The entity known only as SeminFace sends along this pic of a fan confident in his Capitals, but less confident about his spelling. But his aborted homemade sign raises the question of when exactly he decided to give up. Was it when he noticed there wasn't enough room to finish "endangered species?" Was it when he realized he spelled "endangered" with an M? "Panthers" without an H? I say none of the above, because he still hasn't noticed "are."

My girlfriend just said to me: "Are you sure you want to post this? There might be something wrong with this guy, mentally. Charities give those people blocks of seats all the time. Just think about it before you post." Well, I'm thinking about it, and I'm posting it anyway.

A more persuasive sign, though less effective on the final score, is this one from reader Thomas at last night's ASU/USC game. But I don't think most of the country needs to put things in perspective in order to hate the Trojans.

•••••

A happy and healthy Sunday to all of you out there in Internet land. Just a reminder, our evolution didn't hinge on passivity.

•It's not another "Natinals," but rather Pedro forgetting to button up. Also Charlie Manuel forgetting to take Pedro out early enough (that sounds familiar). The Yankees even the series, sending it to Philadelphia. Hey, at least we're not seeing another sweep this year. (Thanks to reader Jay for the screenshot.)

•Vince Young will be back behind center on Sunday. Best case scenario, he replaces LenDale White as the rusher who'll spell Chris Johnson.

•The first AP poll is out, and Kansas is your overwhelming number one. But more fun is seeing who barely snuck in. Old Dominion and Holy Cross received one vote apiece. What, they're letting Nancy Lieberman-Cline and Bill Simmons vote now?

•The Big Lead has a good read on Jozy Altidore's stunted development. It's troubling, and with Charlie Davies likely out next summer, he's a more crucial piece than ever. For those of you who are confused what I'm talking about, it's soccer. Just move on.

•North Carolina takes down No. 13/14 Virginia Tech on a last-second field goal. It's been two and a half years...is it okay to not root for Va Tech now?

•Fifty thousand St. Louisans step off the ledge; Albert Pujols says he wants to be a Cardinal for life. Still, when people want to be somewhere for life, they sign long-term contracts like the ones the Cards have repeatedly offered. Just saying...

•Proving that Angelenos dole out their fandom based on how close to the playoffs each team is, here's a poll from the LA Times where USC comes out on top as LA's favorite team

•Finally, from Fail Blog, we bring you the only seat at Neyland Stadium that has a seatback:

Look at these two Notre Dame fans, who were so thrilled to feel the turf under their feet before their beloved Irish took on USC this weekend. Let's get a picture! With a real life college football player in the background for some "color."

So do you think they knew that sophomore tight end Blake Ayles was giving them the 'ol double deuce all along? Or was that just a pleasant surprise waiting for them when they checked their camera later?

The USC Trojans: We got your school spirit right here.

[Photo by Nick Shelton via Facebook]

* * * * *

How was your weekend? Did you see "Where The Wild Things Are," the first kids' movie designed to make you hate childhood? No wonder there are so many nine-year-olds on Prozac these days. Sheesh. Lighten up, Francis.

Actually, doctors updated his condition yesterday and while it doesn't sound pretty, he is doing better. He's still eating through a feeding tube and will need more surgeries in the future, but should be released from the hospital soon. Pretty good news for someone when "the majority of the lining of his larynx (voice box) was degloved (stripped off)."

*Shudder.* That is one thing you don't want degloved.

Stafon Johnson on the mend, embracing depictions of dangerously overloaded barbells [Dr. Saturday]
USC football: Surgeons update Stafon Johnson's condition [LA Times]

* * * * *

That's really all I've got for today and this post so let's call this thing. I hope we learned something today, although I can't imagine what that would be. Tonight, you've got Florida-LSU, of course, plus Michigan-Iowa for my peoples in the Midwest. And it looks the Cardinals are going to go quietly into the night. No messy screams or embarrassing displays of bravado from this team. They know when they're not wanted.

Thank you for your continued support of Deadspin Weekend. Barry P. is on NFL duty, tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your night.

If you believe in omens, then I suggest selling your stock in USC football season this season. If you believe in shoddy workmanship, then you should sell your stock in the manufacturers of crystal football trophies. No one is really sure how the topper on USC's 2004 BCS Championship trophy ended up at the bottom of its case (and mostly likely scratched), but Trojan fans are hoping it is not a portent of impending doom.

Actually, it's mostly Bruins fans who are hoping that it is a sign from above. USC fans are too busy kite surfing with their agents to care.

Football: BCS Trophy at USC drops the ball [OC Register]

* * * * *

When I say it's Tuesday, you say "you better."

Virginia Tech appears to have eschewed typical action photos for some glamour shots they took at a Blacksburg Kohl's. Because nothing says intimidation like a mid-air freeze frame reminiscent of Mary Tyler Moore, or your defense posing like 15-year-old girls watching Twilight at a slumber party.

But lest you think this demasculinization is endemic to the ACC and SEC, here's video of USC's first team meeting, where the room (spontaneously, I hope) breaks out into a rendition of "Lean On Me." With bonus Pete Carroll as the piano man!

Garrett offered up these comments during the press conference on Monday introducing USC's newest hoops commander, Kevin O'Neill. O'Neill possesses many winning qualities including the ability to pick up his phone, leading Garrett to utter the least ringing professional endorsement imaginable:

"I really felt elated about the fact that this is a person who was available."

Kevin O'Neill: The Most Available Coach In America. Ticket line forms over here, Trojan fans!

To be sure that Garrett's record does "hold up," Adam Rose of the LA Times runs the down list of coaches who have turned down/been run out of town by the Garrett administration ... and it is very impressive! Dennis Erickson, Mike Riley, Mike Bellotti, Rick Majerus, Jamie Dixon, Jeff Van Gundy, Lon Kruger. Scratch that, Lon Kruger has never been impressive. But Garrett also has the distinction of firing one USC's greatest coaches (John Robinson) and replacing him with the worst (Paul Hackett.) Plus, he hired Chad Kreuter to coach their baseball team, which is sorta mindblowing, but not in the way you probably think. I assumed he was still backing up Paul Lo Duca in some bizarre alternate reality National League, but you learn something new every day.

USC's Mike Garrett says his record speaks for itself; agreed [LA Times]
Awkward: Kevin O'Neill knows he wasn't USC's first choice [The Dagger]

Floyd quit his job yesterday, sending this one-paragraph resignation letter to USC's athletic director and to the Jackson Clarion Ledger.

Unfortunately, I no longer feel I can offer the level of enthusiasm to my duties that is deserved by the university, my coaching staff, my players, their families, and the supporters of Southern Cal. I always promised my self and my family that if I ever felt I could no longer give my full enthusiasm to a job, that I should leave it to others who could. I intend to contact my coaching staff and my players in coming days and weeks to tell them how much each of them means to me. I wish the best to USC and to my successor."

So what happened to his enthusiasm? Probably the accusations that he gave $1,000 cash to an "associate" of former Trojan O.J. Mayo. That will usually do it. You will also notice that he "intends" to tell his coaches and players how much they mean to them. I guess they don't mean enough for him to have to told them in person that he was no longer their boss. According to ESPN, Floyd didn't even call USC. They found out by reading it on the Clarion-Ledger's website and by then, Floyd, had already turned off his cellphone.

Two months ago, Floyd actually had a chance to leave USC for another job—both Arizona and Memphis were interested in him—but he turned them down to stay at the program he had (mostly) rebuilt. Now he's fishing in Mississippi and the Trojans have to pick up the pieces.

Miss. native Floyd resigns as Southern Cal coach [Jackson Clarion-Ledger]
Floyd's action speaks volumes [Yahoo]
USC Trojans coach Tim Floyd submits resignation [ESPN]
Filth Flarn Floyd… [Rush The Court]

Yahoo Sports (again) is reporting that basketball coach Tim Floyd gave $1,000 cash to Rodney Guillory, a member of O.J. Mayo's inner circle, who presumably used that cash to "lavish improver benefits" on Mayo. Gross. The payments took place in 2007, after Mayo had committed to play for USC, but before he "enrolled" in school—presumably as a thank you to guillory for helping deliver Mayo to the programl.

Guillory previously was investigated in 2000 for his involvement with former USC basketball player Jeff Trepagnier and former Fresno State basketball player Tito Maddox. USC briefly suspended Trepagnier for his involvement with Guillory in 2000, but Trepagnier later was cleared of any charges. However, the NCAA found that Guillory had broken NCAA rules by purchasing airfare for Maddox. Later, Maddox painted Guillory as the go-between who helped arrange delivery of cars and cash payments – some payments coming directly from Guillory, according to published reports.

Multiple sources told Yahoo! Sports that Guillory is under investigation by the FBI, IRS and U.S. Attorney's Office for his alleged dealings with Mayo.

Trepagnier does it again. Southern Cal's football and basketball programs are already under NCAA investigation for that whole "Reggie Bush was a professional athlete" thing, so if this true ... well, who knows what will happen? The NCAA misplaced its own banhammer years ago. But Floyd already raised eyebrows earlier this year when he rescinded the scholarship offer to Renardo Sidney, a kid who moved from Mississippi to L.A. in order to be closer to the limelight. USC and UCLA both backed off him when people started wondering how a poor kid from Mississippi ended up living in million-dollar suburban homes. What admirable restraint.

Anyway, Sidney eventually signed with Mississippi State, Mayo is toiling in the NBA, Reggie Bush became a celebrity vampire and Tim Floyd probably wishes he'd taken that Arizona job right about now.

Source: Floyd gave cash to Mayo handler [Yahoo]
O.J. Mayo: The Gift That Keeps On Giving [Rush The Court]

Here's a brief primer of the goings-on tonight:
- As far as I can tell, there are three could-be pros among these teams, Demar Derozan and Taj Gibson on USC and Tyrese Rice on BC. Everyone else will be referred to as Reggie Bush and Doug Flutie respectively.
- If there is any reference to Shamari Spears eating something on the court, this is because he is fat. Duh.
- No one blocks shots like Mamadou (Diarra). That is to say no one blocks shots at all (0.1 b/pg)
- USC ran the table in their conference tournament, beating Devon Hardin's Arizona State to take it. Stanford, in between sips of their Chardonnay and pages of Faulkner, beat them three weeks before that. So who the hell knows.
- BC took down #1 North Carolina then lost to Harvard at home, which is like winning the lottery and dying in a jetski accident the next day. (A very smart jetski accident). They also beat up Duke, Maryland and Florida State.
- BC has no upper-classmen. They're like Miley Cyrus a year ago. Is she attractive? Yup. Do you really want to admit this in public? Depends on if you live in Alabama.

Also, please visit SLAMonline.com, the premier website on the Internet to argue with 13-year-olds about the release dates of shoes.

Final

72-55, USC. They could take down Michigan State next round. Thank you, Deadspin folks. You're all so pretty. I hope to see you again sometime at SLAMonline. We'll make fun of other games.

Come visit. It's like the ballpit of the Internet, but you won't be arrested if you go in it.

2nd Half:

0:56 - Addendum: He should not bring a gun.

0:57 - Taj Gibson still hasn't missed. He should pursue attending a nightclub tonight, for it shall be a poon fiesta.

1:40 - Down 65-53 with less than two minutes left, here comes the BC press. Al Skinner makes Tim Floyd look like Deepak Chopra.

2:27 - Anybody remember 4-through-15 point hot spots on NBA Jam/MTV Rock 'N' Jock. 16-seeds should have that shit available in the last two minutes of the first round. Like anyone in the world wouldn't watch that. That would even enthrall the kids in Slumdog Millionaire. And, on last check, those people are dying.

2:27 - Gibson can make this a fifteen point game with 2:27 to play. It's OK, I didn't like my bracket anyway.

3:51 - Dwight Lewis is hitting shots from behind the backboard. This Fred Savage movie is about pirates.
Weird, I had no idea I was drunk. 64-51, USC.

6:20 - Taj Gibson hates missing. 58-48, USC. BC is slowly slipping away. We might see Lil' Romeo and his diamond encrusted arm-sleeve.

6:52 - Wait, sorry, that's also "Bambi." Movies! So confusing!

6:53 - Another timeout! OK, new movie. Fred Savage is in this one. He's worrying about his grandfather. He says he doesn't want him to come because "he always pinches his cheek." He's also afraid he might hurt him with his man parts.

8:01 - Wait, no, sorry, that's "Bambi." My bad.

8:03 - Cusack check: it's snowing. Chick who looks like Sandra Bullock is holding his hand. It sounds like Ray Lamontagne's pubescent borther is singing in the background. They're kissing and there's a lens flare. Now they're in a dining room. Wait, no, that's a Macy's. "Happy Anniversary." He's pouring her wine. He's going to get her drunk and hurt her with his man parts.

9:47 - Rakim Sanders keeps your bracket alive. 52-47 on a Baghdadian chaos transition three.

9:55 - Taj Gibson just dunked his way into the first round of the NBA draft. Sorry, Craig Brackens of Iowa State. 52-44.

10:48 - This game isn't boring enough for me to link to potentially dangerous or offensive websites.

12:49 - Wait, no you wouldn't.

12:50 - DeRozan layup. Gibson jumper. 46-44, USC. You'd figure that Al Skinner would figure out that those are the only two players scoring.

16:00 - Al Skinner permanently stands like someone is always elbowing him in the kidney.

17:34 - Taj Gibson, who hasn't missed, hates rims, so he decides to yell at it and tug on it. 37-37. This game is getting close enough that someone is going to cry when they lose, like Adam Morrison, or John Cusack, currently, on Bravo.

18:26 - Dwight "Orlando Magic Processed Beef" Lewis makes me look incorrect. Counter 3. 37-35, BC.

19:33 - Rakim Sanders opens this up like the gap between not-Gus Johnson's teeth with a 3. 37-32.

- Nice chompers on the guy who isn't Gus Johnson. I wonder what brand of ottoman he is fashioning with his gums?

Halftime:

- Will someone please explain to me what the hell this is on NBC? Is this what purgatory is like?
- Why did she change her name to "Irish Setter?"
- Animal Planet has Kurt Warner's wife on now! Weird!
- Discovery can officially change its name to "Guys in Caves with Glasses on, Except for Cash Cab."
- There's Campbell Brown, making even autism talk sexy.
- Something with John Cusack is on Bravo. It looks like he's only on the second breakup of the movie, so you've got plenty of time.
- What are you folks doing in tonight? Don't be so lonely! Here, look, let's flip channels.

1st Half:

0:07 - Corey Raji, who should combine names with Taj Gibson to create Taj Raji and compete with Iris Macadangdang, drains both free throws. 34-30, Boston College at half. Raji leads all scorers with 13.

0:22 - "I'll tell you, Al Skinner never turns down opportunities." Gus: "Ahahahaha." Really, folks? Do tell! Does this have to do with bumping and grinding again?

2:25 - This analyst just started sounding like Clyde Frazier like twenty seconds ago. He must have several thousand cotton balls in his mouth.

4:05 - SpaceCowgirl01: "Wow did you hear those noisy BC fans shrieking during SC's free throw shots?" Yep. See, here's why BC has a slight home court advantage. When someone from Boston goes to Minnesota in March, it's called "going on vacation." When someone from Los Angeles goes to Minnesota in March, it's called "running from the FBI."

4:53 - Taj Gibson hits a bucket plus the foul. USC has the lead 25-23. What do you mean, "am I fine?" Sure am! Boy, I love basketball.

6:20 - Things are happening but no one is scoring and there is just so much, so much maroon I don't know what to do I can't handle all this maroon the court is maroon the jerseys are maroon the lettering is maroon there are maroon people did you know that and it's probably racist please there will be scoring soon please yes please oh hello.

7:37 - Tim Floyd will not allow the only white guy on the floor to hit a three. Timeout USC. 23-18, Eagles du Chestnut Hill. Huddle: "Tyler Roche? He looks like a golfer! His name sounds like he's in Gwar! This one's on you, Reggie Bushes."

8:19 - Gus: "They are bumpin' and grindin' with each other." "They've gotta be careful." Must... resist... herpes... joke...

9:48 - Mr. October to the hoop for the bucket for the 18-16 lead. No noticeable full-crank, post-home run fistpump. You're such a bad Reggie Jackson.

12:42 - If I thought we'd have fun with Stephen F. Austin jokes, imagine how awesome a week of "Morehead State" jokes would be. Pull it off, Morehead. Pull it off for a surplus of hummers.

12:42 - "I don't have your fucking ball!"

12:42 - Foul counters all those jumpers USC is hitting. 16-13 Troj... HOLY SHIT, BC HAS A GUY NAMED REGGIE JACKSON.

12:48 - Huh-ho!

13:22 - While we have a lull, want to hear a nice, adjustable-for-Tennessee-football Boston College joke? What's the difference between Atlantic City, Las Vegas and a Boston College locker room? (Wait for it...) You can't bet on basketball in Atlantic City.

13:42 - Gibson to Derozan, who truly hates the rim. Ooph. That dunk reminds me of the lesser parts of my childhood. 12-9 USC.

16:09 - Murder me.

16:10 - Dwight Lewis, a veritable hot dog of names from every player on the Orlando Magic, drains his second three. He's hot as a southern California sun!

16:40 - Tyrese Rice will be taking over now, kthx. Three and a layup ties it at 7.

17:18 - USC seems to be running the Layups Are What Created Chlamydia offense, refuse to push the ball past the three point line.

19:06 - Doug Flutie with a noisy follow. He has put on some weight!

Jump - Reggie Bush and Reggie Bush fight over the tip, and it falls out of bounds.

Pregame:

- Tim Floyd sometimes looks like he has no teeth.

- This game has been blessed with Gus Johnson, Warrior of Fine Dining! Should be a fun night, especially if it's not a fun night.

6:30 CBS NEWS GAME NOTES:

- Nice play by wardrobe as Russ Mitchell looks HANDSOME tonight.
- Sweet toss to the story about Chinese boats surrounding an American vessel. Looks like the Navy is overreacting, as someone just ordered a number 4 with egg roll.

- Was anybody else secretly hoping Stephen F. Austin would pull this off today so we could deal with a week's worth of Stone Cold Steve Austin jokes? Me surely!

2) Flexing The BC hoops program blossomed (read: stopped being irrelevant after a few woeful seasons) during head coach Al Skinner's fourth year at the helm. The resurrection began while the school was still a member of the Big East. Back in the days of yore, when men were men and bruises were held in equal esteem to banners, Skinner instituted a deliberate "flex" offense that packs players around the painted area. It's all elbows, knees, hips, shoulders and bounce passes. Skinner brought this offense with him to the prim and proper environs of the ACC. It's physical and intricate (critics say "predictable") and creates a lot of contact amongst opposing players. The offense is predicated on a continuous sequence of precise screens and cuts. Every player needs to be able to execute a bounce pass in a tight spot and players needs to be able to score in the paint when one of the screens frees them up. It requires constant motion and can be maddening to defend as the shot clock wears on. Skinner's variation on this scheme condenses the court as much as possible (unlike Terps coach Gary Williams who uses a more expansive flex that focuses more on the deep shot) and aims for easy buckets. The success of the offense is predicated on timing and five players using one mind. And that mind belongs to Skinner. When the meticulous passing in tight quarters is supplemented by timely three-point shooting it is very difficult to stop. The Eagles can shorten games and limit the possessions of more explosive opponents. On the flip side, the deliberate pace of their game makes them very vulnerable to teams with a high degree of "spurtability." This is not an offense built for quick comebacks (although Tyrese Rice has the freedom to freelance in those instances). Rather it relentlessly chips away, wearing down the will of weaker teams and keeping BC within striking distance of better ones.

3) Diamonds in the Rough If Al Skinner had been running the local AAU squad in Agrabah back in the day then he surely would have scouted Aladdin before Jafar ever caught his scent. The sort of agility that he showed in the marketplace during that early musical number would have surely helped Skinner unearth this diamond in the rough. Skinner's ability to find the underscouted high school hoopsters and to convince them to travel to Chestnut Hill has enabled a school with high academic standards and little cache amongst the ABCD set to compete with the blue bloods. The refurbishing of the BC basketball program began with Troy Bell. He was a lithe and lightly recruited guard from Minnesota. Upon graduating from high school in 1999, he was neglected by the University of Minnesota even though he had been a finalist for the North Star State's Mr. Basketball honor. He was offered a scholarship by Xavier and by Tennessee (although the UT coach opted not to even be on campus for his visit) but the only coach pushing hard for him was Skinner. The rest, as they say, is history. Bell averaged 18.8 points per game as a freshman. And never looked back. He was named Big East Player of Year two times (joining Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Troy Murphy and Richard Hamilton as the only players to accomplish this feat). Bell posted careers numbers of 21.6 points per, 4.0 boards per and set a Big East record his senior season by averaging 27 points per game in conference play. After finding Bell in the wilds of Minneapolis, Skinner lighted out to the West Coast, where he found unheralded players Craig Smith (who he got into a prep school in Worcester, M.A. to get his grades up and his weight down) and Jared Dudley (who had heard only from Creighton during his senior year in high school before a Vegas showcase got him some more attention). Both players, who couldn't get the time of day from Pac-10 schools, are currently in the NBA after decorated collegiate careers. The current BC squad is stocked with such undervalued overachievers, from gunner-turned-superstar Tyrese Rice to sophomores Biko Paris, Corey Raji and Rakim Sanders, transfer (from Vermont) Joe Trapani and standout freshman Reggie Jackson. — Hermes Vandeweghe (What Would Oakley Do?)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TROJANS

1) Hold The Mayo Last year, everyone in Los Angeles was talking about the two one-and-done freshman phenoms, Kevin Love of UCLA and, more to the point, OJ Mayo of the USC Trojans. You had to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know that Mayo was destined for the NBA after his one year in NCAA purgatory. Fast-forward a year later and flying under the radar is highly-touted five-star recruit DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan (who came in a package recruiting deal with Percy "Lil Romeo" Miller) started off his freshman campaign somewhat slowly and did not come close to the prolific numbers Mayo put up as a freshman. For the season DeRozan averaged 13.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field. As of late DeRozan has started to peak at the proverbial "right time" and stands poised to help the Trojans make noise at the "big dance." It's been a wild week for DeRozan, who just before the Pac-10 Tournament was named to the All-Pac-10 Freshman Team. Call the Pac-10 Tournament "the awakening" for DeRozan; he mowed down the competition by shooting at a high percentage (57.5 percent) and averaging 21 ppg, an astounding 9 rpg, as well as 2.3 apg for the Trojans during Tournament play. His performance earned him the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament award. DeRozan now looks to continue his hot play and lead the 10th-seeded USC Trojans over a 7th-seeded Boston College team in upset fashion.

2) Somebody Give Tim Floyd A Hug A lot of noise has been made over the course of the season regarding whether or not Tim Floyd is the right man for the USC job. Well, a hop, skip, and a jump later and what do you know, Floyd has silenced his critics, having put together three consecutive 20-win seasons (with winning the Pac-10 Tournament as his exclamation point). His play-calling has been questioned, his rotations lambasted and he was once referred to as "a pretty good college coach but with the backbone of licorice," by everyone's favorite playmate-ogling PTI host, Michael Wilbon. All Tim Floyd has done is to continue to muzzle his detractors, going about his business and changing the perception of USC men's basketball. Similar to how Rick Neuheisel must feel when he is compared against a certain cross-town rival, it's not an easy thing for a coach when his next door neighbor just made it to three-consecutive Final-Four appearances. However, Floyd is doing and saying all the right things and now, with a healthy rotation, he stands at the brink of bigger and better opportunities.

3) It's A "Team-building" Exercise Earlier in the season, following a 60-51 loss at home to the (then ranked 22nd) Washington Huskies, Dwight Lewis and Daniel Hackett decided to treat some of the kids in the student section to a seminar on conflict resolution. After registering a lackluster performance against the Huskies, Hackett decided to get a little testy with some of the students in attendance as he was leaving the court. Lewis then jumped in the middle of the exchange, in an attempt to defend the students, and moments later he and Hackett began to shove one-another. Even though the two would later downplay the incident, this ugly moment in Trojans' sports history seemed to mark an apparent downfall of the men's basketball team after a solid start to the season. However, while they would lose their next two games (against Cal and Stanford), the incident seemed create a sense of urgency and light a fire under the Men of Troy who would go on to sweep both Oregon schools and run the table in Pac-10 Tournament, getting an automatic bid to the "big dance." — Neal Leitereg

Join the Deadspin Pants Party Group Pool [ESPN]
Download the Deadspin Bracket [PDF or JPG]

A USC student sent this to us and wanted it added to the official Deadspin record, so here you go.

Deadspin: Not sure how often this pic has been passed around, but first time I've seen it. Some jagoff soiling an otherwise tremendous picture of our beloved Song Girls straight chillaxin.

Yeah ... move along out of the shot there, Larry.

Update: The girl in the middle is Lindsey, and Busted Coverage was on the scene way before this photo was sent to us.

Yes, we've seen the video and we are not amused. Rey must have thought he was pretty funny picking on Erin Andrews when she wasn't looking. This is more like school in the summertime—which as a player for the USC football team I'm sure he knows nothing about. It's good thing his college career is over, because I don't think Mr. Funnyman is getting any post-game interview love anytime soon. You don't mess with The Andrews.

Rey Maualuga and the Tunnel of Love [Wiz of Odds]
Erin Andrews gets Maualuga’d [Sports Culture]

From the Seattle Times:

The Huskies may make it official at a news conference on Sunday, said a well-placed source. And they had hoped that the news would wait until then. An ESPN report broke the news about 6:30 p.m. Neither Sarkisian nor Washington athletic director Scott Woodward would confirm the report when talking later with reporters.

But a former player, who had spoken with a UW official, said the report was merely a little early and that both sides had hoped to wait until each team completed its season — USC plays UCLA Saturday in a game the Trojans need to win to take the Pac-10 title. "It wasn't supposed to get out yet," the former player said.

Hey, former Saskatchewan Roughriders love a challenge, I guess. But you have to wonder where this leaves USC, who lost Norm Chow in 2005, and now this. Next offensive coordinator: Will Ferrell?

Washington Reportedly To Name Sarkisian Coach [NBCSports]
Sources: USC Offensive Coordinator Sarkisian Gets Washington Job [ESPN]
Huskies Go With Youth, Pick USC's Sarkisian [Seattle Times]

It seems the two had a little radio show war of words a couple weeks ago before their current teams, Tennessee and Jacksonville went at it. When Jones-Drew was asked what he would do if his son grew up and went to USC he replied, "I'd say, son, do you want your dad to go early to his grave? It would be tough to see my son wearing that ugly red and yellow." (Pete Carroll disagrees.)

Asked the same question two days later on the same show, White responded a little more thoughtfully:

“I probably would ground him until he realized that that’s the worst grief you would ever imagine. You know, powder blue. I guess enough said. Their powder blue uniforms and that ugly mustard color.

UCLA [stinks]. It’s the worst school you could ever go to if you were a football player. ... You got to make your choice. If you want to get dominated by your crosstown rival, where they can come on your campus and take your girlfriends and stuff, then you make that decision."

The girlfriend stealing motif is obviously a favorite of his, because he repeated it yesterday on the "Mason and Ireland" show on ESPN radio. It also included some choice words for his friend Maurice.

For the audio disinclined, highlights include:

Does it feel better to beat UCLA or Notre Dame?

Definitely UCLA, because after you beat them you go on campus and take their girlfriend.

Difference between Bruins and Trojans?

"Heart and winning ... If you want to [not] win and go to the Vegas Bowl or Tangerine Bowl, then that's where you go."

Prediction for Saturday?:

70 to 3.

Final thoughts?:

"If Maurice Jones-Drew is listening to this somewhere ... your team sucks."

Ok, then. See you Saturday!

LenDale White, Maurice Jones-Drew in USC-UCLA smackdown [LA Times]
Mason & Ireland [ESPN Radio]

It's nice that someone is putting tradition and the fun aspect of the sport before winning for a change, but this seems a tad loopy. Besides, did you ever stop to think that some fans may like the white jerseys? Probably not.

"It might (cost us). I don't know. I don't care about that right now," Carroll said. "We'll play without it. I think it's worth it. I think it's a fun thing to do, and I think our fans will appreciate it over time."

Of course as one might expect, Bruins fans are totally on board.

It’s amusing to see the Trojans to go ga ga over this jersey shenanigans, when they showed no interest in doing this while we were beating them up during our 8 game winning streak. Make no mistake about it. What Carroll is doing here is not some kind of grand gesture but a total disrespect of UCLA. This will just complement “own the Rose Bowl” rhetoric coming out of their mouths in coming days. They will use this PR stunt to amplify that rhetoric on the recruiting front.

Carroll made this move because right now he is in a state of mind that is well beyond confidence. He is basically telling the world that his team and his players can wear their home jerseys in our house and beat us with their hands tied behind their back. Whatever. At this point Neuheisel should call Pom Pom's bluff and agree to give up one TO (in each half) and then call on Carroll to do the same next season at the Rose Bowl.

USC Will Pay The Price To Wear Home Jerseys At UCLA [Yahoo Sports]

Natalie Nelson attends Halloween party in Oct., 2006, dressed in a Texas football jersey. Two months later, the USC song girl "mistakenly" cheers for Texas following a Longhorns touchdown. Wow. It's now your move, Oliver Stone.

Here are some other photos courtesy of Busted Coverage, who makes the very wise statement: "Never….ever….take photos of yourself in any jersey of a team you might be facing in the BCS Championship. Grab a Syracuse shirt. Then you’ll have no worries."

Bonus tidbit: Nelson ended up marrying former USC and current Carolina Panthers lineman Ryan Kalil.

Update: As a commenter points out, the 2006 Rose Bowl occurred before the Halloween photos were taken. Still, something is fishy ...

Answer Forum [Inside USC]
Busted Coverage Investigation: The USC Song Girl Who Cheered For Texas Back In The News [Busted Coverage]