Holy SMOKES! UL 31 UNT 28

[KimoSC]

I;m not the biggest USC supporter but I respect your program more than most. I love hearing all the people around here saying how USC is overrated because they prove how ignorent they are when they say that. I have had a few arguements lately about that but hey I like to argue so its all good.

Hey - respect IS support as far as I'm concerned! Thanks for the kind words. It doesn't bother me that people say we're overrated - fans of every big time team we've played over the last few years thought so, too. Oklahoma, Michigan, Auburn, Iowa, etc. Most of 'em never see us play.

I tell you what I respect - folks like you all who keep showing up and supporting a team that isn't at the top of the polls. It's easy to cheer for a team that wins every week. If they had a ranking for true fans, you guys would be top 10! I'm just lucky to have gone to a school that made a really good coaching hire.

Speaking of coaching hires, I'm still wondering how much rope you guys are willing to give to Bustle. The season is looking up now, but earlier it didn't look so rosey. It's one thing that places like SC and Notre Dame have recently shown - coaching *does* matter. People seem generally happy with him, but he's been there long enough where most fans start expecting results. I suppose a New Orleans Bowl would be "results," though. Beating North Texas on the road was pretty good too. Keep up the good work!

[CAJUNJUDO]

I;m not the biggest USC supporter but I respect your program more than most. I love hearing all the people around here saying how USC is overrated because they prove how ignorent they are when they say that. I have had a few arguements lately about that but hey I like to argue so its all good.

Yankee transplant here. Now a die-hard Cajun Fan/Alumnus!!
My mom grew up in Los Angeles so I've always kept an eye on USC and UCLA.
I love arguing with LSU fans about their Co-National Championship!!

USC is not over-rated....at least not in my book. When you win 30+ consecutive games, you deserve it. Remember, most of the key elements in that co-national championship year were all sophomores!!

Hey wait....next year Michael Desormeaux, Tyrell Fenroy, Derrick Smith, and Jason Chery will all be sophomores....

Do you think it could happen

[KimoSC]

Yankee transplant here. Now a die-hard Cajun Fan/Alumnus!!
My mom grew up in Los Angeles so I've always kept an eye on USC and UCLA.
I love arguing with LSU fans about their Co-National Championship!!

USC is not over-rated....at least not in my book. When you win 30+ consecutive games, you deserve it. Remember, most of the key elements in that co-national championship year were all sophomores!!

Hey wait....next year Michael Desormeaux, Tyrell Fenroy, Derrick Smith, and Jason Chery will all be sophomores....

Do you think it could happen

Playing time for young guys is key! Especially if they can get meaningful time in important games. Some old-school coaches would never play frosh. But the only way to build a consistent winner these days is to have a team full of guys with game experience. If you only ride the uperclassmen, you get nailed by injury and graduation. Give those guys you mention quality time as frosh and sophs and they'll be difference makers as juniors and seniors.

In all modest, I don't think SC is overrated, either. (Ucla on the other hand...it was clear to me they were pretenders). Not saying they're unbeatable. But watching these kids develop, knowing the level of preparedness and professionalism the coaching staff works with, they will be very tough to beat come bowl season. It's truly a gift to get to see them play every week.

[Clutch0364]

USC has continued to dominate because they get thoughs young guys in the game and get them experience that you can't get during practice.

Your question about Bustle is a tough one...I have been hard on him in the past and I still think he has a lot to prove on the field but he has done wonders for a program that was in the gutter a few years ago. It doesn't show in wins and loses but he has gotten butts in the seats and the talent has gone up...I say let him finish his contract and hopefully brings a sunbelt title or two and a bowl victory. But will have to wait and see.

[KimoSC]

USC has continued to dominate because they get thoughs young guys in the game and get them experience that you can't get during practice.

Your question about Bustle is a tough one...I have been hard on him in the past and I still think he has a lot to prove on the field but he has done wonders for a program that was in the gutter a few years ago. It doesn't show in wins and loses but he has gotten butts in the seats and the talent has gone up...I say let him finish his contract and hopefully brings a sunbelt title or two and a bowl victory. But will have to wait and see.

Yup - talent can't excel without experience. (And I apologize for talking about my team on a Cajun board, but it's what I know best.) Alot of naysayers think we'll fall off the map next year. But what alot of outsiders don't notice are all the underclassmen that play early. And when our subs are playing late in a game, they're basically running the offense the same way the first team would. I feel real good about our next quarterback (that big kid from Shreveport) because he gets to do more than hand the ball off when he gets in.

Another big advantage is depth. Some teams can play a great first half, but it's a different story once their starters get overworked and worn out.

As far as your coach, I ask because it seems that most fans around the country tend to get a little restless for results around year 3 - the coach's recruits should be making contributions and everyone should be well familiar with his system. But it sounds like he's recruiting well and getting people excited - good signs for his job security. Coming back and getting to a bowl would be huge - finishing strong is a sure sign that things are clicking. Good luck!

[Clutch0364]

I don't mind talking bout ur team here (others might but I just like talking football)...your next QB john David Booty was the up back on punt for Evangel when I played against them my Soph. year in high school and they ran a fake punt...he threw a TD pass on the fake. I remember thinking why is he the back up lol but the starter at the time was Brent Rawls who went on to Oklahoma and then transfered to LA Tech but he is not playing anymore.

[KimoSC]

I don't mind talking bout ur team here (others might but I just like talking football)...your next QB john David Booty was the up back on punt for Evangel when I played against them my Soph. year in high school and they ran a fake punt...he threw a TD pass on the fake. I remember thinking why is he the back up lol but the starter at the time was Brent Rawls who went on to Oklahoma and then transfered to LA Tech but he is not playing anymore.

Well, Turbine hasn't banned me yet, so I guess I'm okay for now.

Great story on Booty! That must've been his frosh season, because as you may know he skipped his senior season and enrolled a year early at SC. But the guy is a true stud. A true pro-style QB with all the tools - more of a Carson Palmer type than a Leinart. A big arm, mobile and accurate. Figures to start next year, but we have a frosh that some think will beat him out - should be interesting. But back to the point of the thread, it's good that when he plays Coach lets him run the offense and throw the ball so that when he's needed he'll be ready.

(btw, here's a pic of JDB)

[ATXCajun]

Hey - respect IS support as far as I'm concerned! Thanks for the kind words. It doesn't bother me that people say we're overrated - fans of every big time team we've played over the last few years thought so, too. Oklahoma, Michigan, Auburn, Iowa, etc. Most of 'em never see us play.

I tell you what I respect - folks like you all who keep showing up and supporting a team that isn't at the top of the polls. It's easy to cheer for a team that wins every week. If they had a ranking for true fans, you guys would be top 10! I'm just lucky to have gone to a school that made a really good coaching hire.

Speaking of coaching hires, I'm still wondering how much rope you guys are willing to give to Bustle. The season is looking up now, but earlier it didn't look so rosey. It's one thing that places like SC and Notre Dame have recently shown - coaching *does* matter. People seem generally happy with him, but he's been there long enough where most fans start expecting results. I suppose a New Orleans Bowl would be "results," though. Beating North Texas on the road was pretty good too. Keep up the good work!

Given the lack of resources and the hole he has to climb out of, I say he gets a little more rope than a coach at USC or Notre Dame. That is, as long as there are signs of improvement. It started with the general improvement of player attitudes. We saw a team that worked harder and played to the final whistle from go with Bustle. Now we are seeing improvements in recruiting and the wins are slowly but surely increasing. We saw none of these things with Baldwin after three years.

[KimoSC]

Given the lack of resources and the hole he has to climb out of, I say he gets a little more rope than a coach at USC or Notre Dame. That is, as long as there are signs of improvement. It started with the general improvement of player attitudes. We saw a team that worked harder and played to the final whistle from go with Bustle. Now we are seeing improvements in recruiting and the wins are slowly but surely increasing. We saw none of these things with Baldwin after three years.

I'd think that winning now, at the end of the season, is a great sign. Alot of teams just fold if they don't get things going early.

It's a delicate balance between doing well, and doing so well that the coach gets hired away. It's really hard to build anything long-term unless you get a guy who is happy and committed to the program to the point he wants to stay. Hopefully CRB will be that.