USC to lead the pack with defense


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When you think of smash-mouth defenses in college football, it’s hard not to rattle off a list of SEC programs that come to mind. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU — all of these names carry a distinct aura of having the type of physical ballhawks and devastating strength in the trenches that evoke a certain brand […]

Spring game was just for show


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On Saturday, as the start time for USC’s spring game grew closer, play had already begun in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where the Alabama offense sputtered in its first spring game under new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Over 2,000 miles away from here, the Crimson Tide failed to score an offensive touchdown until midway through the third […]

Trojans will thrive in playoff system


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It’s no secret that brand names drive TV ratings in sports. The NFL, the NBA and college football are all the same in this regard: Big names sell tickets and draw attention. As legendary as Boise State’s victory over Oklahoma was in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, it was also one of the lowest-rated games of […]

Wesley’s choice will haunt the Trojans


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USC basketball fans would like to forget this past season, when the Trojans only won two conference games. But first-year head coach Andy Enfield and fans got even more bad news on Wednesday when junior forward Byron Wesley, the team’s leading scorer from last season, announced that he would transfer and use his final year […]

Sarkisian made the right QB decision


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On Tuesday, as predicted by just about everyone, coach Steve Sarkisian named Cody Kessler as USC’s starting quarterback. This news comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched spring ball this year (or read my column last week). “He’s earned it and he deserves it,” Sarkisian said of Kessler. Indeed, last season’s starter was […]

NCAA rulings are often out of touch


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The NCAA announced Tuesday that Division I programs will be allowed to give athletes (including walk-on athletes) unlimited meals and snacks, according to a report from ESPN. This change comes partially off the heels of Connecticut guard Shabazz Napier’s comments regarding hunger following his team’s NCAA National Championship victory. “Sometimes, there’s hungry nights where I’m […]

Trojans’ roster features top talent


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As USC enters its final week of spring practice, the feeling of optimism that head coach Steve Sarkisian carried with him during his introductory press conference has not dissipated, but rather intensified. On the practice field, coaches are energized, players are engaged and just about everyone seems to be genuinely excited to be there. All […]

USC has reason to be hopeful next year


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With just two practices and the spring game left before USC football hits pause until fall camp, there’s a new hype surrounding the team. It’s not the pressure and hype of 2012, nor is it the skepticism of 2013. It’s a feeling that, partly due to consistent dominance and partly due to constantly inflated expectations, […]

Rutgers’ Hermann sets poor example


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Last week, the Star-Ledger laid off 167 of its employees, including 25 percent of its newsroom staff. Company officials say the newspaper is on track to bleed $19 million this year, losses that publisher Richard Vezza said can’t continue if the largest circulated paper in New Jersey is to survive. Don’t expect Rutgers athletic director […]

QB battle creates useless drama


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Blah blah blah, quarterbacks.Blah blah blah, Cody Kessler.Blah blah blah, Max Browne. Blah blah blah blah blah. After USC’s football practice on Tuesday, head coach Steve Sarkisian said he “would suspect” he’d name a presumptive starting quarterback by the end of spring. Wow! What news! What a dramatic impact this will have on the season. […]