Maybe USC Isn’t THAT Good
There is no reason to boo, but maybe this year's USC team isn't as good as it's predecessors.
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 and the USC Trojans run onto the field for the game against the Washingotn State Cougars on September 26, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
If your team wins by 21 on its way to being 3-1 and you boo them — as some USC fans did Saturday night — you are spoiled. Frankly, it’s pretty pathetic to boo 18-to-20 year old college kids in the first place, but to do it when they are winning just makes the USC fan base look bad.
And this USC team is not bad. They just may not be as good as Trojan fans have come to expect under Pete Carroll. How good are they? Ask again at the end of October.
USC knocked off Washington State 27-6 Saturday night at the Coliseum. It’s pretty hard to win by 21 and not look good doing it, but USC managed. They looked no better than the team that lost to Washington —and if they play like that against Cal or Notre Dame or Oregon in the next month they will be picking up another loss.
USC scored 20 points in the first quarter but once again seemed more and more pedestrian as the game went on. And they kept making mistakes. The 75 yards in penalties in the first quarter alone seemed to throw off their offense’s timing. There were dropped passes in the end zone, fumbles, converting only three of nine on third down, and more missed field goals.
Carroll admitted after the game USC has a lot of work to do to get better. That is particularly true on offense. And they have to do it fast.
Next week the Trojans take on Cal — another talented Pac-10 team ranked in the top 10 that had an ugly loss. Cal got thumped by Oregon, but you can be sure that they will be focused and knowing they can still win the Pac 10 if they beat USC. Then after a week off the Trojans will travel to South Bend to take on an improving Notre Dame team that is all offense and no defense (the opposite of the Trojans). Finally at the end of the month comes a resurgent Oregon.
USC is starting a true freshman at quarterback and is banged up in spots. But that’s football. If this Trojan team is going to live up to its predecessors it has got to figure out things — particularly in the passing game — quickly.
Or maybe USC this season just isn’t that good.
