obviously, a loss by usc no longer plays into the hands of ohio state. regardless, i still want usc to lose. i want usc to lose for a variety of reasons -- the least of which is not that carroll has turned down the option for instant replay. non-conference games permit a team to decide whether to allow instant replay.
"Why stop a game if you're going to make mistakes fixing mistakes?" carroll said.
while many do not question his ability to coach, i question his ability to think rationally. he presumes that there will be mistakes made. it's as if he's never watched a football game... or at least others than his own. instant replay is the best recent addition to college football, as it has rectified the numerous officiating mistakes and controversies. what he also does not understand is that it would behoove usc to permit instant replay for this particular game. if the refs are going to be biased, they are probably going to be biased toward notre dame: the crowd favorite. if you have the inkling that the refs may be implicitly or explicitly biased in favor of the other team, and this should be carroll's assumption, then you should not deny the use of instant replay.
furthermore, carroll's not permitting instant replay tells us that he is fully willing, if not endorsing, to accept officiating mistakes. instant replay is a swift sword to mistakes. though mistakes can still be made using instant replay, mistakes are nonetheless greatly reduced. it really makes little sense for carroll to deny instant replay. it would make sense if he had the option to accept or deny instant replay at home. south bend is not home for usc. south bend will be the most hostile, and possibly unforgiving, environment for usc this year.
so, i really hope that usc loses today. nearly my greatest reason for my hope is the irony of losing BECAUSE of turning down the option for instant replay. sure, carroll has exercised his and his team's right. sure, carroll may win because of his decision, though it is doubtful. but how great would it be for the usc to lose because of a decision made BEFORE the game and not during the game?
tasty stat: today's game between usc an notre dame is the only game this year where instant replay was available and turned down.
THOUGHTS?
(moderators, does this stance deserve its own thread? i understand if it does not fit in this thread and if it is, therefore, moved)
