FOOTBALL

Saturday Buzz: Life Imitates Art

Some great Trojans passed away in 2025 and I’ll be spotlighting them next week.

  • Meanwhile, USC arrived in San Antonio on Friday and the Alamo Bowl is only three days away. Does anyone care? Seriously.
  • A reader who cares deeply about the USC-Notre Dame rivalry suggested this scene from The Godfather is appropriate, with Lincoln Riley’s head superimposed on Johnny Fontaine. I suggested Marv Goux’s head on Don Corleone.

27 thoughts on “Saturday Buzz: Life Imitates Art”

  1. A true fan cares about our Trojans whenever and wherever they play. Scott portrays himself as the perfect Trojan fan when all he does is ever complain about not only the football program, but also the other sports. By the way, it was ND that dropped Michigan from their schedule and is afraid to join the big boys in the Big Ten. Is Scott such a closet ND fan that he has to complain about our Trojans and never about ND. Lincoln Riley may not be the perfect coach, but he is the coach who added two Heisman Trophies to the USC trophy case so that we have more than any other school including his perfect ND. He also is sending Makai Lemon, the best receiver in college football to the NFL as a high first round pick.

    And, USC never said that they were afraid to lose to ND or afraid to play anyone else. The officials at USC just want a level playing field. Scott should be asking why ND needs a guarantee to get into the playoffs and why they are afraid to play USC as the first game of the season. And, why is it all about money with ND who doesn’t want to share by being in a conference. I was in favor of moving away from the Pac !2 because of the way that USC has been treated especially by Larry Scott, and I am in favor of dumping ND, tradition or not, if they aren’t willing to compromise on scheduling that is detrimental to USC who is willing to play in the toughest conference in college football. Fight on! Dan, Class of 1962

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

      2. Oops. My mistake. I was thinking of the return of the Bush trophy since Coach Riley has been at USC. Obviously, Bush did not receive the trophy for playing while Riley has been head coach.

        Like

    2. ND upgraded to Ohio State right after kicking scUM’s arse 37-0.

      ND upgraded to top 12 BYU after Riley chickened out. Lincoln’s Trojans scheduled UNLV. Fight on indeed, ’62.

      Week 0 isn’t even an option under current NCAA rules unless you’re playing in Hawaii or playing overseas. ND and USC don’t qualify. Stop repeating Lincoln’s little lie.

      Guess it’s natural that Lincoln was scared of losing. SC has won one (1) game against ND since 2016.

      “USC officials determined that the ND game date was not ideal considering past decisions from the CFP selection committee in punishing schools for losses, especially those late in the season.”

      ND didn’t quit when Carroll coached. McKay kicked butt after Ara embarrassed SC.

      Man up, ’62. Fight on or wimp out.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. “Does anyone care? Seriously.”

    I care. Hopefully some of the younger players will get a chance Lto show off their skills. Let Longstreet play most of the game assuming he re-signs.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Who knows what we’re gonna see on the 30th, Plow. Watching the totally inept play of Pitt and Clemson today was really difficult. The product they put on the playing field was not what anyone would think of as quality college football. This is the first year that it’s hit me: the bowl season is pretty much a joke now.

      With Lynn in Limbo and Lake and Lemon out I just hope USC takes this game seriously and doesn’t embarrass itself. The fans have put up with enough this season.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    2. The non playoff bowl games are more like preseason games for the new recruits. Certainly the extra days of practice an help younger players like Longstreet and Simms. And, any win is a good win. I like that USC has resigned the bulk of their two deep roster to keep them interested in playing the game. The reality is that college athletes are now professionals who need to sign binding contracts. Just like in other professional sports, contracting is a two way street. I am glad that Bowden understands the new system to recruit and retain quality players. The schools that understand this investment reality will be the future national champions. Sorry Scott, you can’t live in the past, and by the way the past wasn’t all that great either.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. KAM: A true rah rah cares about our Trojans whenever and wherever they play….as long as the 9 layer dip is good.

        DON A true Trojan demands excellence and doesn’t wave her Cardinal and Gold pom poms when the hired help is destroying SC football.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Would we love to see them win? Sure.

      But it’s hard to care too much, when several players obviously don’t care about the game. If they did, they would be playing.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  3. Sorry, Scott. Frankie is a man. The head that needs to be superimposed is Connie Corleone’s…..

    #”She’sHysterical…She’sHysterical.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. KAM: : Real Trojan Fans will never forget what happened in that 1982 USC-Notre Dame game in the Los Angeles Coliseum: “The scene was bizarre enough because USC coach John Robinson had announced his resignation earlier in the week. He called the cause “Win one for the F a t M a n!”

    DON: ‘ll never forget picking up the Sunday Los Angeles Times and looking at the picture of USC running back Michael Harper flying over the goal line without the football (Kevin Griffith recovered it at the two after Harper fumbled before he scored). Believe me, Gerry Faust never forgot that image, either.

    But there was no replay back then and the officials ruled a touchdown with 48 seconds to go and that was enough for a USC win. No one from Notre Dame believes Harper actually scored that day, and no one from USC wants to hear any of that.”

    Like

    Reply

  9. Pete Carroll has practically demanded his team lose…and some players are disgusted [since they were taught to play to win]……

    #Carroll:”PlayersWhoCan’tBeTrustedToLoseWon’tBeAllowedToPlay”

    #”WinForever…UnlessFirstPickIsOnTheLine”

    #[Hey…NobodyMadeYouTakeGenoAsYourQuarterback,Pete]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I know about Brady, So Cal. Technically you’re right…and I’m wrong. Someone sorta did “make” Pete take Geno…..

        …however….

        Check out the 378 statements from Carroll endorsing the choice [and the 1,037, 496 glowing, over the top comments since then]……

        #MaybePeteCouldn’tHaveStoppedThisDeal….

        #ButHeDidn’tHaveToPuckerUp

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Well, publicly calling out your boss for a bad decision isn’t a great career move, especially at 74 when other options are not only scarce, but non-existent.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. I get it. But I like Pete & I’d love to see him succeed….. and I’ve been wondering whether his almost fanatical allegiance to Geno isn’t what caused his team to quit on him…..

        Like

Leave a comment