I am not sure I would call it a war of words or if it's really important but there is a small skirmish of words going on between Lane Kiffin and Oregon Coach Chip Kelly.
Here are Kelly's comments...
"In their two-deep, out of their 44 players, they have 12 five-star recruits and 26 four-star recruits," Kelly said. "I don’t know if there is anybody in the country who has that. I keep hearing USC is down in talent. We have zero five-star recruits in our top 44 and 11 four-star recruits."
I don't think anyone will say that we don't have any talent. The talent is just a bit inexperienced and is adjusting to a number of changes this season. They haven't yet been "coached up" in the way we were expecting.
It is taking a little more time than we would have liked. WIth nothing to play for in terms of post season play I can live with going through growing pains to lock things down even if it is at times frustrating.
Better days are ahead...
But when pressed Kelly then said this...
Most coaches scoff at recruiting-service rankings. Challenged about his five-star soliloquy, Kelly reacted with mock incredulity.
"They’re perfect," Kelly said of USC’s five-star, recruiting-service rankings. "It’s right there. They don’t make mistakes. It’s right there in black and white. They’ve got talent. They’re the most talented team in the Pac-10."
This is where things turn in my eyes.
I think we have all seen that recruiting service rankings are a bit iffy at best. Some kids absolutely pan out but others never live up to the hype. Talent is only relevant when it actually performs on the field.
Lane Kiffin then responded...
"I really wish that I had good enough players and we were good enough coaches that we could spend enough time counting how many four- and five-star players we had on each other’s rosters," Kiffin said Wednesday. "I don’t have time for that unfortunately."
His response is a bit over the top but I see where he is coming from. Who really has time to count star rankings? This is more of the media stirring things up but it also shows a little bit of the pressure that both staffs are facing with this weekends big game.
This has to be one of the only times that Lane Kiffin has said anything even close to controversial this season.
My attitude is kind of Meh. It makes for a nice post but there really isn't anything there...just noise.
No matter what the state of the program is right now USC still makes people turn their heads. Oregon is still considered the new kids on the block fighting for respect on the CFB landscape. Anyone outside the Pac-10 who discounts Oregon is foolish. Yes, they were owned by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl but every team has a bad game here and there.
This is a very good Oregon team coming to L.A. to play a USC team that is still going through fits and starts on Defense.
Both teams need this win for a myriad of reasons...this is just one of those episodes that comes with all the hype.