USC and North Dakota State: Opposite Poles

Pat Haden is a legendary Trojan QB and, by all reports, a nice guy. However, the Trojan great should be eternally thankful there is not a Hall of Shame for Athletic Directors. Because he would be considered a composite of Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady among the worst of the worst.

Rampant cronyism (and perhaps some laziness) played into the failed hires of the arrogant Lane Kiffin, the alcoholic Steve Sarkisian and the woefully under qualified current Trojan head man, Clay Helton. To date, Helton is 1-4. As much as USC’s mediocrity is surprising, what is far worse is the seeming way that Trojans tank games and are disorganized. USC appeared to give up in the 2nd half of the Alabama slaughter. The apparent lack of effort is not the first time in recent memory. I am sure that USC fans wish to forget the 2012 Sun Bowl when Troy played a 6-7 Georgia Tech team that needed special dispensation to play in any bowl. The result was a dismal 21-7 loss. Lane Kiffin was too busy burying his nose in his play call list to even consider motivating his could-care-less troops during the game. A second no show by the defense, 9 months later at Arizona State, to the tune of 62 points allowed, prompted Haden to meet Kiffin at the tarmac of LAX at 3:15 AM.

Historians will tabulate Haden’s failed hires at 3. I think it might have been four. After Kiffin’s firing, the Trojans played hard under interim coach, Ed Orgeron. The highlight for the gruff, excitable Louisianan was a thrilling 20-17 victory over Stanford. I was at the Coliseum that night and the “whoo whoos” filled the air. Just like when Pat Haden played. Orgeron subsequently lost to UCLA. Perhaps that cost Orgeron the permanent gig.

Haden MUST have known about the fact that Steve Sarkisian’s favorite song might have been Roger Miller’s, “Chug A Lug” classic. A number of people in Seattle were aware that the bottle was the likable Sark’s worst enemy.

Five games might not be a fair amount of time to judge Helton after Haden removed the interim tag late in 2015. In addition to the Alabama surrender, the disorganization and lack of cohesion on an experienced offensive line is a strong indictment. I realize that Center is a vitally important position and that Tom Lobendahn has been lost for the year, but Ron Yary, Brad Budde and Anthony Munoz must all be disgusted by what they see. And Helton’s refusal at the beginning of the year not to give the explosive Adoree Jackson any touches on offense is bizarre. Maybe he should see the two-way players Jim Harbaugh has used at Stanford and Michigan — Jabrill Peppers does not seem to get too tired.

It is clear that USC needs somebody who can motivate (and perhaps scare) all these underachieving, four and five-star pretty boys who seemingly prefer to read their glowing, prep recruiting rankings than commit to being part of a real team. Helton does not get it when he said before last week’s Stanford game that “USC wants to be more like Stanford.” What an admission and indictment! Coach, how about aspiring to what USC USED TO BE!! Forget Stanford comparisons!!

If I were coach of USC, I would require USC players to watch the entire North Dakota State-Iowa game. Obviously, the Bison are very well coached, but perhaps a touch of shame might help this hapless bunch. These underrecruited gems maximize their ability. Heck, 36 of the players are from Minnesota. When the second-tier Golden Gophers do not recruit those guys, this is a further testament to their grit and development when they have won 6 consecutive victories over the big boys. For now, sadly, it would be fair to dub the Trojans as the anti-Bison.