[msqueri]

I have none of the ill will toward USC many here do and in some ways admire and am entertained by them, but just as an analytical matter I think it is premature to think USC is ascendant and especially to think they have arrived. Having the #5 team in the country is nothing special for them. They are playing for championships, or at least playoffs, and it’s not yet clear they have the defense to get them there. That this has been a long-running and well-known Achilles heel for Riley and Grinch makes it an even more poignant question. We’ll see what this year looks like, but by USC standards I’m not sure it will answer the mail. How they played against San Jose State and Nevada isn’t getting into the playoffs.

[msqueri]

I have none of the ill will toward USC many here do and in some ways admire and am entertained by them, but just as an analytical matter I think it is premature to think USC is ascendant and especially to think they have arrived. Having the #5 team in the country is nothing special for them. They are playing for championships, or at least playoffs, and it’s not yet clear they have the defense to get them there. That this has been a long-running and well-known Achilles heel for Riley and Grinch makes it an even more poignant question. We’ll see what this year looks like, but by USC standards I’m not sure it will answer the mail. How they played against San Jose State and Nevada isn’t getting into the playoffs.