The Greatness of USC

As I watched the destruction that was the USC-NEB game last Saturday it donned on me just how far Nebraska (a solid team entrenched in the top 25) and teams of their ilk have to go until they can compete with the USC's, LSU's and FLA's. What needs to be stated is just how dominant USC has been over the past 4 years in a time when parity ruled the day. USC has lost 4 games in the last 4 years. Those losses have come by a TOTAL of 12 points. Please re-read the last sentence. USC was 12 points away from being the most dominant dynasty in modern sports. Now, there are a plethora of reasons as to why USC has become the current juggernaut that they are (location, soft conference). But the most important reason is Pete Carroll. Pete was the definition of mediocre as an NFL coach (33-31) yet he has thrived as a college coach. Why? Because he may be the coolest person in the world; that and he can coach and recruit like crazy. Look, I am not a USC fan (I am a die hard Husker and UGA fan) but have you listened to this man speak? He makes me, all 5-9, want to strap on the pads and go hit someone. Why is this important? Because the lifeblood of college football is recruiting and Pete Carroll does it better than anyone...ever. According to Rivals, the best recruiting website in my opinion, USC has finished 13th, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 1st and 2nd in the final recruiting rankings the last 6 years. Not coincidentally, USC has finished in the top 5 beginning with their first year as the recruiting champion. Look at his starting line up in terms of star rankings given out by Rivals.com (5 star being the highest): QB (would have been a 5 star but he went to USC after his Jr year and was unranked, RB-5 star, FB-4 star, WR-5 star, WR-4 star, TE-5 star, OL-5 star, 5 star, 4 star, 4 star, 4 star. Now for the defense: DE-4 star, NT-4 star, DT-4 star, DE-3 star, LB's-4 star, 5 star, 5 star, CB's-4 star, 3 star, S's-5 star, 3 star. Now, I am not trying to diminish what Carroll and his staff do once they get the players to Southern Cal. In fact, it is what they do with the players that makes USC so good. But if you give me USC's players and Tommy Bowden as their coach and you get Carroll with Clemson's players I will like my chances. USC has become the first pro team to play in college. The only program that even came close to what USC is doing now was Florida State in the 1990's. Other than that this is something that the college football world has not seen before. In a time when Appalachian State can go into Michigan and beat the Wolverines, South Florida can go into Auburn and take down the Tigers and Rutgers is relevant, USC has become the end all be all in college football. Does it help that the Pac 10 hasn't been great over the last few years? Of course. But the Big East isn't any good and not one team there has become dominant (that may have something to do with the Big East not being located in Southern Cal). So unless the NCAA actually cares that Reggie Bush and his family were being paid while at USC, and it appears they don't care and couldn't do anything about it if they did, or Pete Carroll tries his hand at the pros once more, the Trojans are here to stay, and dominate, for a very long time.