[Vision2020] USC fans are meanies

[Paul Rumelhart]

I hate to say it, but I thought it was quite humorous.

Paul

Carl Westberg wrote:
> As the Vandals prepare to pull off the greatest college football upset 
> of the last 50 years next week against the USC Trojans in the Coliseum 
> (a fan can dream), some locker room material for Idaho from the USC 
> student paper: Grrr.....
> Your top 10 reasons not to look past Idaho
> Peter Simones
> Issue date: 8/22/07 Section: Sports
>
> The Daily Trojan
> This summer there were two phrases uttered so often that they hovered 
> over the sports world with an air of omnipresence.
>
> The first: "You have to realize, Michael Vick is the most polarizing 
> figure in the history of Atlanta sports," spoken at least 10 times a 
> day on ESPNews by Atlanta Journal Constitution writer Terence Moore, 
> was a newcomer to the top two. On the other hand, "We are just going 
> to take it one game at a time," retained its top slot for the 50th 
> year in a row.
>
> While this phrase is usually infuriatingly conservative for media 
> types and fans, in the case of USC vs. Idaho, this is the exact 
> approach the Trojans need to take.
>
> Without further ado, here are your top 10 reasons why USC cannot 
> overlook Idaho:
>
> Reason 10: Unfamiliarity. USC has faced off against Idaho seven times 
> in the program's history. However, the last meeting was in 1929. 
> Granted, USC did win all seven games and won the 1929 meeting by a 
> score of 72-0, but who knows how much has changed since then?
>
> Reason 9: History. The last time USC played a team with as little 
> national respect as Idaho, it barely walked away with the victory. In 
> 2006, against a winless Stanford squad, USC allowed a total of 208 
> yards en route to a nail biting 42-0 victory.
>
> Reason 8: USC is banged up. Senior guard Sam Baker, junior safety Josh 
> Pinkard, sophomore receivers Travon Patterson and Vidal Hazelton and 
> backup sophomore quarterback Mark Sanchez, just to name a few, hobbled 
> through fall practice. The guys who would fill their spots if they 
> aren't ready to go were only rated 100 spots higher than their Idaho 
> counterparts on recruiting lists instead of 150 spots higher.
>
> Reason 7: Nebraska looms. USC players will undoubtedly be looking 
> ahead to the Nebraska game on Sept. 15. The Cornhusker faithful have 
> been chomping at the bit for an opportunity like this to prove that 
> Big Red is back in business. That game is only a full two weeks from 
> the Idaho game, and to make matters worse USC players can't wait to 
> fly from Los Angeles to the oasis that is Lincoln.
>
> Reason 6: Underdog emotions. Idaho will undoubtedly be revved up to 
> get at a team like USC. The last time Idaho got a chance to battle a 
> highly regarded team, it took the game to the wire, losing in the 
> fourth quarter to Hawaii, 68-10.
>
> Reason 5: Mental acuity. Idaho is known to be smarter than most 
> programs, using their mental edge to outsmart teams in the waning 
> minutes. As former coach Dennis Erickson put it, "Idaho is the Harvard 
> of the mountains." I swear he didn't laugh after saying that.
>
> Reason 4: Because Rey told you so. When asked about the upcoming 
> season, junior linebacker Rey Maualuga said, "It's everyone's dream to 
> win a championship, but we're not looking forward past Idaho. Being 
> No. 1 in the polls doesn't mean anything because we haven't proven 
> anything yet." Just wait, Rey. Once you beat Idaho, your cred will 
> skyrocket.
>
> Reason 3: Mascot. True to their name, the Vandals are known to steal 
> games that appear firmly in their opponent's grasp. The team's 14 wins 
> over the past five years indicate that it may actually be fan pride 
> that Idaho is vandalizing.
>
> Reason 2: Location, location, location. Idaho is located in the 
> college football belt of America. No atmosphere can match the fervor 
> on display when playing at the likes of San Jose State, Louisiana Tech 
> and New Mexico State. The Coliseum will feel like a living room.
>
> Reason 1: Steroids. And you thought potatoes were just vegetables.
>
> To comment on this article, visit dailytrojan.com or e-mail Peter at 
> simones at usc.edu.
>
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