Carroll faces most difficult challenge yet


Nothing compares to the challenge facing coach Pete Carroll right now. Not preparing for an undefeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Not getting ready to face Vince Young in the Rose Bowl. Not convincing prized recruits to come to USC rather than another school. Not assembling one of the greatest offenses in college football history. […]

Trojans know how to win big and small


USC men’s water polo is good. Really, really good. That much we know. Since the 2006 season, the Trojans have run up a collective 95-6 record for a robust .940 winning percentage. They went 29-0 in 2008 on their way to a fourth national title and have lost just one match so far this year. […]

Trojans are sorting out an identity crisis


The horde of recruits had to be confused. Maybe everyone had mistakenly entered the wrong locker room. No, this had to be it. There were USC logos and colors plastered everywhere, but this was a far cry from the fun-loving, raucous atmosphere that they had heard so much about. This subdued scene wasn’t what the […]

USC’s dynasty comes to an end


Birds circled the Coliseum after the game, but they might as well have been vultures, swooping in to prey on the dying legacy of the once-mighty Trojans. This is really it. It’s over. USC’s claim to the title of college football’s most dominant team officially came crashing down Saturday, when Stanford unabashedly dismantled the Trojans, […]

USC’s glory days come to an end


Birds circled the Coliseum after the game, but they might as well have been vultures, swooping in to prey on the dying legacy of the once-mighty Trojans. This is really it. It’s over. USC’s claim to the title of college football’s most dominant team officially came crashing down Saturday when Stanford unabashedly dismantled the Trojans, […]

Cardinal will be no picnic for USC


Usually schools schedule a cupcake during Homecoming. Usually they make sure the cupcake is light (healthy is all the rage these days), loaded with creamy frosting and decorated with some celebratory sprinkles. Usually, the cupcake is devoured before the main course is served and by the time dessert rolls around, the alumni are left to […]

Stanford’s Luck has the edge over Barkley


When time expired, the freshman quarterback celebrated on the field with his teammates. He had just led his team to victory against the only remaining undefeated team in the Pac-10. The quarterback completed 12 of 20 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the 51-42 shootout. He did not throw an interception. The then-ranked […]

The Gauntlet’s gone, but rivalry remains


Stay with me now. In general, USC fans don’t like UCLA fans, and UCLA fans don’t like USC fans. Right? That much we know for sure. But why? Well, that’s another question. Trojans or Bruins often press for an answer when you ask them why they don’t like each other. And unlike some may tell […]

Lessons loom from infamous upset


Ah, homecoming — a time for students, fans and alumni to join together and party themselves into oblivion. And I guess there’s a football game too. A 12:30 p.m. kickoff may be somewhat of a buzzkill for most USC fans, but the Trojans are probably just happy to be returning home. The last four games […]

The Pac-10 needs to become the Pac-12


No USC fan wants to relive last weekend’s embarrassment in Eugene. The Trojans were outworked, outhustled and outplayed. USC needs a small-scale game like this Saturday’s in Tempe, Ariz. to regain its skills, swagger and dominant attitude. If the Trojans recover their form, there’s no doubt they would love a rematch with Oregon at the […]