It’s gotta be asked. This is a team that’s had a better run in the last 5 years than any other program. Pete Carroll has recruited better than any coach in the country since he began his tenure at Southern Cal. They’ve had more Heisman candidates than any other program in the last 5 years. And yet they managed to nearly lose to a 2-2 Washington who’s signature win this season was against Boise State, and then they actually lost to a 1-3 Stanford. WTF?

Well, a list of possible excuses explanations:

• Lane Kiffin: In 2006, Lane Kiffin was co-offensive coordinator of Southern Cal. In 2007, Lane Kiffin is the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders. In 2006, Southern Cal was ranked 21st in total offense, averaging 391 yards a game. In 2007, Southern Cal is currently ranked 19th in total offense averaging 461 yards a game. Scoring offense was ranked 20th in 2006, and is ranked 18th this year. And, by the numbers, there’s almost no real difference between offensive production this year versus last year’s numbers. I don’t think the loss of Kiffin has amounted to much change in production.
• Injuries: The Southern Cal squad has been hit pretty hard by injuries. Already reeling from lost players on the offensive line and the defensive squad, now starting QB JD Booty has a broken finger on his throwing hand. Booty injured his finger early in last night’s loss, and went on to throw 4 picks in the game. Still, with an offensive line that’s able to open holes in which you could safely land a Boeing, and more thoroughbreds in the running backs corps than probably any other program in the country, Southern Cal should still have been able to control both the Stanford and Washington games with ease.
• Penalties: Pete Carroll is famous for running “intense,” but “fun,” practices. The Southern Cal program is also known for being a bit foot-loose and fancy-free. And here’s where things might be biting them in the butt this year. This program may, may, suffer from a lack of discipline. In 2006, Southern Cal already ranked in at #81 in fewest penalties per game with an average of 6.23. This year, they rank in at 110, with an average of 9 penalties a game. So they’re committing 50% more penalties or “mental mistakes” this year versus last. Even worse, Southern Cal is now ranked 117th in the country in total penalty yards per game, losing an average of 86 yards. They were ranked 67th last year, losing 50.15 yards a game.
• Turnovers: Again, falling under the “discipline” column, and, again, plummeting in the Southern Cal record books for 2007. In 2006, Southern Cal was excellent at protecting the ball. They were tied for 15th in the nation with only 18 turnovers for the year. (#1, Michigan, lost 12.) This year, they’ve already got 14 turnovers through 5 games, and are ranked 90th in turnovers lost. Meanwhile, they weren’t really all that good in gaining turnovers last year (ranked 70th), and yet have managed to get worse this year (ranked 102nd).

So why the lack of discipline?  Was Lane Kiffin a big-time stickler for discipline, and now that he’s gone, Good Time Pete hasn’t reigned his boys in for 2007?  Is the empire, as empires tend to do, finally falling?  Are the injuries mounting up, and causing younger guys to step in, thus allowing for more stupid mistakes by dumb rookie-types?  I’m not sure.  One thing I’ve also noticed (and can’t really back up with stats and, thus, will simply look like a Southern Cal Hater/Notre Dame Homer), is that Southern Cal NFL Rookies/2nd year players seem to have some “adjustment issues” (See also: Leinart, Matt).  Can’t help but wonder if that sweet, sweet Cali ‘tude might be a bit of a double-edged sword in the world of football.  Attractive as all heck to big-time recruits, limiting to potential.

There’s no denying the massive quantity of success that Pete Carroll has practically bathed in while coaching Southern Cal, but you have to wonder if the good times could come to an end pretty soon.  As an ND fan, I’d happily take some rough times if I could also have a National Championship and a Heisman Candidate every year for several years in a row.

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