Where does this historic rivalry now stand? (DT)


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Unless I’ve been sleeping under a rock for the last decade, the question of who still holds a grasp on the coveted “Jeweled Shillelagh” heading into USC and Notre Dame’s prime time showdown tomorrow night, requires little to no thought: USC. There’s no bias here or jaded sense of entitlement, the numbers, the wins, the […]

Coaches don’t deserve all scrutiny, blame


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USC-Notre Dame just doesn’t have the same kick to it anymore. With both teams at relative low points, the bad blood in the rivalry doesn’t quite boil like it used to (at least on the West Coast, anyway — South Bend might be a different story). Sure, the game will receive plenty of attention with […]

Distance makes for a unique tradition


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Rivalries make college football special. Coaches, players and fans alike circle one or two games on their calendar each year as “must-win” games — not because of rankings or standings, but out of a longstanding and passionate dislike for another school. For some, it would be OK if their team lost every other game if […]

Victory not indicative of later success in 2011


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Mid-October has become something of a bright spot for the Trojans in recent years. For the last three seasons, the early breaths of fall have ushered in an always crucial bye week and a matchup against California to round out the first half of USC’s football schedule. This has only become special because of what […]

Playing it safe gives Trojans a chance


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One of the moments from last Thursday’s showdown between USC and California — one which will only continue to reinforce outdated notions — remains a fourth-down play in the opening minutes. Facing a fourth-and-goal from its eight-yard line on its first drive of the game, USC lined up in a rather unusual formation and quickly […]

TV spot puts all eyes on the Trojans


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With thousands of USC fans making the dedicated pilgrimage to San Francisco today to watch the Trojans take on the California Golden Bears, everyone’s hoping the team doesn’t put up a stinker. In fact, this one’s a must-win for USC to salvage some pride, exert dominance and satisfy hordes of fans who accompany the team […]

National TV provides recruiting opportunity


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As much as the weekday trip to California has thrown off the Bay Area travel plans of USC students and alumni, it’s not all bad news for the Trojan football program. Thursday night’s game will be televised nationally, meaning a lot of eyes will be on USC coach Lane Kiffin’s crew. It’s not like USC […]

Second half of season looms large for Trojans


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It’s amazing what having something to play for can do to a team. In any sport, having the stakes raised can awaken a fire inside even the biggest underdogs, occasionally producing magical — and often unbelievable — results. Take the 2011 Virginia Commonwealth Rams, who, as No. 11 seed, stormed their way to the men’s […]

Silence shouldn’t be option for Nikias


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I have always felt it is hard to determine the value of a college football program. Unlike, say, for a professional baseball team, Forbes doesn’t annually list the monetary value of Florida, Texas or USC. There isn’t an established market price. There isn’t an exact figure that can be attached. There are a few things, however, […]

What to watch for without USC football


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No USC football this weekend. I might cry. The connection between junior quarterback Matt Barkley and sophomore wide receiver Robert Woods is, in a word, beautiful. But I won’t be able to see these Trojans try to break another offensive record Saturday. What about the high praise showering freshman wide receiver Marqise Lee? I won’t […]