The New York Times published an article on Friday titled “USC Could Face One Big Problem” in light of the NCAA’s decision to combine the Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo investigations. The article suggests that the decision to combine the investigations could mean that the NCAA is looking into whether or not there was a lack of institutional control at Southern Cal.
A report that the N.C.A.A. has merged its inquiries into two former star athletes for the University of Southern California could indicate that investigators are focusing their attention on whether the university lost control over its athletic program, legal experts and lawyers involved in the cases said Friday.
For those unaware, the NCAA has been investigating whether or not Bush received hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts while he was a member of the Trojans and whether or not USC should have or could have known about what was going on since 2006. In the meantime, similar allegations of improper gifts being given to former USC basketball star OJ Mayo.
Considering how long the NCAA has been investigating the Bush, the combination of the two cases could indeed be significant as the Times suggests.
The consequences could also be significant for USC according to the Times. They reported that possible penalties of forfeited games, lost scholarships, and post season bans. For any of those possible penalties to come about, the NCAA would have to prove that USC ignored clear warning signs that improprieties were happening. Considering the Bush allegations came about before OJ Mayo ever enrolled at USC, the NCAA could conclude that USC should have had a closer eye on its athletes at the time considering the allegations regarding Bush.
Personally, I am a bit skeptical that the hammer will come down on USC in this case, and considering how long this has already been playing out, who knows when a resolution to this will even come about.
I think Todd is back in the slammer.
Welcome back C-Dog, music to my ears – we must be verbally related on USC. Thank You!
Oh, and what rock did this Poppy guy crawl out from under? This is a blog dude, not a newspaper! Go chill out with another USC standout, Todd Marinovich. I hear he’s still shooting heroin at Venice Beach.
JC,
You’ve laid down the gauntlet. So my time is now.
Here’s an ideal scenario. Pistol Pete and his band of cheating sexual offenders, ( including his coaches ) should get smoked by the NCAA right now. But before they disband, let’s let them play the Irish in a preseason non sanctioned game. The proceeds could benefit some Watts project. Since many USC players will leverage their education into a stint at the missions in Watts, Pete will go for it. And without a lifeline to the USC infrastructure, the Trojans won’t have easy access to banned performance enhancers. The Irish will spank them in the game and once again in a post game brawl. This will propel Notre Dame to a dominant season capped by a BCS Championship and a drilling of Ohio State, LSU, or Texas.
Sound good anyone.
Where the heck is C-Dog? I love hearing him rattling the chain on USC.
Keep in mind that in college football things can change pretty quickly. For the good as well as the bad. I always admired the ND coaches. They always represented the University on Saturday afternoons with class. But I would love to see the Irish hang 45-50 on USC. A little humility is much deserved.(Remember the standing ovation in the coliseum last year?) They’re the one team I say, give no quarter!
It’s unlikely they go undefeated, for sure, with their inexperience at quarterback. Is it enough for us to beat them? I hope so, but it still looks pretty unlikely right now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Kyle,
I am impressed, I thought Chris would be the 1st in line to tell me “it won’t happen.” Well, only the positive test of time will tell. A one point win will be just as good. USC is human also, therefore defeatable. The odds are in our favor. “Cheatin’ Pete and the Troy boy’s” are going to hit a bump in the road this year, hopefully it is us.
They are not experienced enough at quarterback to go undefeated in 2009.
It won’t happen, but I’d love to see USC get a backhand from the NCAA. Maybe with some sanctions, and recruiting pressure from slick Rick, Cheatin’ Pete and the ‘roid ragin’ Troy boys will fall off their pedestal. Winning is easier when you don’t follow the rules.
Amen shazamrock,
I like how recently Bush presented an autographed photo to Regis on his show displaying the infamous Bush-Push in vivid color. Yeah, let’s all mock the rules in the name of humor. And shame on you Poppy with your BS verification diatribe.
Yes, this is the year I want a THRASHING of USC. And with a senior offensive line and talent at every skilled position, don’t tell me we can’t kick their @sses, or it’s time to take up fencing.
This whole thing stinks to high heaven. Mr.Bush is in his 3rd. season in the NFL.
We all know how special Pete Carroll is and how he has transformed whinning and complaining into a science. Any other college in America would have had to answer to at least some of the aligations by now. Just ask Bobby Bowden. Those in charge of this so called investigation are intensionally draging their feet. They are buying time for USC. I guess the rules are different for them. If CW was smart, and the shoe was on the other foot (ND being investigated)he should do what Carroll would do, go after EVERY USC recruit, and enlighten them on the pending death sentance headed USC’s way.
It is just a matter of time until Notre Dame wins that 2005 game against USC. USC will definitely be forfeiting games.
Im with JC on this one. I want to beat them at full strength. No excuses. Boys this could be that year.
Poppy, Have a drink and slow down.
Poppy,
I think you mean shame on the New York Times since it’s there story – not mine. I am simply passing along the information which they reported.
I think it is wrong to write articles like this one on only speculation. Why is the media so insistent on publishing so called news that is NOT varified. I am not suprised that newspapers are going out of business, when we, the readers, are so ofen misinformed. I lived in the time when , if the newspapers printed it, it WAS true and we could believe it. Not so anymore. I take your article as a gain of salt. Shame on you.
Don’t pentalize USC until after we kick their @ss. I don’t want to hear any “what if” acrimonious debate from the USC faithful when they go down.