UCLA-Kansas State Preview: Injuries and Uncertainty Follow Bruins In Opener

After a 2009 campaign which marked progress being made, coming off a winning season and a bowl victory, the UCLA Bruins are ready to roll as they begin 2010 in Manhattan, Kansas this Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats.

Or are they?

It is difficult for even the most die-hard Bruin fan to deny that there is uncertainty heading into this campaign, starting with the defensive front seven…

After Datone Jones, the only returning starter on the defensive line, broke his foot early in fall camp, it is put upon guys like David Carter and Nate Chandler to step up; Kansas State will be the first of the Bruins’ opponents to run the ball and see if they still have what it takes after the loss of Brian Price.

Akeem Ayers will be vital in the linebackers’ hopes as they seek to overcome the loss of Reggie Carter; at least the secondary will be solid with Rahim Moore, the nation’s leader in interceptions last year, leading that bunch.

The big questions going into UCLA’s first game are with the offense, especially the offensive line. The situation is potentially not good…

Jeff Baca and Stan Hasiak are academically ineligible, having failed to handle their business in the classroom.

Mike Harris is suspended for this match up against the Wildcats.

Kai Maiava  is out indefinitely with a broken ankle suffered during the recent fall scrimmage.

And Xavier Sua-Filo, who is on a Mormon mission, won’t return until 2012.

All but one of these guys were projected starters up front.

Add to that the fact that quarterback Kevin Prince, although he is scheduled to start, is battling a torn muscle in his back, and I think that one could see the potential dilemma here.

Heck, even All-American kicker Kai Forbath is uncertain for Saturday as he nurses a leg injury.

If UCLA is going to win this game and get 2010 off to a good start, guys like running back Jonathan Franklin and wide receivers Nelson Rosario, Taylor Embree, and Colorado transfer Josh Smith must produce.

Under head coach Bill Snyder, Kansas State is looking to avenge their 23-9 loss at the Rose Bowl last year with QB Carson Coffman and league rushing leader Daniel Thomas, who made the all-Big 12 team with 1,265 yards in ’09.

Even though these Wildcats are picked to finish last in the Big 12 North, they are expected to be a big challenge for UCLA in their home stadium; coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow will discover once and for all if the new pistol or “revolver” offense, designed to produce better rushing results, will be effective.

Two sayings come to mind as the Bruins kick off their season:

“We have to play with the hand we’re dealt”, and…

“There’s nothing left to do but find out.”

Those are the best descriptions for UCLA’s 92nd opening day.

All In: Dodgers Need to Press Forward

The Dodgers gambled at the trade deadline.  They dealt a host of young talent, including two players from the big league roster, to convince themselves and fans that a playoff spot would still be salvageable.  But August hit, and it hit hard.  A sweep at the hands of the hated Giants to start the month.  Crushing losses to Philadelphia and Atlanta.  No offensive support for a beleaguered pitching staff running on fumes.  Furcal has been absent, Manny has just returned, and Padilla was prepped for his second DL stint of the season.  But there is a glimmer of hope in the form of a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.  The Brewers have not been lighting the world afire to say the least, but the Dodgers have some added confidence, including two come-from-behind victories and Ted Lilly’s fifth straight win in blue.

There’s not much hope, but it’s enough.  There’s no need to deal the veterans yet.  With a series against the Rockies and Phillies coming up, the Dodgers can drastically alter the Wild Card landscape by simply going 4-2 during that stretch.  It’s not impossible, and depending on the Giants and the Cardinals, Los Angeles could find itself a mere two games out of a playoff berth.  With more than a month to go, the time is now for one last hurrah.  It might not be likely, but it’s worth it.  There’s been too much sacrifice to give up now.  Too much heartache, too much suffering, too much anger to be wasted.  The time is now.  Hold onto Manny, Hiroki, Scott, and Ted.  Don’t let Joe walk into the sunset so fast.  Don’t let the fans spend September wallowing in the divorce proceedings.  Keep fighting.  Keep trying.  Where there’s a will, there’s a way.  And there’s always a way.

Is UCLA Football Cursed?

When I heard that UCLA defensive lineman Datone Jones had broken his foot in a non-contact drill during the Bruins’ fall practice, and would subsequently miss a minimum of four games, it led me to ponder this question:

Is the UCLA football program cursed?

It may seem a bit far fetched to some, but there is some evidence to this theory…

First, two offensive linemen who were expected to make big contributions this year, Jeff Baca and Stan Hasiak, were ruled academically ineligible for this season (Baca’s ineligibility pending an appeal).

Just a few weeks earlier, three recruits were released from their letters of intent and transferred to other schools because they were involved in the theft of a backpack, while Mike Harris, another offensive lineman, was suspended for UCLA’s opener at Kansas State on Sept. 4th.

All of that happened this summer, making it an eventful one in Westwood; not quite as eventful as what has happened crosstown at USC, but quite eventful nonetheless.

Next, I recalled in 2009 Micah Kia, yet another key man on the offensive line, tearing an ACL during fall practice and having to sit out that season. Nik Abele having to retire due to injury didn’t help matters any, as it depleted the personnel up front even more.

The clinching incident to all of this misfortune happened during coach Rick Neuheisel’s first year in 2008.

During preseason practice that year Ben Olsen and Patrick Cowan, both experienced quarterbacks who figured heavily in the Bruins’ plans, went down with season – and as it turned out, career – ending  injuries on the same day.

Combined with a patchwork offensive line and having to rely on third stringer Kevin Craft, that pretty much doomed things in Westwood that season.

I imagine that quite a few folks would say that these injuries, suspensions, and ineligibility are merely unfortunate coincidences.

However, considering that the Bruins sport a rather mediocre record of 24-27 over the past four seasons and combining that with the misfortunes of this summer and before, all leads me to say that…

Yes, there is a curse on UCLA Bruin Football, at least to some degree.

Please don’t misunderstand me here; stating what I have just stated does not mean that I’m giving up on this season before it starts. The Bruins could well have people step up, particularly its freshmen, go on a tear, and be a contender in the Pac-10 race.

Unfortunately, I fear that any more freak injuries like the one Jones, who was the only returning member of that defensive line, suffered will only strengthen my convictions of this curse.

Maybe I AM being superstitious, but it’s difficult to explain all of these recent negative events any other way.

Let’s hope that these injuries and incidents that keep happening in Westwood will cease immediately.

UCLA Football 2010: Preview and Predictions

Looking at the various college football publications for this upcoming season, it is clear that the UCLA Bruins are not getting any love or respect.

Athlon’s has the Bruins finishing eighth in the Pacific-10 Conference.

So does Lindy’s.

And the media pundits covering the recent Pac-10 Media Day at the Rose Bowl, as well as Sports Illustrated.

Paul Myerberg of PreSnapRead.com has UCLA in 7th place.

The Sporting News is a little more optimistic about UCLA’s potential fortunes; they pick the Bruins to finish sixth.

After a 2009 season which saw progress in the form of a 7-6 record and a win in the Eagle Bank Bowl, there are admittedly some concerns in Westwood for 2010, namely among the defense’s front seven.

Coach Rick Neuheisel must replace five out of the seven defensive linemen and linebackers, including standouts like Reggie Carter, Alterraun Verner, and especially Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year Brian Price, who is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Price was an absolute beast on the defensive line who caused much havoc for opposing offenses during his three years as a Bruin; you cannot replace a guy like that.

Datone Jones is the lone returning player up front, and Akeem Ayers will provide much needed stability at middle linebacker, but the heart and soul of UCLA’s defense will undoubtedly be junior free safety Rahim Moore, who led the nation with ten interceptions and is on many preseason All-America lists.

Moore, Jones, and Ayers will be the leaders of a Bruin defense that will desperately need their leadership if UCLA is to build on their 2009 campaign. The potential is there; the question, however, is whether of not the new players will be able to perform.

With the return of quarterback Kevin Prince, leading rusher Jonathan Franklin, productive receivers in Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario and most importantly four starters on the line, Neuheisel and coordinator Norm Chow will expect the Bruin offense to improve on last year’s 22 points per game, which was 8th in the conference and a big factor in their mid-season five game losing streak.

To combat their anemic output, UCLA is counting on their new “pistol” offense – a variation of the shotgun – and the fact that the players are in their 3rd year under Chow to help generate more points.

A third straight top 10 recruiting class, led by LB Jordan Zumwalt, DL Cassius Marsh, RB Jordon James and National Gatorade Player of the Year Malcolm Jones, will be expected to contribute right away as the Bruins continue to build.

The one area that UCLA has nothing to worry about is their kicking game. Kai Forbath is considered the best in the country and a shoo-in for the Lou Groza Award, having made 28 out of 31 field goals in ’09. Jeff Locke is an excellent punter as well.

My outlook on how 2010 will go in Westwood is that UCLA will be a better team than in 2009, but their record may well not show it as the Bruins have the toughest away schedule in the FBS.

With having to play Texas, California, Oregon and Washington on the road, Neuheisel’s team will be on a death march. I don’t expect UCLA to win those games, especially against the defending Pac-10 Champion Ducks in Autzen Stadium and last year’s national runner-up Longhorns in Austin.

The home contests, on the other hand, are more winnable. Here’s my opinion on how the Bruins will fare:

Stanford, Sept. 11: TOUGH BUT WINNABLE.  Despite the emergence of QB Andrew Luck, this game against Jim Harbaugh’s Cardinal can be summed up in eight words:

Let’s see how they do without Toby Gerhart.

That will ultimately be the difference in this Pac-10 opener.

Houston, Sept. 18: HARD FOUGHT WIN.  Outside of USC, this will be one of the two toughest home games the Bruins will have.

The reason: QB Case Keenum. He’s an excellent field general with a cannon arm and a quick release that could give UCLA fits.

However, the Rose Bowl crowd and the fact that these Cougars are facing a higher level of competition than their Conference USA foes will lead to a Bruin triumph.

Washington State, Oct. 2: LIKELY A BLOWOUT WIN.  That’s a sad program in Pullman, WA right now. If the Bruins don’t win this game by at least a comfortable margin, something is dreadfully wrong. I consider this the only real gimme of 2010.

Arizona, Oct. 30: TOUGH BUT WINNABLE.  With QB Nick Foles and RB Nic Grigsby, these Wildcats have had UCLA’s number the past couple of years. The home field and crowd gives the Bruins an edge, but it will be a hard fought matchup.

If this game were in Tucson, I’d have this as a loss.

Oregon State, Nov. 6: TOSS UP.  Along with Houston, this is the other one of the two toughest home games UCLA will play before their crosstown war with USC.

The Rodgers brothers, WR James and RB Jacquizz, are two of the best athletes in the Pac-10; these Beavers are talented enough to win the conference.

As for USC on December 4th, I’m going to refrain from picking a winner until the week of that brawl with the Trojans, as I want to see how UCLA and ‘SC’s seasons unfold.

Although they have lost 30 scholarships and are banned from the post season for two years (pending appeal) due to NCAA violations, USC will still be a formidable team; it’s not like they will go 5-8 or 4-9. Look for QB Matt Barkley to be vastly improved from his freshman campaign, as well as their defensive front seven.

As the UCLA Bruins begin their 92nd year of football in Westwood, this is how I believe their fortunes will go:

An overall record of six victories and six defeats, including a four wins in the Pac-10, which will be good for sixth place and a berth in the Kraft Foods Bowl (formerly the Emerald Bowl) in San Francisco.

Compared to what the other prognosticators think about the Bruins’ chances in 2010, I’m taking an optimistic view.

But I know it will be tough; UCLA could easily finish 5-7 or worse. It will depend on two things:

1.  How well the offense – and particularly the offensive line – continues to improve, and…

2.  How the new personnel in the defensive front seven does.

Now that you’ve heard it here first, let the season commence.

At the Deadline: What Should the Dodgers Do?

The Dodgers’ pitching woes are becoming more and more obvious everyday.  The bullpen is stretched thin, relying on the likes of Jack Traschner and Travis Schlichting to make end’s meet.  The much-maligned rotation is improving now that Vicente Padilla has hit his stride, and could improve if Chad Billingsley’s last start is any indication of his future performance.  But still, fans would be very grateful for some kind of aid at the non-waiver trade deadline.  You can stop screaming for Roy Oswalt or Dan Haren.  Everyone knows the Dodgers need an ace, but the cost for getting one is too steep, and would likely poach the major-league roster.  A sure-fire win every fifth day is not worth a suspect lineup the other four days.  More realistic expectations:

Ted Lilly: A veteran lefty who was originally drafted by the Dodgers, Lilly is the kind of deal the Dodgers, and especially Ned Colletti, enjoy making: acquiring a pitcher at the end of his contract who could provide some veteran leadership.  The Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux from the Cubs in 2006, so the two teams do have familiarity with each other.

Ben Sheets: The oft-injured Sheets could be the ace in the hole LA needs, but he could also be another body in need of a stretcher.  His latest injury is bad news for Oakland, as Sheets looked like the most prime pitcher to be traded entering the season.

Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang:  The Dodgers tried to swing a deal with the Reds during the offseason and add a starter in exchange for Juan Pierre.  Colletti could still want one of the two, already having done extensive research on them.

Kevin Millwood:  Millwood has been battered this season, but a veteran pitcher with a nice sinker is always in demand.  The Dodgers might hope taking him out of the AL East and plugging him into the pitching-heavy NL West could yield favorable results.

Javier Vazquez:  Another starter who could use a change of scenery, Vazquez is notorious for his no-trade clause for teams in the west.  However, with his contract expiring this year, the clause could be waived.  The Yankees are looking at Dan Haren, and if they can acquire him, they become much more flexible.

UPDATE: The Dodgers are also looking at the possibility of outfielders.  According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Dodgers might be inquiring on Scott Podsednik, a veteran outfielder known for his consistent .300 batting average and speed.  If the Dodgers are looking for outfield depth, there are many other men out there, including:

Austin Kearns: Putting together a solid season for Cleveland.

Jim Edmonds: Not the same as he used to be, both in the field and at the plate.  All depends if Milwaukee feels it’s out of the race.

Coco Crisp: Defensive wiz, though Oakland might be reluctant to give him up due to an option for 2011.

Rick Ankiel: Pitcher turned outfielder could yield interest if the Royals feel like moving him.  Also has an option for next year.

Carl Crawford: While the Rays are making a big push, the club might face facts and admit they can’t keep the speedy outfielder and try to get something out of him besides two compensatory draft picks.  All depends on what the Dodgers feel they have in Manny, and if Tampa Bay can acquire Jayson Werth for the stretch run.

Aside from Crawford, imagine all of the above being available into the waiver deal period.

USC Recruiting: Why Kent Turene’s Verbal Is so Huge For The Trojans

For the past ten days, I have been on UCLA’s campus, fulfilling a contractual obligation to be a faculty advisor for some very talented high school scholars preparing to enter medical school.

And like some kind of bizarro world revenge for having a committed Trojan spending time in enemy territory, I silently and painfully watched a slow exodus of players streaming from USC.

First there was Seantrel Henderson, a fabulous talent whose physical prowess may not overcome a woeful lack of integrity (and a very strange father to boot).

Then Malik Jackson was next. A nice player whose career at USC appeared destined to hold down the bench, as he was mired in a numbers game that included players far more talented than he.

Finally, there went DJ Shoemate, a special player who was being counted on to supply rest for fullback Stanley Havilli, and whose star was just beginning to shine for the Trojans.

Though Henderson stands a chance to be great simply on physical talent alone, and to be sure, USC desperately needs offensive linemen, it is hard to miss someone who had never stepped foot on the playing field for the Trojans.

As for Jackson, he simply wasn’t good enough to make a difference for the Trojans. Seeing the writing on the wall, he left for what I am sure he believes are greener pastures.

Good luck, Malik.

However, the defection of Shoemate will be more difficult to overcome.

Shoemate had shown flashes of brilliance and he will be missed. The Trojans now have to accelerate incoming freshman Soma Vainuku’s timetable in the backup fullback role.

I have also read, with some amusement, the predictions of some of my fellow pundits demise of the Trojans.

Not so fast, haters.

Amid the doom and gloom, a shining light for Trojan fans has come from the opposite side of the country, in the form of four-star (as rated by Scout.com) linebacker Kent Turene from Boyd H. Anderson high school in Florida.

Supremely talented and filling a position of need for the Trojans, Turene’s verbal to USC means much more than finding a special player at a position that desperately needs to be re-stocked.

No, the pledge of Turene, who had more than than two dozen offers from major programs from across the country, gives the Trojans a national high profile recruit and once again signals that USC doesn’t plan to let their recent woes keep them down.

As for Turene, he had nothing but great things to say about the Trojans.

According to a recent article by Scout.com, Turene said, “I have been talking to the coaches for a very long time now. I have just been doing all of my research and found out that USC was the right school for me. I got a great feeling from the coaches.”

The feeling is mutual, Kent.

Turene, 6’3″ and 225 pounds, had 120 tackles, 10 sacks, and a couple of fumbles recovered to his credit as junior last season in high school.

Oh, and Turene plans on graduating early and enrolling in January which means that his scholarship will not count against the reduced amount available to USC. This, of course, being due to the NCAA laying the hammer down on the program for perceived violations connected to the Reggie Bush scandal.

All in all, this is a very fortuitous verbal pledge for the Trojans who desperately needed some good news.

So, Trojan haters, lets put away the shovels you planned on using to heap dirt on USC’s grave

USC is far from dead.

Kent Turene says so.

Classic Dilemma: Complexities of the All Star Game

By now you’ve heard the debate raging in the baseball world concerning the All Star fate of one Stephen Strasburg.  Should he play? Does he deserve to play? What will that mean for Matt Capps, who’s 22 saves have people backing his campaign for a trip to Anaheim?  While Strasburg did not garner enough support for an All Star bid, Omar Infante did.  Other notable snubs include Paul Konerko, Rafael Furcal, Jered Weaver, and Joey Votto.  The Strasburg debate is only one of the many controversies surrounding the Midsummer Classic.

THIS TIME, IT COUNTS: Every baseball fan will tell you that making home-field advantage for the World Series up for grabs in the All Star game is one of the worst ideas baseball has ever conceived.  In a joint venture between FOX and Bud Selig, MLB brass decided that the All Star game needed some kind of incentive to remain marketable.  The idea that the AL and NL would compete against each other for the right to home field in the championship was not the right idea.  Now managers have to play the game as though it’s a must-win, and not an exhibition.  Pitchers are used much more conservatively.  Pinch hitters become valuable pieces that cannot be wasted.  Every at-bat holds importance.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM EVERY TEAM: Each and every team sends a representative to the All Star game, giving the American League a huge advantage, one that has been working for them since 1998 when the league expanded to 30 teams.  With 14 teams in the American League, Joe Giradi doesn’t have to spend two roster spots on undeserving players like Charlie Manuel must do for the National League.  Giradi gets to use the very best of the AL, while Manuel has to find space for someone from Pittsburgh, Arizona, and Houston.

STARTERS AS RELIEVERS: The most frightening aspect of the All Star game for baseball execs is the use of starters as relievers.  Since the legitimate starters only pitch for two innings, All Star pitchers must warm up in the bullpen to make their appearances.  For a pitcher like Strasburg, who would have every Washington executive wincing after each pitch, warming up in the ‘pen and then going onto the field is very different from starting the game.  Relievers get used to it; starters become unraveled by it.

HOME RUN DERBY:  The Home Run Derby rivals the actual game in popularity, as it features the one thing fans want to see more than anything: home runs.  But for some players, participation in the derby could mean problems with their swing and a second-half decline in power numbers.  Alex Rodriguez famously backed out of the derby held at Yankee Stadium two years ago, fearing the effects it might have on his stroke.  Brandon Inge participated last year, and after failing to hit a single homer during the event, has hit just 12 in his career since.

Stretched Thin: Bullpen Woes Starting to Seap Through

Everyone talked about the rotation.  No ace, no dependable starter to get a win every fifth day.  Somebody to look at the lineup of the Phillies and not quiver with fear.  But everybody forgot about the bullpen.  The Dodgers’ supposed saving grace last season, with two All Star closers in Jonathan Broxton and George Sherrill to anchor Hong-Chih Kuo, Ronald Belisario, and Ramon Troncoso.

But the bullpen has been in tatters.  Broxton has been pushed to the brink, pitching in 13 different games without rest.  Troncoso has faced more batters than the recently DFA’d Charlie Haeger.  That overuse has not translated into effective pitching.  Troncoso has surrendered 15 inherited runs so far this season out of 24 inherited runners.  Broxton has an opposing OPS of .626 when pitching on zero days of rest, compared to his season average of .565.  Five of the eight runs he has given up this season have come on days without rest.

Of course, nothing is as startling as the rapid decline of George Sherrill.   The former Baltimore closer had an ERA of .65 last year with the Dodgers.  In all but two of his 32 appearances did he surrender an earned run.  But 2010 has been a very different year for Sherrill.  In nine of his 30 appearances this season Sherrill has given up at least a run; five of those nine times it has been multiple runs.  His leash has also been much shorter; Sherrill has 20 appearances in which he does not record three outs.  He has seen his role been reduced from set-up man and spot-closer to situational lefty.  His woes forced the team to put him on the disable list at one point, hoping he could solve his problems without taking innings away from the major league club.

To continually turn to Broxton or Troncoso at every sign of danger, like the last two games against the Yankees which were non-save situations, the key cogs of the ‘pen will gain more and more wear as the season progresses.  The team either needs to add another reliever, be it through trade or dropping a bench player like Garret Anderson, use men like Jeff Weaver or Justin Miller much more loosely, or face the consequences.

UCLA Baseball: Bruins Make Third College World Series In Their History

Thirteen years is a long time.

And it was evident that the ghost of the late great John Wooden was in their corner this weekend, as UCLA’s baseball team won a spot in the College World Series for the first time since 1997 by beating Cal State Fullerton 8-1 at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Sunday night, in the third game of a best-of-3 NCAA Super Regional.

After the Bruins were one out away from being eliminated before defeating the Titans in 10 innings on Saturday, 11-7, Rob Rassmussen threw his first complete game as a Bruin on Sunday to clinch the team’s ticket to Omaha, as he struck out nine CSUF batters while giving up just two hits in winning his 11th game of the year.

UCLA’s bats came through as well, with the Bruins (48-14) scoring three runs in the third inning to take a lead they will not relinquish, and Beau Amaral getting three RBIs on the night, two of them on a home run in the eighth inning that put the final nail in Cal State Fullerton’s (46-18) coffin. 

The win certainly exorcised some Titan demons, CSUF having beaten UCLA 19 times in their 24 previous meetings since John Savage became the coach in Westwood in 2005. “…we needed to do this as a program”, he said. 

This World Series berth will be only the third one in Bruin history, the first one coming in 1969 with Chris Chambliss, who would go on to stardom with the Reggie Jackson / Billy Martin “Bronx Zoo” New York Yankees of the 1970s, leading UCLA that year.

Though they have never won a game in Omaha, having an all-time record of 0-4 there, the Bruins, who will start the Series with Florida either this Saturday or Sunday, have a chance to make some noise for one important reason: Pitching. 

It has been pitching, particularly the starting staff of Rassmussen, Garrett Claypool, Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer that has carried UCLA all season, and since good pitching beats good hitting and is the key to any team, I do not expect the Bruins to go home winless this time around.

It goes without saying that regardless of what happens in Omaha, this has been a dream season in Westwood – the question now is will the Bruins triumph at Rosenblatt Stadium and bring home the school’s 107th national championship (and the baseball program’s first)?

Time will tell, but I think they have a shot.

USC Running Back Dillon Baxter Claims Illegal Contact By Schools

Well, that certainly didn’t take long.

Only a day after the NCAA lowered the boom on USC, the vultures are attempting to circle the carcass.

ESPN’s Joe Schad is reporting that USC mega-recruit, running back Dillon Baxter, has notified the Trojans’ compliance office that five schools have illegally contacted him, apparently attempting to woo him to their programs.

Alabama, Florida, Fresno State, Oregon, and Washington are the teams identified as making overtures to Baxter, the 2009 five-star (as rated by Scout.com) quarterback/running back who set a California state record by scoring an eye-popping 79 touchdowns, including 50 on the ground.

Baxter, whose spring practice with the Trojans routinely featured spectacular runs that were celebrated far and wide on “Youtube,” is generally considered a “can’t miss” prospect by most who see him, so it’s not surprising that he would be coveted by other programs.

What is surprising, or perhaps I am gullible, is that so many programs who should know better took a shot at contacting a student-athlete whom they had no chance of getting.

Before I go any further, it should be noted that this is a preliminary report and when everything comes out, perhaps this contact was not illegal at all.

If so, then the question becomes one of decorum.

Is there a “waiting period” before another college football program attempts to steal from a weakened foe?

Can one call Dear Abby to see if any college gridiron etiquette has been violated?

For the five programs identified by Baxter, apparently that grace period lasted all of 24 hours.

If that.

In a sad commentary on the state of college athletic ethics, USC hadn’t even yet picked itself off the floor after the NCAA hay-maker before opposing programs began to swoop in hoping to pick clean the Trojans of a high profile prospect.

To Dillon Baxter’s credit, it appears that he wasn’t having any of that, and by reporting these programs to his compliance office, Baxter said in no uncertain terms that he plans on remaining a Trojan.

Take that you blood suckers.

Before any other programs start looking to speed dial Seantrel Henderson, Robert Woods, or any of the other highly regarded incoming USC freshmen trying to sweet talk them into a back door transfer, they may want to revisit what happened with Dillon Baxter.

It may save them the embarrassment of what at worst could be illegal contact and at best an emphatic “no” from the player in question.

Where this goes from here is anyone’s guess but it seems as though there is a bit of karma at play here, especially if this contact was indeed illegal.

And while it won’t soothe the open wounds of a reeling USC football program, maybe it will give them something else to think about for awhile.

Lord knows they could use that right about now.