[Hank 91]

Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

It's funny you mention that, because one of my strongest memories from the game -- and this somehow didn't make it into my recap -- was the look of pure joy and triumph on Barkley's face as he ran out onto the field after the pick six that put them up seven with three minutes and change left to play. Even though I understood his joy, I remember feeling two things -- one, the game wasn't over; and two, he seemed to be celebrating as if he actually had had something to do with the play. It really pissed me off.

Then the cameras immediately cut to Luck, who had already gotten over his disappointment and was focused on what would come next. In an interview afterwards he said that the interception really hadn't changed anything -- he still needed to go the length of the field for a touchdown. So, you know, no biggie. And the rest played out the way it did.

[Hank 91]

Anyway, the BEST schadenfreude moment was the look on Barkley's face and his whole affect as and after it all fell apart.  He'd had that USC swagger, the confidence that they were the Football Gods' chosen people. And then...they weren't !! 

It's funny you mention that, because one of my strongest memories from the game -- and this somehow didn't make it into my recap -- was the look of pure joy and triumph on Barkley's face as he ran out onto the field after the pick six that put them up seven with three minutes and change left to play. Even though I understood his joy, I remember feeling two things -- one, the game wasn't over; and two, he seemed to be celebrating as if he actually had had something to do with the play. It really pissed me off.

Then the cameras immediately cut to Luck, who had already gotten over his disappointment and was focused on what would come next. In an interview afterwards he said that the interception really hadn't changed anything -- he still needed to go the length of the field for a touchdown. So, you know, no biggie. And the rest played out the way it did.