COLUMN: USC is a fallen power


By
 6 Comments/in ,
A lot can change in a decade, especially in sports. Ten years ago, an undefeated USC team came to South Bend as the undisputed preeminent program in all of college football. Notre Dame and its coach, Charlie Weis, wanted a victory so badly they resorted to a Belichickian  move of growing the grass to slow down […]

COLUMN: Trojans need to provide light


By
 in ,
The spotlight finally turns back to the football field this Saturday — where it will hopefully stay for the remainder of the season. Through all of the events that have transpired over one of the crazier weeks at USC in recent memory, my focus, unlike the focus of many, hasn’t been on who the program […]

COLUMN: The Coliseum has lost its edge


By
 in ,
Ohio State. Alabama. Florida State. They all have one thing in common: It’s almost impossible to beat them at their home stadiums. In fact, these teams are a combined 72-3 at home since the 2012 season. The fact that these teams are so dominant at home should come as no surprise. Over the past four […]

In support of Pat Haden


By
 2 Comments/in , ,
I certainly didn’t see this coming. When Steve Sarkisian had his alcohol incident at an alumni event this August, I thought it would be an independent event. I thought it was bad and worth more serious discipline than it received, but it never crossed my mind that it would happen again. Pat Haden didn’t think it […]

COLUMN: Sarkisian deserves respect at this time


By
 5 Comments/in ,
Come on now, Trojans. I know that we pride ourselves on being the school that everyone loves to hate, and we have more rivalries than you can count on one hand, but when one of our own is struggling, it’s hardly a cause for celebration. You might not agree with his coaching style, and you […]

Sarkisian not good enough for USC


By
 1 Comment/in ,
If the USC football program wants to win national championships, then Steve Sarkisian cannot be the head coach. I originally wrote this column before the news broke that Sark is taking a forced leave of absence, but the fact that he is further substantiates the fact that he should not be on the sidelines representing […]

COLUMN: Trojans put up pathetic showing


By
 in ,
It’s only fitting for this year’s Trojan team to have heard boos rain down from the Coliseum in what was once predicted to be a cakewalk. Instead, the most unpredictable squad in recent memory turned in a dismal performance, as they got outplayed in all three phases of the game. USC’s loss to Washington was […]

College Football Pick’em: Week of 10/5


By
 in , ,
Almost halfway into the college football season, some things are starting to become quite clear — namely that every single team is vulnerable in some way, shape or form. Last weekend was a case study of this as previously unbeaten teams Ole Miss, Georgia, Notre Dame, and UCLA all lost. Cal is undefeated, Florida is […]

COLUMN: Thursday night games are unfair


By
 in ,
Student-athletes everywhere are expected to shoulder the workload of their academic peers while traveling across the country and  representing their school on the field. It’s amazing that these athletes have the time to finish their homework, let alone study for quizzes, midterms and finals. As we approach Thursday night’s game against the Washington Huskies, I […]

Sarkisian versus Petersen


By
 in , ,
It was not too long ago that I thought Chris Petersen might become the next head coach of USC football. Two seasons ago, when former head coach Lane Kiffin was fired after the implosion at Arizona State and Ed Orgeron’s title as interim head coach had an emphasis on the “interim,” Athletic Director Pat Haden […]