U.S.C. Weathering the Storm - Pre-Snap Read
...Tennessee might be the only school publicly aiming its sights at U.S.C., but it won’t be the last — nor is it the only program hungry to kick the Trojans while they’re down, privately or publicly. Fellow Pac-10 schools see an opportunity: it’s not a large window...but for the first time in a decade, there is no dominant team atop the conference...

...U.S.C. likes playing the heavy, enjoys the doubt, revels being the bully. Yet you never want to supply your enemies with ammunition, not when your rivals sense a window to nab the crown off your head.

Pete Carroll's last word on NCAA sanctions - Seattle Times
..."We checked everybody that came in. We scrutinized it. I guess it's projected like there were agents everywhere. It was never like that. At no time was it ever like that, and for somebody to perceive it that way, they don't get it. They didn't understand it, and they didn't do their homework because that's not what it was like.

"The perception that you received was not the reality. The reality was much different than that. The fact that we did things in a very unusual way, and made it as much as we could possibly make it for as many people and to share the experience with as many people as could fit, that made people uncomfortable. I thought we did it in glorious fashion. For that stuff, I don't apologize one bit. For the players, they would never apologize for that. We worked for everything we gained at that time, and are very, very proud of that. But it's part of this perception that was different."

Also, Carroll denies knowing of violations - Seattle Times

[Miller] Foundation of Carroll's program: Embrace the moment - OC Register
...No wonder Carroll's USC Trojans are sometimes as believable as a cat in a hat.

They did it again...

...For the Trojans, Saturday evening was Tuesday afternoon again. This was just another practice, only with a bit more hatred and witnesses.

The theory is quite basic: When every play is treated like the biggest play – whether in practice or a game – the genuinely big plays don't feel that big.

...That's USC football. Been there, won that.

Trojans opener: And a child shall lead them - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
The Plan was that quarterback Mark Sanchez would come back for his senior year, lead USC on another national championship crusade, then turn the offensive reins over to the golden boy waiting in the wings, Matt Barkley...

...Carroll said he and his staff saw it just five days into spring drills...

...In fact, he'd better be different. USC has piled a lot of responsibility on his young shoulders. But as you'd expect, Barkley is just as at ease, quick to smile and confident as advertised...

Also, USC's Matt Barkley will feel the heat - LA Times
History isn't on side of USC or its freshman QB - LA Times
Challenge is mostly mental for Barkley in USC debut - OC Register
Pac-10 Q&A: Matt Barkley - ESPN

McKnight Proves He's No Ordinary Joe - NewOrleans.com [08/05/09]
Joe McKnight flashed his exceptional athletic skills at an early age, splitting time between football, basketball and track...

...Joe played beyond his years and seemed to be the center of attention whenever and wherever he engaged in an athletic event...

...There will be a new QB under center. Currently, sophomore Aaron Corp is scheduled to be the starter, but many expect 2008 National Prep Player of the Year, Matt Barkley, to take over before long. Joe likes them both.

"Corp has the ability to run and stretch the defense, using his feet," explained McKnight. "Barkley can be special. He's smart, has a good arm, and is a bit of a gunslinger. I like his gambling. He puts the ball in tight places. He's the next Heisman winner down the road."...

Controversial billboard blasts Weis - WSBT-TV
A controversial billboard-sized jab at Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis has drivers doing a double-take in the shadow of the Golden Dome.

Coach Weis is trying to make light of the situation; but for the Irish faithful, the message on the billboard is nothing short of blasphemy.

The billboard, which went up earlier this week, is located essentially right above the Linebacker Inn near campus at the intersection of Edison Road and State Road 23...

Chris Dufresne's preseason top 25: No. 4 USC LA Times
...USC has so much returning talent on offense that the quarterback in most games is not going to matter...the Trojans are still going to win 10, 11 or 12 games. Rankman considers USC one of four teams that can win this year's championship at the Rose Bowl -- the others to be unveiled later this week.

USC has won two national titles and is 88-15 in eight seasons under Coach Pete Carroll. Three or four of those loses, however, may have directly cost USC three or four more national titles...

Also, Sporting News Top 100: No. 4 USC - The Sporting News
Expectations at USC remain the same - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise

USC Is Ready to Protect and Defend - Washington Post
It's not that Jeff Byers wasn't keenly interested in who was going to start at quarterback this fall for Southern California. But the senior offensive lineman didn't obsess over the battle between redshirt sophomore Aaron Corp and freshman Matt Barkley, unlike much of the college football world.

"It's why Coach [Pete] Carroll is so successful -- he makes decisions like this," Byers said in a telephone interview. "I trust whoever Coach Carroll picks."

Such confidence is completely understandable. Since Byers enrolled at USC in the fall of 2004, the Trojans have trotted out Matt Leinart, John David Booty and Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterbacks. Either Corp or Barkley was going to take over one of the most high-profile positions in college football...

Also, Decision on USC starting QB still stings Corp - LA Daily News
USC's big gamble - Philly Daily News
Injury to WR Johnson is 'just a crusher' - AP via ESPN

Udeze opts to retire after leukemia battle - Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Kenechi Udeze, the Vikings defensive end who missed last season because of leukemia, has retired...

...Udeze also expected to graduate in mid-May from USC with a degree in sociology...

ALL is a fast-growing cancer of the white blood cells...Udeze has made public speaking appearances this year in support of cancer research.

Udeze and his wife, Terrica, have a young daughter, Bailey....He was the winner of the team's Ed Block Courage Award...

Maiava chasing job with Browns - Akron Beacon-Journal
When the subject of hunting was broached to Browns rookie linebacker Kaluka Maiava, he wasn't sure how to respond.

"What do you mean, on the field or actual hunting?" Maiava said.

That's because the fourth-round draft pick from USC honed his skill for chasing down opponents as a teenager, hunting wild boar in the the mountains of Maui.

And there were no guns involved, just a of couple dogs and presumably a long knife.

"We don't use guns, that's cheating," Maiava said...

Also, New Browns LB has ‘wild’ hobby - Warren Tibune-Chronicle
Mangini makes a point - Warren Tibune-Chronicle
Maiava takes part in first Browns practice - Maui News

David Buehler: 'My initial thought was, how many people are dead in this?' - Dallas News
David Buehler, the kicker/special teams player the Cowboys drafted in the fifth round, was standing on the sideline when the team's indoor facility began to collapse. He bolted out a side door and was sprinting across a practice field when a pole crashed down on him.

Buehler, dazed by a blow to his head, wriggled out from under the pole and crawled approximately 15 yards through pools of water before turning around and looking at the wreckage.

"My initial thought was, how many people are dead in this?" Buehler said tonight. "I thought I was the lucky one."

Buehler thinks he actually suffered the worst injuries among the players, although he wasn't severely hurt...

Also, Buehler No Ordinary Kicker - DFW Star-Telegram
1 Cowboy, 11 others injured in collapse - San Antonio News-Express

Todd Marinovich: The Man Who Never Was - Esquire
...Marv had engineered his son's transfer to Capistrano Valley High, a public school in Mission Viejo. The team's head football coach, Dick Enright, was a USC alum and longtime friend of Marv's. As head coach at the University of Oregon, Enright had groomed quarterback Dan Fouts. Under Enright, Todd would go on to break the all-time Orange County passing record. He was named a Parade magazine All-American and the National High School Coaches Association's offensive player of the year.

Then the January 1988 issue of California magazine hit the stands with Todd's picture on the cover. The headline: ROBO QB: THE MAKING OF A PERFECT ATHLETE. A media onslaught ensued. They called Todd the bionic quarterback, a test-tube athlete, the boy in the bubble. All over the world, people were talking about Todd's amazing story. In truth, he was leading a double life...

Matthews' rise gives USC an impressive linebacker trifecta - USA Today
...Then there was the walk-on, Clay Matthews from Agoura Hills, Calif., the son of the former USC great and NFL linebacker Clay Matthews Jr. and the nephew of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.

He had his own path to trod, from redshirt to special-teams player to valuable substitute to, last season, starter on the outside at a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position for the Trojans.

And now here they all are, ready for their NFL close-up, a trio of linebackers from the same school all expected to be first-round draft picks...

Happiness Is a Warm Football Coach - NY Times [Play Magazine]
...the guy who runs his Web site, said if I came onto the field during warm-ups I could run up the tunnel and into the locker room with the team so I could hear the pregame talk. I’ll admit it was a thrill. I was a U.S.C. fan in my youth. I loved all those great running backs...Now I was going to run through the Coliseum with the Cardinal and Gold. As I did, I didn’t even realize Carroll was behind me until a security guy tried to stop me at the entrance to the team’s dressing room.

“He’s with us,” Carroll said. “I don’t even know why I’m saying that, but he’s with us.” He punched me on the arm, perhaps for the third or fourth time that day. He was like a kid, all excited. It was game day...

...they gathered around him in a huge huddle, I was thinking, I’m glad I’m not an Oregon Duck...

Rey Maualuga keeps hits coming for USC - Portland Oregonian
..."I want people to fear me," says USC middle linebacker Rey Maualuga.

Fear may be too strong a word, but the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Maualuga has the undivided attention of every team the No. 1-ranked Trojans play.

When coaches prepare for USC, they must account for No.58.

Or start warming up their backup quarterback.

"Oh, my," is the immediate reaction of Oregon State coach Mike Riley when asked, "What do you think about Rey Maualuga?"

"Scary," said Riley...

Also, [Ledin] PRO: Will USC go undefeated in football this season? - VC Star
[Lassen] CON: Will USC go undefeated in football this season? - VC Star

[The Quad] SEC Notebook: Remembering 2003 - NY Times
There is some serious bluster going on around the Southeastern Conference this week...

...remember what happened the last time the Trojans showed up in SEC territory.

It was 2003. 23-0. Over Auburn. On the Plains. In the heat.

That was an Auburn team that had the nucleus of the group that went 13-0 in 2004. It was a young team, but U.S.C. also started a young quarterback, Matt Leinart...

...until an SEC team gets even with the Trojans on a national stage, that 23-0 is hanging out there, a bright red flag of a reminder...

[Waldner] Former Redondo standout Ellison quick to make imprint - Daily Breeze
...Name the quickest player on the USC football team.

Quick now.

No doubt Joe McKnight is on the top of your list. You saw the way he quick-stepped around the Ohio State defense for 105 rushing yards.

Actually, Kevin Ellison goes to the head of the line...

..."He's so smart," Seto said. "He's the glue who holds our defense together."

Great attitude. Great leader. Great awareness on the field. Great player.

"He leads by example," Seto said. "He's in the film room...all the time...

Goal Line Stand: Only USC can match SEC - Athlon Sports
...It remains to be seen whether the Trojans will win the national title. With 10 games remaining, nothing can be guaranteed, especially when upsets are happening more frequently, and keeping collegians motivated and focused for four-plus months is more challenging these days than preventing a brokerage house from failing. Plenty of pitfalls remain on the schedule, although after watching Maryland dump Cal, UNLV knock off Arizona State, and UCLA hold BYU under 60 in a 59-0 disgrace, it’s hard to imagine a Pac-10’s all-star outfit coming within two touchdowns of the Trojans. But you never know.

The relative weakness of the Pac-10, the Big Ten’s seeming sag, the ACC’s hopeless devotion to basketball, and the Big East’s regression to a mid-major conference underscore USC’s overwhelming might. Although the Big 12 might put up a moderate stink, championship football is played these days in only one locale (save Troy): the Southeastern Conference...

The Best (And Worst) College Football Coaches For The Buck - Forbes
...At the head of the money class is University of Southern California head coach Pete Carroll, who pulled in a $4.4 million salary last year, including $400,000 in benefits and deferred compensation. Was he worth it?...

...To draw a fair comparison, we included only the 65 coaches from schools in the six major conferences,...as well as...Notre Dame...Coaches who negotiated new deals for more money during the most recent off-season were excluded.

...By our count, Carroll delivered more than his money’s worth. He has led USC to a 34-5 record since 2005 (including the 2007 and 2008 Rose Bowl titles), a record that is 54% better than the median coach in our analysis. As a result, Carroll scores a 114, meaning college football’s highest earning coach was 14% underpaid.

Also, The Most Valuable College Football Teams - Forbes
Champion Factories - Forbes

Comparisons to Leinart don't faze Mater Dei QB Barkley - OC Register
If Matt Barkley's been asked it once, he's been asked it a thousand times: “What's it like to be compared to Matt Leinart?”...

...The question comes as no surprise to Barkley or anyone else. The similarities between the two go far beyond the obvious shared first name, becoming somewhat eerie when laid out in order.

Both have played starting quarterback for Mater Dei, with Leinart leading his team to a CIF Division I co-Championship in 1999 and Barkley guiding the Monarchs to a No. 1 state ranking during the 2007 season.

Both will be Trojans, as long as Barkley...keeps his commitment to USC. Leinart helped lead the cardinal and gold to back-to-back national championships and captured a Heisman Trophy in the process...

Also, Barkley wins national award - OC Register