What about the Trojans?

Every USC story must have Song Girls.

We know we talk about the NCAA more than Pete Carroll tweets about the 12th man in Seattle.  But Cam Newton was not the only NCAA screw up this year.

USC has been through some rough times lately.  As much as we like to jump all over those in trouble with the NCAA, we never like to see this happen to a great school.  USC has some of the most loyal and enthusiastic fan bases in the country.  They have had a great and storied program and some great rivalries. No matter what Oregon fans say, they are the anchor of college football on the west coast.  To put it plainly they are college football royalty.

So what happened to USC?  We won't rehash the details of a story that is four years old.  In summary, Reggie Bush made a deal with an agent.  He got extra benefits; cash, limo rides, and his parents got a rent free place to live.  When the NCAA got wind of this they started a 4 year long investigation.  The problem is, by the time they finished, Reggie was off winning the Super Bowl with the Saints.

When the NCAA hammer fell on USC it was severe: 30 lost scholarships, vacating 14 games, 2 years of no bowl appearances.  Reggie Bush lost his Heisman Trophy and USC will lose its 2004 national championship.  So what is wrong with that?  Everything.  The USC coaches and players who were involved in these actions are no longer at the school.  They are long gone.   (Editors note: congrats on the Seahawks victory Pete, please stop tweeting about the 12th man.)

Punishing these current USC kids and coaches is beyond ridiculous.  It shows us another glaring flaw in the NCAA.  If you won't punish these infractions when they happen, when it is justified, don't do anything.   The NCAA is once again ignoring their own creed.  They promised to always look out for the well being of the student athlete first.  And here they are, more worried about sending a message than those kids playing for USC today.

If your not going to punish Auburn this year, or this coming season, just leave them alone.  Punishment in this fashion isn't justice, its retribution and revenge.


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