FanHouse

FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Future Trojan Barkley Wins Gatorade Honor http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/17/future-trojan-barkley-wins-gatorade-honor/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/17/future-trojan-barkley-wins-gatorade-honor/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/17/future-trojan-barkley-wins-gatorade-honor/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC, Pac 10, Recruiting, Prospects

Future USC Trojan Matt Barkley made history yesterday when he became the first high school junior to take home top honors at the Gatorade High School athlete of the year awards.

Barkley received the award from former USC Trojan and Gatorade Award winner Matt Leinart at a pre-ESPY reception at West Hollywood's swank Sofitel Hotel.

"I'm amazed," Barkley insightfully told the Los Angeles Times. "It's awesome."

Unlike last year's winner, the one-and-done Kevin Love, Barkley will take his award back to high school for another year--and he was spared a grilling by FanHouse's own Miss Gossip and yours truly. I can only imagine what questions I would have had for Mister Leinart.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> ESPYsMatt BarkleyMatt LeinartMattBarkleyMattLeinart Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-07-17T12:12:00 00:00 The Slow Death of Rule 3-2-5e http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/11/the-slow-death-of-rule-3-2-5e/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/11/the-slow-death-of-rule-3-2-5e/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/11/the-slow-death-of-rule-3-2-5e/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: Coaching, General CFB Insanity

Last year, cheers went up around the college football world celebrating the demise of rule 3-2-5e, an NCAA effort implemented in 2006 to speed up the game of college football.

While a number of changes were made in the 2007 offseason, remnants of the rule existed...until yesterday at least. Under new NCAA rules, there will be two significant changes for 2008:

The clock will start at the snap after a change of possession, rather than when the referee signals the ball to be in play; and,
On kickoffs, the clock will only start once the ball hits the field of play.

Meanwhile, in other timing tweakage, the play clock will go down to 15 seconds, from 25, following a television timeout. Expect plenty of confusion and several yellow handkerchiefs from this one!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-07-11T11:52:00 00:00 Cindy McCain's Gender Transformation? http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/cindy-mccains-gender-transformation/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/cindy-mccains-gender-transformation/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/cindy-mccains-gender-transformation/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC, Pac 10

Something strange jumped out to the Inside USC blog in today's Los Angeles Times Opinion section.

In an article over calling USC the, "University of Spoiled Children," author Rob Long begins, "A few weeks ago, John McCain made a little joke at his wife's expense. Referring to her alma mater -- Cindy McCain is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she was a cheerleader and sorority sister -- he called it "USC, the University of Spoiled Children."

What's wrong with that? Well until two years ago, the only cheerleaders USC has had were exclusively male. The 85 year tradition was discontinued in 2006. For all I can tell, the Song Girls have never led a cheer and have never even been given a microphone.

So, was Cindy McCain a male while in college, you ask? Nope. It's just the editors at the Times don't seem to know the difference between a cheerleader and a Song Girl. And the possible-future-First-Lady was one of them!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> cindy mccainCindyMccainSong GirlsSongGirls Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-07-10T16:22:00 00:00 Chris Galippo Goes in for Surgery http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/galippo-goes-in-for-surgery/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/galippo-goes-in-for-surgery/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/07/10/galippo-goes-in-for-surgery/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC, Pac 10, Injuries

Rey-Rey Maualuga is going to have to find a new backup, as the USC linebacking corps has suffered its first major setback of the 2008 season.

USC redshirt freshman linebacker Chris Galippo has played nary a snap for the Men of Troy but he is going under the knife for the second time since joining the team.

The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the high school All-American underwent back surgery for the second time in nine months yesterday and will miss part of the 2008 season.

According to head coach Pete Carroll, "It's very similar to the surgery he had before but on a different disc."

Galippo was slated to back up Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker, but will relenquich those duties for at least the start of the season.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Chris GalippoChrisGalippoLos Angeles Daily NewsLosAngelesDailyNewsPete CarrollPeteCarrollrey maualugaReyMaualuga Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-07-10T11:33:00 00:00 UCLA's Brittle Bruin Quarterbacks http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/04/29/uclas-brittle-bruin-quarterbacks/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/04/29/uclas-brittle-bruin-quarterbacks/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/04/29/uclas-brittle-bruin-quarterbacks/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Injuries, Los Angeles

Last year, the University of California at Los Angeles went through four starting quarterbacks in a season which failed to meet expectations. New head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow had hoped to turn the tide and avoid any quarterback controversy, naming Pat Cowan the starter in Spring Practice.

But just days after fifth-stringer Osaar Rashaan declared that he would start again as UCLA quarterback, he moved up to number three on the depth chart when Cowan and Ben Olson were carted off the field with injuries. Cowan, the erstwhile starter, will miss the 2008 season; Olson must recover from yet another surgery.

Things have gotten so bad that UCLA's coaches are now asking recruit Kevin Prince to leave school early in order to provide depth at the position. But Prince is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery himself, so don't expect this high schooler to be a lucky charm to avoid injuries at the position!

But if things look glum in Westwood, Bruin fans can take consolation that they did not lose seven first- and second-round players to the NFL Draft!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> ben olsonBenOlsonnorm chowNormChowosaar rashaanOsaarRashaanPat CowanPatCowanRick NeuheiselRickNeuheiselucla bruinsucla footballUclaBruinsUclaFootball Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-04-29T12:01:00 00:00 Mustain Seeks Prolonged QB Battle http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/03/24/mustain-seeks-prolonged-qb-battle/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/03/24/mustain-seeks-prolonged-qb-battle/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/03/24/mustain-seeks-prolonged-qb-battle/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

The start of Spring Football could not come a day sooner for the USC Trojans after the heralded Men of Troy Basketball squad went one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament--and there is good reason to pay attention to what's happening on Howard Jones Field.

Mark Sanchez, Aaron Corp and Arkansas-transfer Mitch Mustain will be battling it out to determine who will replace John David Booty in the fall. Redshirt Junior Sanchez has the leg up according to head coach Pete Carroll, "It will be interesting to see if Mitch and (freshman) Aaron (Corp) can catch up. That's what we'll have to find out."

For Mustain to catch up and win the starting job, he must make sure that time is on his side, and make the coaching staff prolong their decisionmaking process into the fall.

"If it doesn't get decided, it looks better for Aaron or I," Mustain told the Daily News. "From August, it's like night and day for me. And even from December, it's a huge difference, even with where I stand on the team in terms of leadership since (Booty) left. I'm not going to be reluctant to exercise it."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Aaron CorpAaronCorpMark SanchezMarkSanchezMitch MustainMitchMustainPete CarrollPeteCarroll Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-03-24T11:45:00 00:00 An NFL Future in LA? http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/01/22/an-nfl-future-in-la/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/01/22/an-nfl-future-in-la/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2008/01/22/an-nfl-future-in-la/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, NFL Media Watch, Los Angeles, USC

It has been twelve years since the Rams and Raiders left Los Angeles, and with the recent passing of Georgia Frontiere, one of the last people to own a pro football team in Southern California, it is time to reconsider the prospect.

All week long, the Los Angeles Times is pitting "sportswriter" Scott Olin Schmidt (ahem, that would be yours truly) against Barry Sanders--the Los Angeles Coliseum Commissioner, not the former Detroit Lion--in their weekly "Dust Up" web feature.

Today's question asks, "Should Los Angeles be spending public money to attract an NFL franchise? Should a pro team play at the Coliseum? Isn't professional football (unlike, arguably, baseball) usually a net loss for municipalities?"

Both Sanders and Schmidt agree: "our great city can live without an NFL team."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2008-01-22T18:08:00 00:00 Mythbusting: Vikings to L.A. Coliseum? http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/mythbusting-vikings-to-l-a-coliseum/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/mythbusting-vikings-to-l-a-coliseum/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/20/mythbusting-vikings-to-l-a-coliseum/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: Vikings, NFL Rumors, USC Football, Los Angeles, The Word

Why did the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission reject USC's offer on Wednesday to conditionally accept an agreement to allow the Trojans to play in the Coliseum?

When we first heard of USC's "put up or shut up proposal," we thought it was brilliant, because to reject the plan would require that the Coliseum Commission admit that not even its members had faith in their ability to deliver on their promises to the University.

Many observers say that the Coliseum Commission is reluctant to hand over the keys to the building to the University.

"It's not only about money," Coliseum General Manager Pat Lynch told the LA Times. "It's about everything."

Does "everything" include a plan to bring the Minnesota Vikings to Los Angeles?

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> antonio villaraigosaAntonioVillaraigosabernard parksBernardParkscoliseum commissionColiseumCommissionrose bowlRoseBowlzygi wilfZygiWilf Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-20T15:15:00 00:00 USC Corners Coliseum Commission in Negotiations http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/17/usc-corners-coliseum-commission-in-negotiations/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/17/usc-corners-coliseum-commission-in-negotiations/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/17/usc-corners-coliseum-commission-in-negotiations/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

After considering last week's proposal by the Coliseum Commission to enter into a long-term lease with USC, have the public entity raise the funds for stadium improvements, and promise no NFL team would come to the venerable Los Angeles Stadium, USC responded Monday with a "Thanks, but..." counterproposal.

In a letter to Coliseum manager Pat Lynch, USC's lead negotiator Todd Dickey lays out a groundwork for compromise--enter into an agreement to let the Coliseum sell naming rights to the stadium, raise the money, and meet specific goals over ten years for improving the stadium. If the Coliseum Commission fails to make the deadlines, they'd be in breach of contract with the University and the deal would revert to the Master Lease that USC has wanted all along.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> coliseum commissionColiseumCommissionrose bowlRoseBowlusc footballUscFootball Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-17T20:53:00 00:00 Coliseum Deal is a Dud for USC http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/coliseum-deal-is-a-dud-for-usc/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/coliseum-deal-is-a-dud-for-usc/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/14/coliseum-deal-is-a-dud-for-usc/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles, The Word

After being admonished last week by the Rose Bowl Operating Company to grow up and negotiate with the University of Southern California, the Coliseum Commission, which oversees the storied stadium where the Men of Troy play football came back with a counter-proposal of half-measures.

According to WeAreSC, the Coliseum Commission is offering a plan which would give USC a shorter-term contract to play at the Coliseum than the University is asking for, with no structural improvements to the Stadium. Their only real concession is to guarantee that no NFL team will be playing in the Coliseum. While they're at it, why not guarantee no NBA, Major League Baseball or Bundesliga team will play there, because those scenarios are just as likely to happen!

Although the Los Angeles Times is reporting that L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are working to forge a deal, it seems apparent to observers of the negotiation that is Schwarzenegger wanted a deal to happen, he could use his leverage with his three commission appointees to vote with Villaraigosa's two voters and strike a deal. Hopefully the Mayor will get a chance to bend the action-hero Governor's ear and prompt the Governor to terminate these drawn-out talks!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> antonio villaraigosaAntonioVillaraigosaarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercoliseum commissionColiseumCommissionrose bowlRoseBowl Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-14T16:51:00 00:00 Villaraigosa Routes Roadmap to Peace Between USC, Coliseum http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/villaraigosa-routes-roadmap-to-peace-between-usc-coliseum/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/villaraigosa-routes-roadmap-to-peace-between-usc-coliseum/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/05/villaraigosa-routes-roadmap-to-peace-between-usc-coliseum/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Campus, Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came out before today's meeting of the Coliseum Commission to map a strategy for achieving peace between the stadium officials and their main tenant--the University of Southern California Football team.

In a letter to the Commission, Villaraogosa outlines a seven point strategy to keep the Trojans from inking a deal tomorrow with the Rose Bowl Operating Company.

Sounding unlike someone who went to college in Westwood, the Bruin Mayor says, "I believe that the future of the Los Angeles Coliseum is inconceivable without USC and I, therefore, urge the Coliseum Commission to immediately negotiate a long-term agreement with the University of Southern California."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Antonio VillaraigosaAntonioVillaraigosaColiseum CommissionColiseumCommissionrose bowlRoseBowl Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-05T17:15:00 00:00 Longshore Injured Long Before Cal Collapse http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/04/longshore-injured-long-before-cal-collapse/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/04/longshore-injured-long-before-cal-collapse/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/04/longshore-injured-long-before-cal-collapse/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: California Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Injuries

Were it not for all the other wackiness in College Football this season, the collapses of California and Oregon Football would be among this year's major story lines. As both teams were poised to take over the number-one ranking in the country, their quarterbacks suffered injuries which sent their seasons on a downward spiral.

Oregon infamously refused to disclose the status of Dennis Dixon's knee during the bye week between games against Arizona State and Arizona, only to have their national championship hopes dislocated against the Wildcats.

But hiding a quarterback injury wasn't exclusive to the Ducks. California quarterback Nate Longshore played the nearly the whole season with a chipped bone in his ankle--hobbling him ever since the Bears beat the Ducks. Bears coach Jeff Tedford admitted yesterday, "There's a little chip in the back part of it there. I didn't get that it was a broken ankle. But Nate had talked to me about a little chip that was in the back there."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> ben olsonBenOlsondennis dixonDennisDixonjeff tedfordJeffTedfordjohn david bootyJohnDavidBootykarl dorrellKarlDorrellnate longshoreNateLongshorepat cowanPatCowanrudy carpenterRudyCarpenter Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-04T13:12:00 00:00 Pete Carroll Knows OJ (Mayo) http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/pete-carroll-knows-oj-mayo/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/pete-carroll-knows-oj-mayo/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/pete-carroll-knows-oj-mayo/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Bowl Games, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles

In case you thought that the USC Trojans weren't going to take the University of Illinois seriously in its Rose Bowl match-up, just take a look at what Pete Carroll and the Coaching staff did on their first day off after the regular season ended, according to official Trojan blog USCRipsit. Something makes me think that offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian will be asking Oj Mayo to join him and his colleagues next year.

Media sources report that the Men of Troy were nonplussed with playing the Illini on January 1st, least of which is because it eliminates any possibility that they'd have to lay a claim on a split "national championship" should Ohio State stumble against LSU in the BCS Title Game. Thanks Rose Bowl, indeed.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> OJ MayoOjMayopete carrollPeteCarrollrose bowlRoseBowlsteve sarkisianSteveSarkisian Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-03T18:12:00 00:00 Petersen Takes Pass on UCLA Job http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/petersen-takes-pass-on-ucla-job/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/petersen-takes-pass-on-ucla-job/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/petersen-takes-pass-on-ucla-job/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, Boise State Football, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles

Just minutes after UCLA announced that it would have a head coaching vacancy in its football program, its leading candidate turned down the job.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, identified this morning by the Los Angeles Times as the Bruins' top pick, told the Idaho Statesman that he is not interested in Karl Dorrell's old job.

Peterson told the paper that he has been contacted by one school--but was not interested--and would not say whether that was in addition to the interest from Westwood.

The difference in cost of living should be enough to make someone like Petersen want to stay in Boise, where a $850,000 salary would be the equivalent of more than $1.5 million in Los Angeles.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> chris petersenChrisPetersencoaching carouselCoachingCarouseldan guerreroDanGuerrerodewayne walkerDewayneWalkerkarl dorrellKarlDorrelllas vegas bowlLasVegasBowlmike leachMikeLeachsteve mariucciSteveMariucci Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-03T17:27:00 00:00 Council Fiddles As Coliseum Issue Burns http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/council-fiddles-as-coliseum-issue-burns/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/council-fiddles-as-coliseum-issue-burns/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/council-fiddles-as-coliseum-issue-burns/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

If the Los Angeles City Council is taking USC's threat to move to the Rose Bowl seriously, they certainly are not showing it. Last week, Councilmmbers Jack Weiss--who represents UCLA territory--and Greig Smith, who attended USC, introduced an emergency non-binding resolution to encourage the University and Coliseum Commission to come to a deal, and asking for the State to restructure the historically inept body which oversees the venue.

Under the so-called "Rule 16", the Council shall hear emergency motions at their next meeting, whch would have been last Friday--as was suggested in a press release from Weiss' office. But only the Council President can decide what falls under that rule. City Hall insiders tell FanHouse that City Council President Eric Garcetti refused to agendize the motion, sending it to committee where it will die a slow death, for fear of alienating Councilman Bernard Parks, whom FanHouse has identified as the biggest obstacle to reaching a deal between USC and the Coliseum Commission.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> antonio villaraigosaAntonioVillaraigosaarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerbernard parksBernardParkscandy spellingCandySpellingdon knabeDonKnabegreig smithGreigSmithJack weissJackWeissla coliseumLaColiseumrose bowlRoseBowlzev yarolsavskyZevYarolsavsky Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-03T16:11:00 00:00 UCLA Dumps Dorrell http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/ucla-dumps-dorrell/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/ucla-dumps-dorrell/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/ucla-dumps-dorrell/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: UCLA Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Coaching

Score one for the internets and the folks at DumpDorrell!

Brian Dohn, UCLA beat reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News reported this morning that UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has fired Karl Dorrell.

A press conference is scheduled for later this afternoon, but the release is already in the public domain. Guerrero remarks that, "at the end of the day, the focus has to be on results and I felt that a change was in the best interest for the future of our program."

In his official reaction, Dorrell politely thanked Guerrero for the opportunity and adds, "I am proud of what the program accomplished during my five years, especially in the areas of academics, citizenship and recruiting."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> breaking newsBreakingNewsdan guerreroDanGuerrerokarl dorrellKarlDorrell Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-03T15:35:00 00:00 Three Make UCLA Short List http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/three-make-ucla-short-list/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/three-make-ucla-short-list/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/03/three-make-ucla-short-list/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: UNC Football, Pac 10, Boise State Football, NCAA FB Coaching, Los Angeles, Texas Tech Football

Spurning the advances of former Bruin Rick Neuheisel, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has narrowed his list of candidates for the football head coaching job to three.

According to both local papers, the next football coach in Westwood will be Boise State's Chris Petersen, Texas Tech's Mike Leach or the NFL Network's Steve Mariucci. Petersen is said to be the favorite, but the notoriously stingy University may opt for Mariucci, as he has no contract that needs to be bought out.

There's only one little problem: Guerrero has yet to dump current head coach Karl Dorrell. In fact, Dorrell is quoted in the University's official press release regarding the Las Vegas Bowl, saying, "UCLA is extremely happy to be playing in the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl." I guess he has a point, because the way this season went, Dorrell should be happy to be in a bowl at all!

Given his 5-1 record against Dorrell, it should come as little surprise that USC coach Pete Carroll is coming across as Karl's greatest fan, imploring fans and the University to, "Give him a friggin' break."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> chris petersenChrisPetersencoaching carouselCoachingCarouseldan guerreroDanGuerrerokarl dorrellKarlDorrellmike leachMikeLeachpete carrollPeteCarrollsteve mariucciSteveMariucci Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-03T12:30:00 00:00 BCS Still Hates the Pac Ten http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/02/bcs-still-hates-the-pac-ten/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/02/bcs-still-hates-the-pac-ten/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/12/02/bcs-still-hates-the-pac-ten/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, Bowl Games, NCAA FB History, Arizona State Football

Since joining the Bowl Championship Series system, the Pac Ten has been the perennial odd-man out, and history repeated itself again as the Kansas Jayhawks were selected to play in the Orange Bowl, leaving Arizona State as the off-man out.

Pac Ten Commissioner Tom Hansen is likely not amused--but nor should be be surprised. The BCS has a history of giving the conference the short end of the stick.

In 2001, the Oregon Ducks were jumped over by a Nebraska team that lost its final game and left out of the Rose Bowl. Two years later, USC was ranked #1 in both human polls, but left out of the Title Game. A year later, Mack Brown lobbied enough pollsters to jump Cal for the final automatic qualifying spot and a Rose Bowl berth, and in 2005, Oregon missed an automatic BCS berth by one slot.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> cal bearsCalBearsemerald bowlEmeraldBowlholiday bowlHolidayBowllas vegas bowlLasVegasBowloregonoregon stateOregonStatepac tenPacTenrose bowlrose bowl sun bowlRoseBowlRoseBowlSunBowlsun bowlSunBowlucla Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-12-02T21:14:00 00:00 Mayor Asks Schwarzenegger to Terminate USC Rose Bowl Plan http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/29/mayor-asks-schwarzenegger-to-terminate-usc-rose-bowl-plan/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/29/mayor-asks-schwarzenegger-to-terminate-usc-rose-bowl-plan/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/29/mayor-asks-schwarzenegger-to-terminate-usc-rose-bowl-plan/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: USC Football, Pac 10, NCAA FB Campus, Los Angeles

Yesterday, FanHouse pointed out how Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa could forge a coalition to keep the USC Trojans in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum by bringing together his two votes with the three members appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Based on comments from the Mayor's office, it looks like he is amenable to working with Villaraigsoa to terminate a USC move to the Rose Bowl. Sean Clegg, deputy mayor to Villaraigosa told the Los Angeles Times that the Mayor has contacted Schwarzenegger and discussed working together to forge a compromise with USC. Their five votes alone would be enough to seal a deal between the warring university and Coliseum Commission.

Meanwhile, USC students have started their own protests over the proposed move to the Rose Bowl. They promise not to use any concessions at the stadium when the Trojans host the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, a practice I thought had been in place since beer and wine sales were cut off at the Coliseum three seasons ago!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> anotnio villaraigosaAnotnioVillaraigosaarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerla coliseumLaColiseumrose bowlRoseBowlusc-ucla Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-11-29T12:09:00 00:00 Villaraigosa Urges USC-Coliseum Deal http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/28/villaraigosa-urges-usc-coliseum-deal/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/28/villaraigosa-urges-usc-coliseum-deal/ http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2007/11/28/villaraigosa-urges-usc-coliseum-deal/#comments

by Scott Olin Schmidt

Filed under: UCLA Football, USC Football, Pac 10, Los Angeles

In one of the most strongly-worded statements on the future of the NFL in Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a UCLA alumnus, implored his colleagues on the Coliseum Commission to get over their false hopes to bring professional football to the stadium and ink a long-term deal with the University of Southern California.

"While I remain committed to bringing a professional team to Los Angeles, it is time to read the scoreboard: the Coliseum is no longer a viable option for the NFL.

"The Coliseum is and should remain the home of the USC Trojans. I am committed to seeking a long-term agreement with USC that protects the public interest, preserves jobs and benefits the entire community of South Los Angeles."

The Mayor's statements come one day after the December 6th agenda of the Rose Bowl Operating Committee revealed that the operators of the Pasadena Stadium were within days of finalizing a contract to host the home football games of the University of Southern California--moving the Trojans back to Pasadena after 82 years in the Coliseum.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

]]> Antonio VillaraigosaAntonioVillaraigosaRose BowlRoseBowlUSC-UCLA Scott Olin Schmidt scott-olin-schmidt 2007-11-28T21:25:00 00:00