Really?I just don't believe it. No sir no sir no sir, just no way. Not them.
In the latest of college football's tempests in a teapot, the world is afire about an alleged obscure recruiting violation committed by USC in securing the commitment of Louisiana boy Joe McKnight.
That's great and all, but the violation apparently never happened.
Carroll believes LSU fans created the controversy because McKnight chose the Trojans over his home-state school. "They went crazy about it,'' he said.Crazy? Not LSU fans. They don't overreact to perceived sleights. No sir. LSU fans are classy.
No longer welcomed in Louisiana, never gonna be able to play in a national championship, will be compared to Reggie Bush every Saturday instead of making a name for himself. Yeah he's a smart one! Hope you choke big time!McKnight's no longer welcomed in Louisiana simply because he chose USC?! (!) You stay classy, Tiger Fan!
For its part, USC is on the offensive. Unless Pete Carroll's pulling a Gary Hart it's probably safe to say this is a non-story.
Pete Carroll is emphatic that nothing illegal took place in the recruitment of Joe McKnight, including any conversations with Reggie Bush.If you're still unconvinced after reading this, there's little comfort in this final note: the rule in question is an inane and seemingly counterproductive NCAA regulation.
"It didn't happen,'' Carroll said. "So we won't get penalized. You can look at the phone records. I'm not worried about it one bit. That conversation with Bush never existed. Reggie and everyone else will tell you it didn't happen.''
Carroll said he is eager to obtain an audiotape of McKnight's press conference to see if his words were misinterpreted and said he thinks the recruit's words might have been twisted.
"(Bush and McKnight) never talked and never had a conference call or speakerphone conversation,'' Carroll said.
Former players are considered boosters per the NCAA. What better person to lean on and ask questions about three to five years experience at one's potential college of choice than a former player? What does it say for the NCAA when it creates rules that restrict access to human resources who can give insight into a complicated and far-reaching decision like the choice of a college?
Best to bite the bullet here and see what comes of the original Bush investigation because there's just no meat in this violation. Sorry, Tiger fan. But at least your fevered reputation is intact.
