Trojan War: 30/30 Film

[Cane Dynasty]

There are indeed similarities. When I tell people I'm a USC alum but also root for Miami, I often receive this response: "I hate both of those teams."

USC has a nicer campus with plenty of landmarks. But Coral Gables trounces USC's surroundings. USC has crammed so many new buildings into its compact campus that there's not as much room to maneuver or view as when I was there, or compared to Miami's campus.

Game day is a vast difference. The Coliseum may not be on campus but it's a relatively short walk across Exposition Boulevard. That trek is part of the game day tradition. Miami sadly has next to nothing. It's a pseudo college atmosphere. The Orange Bowl was so intimidating and influential that the pregame hours were not a topic. Now we're stuck in a bland cement dump in a comically irrelevant location on the edge of the next county. Brilliant.

USC won several Rose Bowls during that lull from 1983 to 2000. It's true they were seldom a national force deep in the season, other than 1988 until losing at home to Notre Dame. The two joke coaches were the first and last. I was still a student when Ted Tollner was hired as assistant head coach. I couldn't believe USC elevated Tollner to the top job when John Robinson bolted to the Rams. I interviewed Tollner for the USC student newspaper. He was pure cupcake. He literally diagrammed one finesse play after another, excited at all the false influence he would create. I asked him the only question that seemed proper, "Are we ever going to hit anybody?" The response was a blank stare. He didn't understand what that had to do with football. Ted Tollner was unfortunate enough to start his career more than 3 decades ago instead of recently, where he would fit right in.

The second flop was USC's version of Al Golden. I won't say Paul Hackett was despised to the degree that this board hates Golden, but it's in the same realm. In some ways USC fans take it further. You aren't supposed to mention Hackett by name on their forums, to this day.

During those late '90s years I was living in Las Vegas. None of my college buddies would agree to make the trip and watch a game with me at the Coliseum, unlike the late '80s through mid '90s. That's how bad it got under Hackett. There wasn't even much interest and not much hope during the subsequent coaching search. Nearly everyone was discouraged, convinced the brand was in a sustained lull. Many coaches turned USC down, including both Oregon based guys. I applauded the Carroll hire and wrote a related (unpublished) letter to the editor to the alumni magazine but overall it was viewed as disappointing, like USC had to settle for a lesser guy far down the list.

I don't know what it's like to be a Miami alum. From a USC perspective there's a sense that the brand owns the Los Angeles area, and extending much further. I didn't need contacts since I detoured to an unusual venture in Las Vegas. But I was offered tons of contacts had I remained. You certainly don't feel the influence from faraway schools, similar to Gator and Seminole presence in Miami. Even UCLA is mostly a sub plot. USC runs ahead of the pro teams in that area when in full bloom, other than perhaps the Lakers during the Showtime era. I never get that sense with the Canes in Miami. The radio programs default to Dolphins.

Regarding the similarities of the 30 for 30 programs, Miami benefited immensely from a longer delay. Principals are willing to be much more candid when it's decades removed. Reggie Bush is still defensive and cautious. The USC version needed to be filmed 15 years from now.

The finishes to the second title game were similarly devastating but the defending champion teams varied quite a bit. Miami lost tons of defensive talent from 2001 to 2002 but retained a stalwart defense, albeit not nearly the turnover greed of 2001. USC's defense in 2005 was a depleted and injured farce compared to the great unit of 2004.

Ryan Ting is the Terry Porter of USC's agonizing defeat, the name that is attached and recalled years later. Ting inexplicably batted down a terrible Vince Young pass instead of intercepting it to seal the game. USC had a healthy 12 point lead at the time, well beyond the midway point of the 4th quarter. Ting received death threats and decided to transfer.

Thanks for the modern day 'War and Peace', Tolstoy.

How do you feel about 3rd down screen passes?

 

[CaneTheGaytors]

There are indeed similarities. When I tell people I'm a USC alum but also root for Miami, I often receive this response: "I hate both of those teams."

USC has a nicer campus with plenty of landmarks. But Coral Gables trounces USC's surroundings. USC has crammed so many new buildings into its compact campus that there's not as much room to maneuver or view as when I was there, or compared to Miami's campus.

Game day is a vast difference. The Coliseum may not be on campus but it's a relatively short walk across Exposition Boulevard. That trek is part of the game day tradition. Miami sadly has next to nothing. It's a pseudo college atmosphere. The Orange Bowl was so intimidating and influential that the pregame hours were not a topic. Now we're stuck in a bland cement dump in a comically irrelevant location on the edge of the next county. Brilliant.

USC won several Rose Bowls during that lull from 1983 to 2000. It's true they were seldom a national force deep in the season, other than 1988 until losing at home to Notre Dame. The two joke coaches were the first and last. I was still a student when Ted Tollner was hired as assistant head coach. I couldn't believe USC elevated Tollner to the top job when John Robinson bolted to the Rams. I interviewed Tollner for the USC student newspaper. He was pure cupcake. He literally diagrammed one finesse play after another, excited at all the false influence he would create. I asked him the only question that seemed proper, "Are we ever going to hit anybody?" The response was a blank stare. He didn't understand what that had to do with football. Ted Tollner was unfortunate enough to start his career more than 3 decades ago instead of recently, where he would fit right in.

The second flop was USC's version of Al Golden. I won't say Paul Hackett was despised to the degree that this board hates Golden, but it's in the same realm. In some ways USC fans take it further. You aren't supposed to mention Hackett by name on their forums, to this day.

During those late '90s years I was living in Las Vegas. None of my college buddies would agree to make the trip and watch a game with me at the Coliseum, unlike the late '80s through mid '90s. That's how bad it got under Hackett. There wasn't even much interest and not much hope during the subsequent coaching search. Nearly everyone was discouraged, convinced the brand was in a sustained lull. Many coaches turned USC down, including both Oregon based guys. I applauded the Carroll hire and wrote a related (unpublished) letter to the editor to the alumni magazine but overall it was viewed as disappointing, like USC had to settle for a lesser guy far down the list.

I don't know what it's like to be a Miami alum. From a USC perspective there's a sense that the brand owns the Los Angeles area, and extending much further. I didn't need contacts since I detoured to an unusual venture in Las Vegas. But I was offered tons of contacts had I remained. You certainly don't feel the influence from faraway schools, similar to Gator and Seminole presence in Miami. Even UCLA is mostly a sub plot. USC runs ahead of the pro teams in that area when in full bloom, other than perhaps the Lakers during the Showtime era. I never get that sense with the Canes in Miami. The radio programs default to Dolphins.

Regarding the similarities of the 30 for 30 programs, Miami benefited immensely from a longer delay. Principals are willing to be much more candid when it's decades removed. Reggie Bush is still defensive and cautious. The USC version needed to be filmed 15 years from now.

The finishes to the second title game were similarly devastating but the defending champion teams varied quite a bit. Miami lost tons of defensive talent from 2001 to 2002 but retained a stalwart defense, albeit not nearly the turnover greed of 2001. USC's defense in 2005 was a depleted and injured farce compared to the great unit of 2004.

Ryan Ting is the Terry Porter of USC's agonizing defeat, the name that is attached and recalled years later. Ting inexplicably batted down a terrible Vince Young pass instead of intercepting it to seal the game. USC had a healthy 12 point lead at the time, well beyond the midway point of the 4th quarter. Ting received death threats and decided to transfer.

Good post, dude!

I don't always agree with you, but I do on all of this. Good facts about the history of SC's program, especially since you are an alumn.


I hope both the Canes and Trojans are back kicking *** real soon.

At least USC cares about their program and will do what it takes to right the ship. I fear that UM is in deeper trouble than anyone even knows with the clowns at the BOT running the show.

I hope I'm wrong, but any other storied football university would have fired Alfredo Fraudlen a long time ago.

 

[Cane Dynasty]

There are indeed similarities. When I tell people I'm a USC alum but also root for Miami, I often receive this response: "I hate both of those teams."

USC has a nicer campus with plenty of landmarks. But Coral Gables trounces USC's surroundings. USC has crammed so many new buildings into its compact campus that there's not as much room to maneuver or view as when I was there, or compared to Miami's campus.

Game day is a vast difference. The Coliseum may not be on campus but it's a relatively short walk across Exposition Boulevard. That trek is part of the game day tradition. Miami sadly has next to nothing. It's a pseudo college atmosphere. The Orange Bowl was so intimidating and influential that the pregame hours were not a topic. Now we're stuck in a bland cement dump in a comically irrelevant location on the edge of the next county. Brilliant.

USC won several Rose Bowls during that lull from 1983 to 2000. It's true they were seldom a national force deep in the season, other than 1988 until losing at home to Notre Dame. The two joke coaches were the first and last. I was still a student when Ted Tollner was hired as assistant head coach. I couldn't believe USC elevated Tollner to the top job when John Robinson bolted to the Rams. I interviewed Tollner for the USC student newspaper. He was pure cupcake. He literally diagrammed one finesse play after another, excited at all the false influence he would create. I asked him the only question that seemed proper, "Are we ever going to hit anybody?" The response was a blank stare. He didn't understand what that had to do with football. Ted Tollner was unfortunate enough to start his career more than 3 decades ago instead of recently, where he would fit right in.

The second flop was USC's version of Al Golden. I won't say Paul Hackett was despised to the degree that this board hates Golden, but it's in the same realm. In some ways USC fans take it further. You aren't supposed to mention Hackett by name on their forums, to this day.

During those late '90s years I was living in Las Vegas. None of my college buddies would agree to make the trip and watch a game with me at the Coliseum, unlike the late '80s through mid '90s. That's how bad it got under Hackett. There wasn't even much interest and not much hope during the subsequent coaching search. Nearly everyone was discouraged, convinced the brand was in a sustained lull. Many coaches turned USC down, including both Oregon based guys. I applauded the Carroll hire and wrote a related (unpublished) letter to the editor to the alumni magazine but overall it was viewed as disappointing, like USC had to settle for a lesser guy far down the list.

I don't know what it's like to be a Miami alum. From a USC perspective there's a sense that the brand owns the Los Angeles area, and extending much further. I didn't need contacts since I detoured to an unusual venture in Las Vegas. But I was offered tons of contacts had I remained. You certainly don't feel the influence from faraway schools, similar to Gator and Seminole presence in Miami. Even UCLA is mostly a sub plot. USC runs ahead of the pro teams in that area when in full bloom, other than perhaps the Lakers during the Showtime era. I never get that sense with the Canes in Miami. The radio programs default to Dolphins.

Regarding the similarities of the 30 for 30 programs, Miami benefited immensely from a longer delay. Principals are willing to be much more candid when it's decades removed. Reggie Bush is still defensive and cautious. The USC version needed to be filmed 15 years from now.

The finishes to the second title game were similarly devastating but the defending champion teams varied quite a bit. Miami lost tons of defensive talent from 2001 to 2002 but retained a stalwart defense, albeit not nearly the turnover greed of 2001. USC's defense in 2005 was a depleted and injured farce compared to the great unit of 2004.

Ryan Ting is the Terry Porter of USC's agonizing defeat, the name that is attached and recalled years later. Ting inexplicably batted down a terrible Vince Young pass instead of intercepting it to seal the game. USC had a healthy 12 point lead at the time, well beyond the midway point of the 4th quarter. Ting received death threats and decided to transfer.

Good post, dude!

I don't always agree with you, but I do on all of this. Good facts about the history of SC's program, especially since you are an alumn.


I hope both the Canes and Trojans are back kicking *** real soon.

At least USC cares about their program and will do what it takes to right the ship. I fear that UM is in deeper trouble than anyone even knows with the clowns at the BOT running the show.

I hope I'm wrong, but any other storied football university would have fired Alfredo Fraudlen a long time ago.

Gary Booger is a fraud!

You fell for it hook line and sinker.


Check my sig for help.

 

[caneaddict]

Both places cannot be rebuilt by up and coming college guys, you need a pro to work through the challenges inherent to both programs while building it back up. Thats why you see the Kiffins, Shannons, Sarks, and Goldens fail, these up and coming college aasistants need a mid level job first, before taking on the pro environment that is Miami and USC, and would need to take over when these programs are running full throttle after being built up.. Yes I know Sark and Kiffin had UW and Tenn but their tenures were very short..Miami needs a Carroll type hire right now, a guy who's football acumen is so sick that he can start winning with less and build to a point where recruiting starts rolling.. I think it can br a NFL alsorand like Carroll.. I always though mangini, but it sounds like hes back in the NFL head coaching buzz..

 

[Hurricane23]

We are on our 3rd bad coach. They have only had two. Maybe we are closer. They are the one school like us. Small private school in urban area with great recruiting grounds. Big difference is their administration saved their historic stadium; our threw the OB away. One more thing, both schools are ALWAYS target of ncaa for huge penalties. Big state schools hate both.

USC is a lot bigger than Miami, they have about 30,000 undergrads (Miami about 10,000).

 

[Jassid82]

liked it until they said GOAT team, i said naaahhhhhh

They said it but they dont even really believe it themselves. Everyone knows who the GOAT is. They can take solace in having the 2nd GOAT.

 

[Gatorhater]

We are on our 3rd bad coach. They have only had two. Maybe we are closer. They are the one school like us. Small private school in urban area with great recruiting grounds. Big difference is their administration saved their historic stadium; our threw the OB away. One more thing, both schools are ALWAYS target of ncaa for huge penalties. Big state schools hate both.

USC is a lot bigger than Miami, they have about 30,000 undergrads (Miami about 10,000).

Oh, then forget about it. The other similarities are meaningless. I am wrong.

 

[da truth]

We are on our 3rd bad coach. They have only had two. Maybe we are closer. They are the one school like us. Small private school in urban area with great recruiting grounds. Big difference is their administration saved their historic stadium; our threw the OB away. One more thing, both schools are ALWAYS target of ncaa for huge penalties. Big state schools hate both.

The coliseum sux to watch a game. Can't compare to orange bowl

 

[jimmyjohnsonera90]

I watched it yesterday, probably my favorite 30 for 30 after the U and U part 2

 

[jimmyjohnsonera90]

We are on our 3rd bad coach. They have only had two. Maybe we are closer. They are the one school like us. Small private school in urban area with great recruiting grounds. Big difference is their administration saved their historic stadium; our threw the OB away. One more thing, both schools are ALWAYS target of ncaa for huge penalties. Big state schools hate both.

USC is a lot bigger than Miami, they have about 30,000 undergrads (Miami about 10,000).

I just looked up Florida I never realized they have 5 times as many students.

 

[Hurricane23]

We are on our 3rd bad coach. They have only had two. Maybe we are closer. They are the one school like us. Small private school in urban area with great recruiting grounds. Big difference is their administration saved their historic stadium; our threw the OB away. One more thing, both schools are ALWAYS target of ncaa for huge penalties. Big state schools hate both.

USC is a lot bigger than Miami, they have about 30,000 undergrads (Miami about 10,000).

I just looked up Florida I never realized they have 5 times as many students.

Yeah bro Miami is small, FIU,FAU,USF,UCF are all bigger...Miami is about the size of FAMU student wise