[Farm93]

It all makes sense to me.  USC is really good at bending the rules.

When the penalties were announced they let all of those on the fence run free.  Why keep them around and risk them leaving in 2011, 12 or 13 when the restrictions are most severe.

Then, per the bending the spirit of the decision playbook, sign as many kids as possible into that now smaller 2010 class by getting them in school by January 2011.  Once that is accomplished load up the true 2011 class with 25 more kids.

Those athletes will likely get a ton of playing time, and realistically will only miss playing a bowl game this upcoming bowl season.  At many other top programs they would miss that game anyway, or have a very minor role.  And, obviously, there are some programs that won\'t go bowling at all.  So the loss is not that big.

So the only big risk to the player would seem to be that NCAA whammy that might hit while the school is on probation.  But if that happens the players could leave right away.  With this complicated program USC probably can maintain a team with 65 players per year if Redshirting is managed properly.

The biggest downside to all of this rule bending?  The appeal.
Because USC is pushing the envelope they likely will not win their appeal, but they weren\'t going to win anyway.  The appeal just gave them needed calendar time to strengthen their rule bending ways.  

[Farm93]

It all makes sense to me.  USC is really good at bending the rules.

When the penalties were announced they let all of those on the fence run free.  Why keep them around and risk them leaving in 2011, 12 or 13 when the restrictions are most severe.

Then, per the bending the spirit of the decision playbook, sign as many kids as possible into that now smaller 2010 class by getting them in school by January 2011.  Once that is accomplished load up the true 2011 class with 25 more kids.

Those athletes will likely get a ton of playing time, and realistically will only miss playing a bowl game this upcoming bowl season.  At many other top programs they would miss that game anyway, or have a very minor role.  And, obviously, there are some programs that won\'t go bowling at all.  So the loss is not that big.

So the only big risk to the player would seem to be that NCAA whammy that might hit while the school is on probation.  But if that happens the players could leave right away.  With this complicated program USC probably can maintain a team with 65 players per year if Redshirting is managed properly.

The biggest downside to all of this rule bending?  The appeal.
Because USC is pushing the envelope they likely will not win their appeal, but they weren\'t going to win anyway.  The appeal just gave them needed calendar time to strengthen their rule bending ways.