Has the USC Trojan Running Back Stable Turned into a Stall?

Okay, Trojan fans, before you gear up to blast me with facts about how USC's running game is strong, resurgent, and very effective, hold your horses (pun intended).

This isn't about the running game itself, per se.

With the two-headed monster of Joe McKnight (more on him later) and Allen Bradford, the results are starting to speak for themselves.

The Trojans are becoming very effective indeed.

Mike Riley, Oregon State's head coach and recipient of the 227 yard rushing outburst led by Bradford's 147 yards (almost a 10 yard per carry average), said that "USC's offense seems to be getting better every week."

The Trojan rushing game has a lot to do with that statement.

No, this has nothing to do with the effectiveness of USC's rushing attack.

Rather, it has to do with who is doing the rushing.

You know, that "veritable embarrassment of riches" that the Trojans had at their disposal to tote the ball.

Or, as it has been said so often, "The stable of Trojan running backs."

The "stable" has been turned into a "stall."

Okay, maybe two or three stalls.

The one time never-ending stream of talented running backs the Trojans had at their beck and call has been turned into a trickle.

Stafon Johnson, as everyone knows, has been lost for the season due to his unfortunate weight room accident.

Marc Tyler, who was rounding into shape and who has "star" written all over him, is also out for the season with a toe injury that required surgery.

CJ Gable, the one time Trojan starter, has spent this season alternating between the trainers room and Pete Carroll's doghouse and has yet to see the playing field with any regularity.

Meanwhile, Curtis McNeal, the Darren Sproles clone, has been fighting nagging injuries all year long which has reduced his effectiveness.

Stanley Havili, the Trojan fullback who may very well be the best at his position in the nation, has a shoulder injury which may keep him out of the Oregon game this Saturday night.

Even Joe McKnight isn't in perfect health (not that any running back is at this time of the year), although the cut hand he suffered against the Beavers isn't expected to keep him out of this Saturday's game.

That leaves Allen Bradford as the one healthy back...at least the one that doesn't have an asterisk by his name denoting a specific injury.

And Bradford is operating on a rebuilt hip that came as a result of offseason surgery.

In effect, this stable of Trojan horses is now just a couple of very talented running backs who can't afford an injury.

What used to be a mad shuffle of gifted ball carriers, has been reduced to Pete Carroll and his staff crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.

And if things do go wrong and either McKnight or Bradford are hurt, the Trojans' stable of running backs will turn into a stall.

Literally.