Trojans Left Hungry on Their Low-Cal Diet

Dear USC,

Please review the following order you placed last February:

10,000 bobble-head Tommy Trojans “We’re No. 1.”

10,000 blow-up Trojan Horses “We’re No. 1.”

10,000 hats “USC National Champs.”

10,000 license plate frames “USC National Champs” on top and “My Other Car Is a Chariot” on bottom.

10,000 coffee mugs “USC: Another National Champion Brewing.”

17-foot trophy “USC National Champions College Football” enclosed in glass with 12-inch Disco Ball.

The trophy has been shipped, so you’re stuck with it. The hats, frames and mugs are in production and we can cut them short.

Sincerely, the Acme National Championship Trophy Co.

Bob Arranaga

Los Angeles

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One of these years I’m sure USC will go through an entire season without losing to a team the Trojans would beat 99 times out of 100. I just hope I can take good enough care of myself to see it.

By the way, Pete, that sound you heard near the end of regulation was John McKay rolling over in his grave as you played to just get into overtime.

Jack Von Bulow

Temple City

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So USC tailback Hershel Dennis and his teammates have become extremely possessive and don’t want to share the Pac-10 championship with anyone [Sept. 27].

I understand. I want to win the lottery and not have to share it with anyone. Mr. Dennis taught me a valuable lesson. Greed is a bad thing. As a Cal grad, it was an especially enjoyable lesson.

Konrad Moore

Bakersfield

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I know Bill Plaschke’s job is that of a sensationalist second-guesser, but he was harsh and way off base in his criticism of Matt Leinart after USC’s loss to Cal.

Considering that Leinart (a) had never taken a snap during a college game before this season, making him essentially a true freshman, and (b) had to follow in the footsteps of a fifth-year senior Heisman trophy winner, I think he did an exceptional job coming back from a poor first half.

He’s young, Bill. What do you expect from a kid with no experience? Give him a break! I’d hate to be one of Plaschke’s kids and get into a fender-bender with the family car. Can’t you just see the headline? “Plaschke’s Son Should Never Have Had a License.”

Steve Farrell

El Segundo

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USC: Unbelievably So Close. It’s funny what breakdowns in defense can do, so sharpen that distorted focus, Trojan fans and the majority of the free world who had the team penciled in for that perfect national championship season. Now concentrate on the primary task of winning games one at a time instead of concentrating on New Orleans lodgings and sightseeing tours.

Brian Green

Long Beach