USC: For Pete's Sake, What's Next?

‘The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” as the quote goes.  And USC has certainly fallen with a thud.

How can one of the most superlative stretches in the Trojans’ storied history end in such devastation?

It’s one thing to have an off season and lose three or four games.  But to have teams like Oregon State, Oregon, and Stanford lay 138 points on your defense in three games is a total embarrassment.  

But the real question now is what are they going to do about it.

"I'm not sure I have the right words to describe being humbled like this," Carroll said today after the 55-21 drubbing by Stanford. "I don't really know where to put it...We have fallen apart and given our opponents the opportunity to do whatever they want."

Well, for a start, he could practice what he preaches and open all the spots to some real competition.  Why not let it be known that whoever does the best job over the bye week gets to start in the annual city championship game against UCLA?

That includes the quarterback spot, the o-line and the entire defense and especially the safety positions.  Let it be known that whoever misses a block or is late getting over in coverage sits, whether it is Joe McKnight or Taylor Mays.

However, except for saving face, this season is all but over.  So, let’s talks about next year.

What do you think Pete Carroll needs to do to restore the swagger?  Here are some choices.  Let’s hear your thoughts.

Maybe Carroll needs to stop promoting from within and all this on-the-job training of offensive and defensive coordinators.  How do you feel?  Should he hire experienced offensive and defensive coordinators?

Matt Barkley never really felt the heat of competition.  No matter how poorly he threw, he was never lifted for a backup, not even for a series or two.  

Should Pete Carroll open up the quarterback spot to competition and let the chips fall where they may?  Or should he and Jeremy Bates continue grooming Barkley without the threat of being replaced in a game?

Most of the starting secondary will graduate.  Are you satisfied with their backups?  Or should the coaches hit the recruiting trail looking for the best secondary players out there?

Except for Michael Morgan, the linebackers and their backups return.  Do you think this year of experience is enough to sharpen them for next season?  Or should the coaches look for a recruit or two who can move right into a starting assignment?

Tight end Anthony McCoy also graduates.  Do Blake Ayles and Rhett Ellison have the skills to exert themselves at this vital position?

Jeremy Bates has not been successful in getting Barkley to stop forcing the ball into coverage.  Barkley has 11 TD passes and 10 interceptions.  Should they keep Barkley on a short leash?

Also, do you think Bates has done anything to develop Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain? Or has the coaching staff more or less given up on them?

Should Pete Carroll consider changing his offensive system?  Should he institute a system that requires more mobility from the quarterback?

These are not necessarily my personal suggestions, but points that fans have brought up throughout the season.  What are your thoughts?