Like a star collapsing under its own weight, USC's football program is rapidly collapsing in on itselft under coach
Pete Carroll.
For the second time in three weeks, USC was beaten. Badly. This time by Stanford, which walloped the Trjoans 55-21. The point total was the most ever surrendered at home by the Trojans; Pete Carroll's unbeaten November win streak went by the wayside.
Of course, the points surrendered record wasn't exactly something out of the yellowing pages of history. That record was an august two weeks old. Oregon beat Carroll by 27 on Halloween, 47-20 (tripling the previous record loss, 11 points, to Notre Dame in 2001). Saturday, Stanford did the Ducks eight points better.
What happened?
A flurry of turnovers certainly contributed to the mess, but Stanford was unstoppable behind the bruising runs of Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart and the scrambling and guile of quarterback Andrew Luck. Gerhart rumbled for 178 yards and three touchdowns, while Luck ran for 61 of his own to go with two passing touchdowns. The Cardinal punted just twice in one of the greatest offensive performances ever against USC.
USC's streak of seven consecutive Pac-10 crowns was speculatively over before Saturday, and confirmed early in the fourth quarter. Stanford gave the men of Troy their third conference defeat, the second most in a season under Carroll. After making the Rose Bowl a reliable season-ending trip, USC will now participate in some unimportant bowl, perhaps in El Paso or San Francisco, miles away from the real parties.
Meanwhile,
Jim Harbaugh has revived Cardinal football, upending conference favorites Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks on the way to a 7-3 record and an outside shot at a Rose Bowl battle with Ohio State. Harbaugh even added significant color to the game, opting to go for two in the fourth quarter with Stanford leading 48-21. He was clearly angling for 50 points, but fell short on the conversion attempt.
Game commentators said Carroll then stared him down from across the field. No matter, Stanford added another late touchdown to get to 55.
Gerhart deserves strong Heisman consideration after his tour de force against Oregon and USC. Tacklers simply fall off him for the greater part of an afternoon, reminiscent of some nature special documenting the futility of say, lions attempting to drag down an elephant. He's too big, too powerful, too angry, and he'll leave a mark if you get too close.
Put plainly: send him to New York.
And if Oregon or Arizona stumble, send these guys to Pasadena.
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Latest College Football Photos
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Ronald Johnson #8 of USC Trojans is tackled by Chike Amajoyi #43 of the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronald Johnson;Chike Amajoyi
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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Urban Meyer (L) of the Florida Gators shakes hands with head coach Steve Spurrier (R) of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Urban Meyer;Steve Spurrier
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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: The marching band of the South Carolina Gamecocks walks on the field before their game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: Kevin White #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks walks on the field before their game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin White
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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: Bryce Sherman #22 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs the ball back during their game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Bryce Sherman
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Toby Gerhart #7 of the Stanford Cardinalis is chased by Will Harris #26 and Malcolm Smith #6 of the USC Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Stanford won 55-21. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Toby Gerhart;Will Harris;Malcolm Smith
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Ronald Johnson #8 of USC Trojans is tackled by Chike Amajoyi #43 of the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronald Johnson;Chike Amajoyi
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans is sacked by Will Powers #42 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Stanford won 55-21. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Barkley;Will Powers
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Joe McKnight #4 of the USC Trojans eludes the diving tackle from Delano Howell #26 of the Stanford Cardinal to score a touchdown during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe McKnight;Delano Howell
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COLUMBIA, SC - NOVEMBER 14: Omarius Hines #82 of the Florida Gators and teammates celebrate after a 24-14 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Omarius Hines
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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Ryan Whalen #8 of the Stanford Cardinal drops a pass as he is hit by Kevin Thomas #15 of the USC Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 14, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Stanford won 55-21. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ryan Whalen;Kevin Thomas
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-14-2009 @ 8:38PM
Patrick said...
Pour -it-on Pete now gets a taste of his own medicine. I LOVE IT!!!
Reply
11-14-2009 @ 10:05PM
Bugsy said...
well USC clearly was outplayed but how about the bush league stunt pulled by Stanford. Clearly, the Coach should be in High School Football. He has the mentality of such trying for a 2 point conversion nearing the end of the game. Um, I guess this is class for this coach. I think people will remember and he will be rewarded.
11-14-2009 @ 9:00PM
John from Covina said...
What a poorly written article. Does anyone proofread their work?
Reply
11-14-2009 @ 9:09PM
Ron said...
Typical of the stuff Grummell and Travis put out, poorly written and not worth reading. I do love the fact that USC is falling!
Quote from above: "For the second time in three weeks, Stanford was beaten. Badly. This time by Stanford, which walloped the Trjoans 55-21."
Come on Grummell get it right or forget about it! Preferably you forget about it and go to work at McDonalds........
Reply
11-14-2009 @ 10:00PM
Bugsy said...
Stanford Coach Jim H., was bushleague in the pros and now in College. Trying for 2 points on the conversion. I hope Pete C., remembers and duly pay back time and watch Jim H., grunt wisely. He should be thown out of the Coliseum. We will see what happens to this bush league coach. Maybe send him to the high school where such behavior is tolerated.
Reply
11-14-2009 @ 11:13PM
Patrick said...
Bugsy, I remember Pete trying an on-side kick in the 4th qtr. against U.C.L.A. while leading by three touchdowns.Don't blame coach Jim H.He was trying to put as many points on the board as he could.Payback x 55.
11-15-2009 @ 1:28AM
wtd15 said...
SC fans can't understand losing. Pete never hesitates running up the score or keeping the starters in. Be happy with a 9 or 10 win "rebuilding" year and stop bitching about a 2 pt. conversion. It's nice to finally see some balance in that conference.
Reply
11-16-2009 @ 9:29AM
oortegaero said...
Isn't that the problem of the BCS ranking system. In order to keep your high ranking you have to completly dominate the other team (unless you play in the SEC). If USC only wins by 9 or 10 they are considered to be weak because they don't kill weaker teams. I'm not saying the PAC-10 is weak, it is just viewed that way. Maybe now with teams like Oregon, Stanford, Arizona, Oregon State, the PAC-10 will be viewed as a stronger conference and USC will not have to win every game by 25-30 pts to hold a high ranking. They could squeeze out 3 pt wins like Florida and still be consider #1 or #2.
11-15-2009 @ 9:48AM
Keith said...
I Love it!!! Pete is a great recruiter and just a decent coach at best. He has ran the score up on many teams now payback is a bi*ch.
Reply
11-15-2009 @ 10:29AM
ed344mu said...
I reread the article and can't find any evidence that it was'"poorly written." Were you referring to grammar, syntax, point of view? Enlighten me.
Reply
11-16-2009 @ 1:47PM
cjgdnight said...
Read Ron's comments from above... if you think this is professional writing... It can't be explained to you.
11-15-2009 @ 1:52PM
bozallan said...
Gerhardt is the best back in football; whoever drafts him intom the NFL is getting a diamond. As for Pete Carroll, if this was the NFL it would mean that his job would be NOT FOR LONG! I guess Nick Holt was the reason USC defense was great in the past. Mike Garret won't can Pete; but you can bet your behind he is pondering it.
Reply
11-15-2009 @ 3:14PM
rherman102 said...
USC is nothing but a bunch of whiners. Jim Harbaugh has taken an unknown team to the top and you dillrods want to bash his coaching??? Harbaugh was only giving USC a taste of their own medicine, and poor Pete didn't like the taste. LOL
Reply
11-15-2009 @ 11:45PM
dizzyejb said...
Bitter and sweet. USC fans need to understand that
every team has it up and downs. USC has had a long
streak of winning seasons. We should be thankful
for them. Now it's time to taste a little of the bitterness of sports. The best of sport franchises have winning and losing cycles. Why should USC be any different? They will come back and be a force in the PAC 10 and BCS again.
Reply
11-19-2009 @ 9:34AM
maddog said...
There is a difference between a score being run up because you are just playing the game, often with the second team in the fourth quarter, and going for a two point conversion just to rub it in. No need for SC to whine about it though. They do play Stanford every year and it should provide sufficient motivation for next year.
Reply