Trojan Fans Are Pointing Fingers

Ten postgame comments you’ll never hear from a USC opponent’s coach in the Paul Hackett era:

10. How did that team lose five games already?

9. What a diverse offense! You need a lot more than a week to prepare for all the things they do.

8. I’ve never seen a team better prepared.

7. We thought we could stretch their defense with our option attack. Boy, were we wrong.

6. Their tight end killed us all day with big catches.

5. Their offensive line manhandled our front seven.

4. Don’t they ever make a mistake?

3. We were prepared to stop Chad Morton, but [insert name of any other back] gives their running game a new dimension. He can really hurt you between the tackles.

2. They surprised us with some looks we’d never seen on film. We could never figure out what they were going to do next.

1. We just got out-coached. What can I say?

RICHARD A. FOND, Los Angeles

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So Mike Garrett doesn’t know what’s happening with Paul Hackett and the USC football program? Here’s some help, Mike. How about poor preparation, lousy play calling, and no discipline.

Was this the Trojan football program Mr. Garrett envisioned when he hastily dismissed John Robinson 19 months ago? If so, then perhaps it’s time for Steven Sample to wake up and figure out what’s going on and leave some messages on the answering machines of Mr. Garrett and Mr. Hackett.

BRUCE GHANI, West Los Angeles

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This weekend’s game between USC and Notre Dame could be the end of one or more careers for the two coaches. What remains to be seen is whether Paul Hackett, the offensive genius, can discover a way to move the quarterback statue in the backfield. Another problem is how to get his Pop Warner rejects to play fundamental football.

STEVE WELLER, Fontana

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I’m so disgusted with the USC football program, I can hardly stand it. USC always seems to be the team that’s sucking wind at the end of the game. USC constantly gets beat by a Southern California recruit who wanted to go to USC but was turned down. I can’t remember the last time USC faked a field goal or a punt, yet other teams against USC constantly come up with key plays using imagination. SC hasn’t produced a decent running game in a decade, and whatever happened to recruiting a decent “big” fullback like Nebraska, Penn State or Michigan?

CORY VISSER, Diamond Bar

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Tell the band to please stop playing “Conquest.” “Thanks for the Memories” seems more appropriate.

JACK VON BULOW, Temple City

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Maybe USC can hire that coach over at UNLV. He seems to be doing a pretty good job with a bunch of mediocre players, which is more than can be said of the USC coach.

PHIL STEVENS, North Hollywood

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Paul Hackett, I’ve got a great idea for a bet [Oct. 14]. If you lose against Notre Dame, how about you quit and Joe Montana takes over coaching responsibilities?

PETER MILLER, Beverly Hills