'05 NCAAFB Q&A

[Cie]

Questions posed to Pete Fiutak of collegefootballnews.com:


Q: Put them on the chopping block: Predict the matchups for the four BCS games.

A: Rose Bowl, Jan. 4, 2006 ? USC vs. LSU
I'm more sold on LSU than I am on USC, but it's impossible not to pick Matt Leinart and the boys to make the short trip to Pasadena. If I had any stones, I'd stick with my preseason belief that USC will lose at either Oregon, Arizona State or Cal after all the turnover in the Trojan coaching staff and with some of the off-season personnel losses. However, I'm a little shaken since I picked Oklahoma to win the Orange Bowl the last time I went with my gut. I'd like to pick Miami to face LSU, but I can't pull the trigger.

If the Tiger quarterback situation works itself out, the Rose Bowl could be the 2003 plus-one national title game that everyone wanted. The LSU road certainly isn't easy facing Arizona State, Tennessee, Florida and Auburn along with the SEC title game (if all goes well). Fortunately for the Tigers, all the big boys have to play in Baton Rouge. It's not disrespecting USC in any way to suggest that LSU has even more pro prospects and is the more talented team, but it doesn't have No. 11 throwing the ball. If these two powerhouses play, it'll be the most speed ever assembled on one college football field.

Orange Bowl, Jan. 3, 2006 ? Miami vs. Louisville
Don't count out Pittsburgh or West Virginia from the Big East or Virginia Tech from the ACC. I'm picking the Cardinals to get into the BCS since they have a more favorable conference schedule than the Panthers, while I still don't quite believe the Hokies can repeat last year's magic. The Mountaineers have the toughest Big East games at home and will be a good sleeper pick. Miami has to go to Florida State and Virginia Tech and will have to deal with a conference title game, but I love this year's Hurricane team.

Sugar Bowl, Jan. 2, 2006 ? Ohio State vs. Purdue
I'll make the call: Purdue will be like Auburn of last year and won't play for the national title after going unbeaten. With no Ohio State or Michigan on the schedule and Iowa coming to West Lafayette, the schedule works out for the loaded, experienced Boilermakers. O.K., so the college football gods won't be kind enough to offer us a true Big Ten championship with the Ohio State/Michigan winner facing an Purdue, but I can dream.

Fiesta Bowl, Jan. 2, 2006 ? Oklahoma vs. California
Oklahoma will be dismissed by everyone after the Orange Bowl performance, but this is still a team loaded with talent, while Texas still has to prove it can get over the Red River Rivalry hump. The Sooners, even if they beat Texas, won't go unbeaten with a possible loss at Texas Tech, but they can still win the Big XII title. California's schedule is a flat out joke with only three games worth paying attention to: at UCLA, at Oregon and at USC. The Bears are going to reload with even more talent than it had last year and win two out of the tough three before getting the BCS sympathy vote


Q: If USC doesn't go to the Rose Bowl ... 1) Give the Rose Bowl matchup and 2) who will the Trojans lose to (if they don?t get to Pasadena)?

A: If USC doesn't go to the Rose Bowl ...
To play for the national title, you need to have a combination of a great team (duh) with a schedule that has a few big games, but isn't too much of a killer. With that in mind, I have five teams on my radar (if USC doesn't get to Pasadena.) PLEASE remember that these aren't necessarily the five best teams going into the season (I'm talking to you Ohio State fans), but these are five teams with the best chance.

1) LSU - As I've stated before, LSU has as much talent as anyone in the country, and that includes USC, with the most NFL prospects. With all due respect to a road game against Alabama, LSU gets the biggest games on the slate in Death Valley.
2) California - If USC doesn't play in the Rose Bowl, it might mean Cal pulled off the win in Berkeley. Only a road trip to Oregon will be a battle for the reloaded Bears.
3) Oklahoma - Assuming the Sooners are perfect at home, the schedule works out will with road trips to Nebraska and Texas Tech the only major concerns outside of the annual win, uh, battle against Texas.
4) Purdue - Everyone returns on defense, while the offense will once again be loaded. There's no Ohio State or Michigan on the slate, while Iowa has to come to West Lafayette.
5) Miami - This will be one of the nation's most underrated teams with a defense that'll grow into a killer, and the best offensive playmakers it has had since 2002. At Clemson and at Virginia Tech are the major landmines after the opener at Florida State, but the Canes are just good enough to win them all.

 

[Coug LJ]

I don't get LSU. Anytime you start a team's analysis with " If the Tiger's quarterback situation works itself out,.." - I have A LOT of trouble picking them for the BCS Championship Game.

Plus, LSU has to play Tennessee, Florida and Auburn AND the SEC Title Game. Sure, they play the Vols and Gators at home, but I don't see them as the better team. And I am not exactly sure they are better than Auburn.

I really like reading Pete Fiutak, but I think he overemphasizes the schedule aspect. That's why he has Cal and Purdue in there. I think both of these teams are barely Top Twenty Five teams.

Purdue is the fourth best team in the Big Ten. And the idea that Cal is going "to reload with even more talent than last year" is a real stretch. I love Marshawn Lynch, but replacing Rodgers won't be easy, nor almost the whole Defense.

But getting back to LSU, I just can't understand the fascination with them. Quarterback is, hands down, the most important position on the field and LSU is average at best. Plus, the new coach. Is Les Miles better than Lou Saban?

USC's toughest opponent, arguably, is ASU. Unlike they LSU Tigers, who don't know who the f**k they are putting in at quarterback, they have a guy named Matt Leinart. Between the two, I would say USC has by far the more favorable schedule. I don't see any game they won't be favored by two touchdowns.

 

[Scott4USC]

Fiutak is having doubts whether to pick USC to make it to Rose Bowl? USC might not make it, but you can't make a better argument for 2 other teams to make it. Doubt Pete Carroll with the best team he has fielded since being at USC? Carroll is 42-9 with the 9 losses being by a combined 42pts. Average loss is by 4pts. Carroll has won 40 of his last 44 games! 3 straight BCS Bowl blowouts and 2 straight National Championships. This being the most experienced and talented team he has had at USC, who the hell doesn't include USC in their Rose Bowl matchup. They asked for his prediction, not for his longshots. There is a reason USC is even money to win it all and we are still 2months away from start of season. The next 2 highest favorites are Miami 8-1 and OSU 10-1. Huge gap!

LSU is getting a lot of pub, rightfully so since they are loaded with talent, but with new coach and QB issues, I am not completely sold. FYI, LSU is +175 to win SEC and 12-1 to win it all. If you are confident in LSU like Fiutak is, might be smart bet to wager on LSU winning it all, and covering that bet with LSU winning the SEC. Can't lose is LSU wins SEC, can win big $$$ or big hedging opportunity if LSU makes it to Rose Bowl. LSU opens season with 3 straight home games but none of the 3 opponents are div. 1aa opponents or $hit 1a schools. Won't be easy but easier since they start season with 3 straight home games. LSU has good home field advantage.

How does Purdue not play Michigan and Ohio St.? That if fawking ridiculous. If Purdue runs table in Big 10, WHO THE FAWK CARES! I def. will be betting huge against Purdue in bowl game, hopefully it is a BCS bowl game.

CAL loses there superstar QB and superstar RB (both were top 3 in country IMO) so that alone is enough for me not to put them in top 5 contenders. they will be competitive but not an elite team. On top of that, CAL plays USC at the end of the season. That is a big no no because at the end of the season Carroll always has his teams playing there best ball. USC always gets better throughout the season. Inexperience at DT and LB will not be a hindrance to USC against CAL. CAL also has USC's respect!

I agree with the Fiutak and disagree with you Coug LJ. USC's toughest opponent is Oregon. USC has struggled the last 4 years with their first pac 10 opponent and USC always seems to open Pac 10 season on road. There are not too many tougher places to play at than Autzen.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

How does Purdue not play Michigan and Ohio St.? That if fawking ridiculous. If Purdue runs table in Big 10, WHO THE FAWK CARES! I def. will be betting huge against Purdue in bowl game, hopefully it is a BCS bowl game.

. . . and they get to host Iowa. Don't know how that got drawn up as Purdue was a year off of a Rose Bowl when the schedule came out. Tiller's record in close games is abysmal and they'll get caught at least once. But, They are a solid team.

USC's toughest opponent is Oregon. USC has struggled the last 4 years with their first pac 10 opponent and USC always seems to open Pac 10 season on road. There are not too many tougher places to play at than Autzen.

Excited to see them on SC's schedule especially at Autzen. Really think they can put the Trojans in some bad positions defensively and if they catch a few breaks, SC will be on the outside looking in pretty early.

 

[Coug LJ]

While it is true that Oregon upset a highly ranked Michigan team in Autzen a few years ago, the next week Washington State beat Oregon by 40 pts at, you guessed it, Autzen. It hasn't been the home field advantage you would think. Since they expanded it, many folks feel it is not as intimidating as it once was.

The real problem has been Oregon's Defense. It has been torched the last three seasons and looks to be average at best. Oregon has some very nice pieces on Offense and could give problems to a young USC Defense, but I just don't think they have the stuff to hang with the Trojans.

There are a lot of solid teams out there, but take a look at what USC brings to the table. On Offense, they have the Heisman winner at quarterback (Matt Leinart) and a Heisman finalist at running back (Reggie Bush) who is second string to an absolute load, (LenDale White). They get all their starting wide receivers and tight end back and return the entire offensive line that pushed Oklahoma around. I don't know how anyone can expect to keep this team under 30 pts.

The Defense should not be as good, but Carroll recruits nothing but 4 and 5 star players, so they will have plenty of talent. If I had to bet, they will have the best Defense in the Pac-10. ...So, yeah, it is hard for me to imagine anyone staying close. The only team that can beat USC is themselves. That could happen, but they should be huge favorites in every game they play.

The Purdue schedule is very favorable. I saw them a number of times and was not overly impressed.

 

[Scott4USC]

Coug LJ

Oregon will be USC's first game on road in hostile environment. Believe me, Oregon will bring their "A" game and the crowd will be geeked because USC will be the #1 team in the country (provided USC beats Hawaii and Arky). It will be crazy unless USC jumps on them at start (which isn't out of question with Reggie Bush)

My main concern is the new coaching staff and hostile road environment with Oregon bringing "A" game. Will the new USC OC press if USC gets down by 7-10pts? Delay of games? Tons of things can go wrong for USC @Oregon mainly because it is only USC's 3rd game of year.

Of course USC will be ready and USC will prob. win but there is def. a decent chance for upset and those are my main reasons. Another concern is the inexperience LB's. How will they adjust to crossing patters and complex offense? Oregon has very good offense and can take advantage of inexperience on USC defense. Might not be enough as you mentioned USC offense could put up 30-50pts but you never know. USC also has new FG kicker which won't be easy against Oregon.

You asked me about USC's kicker. He is supposed to be talented walk on and is money inside 30 but outside 30 I am not sure. He made his kicks in spring game but he def. is huge question mark. USC has not had a "money" kicker and it has cost USC quite a few games. Punter kicks @SS but he doesn't punt enough to qualify as best punter in country!

 

[Coug LJ]

Scott:

You guys haven't played Oregon in awhile and to be frank, they are not the same Ducks they were three or four years ago. I am somewhat of an Oregon fan, because in many ways they are inspiration for what a smaller Northwest college football team might be able to accomplish. It really isn't realistic for Washington State to look at the University of Washington and attempt to emulate the Huskies.

Oregon had a pretty amazing run with Pac-10 Championships, highly ranked teams filled with exciting players, culminating with a #2 national ranking in 2001. Just when everyone believed they were poised to be a long-term Pac-10 power, Oregon somehow lost it's edge and haven't been able to recapture the magic. In fact, they have gone in the other direction.

I believe the last time USC beat Oregon it was an upset. ASU upset the Ducks, in Eguene the week before, with Andrew Walter throwing for over 500 yards. That was in 2002, when the Ducks were one of the favorites to win the Pac-10. They stumbled down the stretch, as was the case in 2003 and had a losing record in 2004 - including losing to Indiana at home!?!

Oregon shoved their Offensive Coordinator out the door after the 2004 season, but I think it is on the Defensive end where the major problems lie. The characteristic of their Defense is to load up and stop the run and dare you to pass. This worked well against a Michigan team that was reluctant to pass on 1st down, but Pac-10 teams have no reservations about passing on any or all downs. The Defense "leaves their cornerbacks on an island" and is succeptible to long touchdown passes. Which has transpired over and over and over, again.

Anything can happen and USC has a way of not showing up and/or starting off slow in some games. It is hard to figue how you guys could struggle against Stanford and UCLA and put up 42 points on a ranked Arizona State team in the 1st half. I suspect you will be ready against the Ducks. Plus, while your Defense is young and somewhat inexperienced, I cannnot imagine it will be sub-standard. I have heard about players like Keith Rivers for years.

There are a number of teams in the Pac-10 who could have explosive Offenses, but you guys should be on another level. I would venture to say there are NFL teams with less raw Offensive talent than USC. I know it sounds like a completely ridiculous statement, but you might have five or six 1st round NFL picks on your squad - Leinart, Bush, White, Jarrett and a couple of your OL guys. With that kind of talent, I don't know how many crucial FG's you are going have to kick.

I believe the Pac-10 will be better this year, but there is a large gap between USC and the rest of us. In fact, I think there is a much bigger gap between #1 and #2 than between #2 and #7. My feeling is you could throw ASU, Oregon, Cal, UCLA and Washington State in a bag and they could come out in any order. Oregon State, Arizona, Washington and Stanford aren't too bad, either.

You guys lost some key coaches, including Norm Chow, but this is a very experienced team and Pete Carroll is still around. Plus, you have Matt Leinart behind the wheel. I like your chances.

 

[Coug LJ]

Cie Grant:

For some reason, I didn't realize you were a LSU fan. I did not mean to put down LSU. You have a great program and I would love to go to a game there. Also, I think the SEC is the toughest conference. It's hard to think ANY team could beat Florida, Tennessee and Auburn AND the SEC Title Game AND still go undefeated. ...I guess LSU has done it before, so it could happen, again.

 

[Scott4USC]

Just when everyone believed they were poised to be a long-term Pac-10 power, Oregon somehow lost it's edge and haven't been able to recapture the magic. In fact, they have gone in the other direction.

They lost their magic when Tedford left and he is a lot better coach than Belotti. USC wanted Belotti bad after Hacket along with Erikson and Riley but USC ended up "settling" for Pete Carroll. I think Belotti has adjusted and will field a contending team this year.

I believe the last time USC beat Oregon it was an upset.

Last time USC beat Oregon was 2 years ago @Oregon and USC destroyed them.

Doesn't Oregon have Ngata back on DL? That guy is best DL in Pac 10 and maybe country. Him back helps stop run, pressure QB, and helps DB's. Wasn't Oregon DB's young last year? Maybe they just lacked experience.

Anything can happen and USC has a way of not showing up and/or starting off slow in some games. It is hard to figue how you guys could struggle against Stanford and UCLA and put up 42 points on a ranked Arizona State team in the 1st half. I suspect you will be ready against the Ducks. Plus, while your Defense is young and somewhat inexperienced, I cannnot imagine it will be sub-standard. I have heard about players like Keith Rivers for years.

Remember, USC has won 3 straight BCS bowl games, 2 straight NC's and consensus #1 team. USC gets "A" game every week from opponent with effort and play. That is why it is so difficult to win 2 straight or even 3 straight NC's with no playoff structure. Stanford played great 1st half against USC but USC adjusted in 2h. ASU unfortunately got an "A" game from USC start to finish. USC cannot bring "A" game every week especially when every opponent put so much focus in practices in beating you. Carroll said Stanford changed their whole offense against USC and that usually doesn't happen too often in regular season. Bowl games and rival games but not regular season games. Stanford prepared for USC for weeks. USC prepared for Stanford 1 week and USC didn't have "A" game 1h and Stanford did.

There are a number of teams in the Pac-10 who could have explosive Offenses, but you guys should be on another level. I would venture to say there are NFL teams with less raw Offensive talent than USC. I know it sounds like a completely ridiculous statement, but you might have five or six 1st round NFL picks on your squad - Leinart, Bush, White, Jarrett and a couple of your OL guys. With that kind of talent, I don't know how many crucial FG's you are going have to kick.

USC might have 6 guys on offense with 1st round talent, but was even more impressive is many scouts say when it is all said and done, the entire starting USC offense this season will be drafted by the NFL. That is scary! Not just play in NFL, but be drafted.

You guys lost some key coaches, including Norm Chow, but this is a very experienced team and Pete Carroll is still around. Plus, you have Matt Leinart behind the wheel. I like your chances.

USC did lose awesome coaches but Carroll just said USC might have upgraded their coaching staff. Carroll hired NFL coaches to make lateral move and coach at USC. What did he promise? He promised Head Coaching opportunities. So they came! DL and OL coaches were coaching those positions in NFL and left to come to USC. OC is where USC no doubt downgraded but Carroll thinks the new OC's are 2 of the brightest young minds in CFB and they needed the opportunity.

Carroll is the perfect CEO because he is constantly promoting everyone and position coaches (not OC's/DC's) at USC get head coaching jobs at div. 1a schools. So all coaches are giving 100% effort because they see what can happen if they get good results and Carroll encourages great coaches leaving because other great coaches are begging Carroll to come coach at USC. Even NFL coaches. This is a very scary thing for CFB because coaching is such an important criteria in being successful. Now USC has arguably the best coaching staff in the business along with the most talent. They great natural talent at USC is getting coached by NFL caliber position coaches. NFL techniques are being taught at USC by NFL coaches and Carroll lets his coaching staff coach and gives them a lot of freedom. Quite amazing what Carroll is doing. When he was hired, so many people questioned if he knew how to coach CFB like other CFB head coaches. Well they were right, Carroll doesn't coach CFB like most CFB coaches. He does it better and has USC run like an NFL team.

In the NFL they play rookies and expect rookies to produce. At USC, Carroll wants the best athletes and recruits across the nation and is relentless. When these talented players come to USC, Carroll expects them to produce right away and plays them if they earned it even if they beat out a senior or starter from last season. When Carroll arrived, most of CFB did not play freshman and had seniority type playing time structure. Carroll revolutioned that and played the most freshman in the country and got huge production out of freshman. Then high school players see that they can play and be star as freshman at USC, so they all want to go to USC and wins championships. USC has many examples to show them and prove it is not BS. It is amazing how Carroll used that philiosophy to improve his team (playing frosh) and how it will help him recruiting as well.

Thought you might find it interesting why USC has been successful and why USC will get even better in the near future. It is a well oiled machine that college football has never seen before. It is amazing.

 

[Coug LJ]

USC has been a great football team and the future looks bright, but it is impossible to predict what will happen. If anything, history says that USC will fall off from the level of play they have sustained these last years. I don't know if USC is playing at a higher level than Miami did a few years ago.

Pete Carroll and his coaching staff are wonderful, but it's the players that make USC special. There hasn't been a time in the last two years, maybe three years that USC didn't have a clear edge in talent when they took the field. It will be interesting to see what happens after this year. Matt Leinart leaves and Bush and/or White might opt to leave early. If Troy continues to dominate after that, then I will bow down to Carroll.

Ngata has really not lived up to the hype at Oregon. He is said to be the most highly rated high school player to come to Oregon, but he has not dominated like they expected. He has had some injuries early, but he was not a star last season. You guys have had better on your DL. Oregon was marketing their DL to have a monster season last year, but it didn't happen. Maybe, this year, but I wouldn't bank on it.

As for Oregon's DB's, they are more experienced. And while adversity may build character, I don't know if it necessarily means you have a good secondary. Those guys have been chasing guys into the end zone for three seasons.

 

[Scott4USC]

Pete Carroll and his coaching staff are wonderful, but it's the players that make USC special. There hasn't been a time in the last two years, maybe three years that USC didn't have a clear edge in talent when they took the field. It will be interesting to see what happens after this year. Matt Leinart leaves and Bush and/or White might opt to leave early. If Troy continues to dominate after that, then I will bow down to Carroll.

I strongly disagree. It is Pete Carroll AND coaching staff that makes USC special. Here are a few examples.

Was Carson Palmer special before Carroll arrived?

Mike Williams out of high school was projected as a tight end but Carroll said I want you at WR so he signed with USC vs playing TE at Florida.

What college coach in the country would better utilize Reggie Bush? Reggie Bush was going to sign with ND and that would be proven to be a HUGE mistake for him. ND would never use him the way USC does.

Matt Leinart was a nobody at USC and nobody saw future heisman trophy in him. USC 2nd string QB Booty projects to be superstar, but Leinart never was. Leinart alone did not just become a superstar QB. He was somewhat highly touted out of high school but was buried at USC. He was close to transferring but chose not too.

Last year USC DE Udeze was drafted mid 1st round but out of high school was an average recruit. In high school he weighed something like 350 pounds and many div. 1a coaches throught he was lazy but when he arrived at USC Carroll made him go down to 280 and he became superstar DE.

You remember Sean Cody DT at USC who was drafted to NFL this year. He was stud and was consensus #1 DE in the country out of high school and defensive player of the year! Pete Carrolls first big time recruit! When he arrived at USC, coaching staff immediately told him we are moving you to DT because you are not fast enough for DE and you will dominate at DT. He was superstar DT but maybe at anothe college they let him stay at DE because he was #1 DE in the country out of high school. Don't want to hurt his feelings etc. He may have been a good DE but was a superstar DT! USC got the best out of him and put him in position to succeed! There are MANY examples like this that go on at USC.

That is a reflection on coaching. Yes Carroll couldn't win a NC without these studs, but these players would not be studs without Carroll.

These players I mentioned would not have had the same success they had if they did not play at USC and under Pete Carroll. I am confident about that.

Lastly, nobody in CFB practices the way USC does. Ask Kirk Herstreit who mentioned it and has been to all the elite programs in the country. USC practices are prob. the shortest in the country time wise but super intense with no breaks. That has huge impact on success of USC and is a reflection of Pete Carroll. Not to mention the S&C program Carroll implemented and 100% participation might be why USC the last 3 years dominated every opponent in 2h.

 

[Coug LJ]

No, Scott, it's the players. IF it wasn't the players, Pete Carroll never would have been fired or have been your fourth pick as Head Coach. Don't get me wrong, Pete Carroll is a wonderful coach, but at the end of the day it is talent the separates USC from the rest of the league, if not the country. Though I will give P.C. credit, he's the best recruiter going.

If it was the coaches, USC would be in trouble. You lost some great coaches this past season. Norm Chow, who was key in many of the examples you cited, is off the bus. And also your DL coach who made so many great things happen for Cody and Udeze. Hell, Carroll doesn't throw any passes or make any tackles and USC will be fine. ...This season.

If Washington State got USC's rejects, it would be the best recruiting class in the history of the school. Hands down. And by a wide margin. With that kind of talent disparity, Pullman is the place you really have to coach! When USC gets a 4 star recruit, he is a step down. Washington State got two 4 star recruits out of 20 this year.

USC is at the crest of the wave. In fact, it may have already passed. Chances are USC will get beat this year. That is what history tells us. The reason USC may stay at the top is talent, pure and simple. But next year, when some of your talent leaves, the playing field will be more even. The chance of defeat will be more likely. And Pete will still be coaching.

It is comforting to think that Pete Carroll and the coaching staff is the reason for your success because they are staying. But at the end of the day, it is talent. The best thing to happen to USC this past spring is Matt Leinart not leaving early to the NFL. Splended coaching move.

 

[Scott4USC]

You are not giving Carroll/staff enough credit and giving the players too much credit.

Coaching not talent IMO is the #1 advantage USC has. The 2nd half adjustments USC makes is unbelievable. Talent is great but by no means does it win ball games. There are way too many examples where a less talented team who is better coached beats the more talented team. Ohio St. vs Miami BCS NC games is great example. Texas with Mack Brown is great example. USC prior to Carroll is great example. USC had top 10/top 20 recruiting classes yet would lose 3,4,5,6 games a year. Those losses usually came to teams who were less talented but better coached. USC now has the most talent in country combined the best coaching staff in the country. That is why USC is building a dynasty. IMO it all starts with coaching.

Take last years Orange Bowl for example. How many more NFL drafted players did OU have? A lot more! How many more starting Juniors/Seniors did OU have vs USC? A lot more! How many freshman/sophomores did USC play? A LOT!

COACHING is what put USC over the top. Talent wise USC/OU were similar and you could argue USC being more talented or OU being more talented. I think it almost is a wash with USC being more talented but OU being more experienced. You saw the outcome? USC domination. Coaching is what separated USC from OU. Coaching is what separates USC from every school in the country.


If OU was coached by Carroll and staff and USC was coached by Stoops and staff, IMO OU would have won the OB. IMO OU would be back to back BCS National Champions!

USC lost there all star DL coach but replaced him with the Green Bay Packers DL coach. He left Packers to coach at USC! How does Carroll pull that off? USC prob. UPGRADED!

USC lost there great OL coach to Dolphins, but USC replaced him with the NY GIANTS OL coach who left the Giants to coach USC! How does Carroll pull that off? USC prob. UPGRADED!

Now USC lost Chow but Chow was forced out because Carroll wanted to promote 2 of his younger coaches. This is where USC downgraded but replacements were coached and tutored by Chow and Carroll feels they are ready or else someone else will grab them. Plus Carroll is involved in offense himself. 3-man show! These 2 were Carrolls #1 guys, he easily could have gotten someone with experience. He chose not too!

These studs and talented players USC has is a result of great coaching. These already talented lineman are getting coached by NFL coaches. Same coaching NFL players get and same techniques NFL players use/learn. Same blitze packages being run in NFL are being run at USC. That is what puts USC over the top!

Tell me what University in the country gets an OL and DL coach in the NFL to coach the same unit in college? That is a lateral move at best! These guys were not fired from NFL or asked to leave. They left the NFL to coach at USC! Reason is Carroll wants high coaching turnover and wants his coaches to get promoted either by USC or another university. In return, USC gets the best coaches in the market and gets there 100% effort because with good results they get noticed and promoted! When one coach leaves, Carroll gets to pick and choose from the best. Don't forget Carroll has hit a home run at every coach he hired (so he is great evaluator) because every coach leaves USC and gets promoted!

Last year USC had Carl Smith, an OC who was fired from NFL, come coach USC as QB coach. Not OC for USC, but as a QB coach. Do you think that helped Matt Leinart? Or was it Matt Leinarts talent alone?

Coaching plays HUGE role at USC and IMO is the #1 reason for USC's success. This is just the tip of the iceberg for USC's success because USC is getting more and more talented/deeper every year. This will be the first season under Carroll where as a team USC has depth at most positions.

IMO, coaching is the most important criteria for success in CFB.

 

[Coug LJ]

It can be dangerous to make these comparisons with other programs and coaches. By your rationale, Jeff Tedford and the Cal coaching staff is superior to USC's because of the way they have performed the last two, or three seasons in head to head competitions. You could make the case that if Tedford had the same level of talent Pete Carroll had, he would wipe the field with him.

What we do know by objective assessments USC has had the #1 or near #1 recruiting class for the last a number of years. As for your coaching staff, they deserve credit for an excellent job done, but IMO it is talent where the real edge lies. The longer the games goes on, the more likely the team with the superior talent will assert itself.

I am somewhat suspicious about the "upgrades" in your coaching staff. Time will tell. As I said in another post, just don't lose a game. Of course with your "improved" coaching staff, that doesn't sound like a possibility.

 

[Scott4USC]

Coug LJ

Of course USC had an edge talent wise to most teams. But how do you explain last years Orange Bowl?

My argument is USC does have talent advantage, but you have to give that credit to Carroll for recruiting that talent across the nation. You can't just recruit top talent. You have to evaluate which players peaked in high school, which players fit your style of offense/defense, etc. etc. A super stud LB in high school who is big but little slow might excel in the Big 10 but wouldn't in the Pac 10 and vice versa. I know you know this but that is what makes Carroll succeed. I just named examples in previous post where his "stud" players at USC were not these type of stud players in high schools. They either moved positions, improved dramatically, or improved physically. That credit goes to Pete Carroll.

I can name a lot of recruits that play at USC that excelled that were not all world in high school or physically talented. USC has not have that many NFL drafted players in the Pete Carroll era especially 1st round. (that ends after this season)

My main argument is the success of each individual player at USC is a direct result of Pete Carroll and staff. I am confident most of these studs would have less production at any other university on the country. I gave examples and explained why.

I forgot to mention my biggest argument supporting my opinion. Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for USC! Brand new OL, brand new WR corps, brand new DB's, NEW FB, off the field distractions, etc etc etc. DIRECT RESULT OF COACHING! Yes the talent helps but there are many talented teams in the country that don't get it done. The talent gap between USC and other schools the last 3 years was not a wide margin IMO. This year and near future yes, but not the last 3 years.

You mentioned Tedford. You could make argument he is better coach than Carroll but that is hard to do because you can't get a better resume than Carroll. BUt if USC didn't win 3 straight BCS games in dominating fashion and 2 NC's, I def. would say Tedford might be a better coach.

Remember, CAL had a lot of players last year that were just as good as USC. I think A. Rogers is comparable to Leinart and would have had same success at USC. CAL RB is comparable to USC last year. WR's for CAL last year were better than USC's WR's. Unfortunately they got injured end of year. CAL last year was much more experienced team than USC. Recruiting wise, the only advantage Carroll has over Tedford is USC history. Carroll has slight advantage going into recruits living room. Hell, Tedford stole great WR from USC in last years class and he was missing piece for USC WR corps. Speedy WR. USC wanted him badly. Recruiting is half the battle in CFB.

 

[Coug LJ]

When a team has the success that USC has had, everyone deserves credit. Yet, at the end of the day, talent is the most important variable. Pete Carroll and his staff do a great job of recruiting. It must be noted that with USC's resources and tradition it gives the Trojans a big edge over most schools. L.A. is also one of the best areas in the country for high school football recruits.

As for the Orange Bowl, that is for Oklahoma to explain. I think the Pac-10 plays a more sophisticated Offense than most other leagues and the ability and comfort for teams like USC to pass the ball should provide a challenge for teams that are used to facing teams that run the ball the majority of the time. ...And, of course, some folks gave Norm Chow a lot of credit.

This year USC is stacked, especially on Offense, but next season will be a real indication of the strength of the program. I don't think USC is going to fall to the middle of the pack, but Leinart will be gone and I doubt Bush and/or White will be around. Also, you don't have the dominating DL you have had in the past years.

As for Tedford and Cal, you gotta give him credit for what he has done in an environment that has not been able to sustain success in over fifty years. There is no way in hell that Tedford and Carroll are on even footing, but he is making Cal into an attractive destination. I think most national writers are overrating Cal this year, but he appears to have something in place in Berkeley.