Updates: Commentary & Analysis

Rather than posting detailed descriptions of each, I thought I’d simply call your attention to some interesting profiles on USC players which were published in the last several hours.  The Associated Press discusses senior nose tackle Sedrick Ellis’s domination of Nebraska and his decision to return for his senior year. Phil Collin of the Daily News analyzes the effect of having a dominant fullback […]

USC’s dominating victory over Nebraska on Saturday was enough to land the Trojans on the cover of the September 24 issue of Sports Illustrated. The associated article, in addition to focusing on tailback Stafon Johnson and the resurgent Trojan ground game, dives into this season’s running storyline: namely, which conference is superior, the Pac-10 […]

Sports Illustrated’s Austin Murphy delves into what seems to be a uniquely Trojan problem these days: the team practices so hard, and at full speed, that it often leads to key injuries early in the season (i.e. Patrick Turner, Matt Spanos, Joe McKnight). While the Trojan depth generally allows the coaching staff to compensate for such […]

The LA Daily News’ Phil Collen describes senior RB Chauncey Washington’s road from a frustrating 2-carry, 8-yard performance in last year’s Rose Bowl, to serious thoughts about the NFL, and finally to shedding 25 pounds (with help from coach Chris Carlisle and Subway) en route to a probable first quarter debut against Nebraska on Saturday. On his […]

After referring to Trojan coach Pete Carroll somewhat disparagingly as “a nice Hollywood mix of Knute Rockne and Bob Barker” and “Pompom Pete,” Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe presents a surprisingly fair profile of the former Patriots coach’s tenure in New England: “Kraft was too involved, general manager Bobby Grier was overmatched, and Carroll […]

Michael C. Lewis of The Salt Lake Tribune profiles hometown star and current Trojan fullback Stanley Havili.  Many will cite the lack of a healthy, capable fullback as the reason for SC’s two losses in 2006, and the Trojan coaching staff, including Steve Sarkisian, is giddy when contemplating SC’s chances with a healthy Havili in 2007:
We can […]

Scott Wolf is reporting that Nebraska players were furious with last year’s conservative game plan against the Trojans in LA. This shouldn’t surprise anyone who watched the game.  It became clear early in the contest that Nebraska had no confidence in its ability to win the game so it was going to make sure that it didn’t […]

Seemingly holding SC’s bye week against them, ESPN’s Pat Forde has been so swept up by LSU’s two home victories against perennial doormat Mississippi State and the criminally overrated Virginia Tech that he feels the coaches and the AP voters MUST immediately make LSU #1 in this week’s polls. I’d suggest he wait 7 days until […]

Below is a compilation of links to articles previewing the Idaho/USC game tonight. After the game, we’ll publish a similar post providing you with links to articles recapping the contest.
USC vs. IDAHO GAME PREVIEW (Trojan Update)
USC-Idaho preview (Orange County Register)
No. 1 USC vs. Idaho (The Press-Enterprise)
Eye of the Potato (WeAreSC)
O/NSO: Idaho edition (WeAreSC, $)
Trojans’ defense […]

Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times profiles Servite offensive lineman and USC verbal commit Matt Kalil (brother of Ryan), who, since his decision to attend SC, has dedicated himself to hitting the weight room (he now weights 285 pounds), attending camps and continuing to become bigger, faster and stronger. Kalil also has a nasty streak that coaches […]