USC

And congratulations to Auburn for a most outstanding, exceptional season.

Yes and CONGRATS to Auburn on a fine undefeated season as well. Unfortunately we won't get to enjoy an Auburn/USC finale although I wouldn't give Auburn much of a chance as USC is just so deep on both sides of the ball not to mention the coaching edge.

AND, Congrats to my Hokies; even though they lost to Auburn, they started out unranked and picked sixth in the ACC, and ended up number 10 in the country (although if you lose to number 1 by 9, and number 2 by 3, are you really only number 10??)

AND, we will refrain from any commentary on the Hokies first year exerience in ACC basketball. Three things not to watch: sausage being made, laws being made, and Hokie basketball in the ACC year 1.

And congrats to the Iowa Hawkeyes who provided the most exciting finish to a bowl game and who’s defense is second to none!

SBK,

I don't have as much time as I'd like to follow football, but managed to attend the bowl game in Orlando. Wow, best football game I've ever been to!

Kurt Ferentz should be named coach of the year. After 4 games Iowa was 2-2 and lost their top 4 running backs. They then won 8 in a row to end the season ranked #8 in the nation for the third straight year. Their leading runner had 219 yards for the season.

One of the best line backers in the country is from your home state.

MTO7LHP,

You've gotta be kidding me. Auburn matches up very well against USC offense. Their strength is their defensive backfield. I know USC beat them last year but that was then and this is now. I knew OU could not hang with USC. They had a very weak conference with only Texas being good and they barely beat Michigan. Tennessee destroyed Texas A&M who should've beat OU. SEC is the toughest in the country and if you go undefeated, you should be playing for the ring. USC did what they were supposed to do and Congrats to them but Auburn would've been a better matchup. The #1 points allowed team in the country.

PGStaff,

It had to be a great game for you to see in person because it was pretty darn good on the radio. I was driving on I-80 during the ice storm and when Dolph and Podolak started screaming, I almost drove off the road.

Greenway is a heck of a player although I just moved across the border a year ago. I was born and raised back in your neighborhood.

Also, I’d appreciate it if you don’t talk about Ferentz like that no matter how much he deserves it. We don’t need to attract any more attention to him than he’s already getting, if you know what I mean?

I thought the Rose Bowl was very entertaining. Even though I was pulling for Michigan, well I was really pulling for Texas to loose more than pulling for Michigan. Auburn had a great year but I don't think they would fare much better than OU. USC is just way better right now than everyone else. I would rather have seen Utah against USC. At least we would have seen both teams score a bunch of points instead of just one.

Ferentz is an outstanding coach. Recently signed a long extension but not for huge $. Will he bite on one of these huge NFL offers?
Iowa was aided in winning that game by an asleep at the switch Nick Saban whose mind must have been elsewhere.

Fighting Squirrel,

I kid you not... USC simply has too many weapons even for Auburn and the their defense ain't too shabby either. I just wouldn't like Auburn's chances (not to say they don't have a chance)in a finale. My prediction would be USC 34 Auburn 13.

P.S. Nick Saban is over-rated in my book.

Sorry, I have to chime in here. Let it be known that I am in no way an Awbarn fan. USC should be commended on beating the crud out of OU, but OU has a history of choking in the big games the last couple of years. They made some mistakes and just laid down the other night. I think that USC is the better tteam than OU. Did it ever occur to anyone that maybe USC was on their game and OU had their worse game. Take away OU's turnovers in the first half, and the halftime score is 14-10. Take away the turnovers and they don't score 30. I know that is part of the game, but it looked to me like one team was on and the other was flat.

Awbarn's defense is so much better than OU"s that it is not funny. The secondary of Auburn would never have been thrown all over like OU's was. (Shame on Stoops for leaving his one corner on an island to get tortured all night. Bad coaching) Awbarn's secondary is faster by far and it would have been up to the running game for USC. Awbarn is the best there also. Awbarn's qb would not have puked all over like Jason (I puked again) White did. He should not have won the Heisman last year after then Kansas game.

I am not saying that Awbarn would win, but no way does USC score 35. How can a team go undefeated in the SEC and not be considered a top team. Hands down the toughest conference in the game.

I will give the coaching edge to Norm Chow and his proven track record. Not to Carroll. The BCS sucks

I don't think I said that Auburn would win but they would be in the game. OU secondary looked lost while Auburn's is senior laden and was only burned after they started playing a Frosh in the 2nd half of the Sugar Bowl. Hokies are gonna be **** good next year though. Their defense is top notch.

Lets face facts. If a certain receiver catches the dadgum ball Auburn go's down in flames, not to mention the chip shot FG!

Saw the games....

USC 847 Auburn 3

And if the Bradley kid doesnt try to pick up the kick the Sooners may have won the game---the fumble was a the key-- Took MR MO MENTUM and put him in a Trojan Uniform

For that one night USC was the best team in the land--no doubt about it--

Now does the team return next year---It would be fun to see--they even have a redshirt freshman QB ready to step in

quote:

---

Originally posted by TRhit:
And if the Bradley kid doesnt try to pick up the kick the Sooners may have won the game

---

Tell me you're kidding.....please.

As an SC alum, I'd first like to say





USC dominated in the Orange Bowl in every phase of the game - offense, defense, coaching, special teams, preparation, character, etc.

OU was unprepared, spent a month talking trash and is typically the case, had no respect for a west coast team. It's that lack of respect for the West coast that put OU in last's years title game rather than SC against LSU. SC never whined and cried last year. They accepted that slight and the hand dealt 'em and went out and whipped Michigan in last year's Rose Bowl and that's because a top priority with the SC program is having character.

The SC coaching staff is simply unsurpassed. The last three years, given time to prepare for a Bowl game, they annihilated Iowa in the Ornage Bowl in '02, then Michigan last year in the Rose and, of course this year's blow out. they went wire to wire as #1 this year, only the second time in College football history.

An interesting thing after the game was Stoops never congratulated SC, Birdline (who shot off his mouth for weeks) still claimed "in his heart' OU was the better team .

On the other side, every SC player and coach interviewed immediately congratulated OU and gave them respect. Pete Carroll never talks about winning, he talks about having fun, the excitement of playing, the thrill of the game and of giving it your best... Winning is the end result of the hard work and fun. It's like Branch Rickey once said that luck is just the residue of hard work.

Much as what this website addresses in selecting a college and its baseball program, these elements of having fun, playing for the love of the game, being where you are happy is so key and that is what the SC football program has tapped into. I know a part of the reason my son chose the college he did was because the coach there, out of the many he spoke to, was the only one that said, among other things, that they work hard, but like to have fun at it. No one else ever used the "fun" word with him. The typical comment made to him by most other coaches was we are here to win.

It's about attitude, an approach, a positive and upbeat outlook that can and should bring out the best and that is what SC has done in its football program and their success and ongoing recruiting is becoming so successful it is ridiculous.

As far as Auburn, SC dominated them in 'O3 23-0 at Auburn in Leinhart's first game at SC and in '02 beat Auburn handily. This year SC handily beat VaTech and Tech, with a few breaks easily could have beaten Auburn. The only team in the last few years to give SC a serious game has been Cal (and Cal's the last team to beat the Trojans, about 21 games ago and that took 3 overtimes).

The Trojans are playing at another level now and I can only repeat that a large part of it is about attitude and approach and desire and having fun working hard at your game and those key elements have worked for SC and work in any endeavor; and picking a school where you fit, where you'll be happy, is the place where you will succeed.

Fight on..............

I came on the site JUST to send you a congratulatory private message but see that it is not necessary as I can say it just as well here I am sure that everyone shares your joy and that you will come back down to earth soon . Congrats!!

DIAMOND BOY

Cmon please !!!! My foot

Nobody will argue that the game turned on the fumble___it opened the floodgates-- and the Trojans took advantage of it--all the power to them

Bighit, nobody said Auburn is not considered a top team, to say that would be ridiculous as they are the second best team in the country. However, in my opinion USC is simply on another level right now with Leinart playing like Peyton Manning and all those weapons they have. Come to think of it, USC's defense may be better than the Colts. lol

N- thanks for the good wishes. Sent you a PM. I know you were rootin' for the Trojans

BTW- as to the posts above, I don't think that fumble turned anything around so to speak. The score was only 7-7 at the time and in the first quarter. To focus on that one play cheapens the quite amazing performance of the Trojans.

That play did, though, expose a few things about OU and the character of both teams. First I think it exposed Stoops' bad coaching since by his later comments he clearly took this "mistake" out on his players, did not know how to rally them and keep their heads in the game, 'cause clearly he and they lost their heads over this play. Having said that, maybe this play was the turning point

OU had plenty of time to get back in it, more than 3 quarters and down only 7 points. I just don't think they had the ability to do so and certainly not the character. I think they were really an overrated team and the Big 12 in general had a very down year. SC should have played Auburn, rather than OU being there just as last year it should have been SC against LSU, instead of OU.

Regardless of the fumble, IMO, OU had no chance in this game. Their performance, along with last year's Big 12 championship loss and spanking by LSU in the 'o4 BCS showed they are not a superior nor big game team and as much as they are overrated as a team, IMO Stoops is grossly overrated as a Coach. As I mentioned above, in post game interviews he never gave SC any credit, never congratulated 'em and was rather demeaning of his own players. He's the guy who should have taken full blame. His team wasn't even wearing the right cleats for the field so you had receivers and secondary falling all over the place. And in preparing, They clearly made the mistake of misjudging SC and preparing based on some lackluster SC performances such as the UCLA game.

bottom line, one fumble, one play ain't gonna do you in if you got the horses AND the desire. Just like the Red Sox coming back from 0-3 against the Yanks, if you got the talent, along with the heart, desire, character and attitude, you'll stick in there and usually find the way to victory.

Football is a game of momemtun. Look at Cal they had USC on the ropes and had a chance to win it on the last play. Now look at them in their bowl game. They got destroyed and were not motivated or prepared or both. OU lost the mo when the kid made the bonehead play. A great team like USC took advantage of it and never let OU back into the game. It snowballed on OU and it happens in Football. One team played at their best and the other stunk it up. USC is the better team. Auburn has a great team but the fact is if Tech makes the chippy field goal they dont go for two on the first td. That makes the score 16-10. Then they kick the xp on the last td and they win 17-16. Auburn left doubt USC left no doubt. They are the best team in the Nation and deserve the title. NO DOUBT

Sorry, IMO there will always be doubt without a playoff.

Question: If the BCS-type system works then why isn't it used in every other college sport? Just let a few computer programs pick the top two teams in all sports and then
play it off for the national championship? Forget the rest of the teams.

I think we know the answer.

Coach May,

I think if the Hokies make that field goal earlier, I think tommy T. doesn't go into conservative mode. I think Auburn missing the two touchdown chances in the 1st qtr and settling for field goals hurt them. The Hokies had the 4th best team in the country on points allowed in the very tough ACC, they were no patsy. Auburn played not to lose from the 4th qtr. on and that was a mistake. USC did what they had to and I think they are the national champions but I don't think the PAC-10 is nearly as tough as the SEC or the ACC. USC has a good chance to make a dynasty for aslong as Carroll is around. California has alot of talent and who is going to recruit against USC. All the other PAC-10 teams suck except Cal and that may be a fluke plus they got humiliated in their bowl game. So, USC gets their pick of talent and will be good for a long time if they are smart about it.

Heybatter,

With all due respect, USC didn't exactly beat my Hokies "handily". Tech led by 3 in the third quarter and completed a pass to the USC 10, but what the media has called a "phantom" pass interference call wiped it out and they don't score that series. I honestly think if that call isn't blown, Tech scores and goes up by 10 late in the third quarter, and most likely pulls off the upset as they had a very solid defense. USC scored late to make it a 9 or 10 point win, but I was there, along with about 80,000 other Hokie fans (and about 5000 USC faithful), and "handily" makes it more than it was. Nevertheless, hat's off to USC-they managed to win, in front of a hostile crowd, and they deserve their number 1 ranking.

Two things though:

(1)The band REALLY needs to learn another song. That fight song is indeed catchy, but they played it over and over and over and over. (although I'm sure the USC folks love to hear it)

(2) USC's cheerleaders are infamous for how they fit those sweaters, but it was 85 degrees that night-those poor gals had to be roasting!

TRhit:

For starters, read the last two posts from HeyBatter very carefully. In particular what he says about how claiming one play made all the difference in a 55 to 19 rout cheapens SC’s victory. I think that’s exactly what you are trying to do. You also find it necessary to qualify SC’s dominance with the statement: “For that one night USC was the best team in the land.” Did you say the same about the previous BCS champions? How about the Super Bowl champions? What would it take to convince you that it was a little more than just one night? Coach May also thinks the fumble was important but he understands that SC was good enough to take advantage of that error and leave no doubt they are the best in the country – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Even opinions are presumably based on something, so please tell us what you saw in that game that allows you to conclude that Oklahoma would have won without that fumble. What would have been different? Would SC’s receivers have dropped the balls they caught? Would Leinart have missed the same throws he nailed? Would SC’s defensive line have allowed Peterson to run holes through them? Or maybe you think, but for the fumble, Jason White doesn’t throw any interceptions and SC’s runners are shut down.

Everyone talks about the need for teams to prove their superiority on the field, and that’s exactly what SC did. Yet even with a victory this convincing, you think it was a cheap one-nighter.

If I sound irritated it’s because I know how hard the SC coaches and players worked for this goal. And how they prepared with class, and left the trash talking to Oklahoma. And how even after the game they acted with dignity and respect, while Oklahoma coaches and players looked for excuses and refused to acknowledge SC’s supremacy. Given all of that, your flimsy dismissal of SC is an insult. Unless you can show how the evidence left on the field supports your contention that the outcome would have been different without the fumble, I think your posts on this subject are nothing more than transitory drivel.

HokieOne- wanted to apologize for my choice of words regarding VaTech and their game with SC. Swept away in the euphoria I guess in down playing the fine game VA Tech played. Va TEch is an excellent program and have my complete respect. They are absolutely a class act, Coach Beamer etc..

As far as those SC cheerleader uniforms, rain or shine, cold or 100 degrees that's what they wear and are known for.

As far as the band, that fight song is played incessantly. It's played after every score and throughout the game. They actuallly do know some other songs but

Actually I do think the song is intentionally repeated to be annoying. One of the traditions of SC is also the cheer "WE ARE, SC". It's sort of an admittedly arrogant message that we are SC and couldn't care less who you are. To that end, the school refers to itself as THE University. Rarely ever hear a cheer by SC that mentions the other team.

The SC attitude definitely doesn't engender a lot of friends and definitely engenders a great deal of "dislike" from opponents. In SoCal the SC fan base is typically alums and the extended alumni family. don't get alot of following from those that don't have some connection to the school. It's pretty much the school people "love to hate".

But with 11 football championships, 12 baseball championships and 25+ track and field championships, plus swimming, tennis and other titles, hey, WE ARE SC

I have bad memories about the Orange Bowl two years ago. Somewhat similiar circumstances only not quite for the National title.

Iowa vs SC with SC having the Heisman winner and Iowa having the guy that finished second in Heisman voting. Just like Oklahoma Iowa scored first (running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown). Close game for awhile and then SC got a big break and pounded the Hawkeyes. Sound familiar? Everyone in Iowa thought SC was the top team in the country after that game. SC won the game by 20 points or so, but it really wasn't even that close.

I think Auburn deserves all the credit possible for it's great unbeaten season. However, outside of diehard Auburn fans, how could anyone argue against SC being named the National Champions? They might be one of the most talented teams ever!

Oklahoma scored first and remember Oklahoma was also unbeaten. Then no matter what happened SC outscored the Sooners 55 to 3 until a meaningless touchdown by Oklahoma late in the game. A 55 to 3 spurt!!!! That's not momentum, that's superiority.

Congratulations to SC and to Auburn and to Utah for that matter. When was the last time 3 teams ended up undefeated?

For all those Stoops naysayers... He's in the hunt for a national title every year. Every college in America would settle for his success.

PG - don't be modest, you gotta also give Iowa their "props" for this year. What a comeback against LSU. Instead of laying down like OU did when SC scored (in the first quarter), after LSU went ahead with moments left in the game, the Hawkeyes kept their cool, kept their poise, kept their heads and hearts in the game and came right back to win-a mark of a champion.

I just wish Wide Receiver Mike Williams would have got his eligibility back this year, then we wouldn't have all this Auburn Tigers er..wareagles talk. SC would have absolutely routed everyone. Williams with this offense would have been scary. There will be debate every single year, people should also include Utah, they were unbeaten. SC was absolutely superior all year, and if Linhart comes back next year they will three-peat. Until we have a playoff system like every other college sport we will have debate. And to think two coaches turned down the SC job before Pete Carroll was hired is ridiculous. Mike Garrett should count his lucky stars. They should sign Three-Pete Carroll to a contract extension and let him fill in the amount. Take care.

Diamondboy

I have a problem with one game championships no matter what the sport-- you cannot equate the Super Bowl with the BCS because to get to the Super Bowl you need to go thru playoffs and elimination--- Thus the best team for the day/night was crowned--they need a btter system than the BCS---the BCS leaves too much hanging

Since we don't have much baseball to discuss at this time and it is peak football season....

Do you think Charlie Weiss will do for Notre Dame what Pete Carrol has done for USC? Not so much in terms of titles but more along the lines of restoring the luster to the Irish program and making them a perennial Top 5 program once again.
I feel he will.

The Notre Dame program would appear to have a larger problem than the coach-- they just don't get the players anymore like they used to

jUst a few comments about the BCS. It is not the only championship given. There is no truly official NCAA championship in football Division 1-A play.

The Bowl Championship Series (a TV creation) awards its champion, the AP awards its champion, as do several other publications. the UPI is contractually bound to award its championship to the BCS winner. So last year LSU got the BCS award and SC got the AP (and others). This year SC got 'em all.

Don't see a playoff system ever coming in D-1A football, just too many logistical and $$$$ issues. Frankly, I like the old bowl system and at the end, the AP and UPI crowned their champions, sometime the same, sometime a split. People got to claim their bragging rights and all the Bowls seemed to matter and made money.
In that era, conference championships also mattered alot more and getting to your conferences bowl. The final polls were just icing on the cake for some, they just weren't and still really are not "official".

A playoff system could be devised, they do it in 1-AA football, but, again, $$$$ from all the various Bowls stands in the way and probably always will. Championships in 1-A football have always been mythical and until the dollars get worked out, they always will be.

BTW- Pete Carroll has recently signed a contract extension and, at least as of today, turned down the big(ger) bucks from the 49ers. Coach said basicially, Hey I'm having too much fun here at SC. The next 6 months are gonna be a blast. Don't see Stoops, Spurrier, Butch Davis, Saban and other saying that. As I said in my posts above, it's that attitude and prospective of having fun, having a good time at working hard, striving for success and creating a positive enviornment for student athletes to survive in is what is breeding SC and Coach Carroll success. Can't take his approach to the pros where the Randy Moss' of the world walk off the field while the game is still in progress.

Tom, agree but recruiting is part of the coaches job description.

Gotta beleive Notre Dame will be back. too much tradition, too much going for 'em. they are as close to the Nation's team in college football as you can get.

I think they sold Wittingam short and never gave him a full chance or he might well have brought them back himself. If Coach Weiss does the job right can't keep the Irish down for too long (although I'm sure the Trojans, Wolverines, etc. are sure gonna try )

Hey Batter

I agree on the Wittingham statement--- and then they got egg on their face as well.

Fact is ND does not get the "prime'players that they used to

TR- why do you think that is at N.D. what I hear is that they still maintain rather stringent grade and conduct code policies that keep many away. Or have they simply not recruited well.

From my observation, more stringent academic requirements have put some hurt on the USC baseball prorgam (inelegibilites, transfers etc.) and the program has been a bit on the decline.

Stanford and a few others such as Rice seem to be able to keep the high acaademic and athletic balance, at least to some extent in certain sports.

by way of example, I think Randy Moss was originally headed to South Bend and may have even enrolled and left for Florida State, where even they couldn't handle him.

As is discussed on this board and people need to know that athletic skills are great, but grades, grades, grades are needed to get in and stay in college.

HEY BATTER

I think there are a few reasons:

01-- the ND academic requirments which can be rigid

02-- the fact that freshman can go other places with no academic pressure and also START as a frosh !!!

I also believe that the glamour of ND no longer has the impact that it used to have.