2008 Oregon State Tragedy Issue - 9/29/08
Readers of my weekly musings already know that this is a painful week for me. There were actually some tremendous games this weekend, and college football's standing as the greatest sport on the planet was enhanced - not damaged. But nevertheless, any time my Trojans lose it is heartache-inducing, and it is hard to see the silver lining. But like all Trojans, I fight on, and with that comes this week's musings ...- I am not throwing in the towel on this season. It is not in my blood. We are a great team, and I honestly believe we could run the table from here. We also could lose three more games. It is just tough to say. I admire the team's tenacity in the second half. But there is no way to sugar coat this: Oregon State manhandled us on both sides of the ball, and Trojans are not used to seeing it. I can not believe how Oregon State was able to establish the run against us. They manhandled us on the line of scrimmage, and that was the difference in the game.- I still just can not believe their TD at the end of the first half that went right through our hands. Sometimes, God just didn't mean for it to be, and with a play like that, it was.obviously a night for the Beavers.- Stefan Johnson is going to be a star, either at USC, or on Sundays. I wish he had gotten more chances. We just could not find a rhythm until it was too late.- Sanchez is inspiring to watch. His pick was upsetting, but he is a talented and fiery kid, and his best moments at USC are still to come.- Bandwagoners blaming Sark's play calling will be back on the bandwagon as quickly as they fell off it the next time we put up 400 yards and score over 30 points. Sorry, bandwagoners, but the defense lost this game - not Sark.- However, if one wants to blame some part of the offense, it would have to be Joe McKnight. His ability to be great at USC will start when he abandons his tendency to fumble the ball. Period. Reggie and Lendale played almost mistake-free football at USC all three years; Joe needs to join that club to become a legend.- I care about the BCS about as much as I care about synchronized swimming. I did not cry in my beer Thursday night because our BCS prospects were messed up; I cried because we lost a game - period. But is USC's season over even if we run the table? Not at all. Oklahoma is very good, but they will lose a game. Bama and LSU have to play each other. Bottom line - it is becoming more and more impossible to go undefeated in college football. I have no idea what will happen from here, but I do believe we can win out. Pete will right this ship. I believe.- Alabama looks to me to be as good as anyone in the country. 11-1 is very possible for the Crimson Tide. Their defense against the run is incredible. I am excited for my Bama' friends, and hope they can keep it going late into the season.- I think UCLA did better against Fresno State than I thought they would. A loss is still a loss, but I thought that one might get ugly.- Ty Willingham's time as a head coach in college football is over. I respect the man, but he is done.- I would not be surprised if Cal turns out to be a top 10 team. Maryland is looking better than we could have guessed, and Cal has a lot of athleticism and talent. I am not counting them out at all.- SC will certainly have their hands full with Oregon next week. I believe we will be ready, and I think we will keep them to under 100 yards rushing. That will be the key to the game.
It is never fun to lose. But those of us from Troy know that the bigger issue is how one responds to losing. It is time to fight on.
College football. The best there is.
I remain,
The Biggest College Football Lover of All Time