USC: Out Of Bounds Again.

I don't really have a favorite college football team, except for the one playing USC.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Joe McKnight's chances of playing for USC in the Emerald Bowl appeared to dim Monday when the junior tailback did not accompany the Trojans to the Bay Area for the start of practices and activities leading into Saturday's game against Boston College.
USC is investigating McKnight's use of a sport utility vehicle that is owned by a Santa Monica businessman. It may constitute a violation of NCAA rules that prohibit student-athletes from accepting benefits from marketing representatives or agents, or "extra benefits" from anyone based on athletic ability.
The Times published a story last week about McKnight's use of the 2006 Land Rover. McKnight said he never drove the vehicle, which a Department of Motor Vehicles official said carried a purchase price of about $27,000. But McKnight has been observed driving the SUV.
On Monday, after starting tight end Anthony McCoy, starting right tackle Tyron Smith and defensive lineman Averell Spicer were declared academically ineligible, McKnight was among those left behind when the Trojans boarded buses for the airport after a morning practice on campus.

USC's athletic program is already under investigation by the NCAA and Pacific 10 Conference regarding allegations that former tailback Reggie Bush and former basketball player O.J. Mayo received improper benefits while playing for the Trojans. The NCAA combined the investigations to examine whether the school failed to exert proper institutional control.

"You won't hear me say one word about trying to back off the fact that we have to work to keep control of what's going on as much as we can, and we learn as we go," Carroll said. "Relationships can extend beyond and beyond and beyond. We have to keep digging and working and making sure that we know stuff."

Huh?

Here's some stuff I know: Pete Carroll may know how to run an NFL-style college football team, but his comments are as blurry as is his school's focus on clean, academically effective athletics.