I guess some things never change.
Even though the Pac-10 Conference will boast four potentially great quarterbacks next season, and even though the media chose the Oregon Ducks to repeat as conference champions in the 2010-2011 season, the talk of Pac-10 media day was centered around none other than the USC Trojans.
What a surprise.
Nearly every coach that sat in front of reporters Thursday morning fielded some form of question regarding the sanctions that the Trojans will be forced to endure during the next few seasons.
And it just so happens that besides current ‘SC coach Lane Kiffin, the man who fielded the most questions regarding the Trojans was none other than UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel.
And as Neuheisel pointed out, this has become almost a daily routine since the sanctions were levied on the Bruins’ crosstown rivals.
As part of the three-day Pac-10 media tour ““ two of which were spent in New York City ““ Neuheisel and Kiffin appeared on College Football Live on Wednesday afternoon. With the television cameras focused on them, both coaches were asked about the sanctions and how it will affect the UCLA–USC rivalry.
Of course, Neuheisel gave the politically correct answer of “we are only focusing on UCLA.”
Come on Rick, you’re slicker than that.
So when Thursday’s Pac-10 media day ““ the California version ““ was held in Neuheisel’s backyard at the Rose Bowl, I was hoping Slick Rick would go out on a limb a little bit and find a way to get under ole Kiffin’s skin.
“I’ve been asked 100 times about what the sanctions on our crosstown rivals mean to us, and truthfully, we can’t take any time to worry about that,” Neuheisel said. “We’re on a mission to be the best program we can be. Is there a window of opportunity? Certainly. And we want to take advantage of that window of opportunity.”
Not what we wanted to hear from you, Slick Rick.
As a matter of fact, no Pac-10 coach or player gave the media, or me at least, what they wanted to hear. This was the perfect opportunity to stir up some preseason drama, yet nothing unfurled because of a lack of desire to challenge the Trojan brass.
Instead, everyone just played nice.
“It’s definitely tough on the players, especially when all this is coming down on them and they had no part in it at all,” California linebacker Mike Mohamed said. “So I definitely feel for the players.”
Mike, you’re supposed to not feel bad for the opponent. Yes, it’s unfortunate for ‘SC, but this is the team that has repeatedly demolished your school’s dreams for a national championship, year after year after year.
Can’t you tell I was just begging for any source of fireworks?
When Kiffin took the stage, I thought for sure I would get a controversial answer.
I mean, it’s Lane Kiffin.
“Obviously we’re in the appeal process, so we don’t talk much about it, but no one around our program … thought that they would be that severe,” Kiffin said of the sanctions. “That’s why we’re in the appeal process. That’s really all that we can say about it.”
Boo!
Then Kiffin continued on to give his explanation as to why several players have transferred as of late.
“You saw a number of guys leave that were not very excited with their playing time. The penalty is supposed to be a postseason ban. They don’t get to play in a bowl game, so they go somewhere else. But every single kid that left ““ when I talked to them ““ they weren’t leaving because they were going somewhere to play for a bowl game, they were leaving because they … thought they could go somewhere and play more.”
Come on, Laney. So why haven’t players left more often? I’m sure it’s easier to get time at Washington State than USC. Why not go somewhere else in the first place?
Why hasn’t Mitch Mustain left? He could start at quarterback for several teams across the nation.
The point is, USC provides a certain level of national exposure, along with a chance to win. Kids didn’t leave for more playing time, they left because of a dreadful 2009 campaign by Trojan standards, they left because Pete Carroll left, and they left because they had no chance to win a national title.
Period.
All in all, Pac-10 media day lacked luster, lacked pizzazz and lacked controversy.
Instead, it was chock-full of humility and respect, which I love.
But not when it comes to Pac-10 football.
I want to see Jim Harbaugh call someone out. I want Steve Sarkisian to mention that he beat his former boss Carroll and now plans on beating his former running buddy Kiffin.
I want to see Neuheisel say that he’s going to beat ‘SC this season.
So Slick Rick, keep telling yourself that you’re only worried about your own team right now. But don’t forget that late touchdown pass that Matt Barkley threw to Damian Williams last season.
And to the Cal Bears: Keep feeling bad for the Trojans, just like they felt bad when they beat you 30-3 on your homecoming day last season.
And to all the other teams: I know the saying goes, “Don’t kick a dog while it’s down,” but in this case, you better.
It may be your only shot.