http://bleacherreport.com/articles/61632-usc-ya-later-whats-next-for-college-football
Two weeks ago, the world was convinced the USC Trojans were by far the best team in college football.
Two days ago, the talk was how tough the road would be for the stronger SEC and Big 12 teams to get to the title game to face USC.
A few hours ago, everything changed.
Something happened to USC in Corvallis—again. The Trojans left Oregon State’s campus with a quizzical look on each of their faces, brought on by 5’6″ Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran big, totaling 186 yards on the ground against a USC defense that many felt was the most dominant in the country.
The result: a shocking Oregon State victory, 27-21 over the top-ranked Trojans.
Let it be a lesson learned to all college football fans out there: This game is like David Blaine—unpredictable. There are no sure things—certainly not in September. Not ever.
USC looked dominant against Virginia.
USC looked dominant against Ohio State.
USC looked overmatched by an Oregon State team that was completely manhandled by Penn State just a few short weeks ago.
And now the door is open. Sooners: Here’s your chance to walk through. Knock knock—who’s there? It’s the ‘Dawgs. Ding-dong—who’s that? It’s the Gators.
Meanwhile, the door is closing on the Trojans. After all, the rest of the way, USC has no ranked teams left on their schedule. Sure, that could change as the season progresses, but for now, to get back in it, the Trojans are going to have to blow teams off the field.
For those who think it’s a given for the SEC and Big 12 to send a team to the national title a few months down the road—not so fast. While there may be four teams from each conference in the top 10, many of these teams are going to beat each other down as the season moves along.
There’s certainly a shot for one from each conference to come out unscathed, but the chances of that are likely slim—as in “Lindsay Lohan passing a driver’s test” slim. Then again, as we have already learned, this game is unpredictable, and only time will tell.
BleacherReport
9/25/08
Magnolia Tribune
