Spring Ball

Pete Carroll is probably the only person capable of coaching Rey Maualuga. Not only does Rey own the police, he's capable of inflicting pain, and even more pain... For Coach Carroll to approach Rey, let alone yell at him in practice is admirable. I can't wait for the 2008 season to begin and for Rey to unleash more suffering to opposing players.

Rose Bowl Bound

It wasn't the bludgeoning that we all had hoped for, but USC restored some order to the universe with a 24-7 victory over UCLA yesterday. USC clinched a record 6th Pac-10 conference title and a bid for the Rose Bowl. The game was actually pretty fucking boring with a slew of turnovers. The USC offense looked sloppy and could have made the final score a lot uglier if it hadn't wasted so many opportunities.

The defense showed up to play and harassed Patrick Cowan all game. Props to Cowan though for getting up each time he was leveled by the USC defense until he finally went down with a knee injury late in the game. That guy can take a hit. Anyone who isn't dead after that hit by Rey in last year's game earns my respect. Kudos to UCLA WR Dominique Johnson for making a badass one handed catch too. Unfortunately, UCLA still LOST so no one gives a shit.

We're far from over though with the 2007 season. We'll be awaiting word as to who we'll play in the Rose Bowl since shitty West Virginia lost and even shittier Missouri lost too, which means Ohio St. will go to the BCS championship game. Needless to say, the BCS is FUCKED and a playoff would definitely be nice this time of year. If only the douchebag university Presidents and Chancellors weren't so fucking gay...

But I digress. Pete Carroll was spotted today at the USC-Kansas basketball game with several recruits at hand. Hopefully they'll make the right choice and commit to play for the Trojans. I was surprised Carroll wasn't sleeping off a hangover. I'm sure he had quite a celebration after being so "jacked" about the Rose Bowl.

We'll find out soon who we'll play in the Rose Bowl, but until then we'll enjoy this victory over UCLA. Cheers.

Separation Saturday

Next Stop: Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

USC prevailed in its Gut Check Saturday two weeks ago, bouncing back from that terrible loss to Stanford to defeat the Arizona Wildcats, 20-13. Last week's test was rivalry week against Notre Dame and the Trojans passed by shutting out the Irish 38-0, avoiding a let down against a dismal, 1-win Irish team.

This weekend is Separation Saturday for #9 USC as it travels to Eugene, OR to take on the #5 Oregon Ducks, but also for other teams. This week's slate of games has 4 of the top teams in Pac-10 dueling it out, as well as big games nationally involving top 10 teams. Thursday #2 BC travels to Blacksburg to take on a very good Virginia Tech Hokies team ranked #8. Saturday #1 Ohio State travels to an equally hostile environment in Happy Valley to take on #24 Penn State. Elsewhere in the Pac-10, #7 Arizona State will try to remain undefeated as they host #18 Cal.

Autzen Stadium is a very difficult place to play, probably the toughest venue west of SEC country. USC struggled early the last time it was there, needing another other-worldly performance for Matt, Reggie, LenDale, and Co. to secure a 45-13 win after getting behind 13-0. Last year, the Trojans coasted to an easier than expected 35-10 victory at the Coliseum. USC smothered Ducks QB Dennis Dixon, forced him out of the game, and then smothered his backup, Brady Leaf. There was that interesting exchange between Pete Carroll and Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti, during timeout for a replay challenge though. In case you forgot it went something like this...

Oregon is a fumble away from being undefeated and possibly being ranked #1 in the country. Ducks WR Cameron Colvin, who may be out for the season due to injury, fumbled into Cal's endzone just before he crossed the goaline late in the 4th Quarter. What would have been the game winning TD became a touchback for Cal, and sealed the game for the Bears. Besides that one play, Oregon has looked great all season and pose a big threat to the Trojans. The Trojans are underdogs for the first time in the regular season since its 2003 opener at Auburn (A 23-0 USC win). The loser will suffer its 2nd loss of the season, and will be all but eliminated from the BCS National Championship race and will likely end up playing in my hometown of El Paso for the Sun Bowl.

Check back for Oregon's offensive and defensive previews. I've been swamped by papers and midterms the last couple of weeks, but I'm back on track now. Sorry for the lack of updates during Notre Dame week.

Fight On!

Countdown to Kickoff: 20 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now 20 days away from watching the Trojans knock some heads against the Idaho Vandals. The number 20 has been retired at USC in honor of the school's first Heisman Trophy winner and current Athletics Director, Mike Garrett...

Garrett's Heisman Trophy award in 1965 began a tradition that earned USC the moniker "Tailback U." He paved the way for future Trojan greats O.J. Simpson, Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell, Charles White, Marcus Allen, and Reggie Bush. I don't know very much else about Garrett's playing career, but I do know that he was responsible for the hires of Head Football Coach Pete Carroll and Head Basketball Coach Tim Floyd. The Trojans are in good hands and will soon match Florida by holding national championships in both sports in the same year.

Fight On!

Countdown to Kickoff: 38 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we are now at 38. In just over a month, we will see "Big Balls" Pete Carroll roaming the sidelines again as he guides the best team in the land to glory...

Fight On!

Countdown to Kickoff: 65 Days

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, we have arrived at 65. We present to you a man who needs no introduction, the one who restored the glory that had been long missing at USC, head coach Pete Carroll. Carroll has led the Trojans to 65 wins in just six seasons, compared to only 12 losses (6 of those losses came in his first season). That's good enough for a winning percentage of 84.4 percent, best among coaches with a minimum of 5 years...

His USC teams have finished with a record of no worse than 11-2 since the 2002 season, going 59-6 in that span, including 34 straight victories from 2003 to 2005. To sum it all up, this is how great these past five years have been under "Big Balls" Pete:

2 National Championships (2003 shared, 2004 consensus, 2005 runners-up)
5 consecutive Pac-10 Conference Championships
5 consecutive BCS Bowl Games (4-1 in those games)
5 consecutive Top 4 finishes in the polls
3 Heisman Trophy winners (C. Palmer, M. Leinart, R. Bush)

We are in the middle of one of the greatest runs not just in college football history, but in sports history, and we must continue to cherish these days. There is no reason to believe that this year will be any different. This team is hungry and will be looking to reclaim their college football throne, and they have PC.

Fight On!

Countdown to Kickoff: 76 Days (Father's Day Edition)

As we continue on our daily countdown towards the 2007 season, which is now 76 days away, we take this chance to celebrate Father's Day...

Though men often shy away from showing any type of emotion, there is a unique bond that is formed between a father and son. Whether its picking you up from school, or driving you to little league baseball practice, or spotting you some money while in college, you just know that he'll be there for you. So here's to you Dad, thanks for all of your love and support. None of us would even be alive if it weren't for our fathers, but obviously that's not what makes them special. As Laurence Fishburne said in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood:

"Any fool with a dick can make a baby, but only a real man can raise his children."

I've included some pictures of some notable fathers, though a couple of them are fictional, they all provided some valuable lessons, and were an inspiration to me growing up...

George Washington, the Warrior and father to our country

Anakin Skywalker with son Luke, from Return of the Jedi

Mufasa with son Simba, from Disney's The Lion King

Pete Carroll, father to his children and of the USC Dynasty

Fight On!