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Remember when USC was Tailback U? Trojans fans, do you miss those days?

I remember growing up when USC was Tailback U and being the feature running back at USC was the glamour position in all of college football (along with playing quarterback for Notre Dame) and USC was turning out Heisman Trophy winners regularly.

Do you miss those days?

A look back when USC was in the discussion of being Tailback U: https://johnbaranowski.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/which-school-is-running-back-u/

16 comments

16 Comments

August West

Jan 23

Grew up watching SBR. It was great then. But things change.

CFB and NFL are passing leagues now. That said, CFB is always ahead of NFL on offense, trend wise.

I think the Air Raid Leach days are over. It’s about balance now…..and it’s crucial that your QB can tuck the ball and run.

SC being in the B10 now really puts us up against the wall, as we have a coach that thinks he’s Leach playing in the B12. SC will have the D to compete, but if we refuse to run the ball, the good teams will eat us up. The B10 is too good to be one dimensional.

saturdaysarebetter

Jan 23

Replying to

What was great about SBR, the opponents knew it was coming and still couldn't stop it. I always believed defense was considered optional in the Big 12.

MLK Blvd

Jan 23

Replying to

I hope the air raid days are over. no matter the formation, running the ball and defense is how you win NCs. Anything else is cutting corners. Frankly, being in the B1G does usc a favor, riley and his eventual successor will have no choice but to face this reality. If Usc was still in the WAC12, they'd get away w this pass happy bs until they played Oregon or big programs out east and then get squished like a bug a la the Helton days. The only question is who replaces Riley.

August West

Jan 23

Replying to

Absolutely.

I can’t help but feel we need someone from the midwest, that understands that.

Java

Jan 22

Regularly. You mean like 2002, 2004 and 2005? 3 in 4 years? Virtually unheard of in modern football?

Oh wait, 2 of those were QB's.

USC has had some great backs even recently. Offenses now require a back to do far more than then. Particularly receiving and being a pass blocker. Means you don't have that big burly guy who can carry the ball 30-40 times a game. Sounds kinda boring thinking about it.

Ronald Jones was pretty great. So was Buck Allen

saturdaysarebetter

Jan 23

Replying to

So O.J., Mike Garrett, Charles White and Marcus Allen were big burly guys? Who knew!

BigBallss

Jan 22

Yeah, those were some great days. But everything changes . In the last 20 years only 1 RB has won the Heisman. Growing up the marquee players in the NFL were RB's. Only 1 RB has been league MVP in he last 15 years. The game is about QB, WR, DB and guys that can get to the QB.t

BigBallss

Jan 22

Replying to

I was going to say that in my first post, we have to wait for the next cycle

OldHickoryTrojan

Jan 23

Replying to

Air Coryell

BobLinMN-2

Jan 23

Replying to

"Hey, The Rose Bowl!" Wish it were still the Pac8 vs the B10 (when 10 meant 10).

MLK Blvd

Jan 22

well if riley ever wants to win anything at usc, he'd better embrace the old school mentality. His patty cake football isn't gonna win squat.

saturdaysarebetter

Jan 22

Replying to

At least the defense wasn't as bad last year as past Riley defenses.

MLK Blvd

Jan 22

Replying to

USC couldn't get a stop on 4th down to save their life. The defense was better, but I wouldn't call it good. The DL had zero pass rush, I don't remember a LB ever scraping the gap to make a play behind the LOS. Not enough turnovers. The only real solid "defensively" was the punting, and that kid is moving on. USC has a lot of holes to address. Riley's not the man for the job.