They may have been right about Trojans’ record
Bill Plaschke is upset that the Trojans are not considered College Football Playoff candidates. Really? Although they were undefeated, they had yet to win a game from a team that has a winning season. The combined record for five opponents was 7- 14, and the Trojans were lucky to win three of the five. Using his logic, Bill would have a better argument for suggesting San Jose State at 6- 0 should be a CFP candidate. Mark Mallinger
Malibu
Can we all stop the idea of USC qualifying for the College Football Playoff? Yes, they were 5- 0, but could easily have been 2- 3. After watching Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson play the last couple of weeks it was so obvious how far USC is behind these programs in every important category. Those other teams show discipline, aggressiveness and are far better coached in all areas.
Regarding discipline, the USC football team showed how classless they are by taunting the UCLA players after the game. As a 50- year USC fan I was simply disgusted at their lack of discipline and professionalism. This is a prime example of the inability of Clay Helton to properly manage his program at the level required to raise USC to the top level of college football. As long as Helton is the head coach the best USC will ever do is to compete for a very weak Pac- 12 title. Bruce Olson
Upland
I found the article you published on Monday with the headline “USC Sets Sights on Pac- 12 title – and CFP” amusing. USC is certainly a good team but please note they built their 5- 0 start against teams that have a cumulative 7- 14 record — and not one team with a winning record.
They were originally scheduled to play Alabama and Notre Dame, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 this week, but those games were canceled due to
COVID. USC gave up 550 yards and 38 points to an average UCLA team. Can you imagine what the Alabama offense would score against them? 1,000 yards of offense and 70 points seems about right. So let’s temper the homer attitude of The Times and realize USC is a good, not great, team in the worst major conference in the country.
Jack Nelson Los Angeles
In football we know the prevent defense — a. k. a. “prevent us from winning” — is used when a team is ahead with time running out. Could somebody inform the UCLA defensive coordinator that you should not use it at the start of the third quarter, giving opposing quarterbacks 10 minutes in the pocket and receivers a 20yard cushion to catch balls. Bob Martinez
Glendale
When is Chip Kelly going to pull the plug on Dorian Turnover- Robinson? His two interceptions led to two USC touchdowns and sealed the Bruins’ doom. UCLA gets accolades for this season? They are .500, are you kidding me? Did I mention that two of their wins came against the two worst teams in the Pac- 12, who had a combined record of 1- 8?
The UCLA football bar of success is set pathetically low.
Joe Novak La Crescenta
As a long- suffering Bruins football fan, it was once again gut- wrenching to see us lose another tough game to the hated ones across town. There were many positives, however, as we certainly have improved since last year and it seems the Chip Kelly era is finally taking hold. The uptempo, no- huddle offense, the super- talented receivers and running backs, a muchimproved quarterback and a speedy aggressive defense give me much hope for the future. Meanwhile, an upcoming sweep in basketball vs. USC should help ease the pain.
Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates ::
Thirty years ago, Todd Marinovich broke the Bruins’ hearts with a game- winning touchdown pass with 16 seconds left at the Rose Bowl. Last Saturday, Kedon Slovis breaks UCLA’s hearts with another winning touchdown pass, again with 16 seconds left, this time in an empty Rose Bowl. Not so sweet 16 for this Bruins die- hard, but at least this time I didn’t have to sit in Rose Bowl traffic to get home — I was already there.
Nick Rose Newport Coast ::
When USC fell behind the Bruins by 18 points in the second half, I knew the Trojans had the Bruins right where they wanted them. Brian Robinette Van Nuys