USC: Even when they’re bad, they’re awesome

Wow, what a piece of junk the USC Trojans put up against the Oregon Ducks last Saturday in Eugene. The offense didn’t click at all in the first half, the defense’s coverage and tackles were average at best. The buzz on the various sports forums and news sources I was reviewing at the time was very tense (many of which made the points about USC no doubt) that powerful Trojans may be falling from grace, and what a putrid effort they were making. . .

Did I forget to mention that USC won the game by 32 POINTS? (they got covered pretty easily, by the way)

USC has now outscored its first three opponents in a 178-47 clip. They have probably the two best players in college football, quarterback Matt Leinart and running back Reggie Bush. Bush’s backup, LenDale White, would be a starter, and possibly a Heisman candidate, if he played for most of the other teams in the AP Top 25. The defense that head coach Pete Carroll has been so unhappy with all season just has to play decently for this team to be successful.

If you’re an opposing team, as #15 Arizona State will learn this weekend, you have to play a perfect game, score a time or two on defense or special teams and keep USC’s offense on the sidelines to avoid being eliminated. In fact, Oregon played over their heads during the first half and led 13-0 at one point, but when the Trojans got a wake-up call from the coaching staff at halftime, they had 45 straight points.

How did Leinart describe the game, even when they fell behind and the pundits panicked? He just said it was “fun” to finally get a challenge. This just goes to show how “bored” the Trojans have been so far, as 10 other top teams have been playing do-or-die soccer in their quest to be No. 2. I still want to know who those handful of guys are who keep voting. Texas Longhorns #1 the last two weeks.

I wonder how much “fun” Vince Young and company will have at the Rose Bowl right after the New Year’s, if they’re lucky enough to get there. With the dynasty Carroll has built, the BCS is becoming increasingly irrelevant. I can’t imagine #3 or #4 crying this year for not getting a chance to take on the Trojans.