Will Bush Controversy Lead to End of the USC Dynasty?
We've all heard it said about great programs before, they don't rebuild - they reload. USC in recent years has been a clear example of that. Last season, it almost appeared they didn't really start recruiting until December and in the span of about 10 weeks landed the #1 recruiting class according to Rivals.com. That's not just reloading, that's reloading with ease. But things change fast in college football.
College football history is littered with example of programs winning at a very high level, then going on probation and falling apart. Oklahoma floundered for a decade after Switzer resigned and the program was placed on 3 years' probation. Miami went from winning 4 national championships in 9 seasons to going five seasons of winning fewer than ten games. Colorado's recent scandals appear to have the Buffaloes headed to mediocrity as they've failed to put together a top 40 recruiting class in each of the last three seasons.
Could the Reggie Bush situation mean the same for USC?
Maybe.
If Bush is ruled to have been ineligible due to receiving extra benefits, USC may be required to forfeit past games. That probably wouldn't really hurt the program. However, if an investigation finds proof that USC officials knew about Bush's extra benefits and allowed him to play, the penalties could be much more severe including scholarship limitations and a potential bowl ban. That could be enough to steer some of the better players away from the Trojans and perhaps to a league rival (like UCLA). Add to that, the likely losses this season to come from inexperience at key spots due to graduation, and you could have some lean years for a while.
One major development would be if key players departed so that they not only had some recruiting setbacks with future players, but if past recruits opted out and headed elsewhere. The early reports don't seem to indicate any improprieties by the Trojans so one might think this sort of doomsday scenario is far-fetched. But one also may wonder if Reggie Bush is the only Trojan player to receive extra benefits. If Bush is found to have been benefitting illegally then other players in the program will likely be scrutinized as well.
Chances are we won't learn anything real soon and that USC can continue without a major setback to the program as long as Pete Carroll chooses to stay on campus (versus taking a pro job). But if I were a USC fan, I'd be worried.
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