Amid downturn, USC still deserves support


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Well, this was not part of the plan. Before the season began, one could imagine what the Thursday before the Oregon game would be like: the campus buzzing with excitement, students posting pictures of the ESPN College GameDay crew setting up in front of the Coliseum and cardinal and gold scattered across campus in support […]

Which is the Pac-12’s top program?


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Point: Despite Oregon’s recent string of success and a better record in 2012, USC remains the premier program in the Pac-12. This Saturday, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota’s cannon of an arm — yes, it’s stronger than Matt Barkley’s — and the blur of all-purpose weapon De’Anthony Thomas’ legs will give Trojan defenders nightmares. Oh, and […]

Don’t give up on the Trojans quite yet


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Something important got lost in all the disappointment and frustration and anger after USC’s loss in Arizona last week. BCS national title hopes dashed; flights to Miami unbooked. People more or less said the season was over. But it’s not: USC still controls its own destiny to the Rose Bowl. Yes, the Rose Bowl. The […]

Trojan fans undersold severity of USC’s issues


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I’m sorry, really. We at the Daily Trojan — the editors, the writers, the columnists — along with seemingly every other media outlet and the rest of the country bought into USC’s hype this season. We got sucked up into everything, the whirlwind of the offseason, with the free agent-like addition of running back Silas […]

Dynamic Marqise Lee deserves Heisman buzz


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TUCSON, Ariz. — Well, we learned a lot of things Saturday about the Trojans. Most of them, unfortunately, weren’t so good. Senior quarterback Matt Barkley threw for 493 yards, a school record. But he threw two interceptions and missed a wide-open Robert Woods down the sideline that might have put the game out of reach […]

Trap could be waiting for Trojans in Tucson


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Though I’m not particularly fluent in the various Internet memes, their origins or why people take the time to generate so many, USC’s clash at Arizona on Saturday conjures one I’ve seen floating around cyberspace: “It’s a trap!” Before continuing, here’s a brief meme history lesson: This meme is derived from a scene in Star […]

Women of Troy can salvage season, future


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The USC women’s soccer team came into this season with one of the program’s youngest rosters in recent history, with 16 freshmen and only four seniors on the 34-member squad. “For sure, this is the youngest team I’ve had here, and we’ve had growing pains,” said USC coach Ali Khosroshahin, who has coached the team […]

Kiffin, USC walking a very thin ethical line


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A fake extra point gone awry in the first quarter of USC’s 50-6 victory over Colorado last Saturday serves as just the latest example of the Trojans’ alarming lapse in judgment when it comes to showing common courtesy for opponents. Allow me to clarify. When USC lined up for the extra point with the score already […]

No-huddle can boost Trojans’ scoring


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You heard the jokes after USC’s Sept. 22 game against California. You heard the same jokes after subsequent road trips to Utah and Washington. USC coach Lane Kiffin’s offense was slow and stagnant. The space shuttle Endeavour trotted around Exposition Park at a quicker pace, they teased. So of course the No. 9 Trojans’ 44-point […]

Barkley stands out for more than just records


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As senior quarterback Matt Barkley ran into the locker room after a 50-6 rout against Colorado, he was all smiles. And why wouldn’t he be? He had the game of his life and set records that should stand for years. Barkley threw his 100th career touchdown pass, making him the school’s all time leader, and […]