October 26, 2014
I know that it has been quite awhile since I sat down and attempted to write something — but this semester has me studying like a grad student again, and, trying to imbue my students with some contemporary sociological theories so they can hopefully dig US out of the shithole we Baby Boomers have put them in.
I also know that there are many more important topics to discuss than USC football — and if I get another opportunity to write this Semester — I will certainly explore one-of-these: first on my list is the immigration of \”illegal\” children through our southern border.
But as my readers know — I am a die-hard USC football fan…and Sark, well frankly, Sark is killing me!
I know that I promised that I wouldn\’t name the folks I am being critical of — and I will attempt to be gentle with this Pillsbury Doughboy — but this guy has lost 2 games now on shoddy coaching, and, was lucky to win the Arizona game (I almost wrote this article after the Arizona State loss! The Boston game was too weird for me to discuss). And why do I refer to him as the PDB? Well, he is a bit pudgy — and with his dark shades on, well — I just don\’t think he pays much attention to detail and makes nonsensical comments that I liken to the PDB\’s giggles.
As I may or may not have noted elsewhere — the departure of Lane Kiffin was one of the happiest days of my life. He and his father were bad, bad, bad for USC football…but I\’m not sure that the Pillsbury Doughboy is that much better!
\’SC averages 80 yards in penalties a game; and 8 games into the season — can\’t seem to muster a second-half offense that can give the thinned defensive ranks a rest. Most sports pundits (and I remain nothing more than an armchair quarterback) — suggest that \’SC\’s defense can\’t stop the opposition in the second half. And they definitely can\’t if the offense is going 3-and-out on every play — the D is dog-tired. And when \’SC does score in the second half, it\’s usually on quick strikes that don\’t give the defense any rest either.
I am still waiting for the running game to be utilized in the second half instead of whatever gobbledygook play calling is currently transpiring. We arguably have the best running tandem in college football with \”Buck\” Allen and Justin Davis. These guys should be able to pound the pigskin! Buck has already rushed for over 1000 yards in 8 games for Chrissake (call it 7 games if we drop the BC game). Justin Davis has shown some pretty flashy stuff as well — but has struggled holding onto the ball. Just pick up first downs with these 2 and eat up the clock. I would have run a bootleg with Kessler to pick up the first down against Utah, however.
Sark manages the clock when he should be aggressive; and, when he should be thinking about the clock, he is aggressively stupid. He doesn\’t seem to understand his personnel and the rhythm of the game.
And while I can give him to-the-end-of-this-year to quit being a Doughboy — I don\’t know that I can sit through another — particularly when I hate those television timeouts and seeing \’SC still using the \”bubble\” screen…
Post Notre Dame Victory:
OK: 8-4. I still would have used my tight ends in the UCLA game. I\’ll give Sark one more season!
P.S.
The Trojans barely got by the Huskers as Sark coached another nonsensical football game. Again he refused to maintain the running game in the second half thereby gassing his defense. More-and-more folks are seeing what I\’m seeing and realizing that this guy is NOT the answer to bringing Trojan Football back to the PC daze. He\’s a Putz!