Delupe

Cannot forget how the USC 2012 season imploded. Pre-season #1 based on 18 returning starters from an 11-2 team. Finished 7-6. Many games were blowouts and the team was soft and undisciplined. USC acted like complete primadonna d-bags at the Sun Bowl...late for nearly every social engagement, excessive whining by players, etc. Entire sold-out stadium, less the 1 or 2 USC fans that travelled from SoCal, was happy GA Tech kicked their arrogant arse.

Pull together a fractured team, hire a new staff and coordinators, evaluate existing talent, keep your current HS recruiting class, win the portal with proven playmakers, prevent portal departure of key players, and re-establish a Championship culture.

Then: Beat Clemson (H) & win both Non-Conf. Games.

Win 7 of 9 against: Bama (H), Texas (H), Tenn (A), Ole Miss (A), Texas A&M (H), Auburn (A), Miss St (H), Kent (A), Ark (A)

Tough road ahead staring from scratch...need to manage expectations.

Also, need to remember that the GOAT Saban was 8-5 at LSU the year before winning the Natty.

have seen a lot of hire Lane posts. His record against AP Top 25 is even more dismal.

12 of 16 SEC Coaches have less than .400 records against AP Top 25 with their current teams. Against top 15, the records are even worse. Of all the current NCAA coaches, only DeDoer, Smart, Freeman, and Dabo are exceptional (above .640). Day, Gundy, Key, Heupel are near .500. All others are worse than Kelly. Bottomline...not much choice. Lane is 3-15, Sark 5-18, Riley 5-12 since joining USC.