Goal Line Stand: Trojans look past opponents

The Big-Time USC Trojan Football Show made a stop in dinky Corvallis last Thursday night, promising a cavalcade of stars, an array of pyrotechnical performances and a chance for the locals to see some honest-to-Rockne legendary heroes. It was an opportunity for those in the hinterlands to catch the Hollywood game in person, rather than just marveling at it from afar, and if that meant their hometown team had to play a gridiron version of the Washington Generals to the mighty ‘SC aggregation, so be it. The price of quality entertainment is getting steeper for everybody, don’t you know.

That’s how the Southern California-Oregon State game was billed. The Trojans were 25-point favorites and pranced into town with a gleaming number-one ranking and the hosannas of the nation’s football press still resonating after their dismantling of Ohio State. It was to be another step toward the inevitable for USC: a national championship and a place in the pantheon of great Trojan teams, if not the best of all time.

After three hours of football, the advance hype had evaporated. It had served the box office well, although the game had not sold out. More importantly, it had riled the Beavers into an underdog frenzy, in which they recalled their upset win two years before and had drawn inspiration from Stanford’s success in 2007. They brought down the curtain on the Hollywood extravaganza, dumping USC, 27-21 and denting the Trojans’ title hopes considerably. What was once considered stoppable only by a quirk in the ridiculous BCS formula had become increasingly unlikely. USC would now need considerable help, if not intervention from the football gods, to reach Miami Jan. 8. That is not to say Southern California is finished, but a whole lot of mayhem must ensue to return the Trojans to their previously lofty heights.

The instant analysis centered around the Trojans’ inability to focus on such a seemingly mundane task, particularly after the attention they had received before and after their trashing of the Bucks. There was plenty of truth to that; Oregon State can’t match up man-for-man with ‘SC. On that night, however, the Beavers were a better team, and when the final gun sounds, pedigrees and advance notices mean nothing. The scoreboard does. And last Thursday, it favored Oregon State. Diminutive Jacquizz Rodgers was outstanding running with the football, QB Lyle Moevao played efficiently, and the Beaver defense forced a pair of key turnovers. Game over. Say what you want about the Trojans’ talent disparity, but they were outplayed and outcoached.

That second condition is the one that should most concern USC fans. The Trojans seem far more interested in playing the big-time games than they are in taking care of business every single day. That is a reflection on coach Pete Carroll, especially when it happens three years in a row. ‘SC will have 20-30 players on this team drafted over the next few years, for good reason. But it appears as if many of them won’t be taking a national championship ring with them to the NFL. The Trojans play as if opponents are expected to cower in horror at the sheer talent arrayed in front of them. If, and only if, ‘SC deems a rival worthy of its best effort, will it bring the full fury of its power.

Part of the problem is Carroll’s continued ability to recruit, if you can believe it. Because he and his staff constantly add first-rate conscripts to the team’s roster, there is a need to keep everybody happy. So, practices are treated as daily tryouts, fostering a culture of uncertainty. Those who survive feel almost bulletproof and therefore are unafraid of the “lesser” teams on their schedule. Throw in the propensity for youngsters to get considerable playing time, the better to keep high school stars interested in playing at ‘SC, and you have a combustible mix. It’s impossible to expect freshmen and sophomores to have a businesslike attitude, particularly when they are lionized. Add in the sense that USC seems to believe it is better than everybody else, and you have the opportunity for disaster, particularly within the conference setting, where familiarity can often evaporate fear.

USC’s season is far from over. The Trojans could still finish 11-1 and at worst play in the Rose Bowl. At best, they could benefit from in-fighting between Pac-10 and Big 12 bullies and sneak into the BCS picture again. The bigger question is whether this team will ever get to the point where it considers a trip off-Broadway as important as a performance at Carnegie Hall. When USC can do that, when it can match its promise with its performance, then the Trojans will be worth seeing. Until then, buy tickets at your own risk. You never know what you’ll get.

GAME OF THE WEEK
Ohio State at Wisconsin, Saturday, October 4, 8:00 p.m. EDT

This game looked a whole lot better a month ago, before the Buckeyes barely escaped Ohio and were smacked around by USC and before Wisconsin coughed up a 19-0 halftime lead in Ann Arbor. Still, with the Big Ten race wide open, this one is meaningful, if only because UW can’t afford another conference loss. Ohio State’s offense seems to be awakening under Terrell Pryor, and although he is bound to make a thousand more freshman mistakes, he seems to have a wealth of talent. Watching him emerge should be fun for OSU fans – but not for the Badgers
Ohio State 23, Wisconsin 16

BUMPS AND RUNS

Looking for a hot assistant coach who deserves to be the boss man? Look no further than Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. He struggled in a bad situation at Baylor, but his work with the Tide and before at Florida State shows he has the know-how and leadership skills to be a winner.

Everybody’s talking about Oklahoma and Missouri in the Big 12, but Texas is playing some great football. QB Colt McCoy is much improved from last year, and new coordinator Will Muschamp’s defense is nasty, something the Longhorns have needed.

Even though Clemson coach Tommy Bowden received an extension last year, his two early losses have the posse forming down in South Carolina. This could be the final chapter of a tumultuous story.

Just when we thought Virginia Tech was dead, the Hokies pull one out against North Carolina and impress at Nebraska.

Want a reason why Florida’s vaunted spread is struggling, other than the fact the Gators’ ground game is horrible? Teams are playing much more zone against UF this year and are cutting down on the big plays allowed.

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