Since 2009, Pete Carroll’s last season at USC, the Trojans have carried on a passionate and regular affair with preseason expectations.
The fling always starts in the summer, hot and heavy. Pollsters cast amorous glances at USC’s talent and declare that USC is back.
USC rides high on the love. Then … the season starts.
Two times in the past five years, USC has been picked to win the Pac-12 Conference football championship. Yet the Trojans have yet to win one since Carroll’s departure.
And so it begins again this season.