering.
UGASlobberknocker
September 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
I agree with Howard above, but Penn State at #6 is no more of a joke than Ole Miss at #4.
PMC
September 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
Absurd question from Lupica. USC has NEVER EVER been as good as they have been under Pete Carroll. National Championships are a crapshoot.
They have gone anywhere and beaten the brakes off of every good team they’ve played. They’ve also managed to slip up and lose to inferior talent. This is not really the coaches fault. This is the nature of college children. It’s the same reason teams like Alabama lose to inferior Utah teams in bowls. They don’t really care about playing Washington or Oregon State… You can scream at them until you are blue in the face but you can’t make them be ready if they won’t focus.
USC wasn’t using thier recruiting advantage until Carroll got there. They were lackluster and boring most of the 80’s and 90’s.
Every year his teams peak at the end and the bowl game. It took a superhuman effort by Vince Young to beat them in the Championship game and he was one of the greatest big game college athletes of all time… not to mention the media hype all over USC that Texas had heard for a month.
Dawgday
September 22nd, 2009
9:30 am
Since 2001 USC is 6-0 in bowl games against the big ten. 1-1 against other conference (big 12).
I believe USC is catching the virus that has been sweeping through the Big Ten. Lack of competition is making them soft. USC is a great program, but because they walk through the PAC 10 every year, they get rewarded with another Big Ten blowout in the Rose bowl. The Big Ten has refused to play a conference championship and are stuck in the past and it’s killing their conference. The big 12, SEC, and yes even the ACC will pass them by because of tougher competition and a championship game. USC will continue to go the way of the Big Ten and Notre Dame.
David
September 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
He has lost more assistant coaches to other schools and the NFL then any other head coach in the country. I think he is going threw an adjustment this year. More then likely he will run the table and go back to the Rose Bowl as PAC-10 champ.
PMC
September 22nd, 2009
9:32 am
Penn State has played…. Akron, Syracuse and Temple and they are awarded with a top 5 ranking.
I don’t care if you are a dyed in the wool Nittany Lion…. that’s embarassing. With Jewel Hampton out at Iowa they only really play perhaps 2 or 3 games worth viewing out of 11 and they should be ashamed at thier football programs lack of courage.
The only team stupid enough to stay in cover 1 for an entire half vs USC.
The question...
September 22nd, 2009
9:36 am
…should not have been “has Pete Carroll” underachieved, but who else has underachieved (based on BankerDawgs rationale), including Mack Brown at TX, Bob Stoops at OK, and Jim Tressel at Ohio State, since all of these guys have won MNC in the past 10 years and have played, or been closing to playing, on other occasions. We have to leave UF and LSU out since they have won 2 each in the past 10 years..But, we have to consider UGA since they choked a big one last year – and annually lose to UF despite having good recruits year in and year out!
DawginTex
September 22nd, 2009
9:36 am
Expectation and pre season rankings TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO high!!!!!!!
If you lose 8 or 9 starters on def and have a new qb coming in who has no experience, you should NOT BE RANKED #3…………. This seems to be a growing trend..
If you lose your starting QB from the year before, you should not be ranked in top 5.
Speaking of rankings and getting too much love . How does USC lose to an unranked team and drop only 7 spots !!
Here is one reason why: voters did not want to put them below Ohio state , who they beat………… New RULE.. IF one or more weeks have passed it is OK to rank a team lower than a team they previously beat.
However, if it is the same week…………. You can’t have BYU ranked ahead of FSU, after FSU crushed them THAT week.
Wonderdog
September 22nd, 2009
9:39 am
Ali- another closet dog
kj
September 22nd, 2009
9:40 am
Tony,
Maybe you should read Jeff Schultz colmun today. Comment on Meyer for once and not on your Lane Kiffin Crusade. Great call on Vols would get killed. I was there and the crowd came out sounding like they lost.
F-105 Thunderchief
September 22nd, 2009
9:41 am
Your gut reaction was correct. That’s absurd. Same thing goes in Columbus, Ohio, Athens, Ga. and Norman, Okla.
SimpleDawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:42 am
“It’s not about the X’s & O’s, it’s about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s.”
True enough, unless your Jimmy’s and Joe’s are inferior in speed and skill. A great coach can’t scheme average players into a great team, but a poor coach can scheme great players into an average team.
The Holy Trinity of football: Player Talent, Coaching, Team Chemistry. You can go undefeated with a strong base of each, you can win 75% of your games with the right mix of 2 out of 3, but you’ll be lucky to half of your games with only 1 out of 3.
The Dawgs haven’t been able to perfect the mix….yet.
Dangerous
September 22nd, 2009
9:43 am
USC loses 3,4 or 5 games this year! Lost a lot of talent and both coordinators.
Dave R
September 22nd, 2009
9:45 am
Let’s wait until the season’s over before declaring the death of USC. They’ve laid an egg in random games before, and ended up in the top 5 anyway.
JWalker
September 22nd, 2009
9:49 am
Tony, go with your first instinct…absurd. Other absurdities:
–Auburn
–the notion that GT will win more than 8 games
–Georgia’s defensive game-planning
–Les Miles
–predictions that Ole Miss will win the West (they lose Thursday)
–paying actual money to support South Carolina’s football program
McDawg
September 22nd, 2009
9:51 am
well you can’t win them all-BTW this week is the UGA trap game
Tom
September 22nd, 2009
10:00 am
Enter your comments here Show me a Univ.in the country that would not be happy with that record and I will show a bunch of stupid people. My daughter (and my wifes money) attended USC an everyone I know is happy but they could be happier. That is why Ala. hired Sabin, Tenn Hired Lane, FL hired big mouth and every school is trying to do the same. You have to be lucky to win a Nat Champ. Show me a team that has won one without being lucky?
Keith
September 22nd, 2009
10:06 am
The bottom line is you are dealing with 18-20 year old kids. That type of game takes place everywhere at every level. It is the nature of the beast. I could agree that given what USC had to replace from last season that they were a little over rated. So is everyone, and that is why pre season rankings are garbage. You don’t truely know what a team is made of until they play a ‘real’ team. I commend teams like ‘Bama and USC who play real games early to let the country know what they are made of. Then, win or lose, the teams that chalk their schedule full of cupcakes benefit and move up. Football is just that kind of game where a team can lose to Duke, but beat Florida. There is no explanation other than the old ‘any given day’. You try and roll your helmet out on the field thinking you’re going to win, you will be in for a long day. I know the folks out this way love to rip on football west of the Mississip, but few teams out here schedule them. When they do, they lose. Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee, UGA. Give me the one game, USC v UF. Is that asking too much? USC will even get on a plane. You know, one of those things that flies people from one place to another. I do like what I am seeing though. LSU goes to UW, UGA goes to OSU, Tenn goes to UCLA, Bama v VaTech. Hopefully this is the start of a trend. People don’t want to wait til January to watch a good out of conference football game.
Dog44
September 22nd, 2009
10:30 am
My 2 cents — Pete Carroll does a great job at keeping his players relaxed and loose for the big games – that is one of his trademarks – and they almost always win those games.
However, I wonder if it comes back to bite him in some of these other games against lesser opponents where they are supposed to win big. I wonder if he’s not getting them focused and intense enough. As they say, your greatest strength can also become your greatest weakness.
happily retired
September 22nd, 2009
10:30 am
Belichick, Cowher, Shanahan, all Super Bowl coaches who lost one game during the season they won it. Why doesn’t the media or fans hold the NFL coaches to the same standard of a college coach? Everybody in the NFL makes big money so there should be no excuses for making mistakes, and losing ONE football game, unless you accept that it is a game played on a field.
Before Carroll the last time USC was relevant was in the seventies. Now they are a top five program.
m
September 22nd, 2009
10:31 am
First of all…it shows that the rankings are total bull.
Second, it shows that college football is the greatest sport of all time and the only thing holding it back is the stupid BSbcs.
We need a 16 team playoff. Teams should be chosen from conference champions and at large teams chosen by computers (NO HUMAN OPINIONS ALLOWED).
It would be the greatest sporting event of all time. Every game would mean something and everyone would be given a fair shake and if you are the best (like Utah last year) then you would be able to prove it….and most of all it would take all these IDIOTIC opinions out of football.
One thing about it Tony….your opinions sucks….but it doesn’t suck any worse than anyone else’s.
Thank God and Greyhound that chan gomer gailey is gone forever…too bad he didn’t take the BSbcs with him.
STILL a Bozo
September 22nd, 2009
10:38 am
LOOK OUT U OF GEORGIA! UR NEXT!! I’M BIG AND BAD AND 1-2! AFTER DESTROYING MIGHTY WESTERN KENTUCKY, I VANQUISHED THOSE MIGHTY GATORS RIGHT IN THE SWAMP 13-23!!! AND SOON, I WILL BE HUFFING AND PUFFING AND BLOWING UR DAWGHOUSE DOWN!! FEAR THE KIFFEY!
robodawg
September 22nd, 2009
10:44 am
Atlanta Gator and the others are correct — USC’s problem is it’s lack of conference competition. When you win your conference 7 years in a row, it becomes meaningless and expected. But you are the one team everyone else in the conference gets up to play for.
Dennis Dodd is wrong, this is not the beginning of the end. I thought USC was overrated going into this season b/c of their QB situation. But their barn is loaded with athletes, and they will bounce back and remain part of the national title picture in coming seasons. USC gets its pick of athletes in the West and challenges for quite a few 5-star players in the rest of the nation as well. As long as Carroll stays around (and he seems pretty happy with his job) they aren’t going nowhere. The only thing that could knock them off stride is if a couple other PAC-10 teams can raise the level of their programs. Imagine if the SEC had a single elite team for the last decade, if over that period Florida, LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Tennessee didn’t have to go thru each other to win the SEC. Then winning the conference would mean nothing, and playing for the national title would be the only thing that matters. That’s where USC sits now — if they don’t finish as national champs, then their season is bust. They’ve been so dominant in the PAC-10 that they’re a victim of their own success.
Lil Laney
September 22nd, 2009
10:47 am
Hey, Pete Carroll is DA BOMB! Especially with his shirt off and the fog machine going. And other than myself, you couldn’t find a better HC! His teams always play hard and with much swagger. In fact, I JUST got off the phone with him, congratulating him on his moral victory over the REAL dawgs Washington Huskeys. Gotta go, Reggie’s picking me up today to look at houses.
BAMA STAN
September 22nd, 2009
10:49 am
12 NATIONAL TITLES – 21 SEC TITLES!!!
Pete Carroll underachieve at USC???
NO WAY!!!
Coach Carroll wants his assistant coaches to go on and be very successful – this is a mark of a coach that is not afraid to hire good young talent knowing that they will leave….or he will make a coaching change if the team is not playing at an elite level (see Richt – Martinez)
Cycles – college being what it is with new freshman playing every year – means recruiting is key – then coaching and team work. Carroll has excelled on all levels.
This year starts a new cycle – Freshman QB, new OC and new DC – yet they still beat Ohio State on the road. This team and program will be fine – and win plenty of games and titles in the long haul. 2009 may have a few growing pains – but it will make USC fans even more appreciative of good times.
Just look at Alabama and the decade of shame we had to endure due to our self-inflicted issues. We BAMA fans appreciate our history of being an elite program – but really appreciate being back up there competing for titles – and 2009 looks to be very good.
Place USC in any conference – and they will be competing for titles – even in the mighty SEC.
This is a very good program – despite what may happen in 2009 with new staff and freshman at key positions – let’s see what happens in 2010. My bet is that they win the Pac10 in 2010.
If you want to talk about underachieving:
- Look at UGA in 2008.
- Look at UGA in 2007 against SC and TN.
- Look at UGA in 2006 with losses to KY and Vandy.
- Look at UGA in 2009 season opener against OSU?
- Look at UGA defense.
UGA will never be a sustained elite program like USC or a Florida (thanks to Spurrier and Meyer (heck Zook had a winning record against UGA at 2-1) or Alabama (see Alabama’s history – YES -even before the Bear – BAMA was the king of the SEC).
I stated several times – UGA historically is a very good program – but not an elite program – UGA is much like Auburn in that regard.
Most of this stuff is media created and driven – let the facts speak for themselves.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lil Laney
September 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
Oh, and by the way, say hi to Marlon for me. Is he still enrolled?
Dangerous
September 22nd, 2009
10:50 am
Keith you could’ve had your one game the year before, but unlike what Pete C said about wanting the best opponent, USC took Ill instead. Everyone across the country wanted to see them play.
Dangerous
September 22nd, 2009
10:51 am
That would’ve been USC vs GA.
gbal
September 22nd, 2009
10:52 am
Retired –
The reason pro coaches are not held to the one loss standard is….
Playoff – Only 2 teams make the college playoffs – The two selected to the Big game. You cal loose 1-2-5 and still have a chance to get to the superbowl thru the playoffs,
murfdawg
September 22nd, 2009
10:53 am
Lupica and Dodd are just a reflection of our society in the 21st century. They have to justify their existence by criticizing and condemning people who are more successful than they are. does Lupica write the best column in America every day? Is he the best sports reporter in the country every year? NO and NO! But is he worth listening to sometimes? Yes. But if I judge him by his standards, he is an underachiever who gets smoked every week in his commentary by Mitch Albom. Life is not full of absolutes and everything is not black and white. I guess Lupica doesn’t have children, because he would have thrown them out the first time they “underachieved.”
p.s. Pete Carroll may do his best coaching job this year because of players he has had to replace.
STILL a Bozo
September 22nd, 2009
10:54 am
Has anybody seen my big red nose and Estrada sunglasses??
Kendawg
September 22nd, 2009
11:03 am
Is there any question that the media overhypes USC? If you watch College Football Live on ESPN, they have a segment on USC and Notre Dame every day. Some days, they barely mention anyone from the SEC, which most observers agree has the best football in the country. If Notre Dame played UGA’s schedule this year, they’d be lucky to win four games, yet Lou wants them to be in the NC game.
Andre Smith has man boobs
September 22nd, 2009
11:06 am
UGA football is a complete joke! Nice defense you tools.
Kevin
September 22nd, 2009
11:09 am
USC would have won 4 or 5 National Championships under Carroll if there was a playoff. The BCS should be re-named the “glad we did not play USC” championship. Texas is the only time where USC stumbled on a big stage. Last year they would have slammed the Gators. But the current system rules and they should know that when they overlook inferior opponents during the season.
Perry
September 22nd, 2009
11:22 am
Enter your comments here The difference is Norm Chow. Carroll hasn’t wont a title since Norm left. Carroll did OK with Norm’s disciples Sarkisian and Kiffin but they are now gone. Caroll didn’t like the credit Chow was getting so engineered him out. Anyway, Norm is now at UCLA across town and doing a great job with less stellar atheltes. Look for UCLA to regain on USC.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
September 22nd, 2009
11:23 am
USC is just over hyped. They play an equally over rated Ohio State, a pitiful Notre Dame and a cast of Pac 10 teams that are playing catch up with the rest of the country. Now USC is good, but a preseason top 3 was and is a joke. Without a great QB you can only go so far. Pete Carroll would not have had the “success” he has had had he coached in the SEC, too many good teams every year. I don’t know why it surprises everyone when they do what they do, lose on the road to a mediocre team every year. Over hyped by by the media last year, this year, next year, the year after that and so on and so on and so on
Keith
September 22nd, 2009
11:30 am
Dangerous, I can’t imagine that Pete wouldn’t take UF during the season. He went to Auburn when the had all that hype, he went to Arkansas when they beat LSU, and LSU won the title with 2 Ls. But if he did, damn him! I want to see that game! Hell, I’ll take UF @ CAL. UF @ Oregon State. Hell, UF getting on a plane for more than an hour to play anyone!
Kendwag, please save the ND hate. UGA would be lucky to win 4 games on Notre Dame’s schedule too, with that D. That 1 team makes more $$ than most conferences. You think they are going to change the way they do things? Hate ‘em? Schedule ‘em!
SEC4Life
September 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
I stopped listening to Lupica, Bob Ryan and the rest of the Sunday-morning ESPN nitwits a long time ago.
There’s no way anyone can say USC has underachieved under Pete Carroll. USC “sleeps” on someone in their conference every year. It’s nothing new to anyone that watches CFB regularly. If you want to knock Coach Carroll for anything then it would be that he doesn’t seem to keep his teams motivated for 12 straight weeks. The only ’surprising’ factor about this year’s loss was that it came so early, but when you think about it, it’s not that surprising given the fact that they lost to a team coached by their former offensive and defensive coordinators.
That’s why you shouldn’t pay any attention to any CFB “analyst” who tries to make more out of this than what it is. Cal, Oreg. St, and Wash U. have all gotten better within the last two years so (of course) USC isn’t going to steamroll through the Pac 10 this year, or the next two or three years for that matter.
CLDuck
September 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
If the PAC 10 is such a weak conference, how did they go 5-0 in bowl games last year? Just because SEC homers say the SEC is the best, it doesn’t mean we have to believe them. When most of the SEC plays 4 OOC against SE Culinary School for the Blind type of teams, it means they only have to win 2 conference games to be bowl eligible. (exceptions are Tenn and Ga, who do travel) I’ll believe in the SEC hype when their teams aren’t afraid to travel to play other BCS teams in OOC games. The reason USC loses to PAC 10 teams is because the PAC 10 has some really good teams. Did you notice how many Oregon State players were drafted last year? More than your team with only a few exceptions, and I don’t like the Beavers.
Wiley
September 22nd, 2009
11:47 am
The man won National Championships. No way did he underachieve….dawg fans have no room to talk about underacheiving. Im no USC fan but Pete Carroll has won two rings in his time there…..that is overachieving in my book. Its college football….your gonna lose sometimes.
Come On Now!
September 22nd, 2009
11:51 am
Come now people! If the team you were playing knew your playbook offense, defense, and check calls what can you do about it? Sure you can improvise so much, but Coach Sarks knows USC’s offense top to bottom and not to mention USC’s Defense andschemes. Now, I hope nothing but the best for Washington, but if they lose to Sanford, then you know USC lost was a fraud.
GACRIMSON
September 22nd, 2009
12:04 pm
BANKERDAWG……sorry man,but your wrong.especially now.What if ………[insert favorite team here] is ,after all bowl games are played,awarded the AP title without playing in the actual “bcs” title game? Would you discount said title and throw the trophy in the dumpster? it’s one reason the AP has taken itself out of the mix and thats a good thing.
Paul Johnson
September 22nd, 2009
12:08 pm
Are you that stupid, Tony?
Old Dawg
September 22nd, 2009
12:11 pm
These things go in cycles. I agree with a lot of the other folks here. It is really difficult given the balance in the game today to win everything every season but the lack of a quality conference hurts USC in the long run. They do play national powers outside of the PAC 10, though Ohio State and Notre Dame aren’t what they used to be. USC fans shouldn’t worry too much, things are in pretty good hands for the Trojans.
As for not having things in good hands, the UGA defense needs a upload of different scheme etc. If it doesn’t happen quick I see real trouble throughout the remainder of the SEC schedule. Wouldn’t it be a tough pill to swallow if WM’s defense made UT’s John Crompton look like Peyton Manning Oct. 10? Hope it doesn’t happen, but the way the secondary has played recently it’s a distinct possibility!
Tide4u2c
September 22nd, 2009
12:16 pm
No I don’t think USC has underachieved it is hard to deny how good of a team they have been since Pete Carroll went there.Sure they have a weakness of losing to a team they should beat during the season but it is still hard to deny how good they have been.USC is the reason we have renamed the Pac 10 the Pac 1. Everybody knows about USC and what they are capable of and I think they would do well if they played in the SEC they’d probably lose to Vandy or Miss St though lol.
What?
September 22nd, 2009
12:16 pm
Come On Now! — Nice logic there chief, but if Sarkesian (sp?) new the USC playbook, could the same not be said for USC knowing the Washington playbook? Or did Sarkesian suddenly adopt an new offensive scheme and philosophy? Of course he didn’t, so what is your point? Good grief.
Steve McGarrett as Chin Ho's leader
September 22nd, 2009
12:39 pm
Over-rated and under-achieved? Look at all of the Uga fans screaming about this and look at your own program. High rankings with 4 & 5 STAR recruits and you never win or play for a MNC. Anyone says it about Uga and Bill King and this group all make excuses. Atleast we play for NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS and WIN!!!!! GO GATORS !!!!!!!!!
Sautee Dawg
September 22nd, 2009
1:01 pm
Tony, do you think that maybe the USC program has been a little bit overrated in the past? Maybe the Pac-10 conference is likened to the other conferences across the country, lower teir teams are not as common as they were. SEC, ACC, any team in any of these conferences can beat anybody on a given day. Same with the Division 2 teams knocking off Division 1 teams. To me pac-10 has been overrated for some time and USC has been whipping them on a regular basis, now most schools have better recruits and facilities than in the past and their not as easy to whip.
Never understood how USC could get the power rankings according to strength of schedule, unless ofcourse you concider they play Ohio ST., who in my opinion are in the same position.
MoDawg
September 22nd, 2009
1:24 pm
BAMA STAIN, this blog is about USC and has nothing to do with UGA.
Why do you want to be a UGA fan so bad? According to you, your team is the best ever. You became relevant again…congratulations.
Utah is NOT impressed!
DP
September 22nd, 2009
1:31 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how USC was rated a consensus top 4 team in all the polls when they lost 9 starters on defense and had no QB with signficant game experience.
92 Gator
September 22nd, 2009
1:33 pm
BamaStan-
Give us a call when Bama actually wins another title. Pretty pathetic that you think because of your team’s past that 1 good season in the last 15 means that you are back. Bama will lose at least a couple this year, just like last year. Still laughing about that how you shamed the conference in the Sugar Bowl.
Gdawg
September 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
BamaStan, I used to like and respect Bama-their fans and program. Then you crawled out from under your rock last year behaving like one of the Tech brats. You guys beat the hell out of us last year and we tip our collective caps to Bama.
After your nonstop bashing (even when your own team is humiliated as the SEC representative-yuo never let up), we can’t wish enough ill will on Bama now. Fortunately, you guys will likely be faced with the death penalty within the next few years and that will be all for you and the Tide.
JP
September 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
As a Gator fan, I admire what Carroll has done at USCw. How can he be criticized for winning only one BCS title and one AP title? Florida had to get some breaks just to get in to their title games. It is so hard to win one title, let alone back to back or 2 out of 3, etc… Any team in the country would take USC’s underachieving any day.
KillCasualFan
September 22nd, 2009
1:42 pm
The better question is when is the NCAA going to do something about all of the USC cheating, the Bush Scandal, etc.
3 Dawg Night
September 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
CUMSTAIN, I mean BAMASTAN, Keep clinging to your past record. As a resident in Alabama, we understand that it’s all you’ll ever have.
Harold Banks
September 22nd, 2009
2:07 pm
I don’t think they underachieved. When you’re one of the best every one guns for you. Look at Florida last year. They were taken down by an Ole Miss team that had their number. I am not really surprised that USC lost to Washington. The Trojans have lost a lot of personnel and coaches as well over the past few years. They will regroup and come out swinging. Go USC Trojans!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tide4u2c
September 22nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Alabma has always had a bullseye on our back and it has’nt changed.Just like in the past Alabama is going to have to earn everything they get even amongst a bias against us.That is O.K just don’t be surprised when Alabama beats your team and wins another NC.
gdawginkalamazoo
September 22nd, 2009
2:14 pm
I like Pete Carroll as a coach. He brings excitement to the sideline and really gets into the games on game day. He never rides the kids too hard, he knows they are kids and will make mistakes.
With the highest payroll in college football history I would say yes he has probably underachieved.
Gdawg, I second that post. Win and act like you have done it before.
AceDawg
September 22nd, 2009
2:28 pm
All teams in college are beatable, and USC has remained one of the least beatable. They have taken their show to good teams from many conferences and nearly always come out winners. They would be fighting for a conference championship every year in any conference including the SEC, although they would only be on equal footing with a number of SEC teams, not better footing.
Only 12 NCs?
September 22nd, 2009
2:31 pm
Always nice when a Bama fan pulls out the old 12 NCs myth. Let’s see, in 1941, they finished 3rd in the SEC and the AP had them at #20, yet they claim the national championship. How about in in 1930 when six polls awarded ND the championship, yet Bama claims a retroactive one determined years later. There were several others claimed by polls taken before they lost their bowl game. The best one is as recently as 1978 when both they and USC had one loss with Bama’s loss coming to…..wait for it……USC. I am sure if you dug around you can find someone to support winning the NC last year, as long as the poll was taken before the SEC Championship Game the Sugar Bowl.
Tide4u2c
September 22nd, 2009
2:35 pm
It is silly to try to take away Alabama’s tadition and accomplishments but try if you must them Aubies love to try to take away what they’ve never came close to accomplishing.
Cory
September 22nd, 2009
2:55 pm
What is USC’s record against SEC teams in the BCS era? That’s right: 3-0. Having SEC fans blog in no way offers perspective on conference strength. Example: Did you know since the beginning of the BCS era, the Pac-10 has won over 70% or its games against the SEC? It’s just the fanatical media in the South that keeps pumping up SEC teams. Last year, Florida would have been completely shut down by USC’s defense—that’s a fact. The SEC champtions over the past 5 years should count their blessings they didn’t have to play USC in the title game. The truth hurts SEC.