One for the record books — for now


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We’ve all heard it: A true freshman has never started a season at quarterback for the Trojans. But that will all change on Saturday, when No. 4 USC opens its season in historic fashion against San Jose State at the Coliseum in front of 90,000 screaming fans. When Pete Carroll chose Barkley to be his […]

Void left by Johnson’s injury is easily filled


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Junior receiver Ronald Johnson broke his collarbone in the mock game at the Coliseum Saturday, leading to what could only be termed a vast sense of uneasiness within the Trojan faithful. I’m here to settle that apprehension. Yes, Johnson was lined up to start opposite redshirt junior Damian Williams this season, replacing the gone-to-the-NFL Patrick […]

Young Barkley shows comfort in hot seat


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Matt Barkley is not like you or me. He may never have been, but he certainly never will be from now on. I’m not trying to dehumanize the great freshman hope, who has been just as impressive in interviews as he has been on the field. Every time that I have talked to him, he […]

Youth will not hinder freshman Barkley


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They say when it comes to love, age is nothing but a number. But what about when it comes to the USC football team, which seems to have no qualms about starting an 18-year-old kid fresh out of high school? Considering that many Trojan fans pay more attention to this team than their lovers, I […]

New site breaks the fantasy football mold


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A lot has changed about computers and fantasy football in the last decade. Computers are now faster than Usain Bolt, newspapers are quickly fading (yet here I am writing for a newspaper) and fantasy football is played almost exclusively online. While technology and fantasy football have come a long way since Michael Vick was first […]

A reminder for fans familiar with success


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Success isn’t a right, it’s a privilege. It is something that is earned, not merely handed over on a silver platter. Remember that, because it is too often forgotten within the confines of this campus. It’s impossible to fault anyone for thinking so, with double-digit win seasons and BCS bowl berths — and victories — […]

A freshman’s guide to 2009 USC storylines


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Let’s cut to the chase, freshmen. You’re here, and you’re excited for football season. You’re especially eager to cheer for the No. 4-ranked college football team in the nation, after you just spent four years’ worth of Friday nights supporting what was probably a mediocre high school team. If you’re reading this, I’ll assume you’re […]

Defense still has plenty of swagger


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With time to kill before “Salute to Troy” and fall camp wrapping up, a horde of freshmen and their parents flocked to Howard Jones Field on Saturday to catch a glimpse of this football team everyone’s been making such a fuss about. There were the diehards who could spot any player, even the incoming freshmen, […]

Tarnished basketball program needs spirit of Coliseum


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TGIFS — Thank God it’s Football Season. Thank God we have football season to numb our senses, tunnel our vision and help us forget about life outside the Coliseum. Because once December comes knocking, we will look outside the structure that hosted the grandest sporting event in the world — where hope, joy and optimism […]

Thin margin of error could keep USC sharp


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In the constantly evolving world of college football, how long can one team so fixed in its ways stay on top? Every year the Trojans must endure a roster overhaul, a change that requires USC coach Pete Carroll to tinker his style ever so slightly. But when the philosophy remains the same year in and […]