USC: Try the humble pudding

Their reign now over, USC can't seem to be able to admit that they're not the best team in college football anymore. Matt Leinart's quote after the game,

"I still think we're the better team... but whatever"

Matt, here's the thing - when you throw up 38 points, including 28 in the second half, and you still lose, you may not be the better team. USC got breaks, but also made some bone-headed, ego-driven plays (see Reggie Bush's attempted lateral after a 40 yard run). They didn't lose that game, they were beaten.

My favorite part of the loss - it was almost entirely the fault of head coach Pete Carroll. Leading 38-33 with just over two minutes left at Texas' 45 yard line Carroll decided to go for it on 4th and 2. I can see how a team with 34 consecutive wins has confidence that 1 of their 2 All-American running backs can pick up 2 measly yards, but in this situation you absolutely have to punt the ball and make Vince Young drive the entire field. USC got stuffed, Texas only had to go 56 yards and scored the winning touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining. You have to figure in that situation the worst case scenario is a punt that goes for a touchback giving Texas the ball at their own 20. At best, USC can pin Texas inside their own 10 or 5. That's a no-brainer with a national championship on the line. But Carroll gambled, and lost... and lost. And to compound the coaching gaff, during Texas' two-point conversion attempt after what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown, USC, coached by the supposed defensive guru Carroll, had to burn their final timeout. Sorry, but those plays both come down to coaching. And one can, and I will, make the argument that Pete Carroll cost his team an unprecedented third straight national championship.

So Hail Texas! for the day. Now we'll see just how good (or bad) of a coach Pete Carroll really is without Leinart and Bush running his show...