USC Could Lose the National Title This Weekend

Pete Carroll is constantly reminding his players “It’s all about us.”  So right he is – when it comes to the Pac-10 title and playing in the Rose Bowl on January 1.

But it’s not all about the Trojans when it comes to playing the following week in the Rose Bowl for the BCS National Title.  Unfortunately for USC it’s about the rest of the Pac-10 and how the entire conference is perceived nationally.

The events last night in Boise did nothing but harm to USC’s title hopes.  The favored Oregon Ducks laid an egg on national television.

To make matters even worse, their top player, running back LeGarrette Blount, delivered a really late hit that continued to play all day today on national television, subconsciously enforcing the idea that the Pac-10 not only has poor teams but poor sports as well.

Blount’s hit was delivered after the game to Byron Hout, a Boise State player, who made the mistake of talking some trash to Blount after Boise State embarrassed Blount and the Ducks, 19-8.

As a result of his actions, Blount was suspended by Oregon’s first-year head coach, Chip Kelly.  Too bad Kelly didn’t suspend himself for impersonating a head coach.  It is one thing to lose, but quite another to show up flat and uninspired.

Kelly has had eight months to prepare his team, which felt embarrassed for last year’s 37-32 loss to Boise State at home in Eugene.  Kelly and his players knew the importance of their nationally-televised opener.  Even Bount during the week emphatically announced that the Ducks owed the Broncos a butt-whipping.

Instead it was the Broncos who kicked butt, and it was much worse than last year’s loss.  The Ducks could not even manage a first down until midway through the third quarter.  That is positively atrocious for a coach, a team and a conference that is struggling to enhance their image nationally.

No. 12 ranked Cal is another Pac-10 power that is on upset alert.  Last year, the Bears were upset at Maryland.  Cal believes that game was a fluke.  If Jeff Tedford cannot get his team to take the Terps seriously again this year, it could be a long weekend for the Pac-10.

The new supposedly improved UCLA Bruins are taking on San Diego State Saturday at the Rose Bowl.  Bruin coach Rick Neuheisel hopes to improve on last season’s 4-8 record.  But a poor showing against another WAC school could put the Bruins in a hole and further tarnish the Pac-10’s reputation.

The other key team on the Trojan’s schedule, No. 23 Notre Dame opens against Nevada.  Despite Charlie Wiess’ long-term contract, he is on the hot seat as far as alumni are concerned after losing 15 games in the last two seasons.

He does not want to have his Fighting Irish getting out-fought by a feisty Nevada team that is by no means a pushover.  If that happens, Notre Dame will drop out of the Top 25 faster than Jimmy Clausen is dropped on a third-and-long blitz.

While the biggest opponent on the Trojan’s schedule, No. 6 Ohio State, should have little problem with Navy, one or two key Buckeye injuries could diminish next week’s much-anticipated match-up with the Trojans.

More than likely No. 11 LSU should hand former USC staffers, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his defensive coordinator Nick Holt, a very rude awakening at Washington.

So, even if USC trounces San Jose State and goes on to run the table, it is highly unlikely that they will make the national title game if two teams from any of the other BCS conferences are also undefeated.

The problem is one of perception, and the Pac-10 is solely responsible.  Other than Pete Carroll, the other Pac-10 coaches have been notorious for having their teams unprepared for the start of the season.  Last season Oregon State, which eventually beat USC, lost its opener to Stanford, and Cal was upset at Maryland.

However, once Pac-10 coaches adjust their rosters and fine-tune their practices and game plans, they present much stiffer competition for USC by that third or fourth game.  But by then the conference as a whole is already perceived as weak by the national media.

After last night’s fiasco in Boise, any further poor showings this weekend will definitely discredit the Pac-10 and perhaps squash any hopes USC might have of winning a national title.

Furthermore, a loss to a Pac-10 opponent, despite possible wins at Ohio State and Notre Dame, will eliminate USC from any BCS title consideration.

After all, it’s not about USC, it’s about Pac-10 and national perception.

FOOTNOTE: The LeGarrette Blount punch that decked Byron Hout has been described as a sucker punch.  Some media pundits claim that it wasn’t.  But they should look again.  Anytime a player wearing a helmet and a full face guard strikes another player without a helmet, that my friends is a sucker punch.  Further more it is a felony, and Blount will be extremely fortune if the Boise district attorney does not file a charge.

USC Could Lose the National Title This Weekend