The outcome of this game in sports perception is as bizzare as the outcome of USC getting mudholed by a 25-pt unranked underdog.All day today, even on Jim Rome, the talk is that this does not take USC out of the title picture.
ESPN radio says it just shows that coaching and talent is so even you can't expect to win every game.
Lou from Game Day said if anyone else had lost -- such as Georgia or Missouri -- they'd be out of the title hunt, but that perception will keep USC in the hunt even after this loss.
It's as if the model is like this:
-- USC was so great, if they'd won, the dialog just keeps on a'keepin' on.
-- But, siince USC lost, it now reshapes the whole idea of what it means to lose, to lose early or late, and that all the rest of the teams are likely to fall between now and the end so that USC can crawl back up.
ridiculously uneven terms
USC is being talked about in ridiculously uneven terms to the point of absurdity. It's such that that program can't even be routed in one of the most embarrassing falls from grace in over 25 years, and shut everybody up. No, it's actually elevated the dialog. It's created a perception of college football that will keep the word "USC" in every conversation for the rest of the season. Hell.. just look at me!!
no respect for any other coach or program
It's as if the whole Top 25 is being disrespected; all coaches, all programs, all players. USC is annointed with some kind of "standard." Yes, they are pretty good, they are the modern Notre Dame loaded with McDonald's All-Americans and pretty boys, and so yeah they tend to hold their own in general, but last night proved they are a prima donna unprepared team that would get the **** kicked out of them annually if they had to suffer through the SEC or Big 12.
If Pete thinks the Pac 10 is brutal... man, give me a break.