USC Trojans (official thread)

[matcar]

I think they're remarkably similar in a coaching capacity. Sark seems to lack the personality disorders, but he's only a slightly >.500 coach after six years while other PAC-12 programs of similar stature have passed them by. This is a very uninspired hire and seems like "wash, rinse, repeat" to me. I think they should have gone after Franklin. The man has Vandy on the cusp of back-to-back 9 win seasons. Vanderbilt...think about that...

Yes Franklin does appear to be a great coach, not sure that Sark would be as good. But he does have experience within the area which might help.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

They can't get out from that Carroll Coaching tree.. .which has produced jack squat

I just don't see USC as that good of a job. Can anyone tell me when they've been able to win without cheating since the 1970s and even then weren't there issues? For every Robinson or Carroll, there's been two or three Kiffins or Tollners. The alumni are as unrealistically entitled as any in the country while the fans will jump off the bandwagon at a moment's notice leaving a half empty stadium. You have a major recruiting rival in the same city and two more upstate.

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

And they're in a fucking ghetto.

 

[Palpie]

But songgirls.

 

[muffler dragon]

Yes Franklin does appear to be a great coach, not sure that Sark would be as good. But he does have experience within the area which might help.

He'll still need Luipui (or whatever that Tosh guy's last name is) to make a difference in recruiting.

 

[matcar]

He'll still need Luipui (or whatever that Tosh guy's last name is) to make a difference in recruiting.

Yeah I mean obviously I could be totally wrong about Sark, but at the moment I think it's a good hire.

 

[ScriptOhio]

But songgirls.

What about their butts?

 

[muffler dragon]

Yeah I mean obviously I could be totally wrong about Sark, but at the moment I think it's a good hire.

Wasn't contradicting you as much as figuring that he'll need help.

 

[NFBuck]

Yes Franklin does appear to be a great coach, not sure that Sark would be as good. But he does have experience within the area which might help.

I think it's a safe hire. The bust potential is infinitely lower than with Peterson, IMO. I think he's basically a Brady Hoke hire. Warm, safe, blanket...familiar, but isn't going to take you to great heights. If they wanted to get back to being a consistent CFB power, they needed to think outside the box, and get away from what's "safe." They failed in that regard.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/21/s...-usc-coach-may-have-brought-baggage.html?_r=0

looks like Sark wont be bringing his ace recruiter

Sarkisian, who left the University of Washington for U.S.C. earlier this month, was under scrutiny as N.C.A.A. investigators — along with officials from both universities — planned to meet Friday with a high school coach who has accused a Washington assistant coach of providing him with $4,500 to pay for a recruit’s private tutoring.

The assistant, Tosh Lupoi, whom Sarkisian had been interested in hiring at U.S.C., posted a message on his Twitter account denying the allegations, which were detailed Wednesdayby The Los Angeles Times.

A broader question is whether the allegations, if true, will stick to Sarkisian amid a new, as-yet untested penalty structure that was set in place to hold coaches more accountable for the actions of their staffs.

From the LA times article

A USC person with knowledge of the process said Lupoi's chance of being hired by USC was now "less than zero." The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the situation and requested anonymity.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Spring Ball: Why USC Trojans can be playoff contender in 2014

It’s a new beginning for one of college football’s most storied programs. USChas new leadership with new schemes leading the Trojans into a season of new possibilities.

Each season still comes with uncertainties -- how young players will adjust to life at USC, how returning players will comprehend and execute new schemes, how a roster still fighting scholarship reductions will hold up against injuries – but I like USC’s potential in 2014 more than most.

What is the ceiling for the Trojans in Steve Sarkisian’s first year? Winning the Pac-12 South will not be out of the question, and if they do that, the Trojans will take a crack at the Pac-12 title and be well positioned for a berth in the new college football playoff.

I don’t expect Sark’s first year at USC to be an adjustment period. I expect the Trojans to be prominent contenders in their conference and on a national scale. Here are a few reasons why.

The offense will be revitalized

USC is traditionally a power, pro-style football program, but watching the offense the past few years was like watching a team loaded with world-class sprinters being forced to run a marathon. That won’t be the case now.

When you think of Sarkisian’s offensive evolution, think of time and space. He’ll kick-start USC’s offense into high gear – aiming to run 85 plays per game in an up-tempo scheme (Washington averaged 82 last year compared to USC’s 68) – while spreading the defense out to give his best playmakers a lot of space to maneuver.

Entire article: http://msn.foxsports.com/college-fo...usc-can-be-a-playoff-contender-in-2014-030614

 

[ulukinatme]

I'm surprised that wasn't Bleacher Report. Recruiting has not been kind to USC the last few years under Kiffin. They had one or two good years, but between sanctions, players that transferred, players graduating/going to the Draft, I find it unlikely they'll be in the Playoff next season. Maybe...maybe they squeak into the PAC-12 title game, but whoever they meet would probably finish them off. USC will be just a few injuries away from an 8-4/9-3 regular season easy. They've still got a ton of talent, but if any starters get injured like last year, there is very little depth to back up those starters. If I recall, they're particularly weak in the trenches.

While they had a decent recruiting class last season, their 2013 haul only included 12 total players. None of those players were slouches, sure, but they didn't do themselves any favors when it comes to that depth. The year before that they only had 15 players signed. The only thing they've got going for them is the 2011 class that brought in 30 players...some of which included those guys like Marquis Lee that won't be playing their Senior year, and players like Amir Carlisle and Max Wittek that are no longer there.

Heres their schedule. I feel good about Trojan losses to Stanford, ASU, and UCLA. Irish will be a Toss up. Edge probably goes to USC unless ND's offense catches fire this year. Irish have a new defensive coordinator and new faces in the front 7, so it's unlikely the defense will be a strength for them in 2014. Kelly had Kiffin's number, but Sark is a better coach. Will have to see how injuries go on both sides before this late game.

2014 USC schedule
Aug. 30 – Fresno State Win
Sept. 6 – at Stanford Loss
Sept. 13 – at Boston College Win
Sept. 27 – Oregon State Win
Oct. 4 – Arizona State Loss
Oct. 11 – at Arizona Win
Oct. 18 – Colorado Win
Oct. 25 – at Utah Win
Nov. 1 – at Washington State Win
Nov. 13 (Th.) – California Win
Nov. 22 – at UCLA Loss
Nov. 29 – Notre Dame Toss up

 

[cjmik_75]

2014 USC schedule
Aug. 30 – Fresno State Win
Sept. 6 – at Stanford Loss
Sept. 13 – at Boston College Win
Sept. 27 – Oregon State Win
Oct. 4 – Arizona State Loss
Oct. 11 – at Arizona Win
Oct. 18 – Colorado Win
Oct. 25 – at Utah Win
Nov. 1 – at Washington State Win
Nov. 13 (Th.) – California Win
Nov. 22 – at UCLA Loss
Nov. 29 – Notre Dame Toss up

Wow, only 6 home games...is that a normal schedule for Pac12 teams?

 

[ScriptOhio]

2014 USC schedule
Aug. 30 – Fresno State Win
Sept. 6 – at Stanford Loss
Sept. 13 – at Boston College Win
Sept. 27 – Oregon State Win
Oct. 4 – Arizona State Loss
Oct. 11 – at Arizona Win
Oct. 18 – Colorado Win
Oct. 25 – at Utah Win
Nov. 1 – at Washington State Win
Nov. 13 (Th.) – California Win
Nov. 22 – at UCLA Loss
Nov. 29 – Notre Dame Toss up

Wow, only 6 home games...is that a normal schedule for Pac12 teams?

I'll say yes, they have 9 conference games (this year with only 4 at home) and 2 of 3 non-conference games at home. It does look like most PAC12 teams are scheduling 1 away non-conference game, etc.

 

[USC]

They can't get out from that Carroll Coaching tree.. .which has produced jack squat

Ummmm Sanctions? Less scholorships? Etc? You're expecting us to still be elite? That's like saying the Buckeyes didn't play well in their bowl game in 2012.

Which, I think is so stupid the Buckeyes had to not play for fricken tattoos. Seriously. Stupid. Actually, a joke tbh.