This self-imposed ban may actually have some bite
In this particular instance, USC's self-imposed ban from postseason play looks like it actually could have some bite. Most times the self-imposed ban means nothing because the team usually sucks that particular season anyways. The only other one I can think of where the team was actually pretty decent was Ohio State a few years ago; they were an at-large possibility in 2004-05 during their self-imposed ban.
This USC team recovered from a rough start and had turned itself into a legitimate at-large candidate with wins over Tennessee, UNLV and St. Mary's. As always, I feel bad for the coaches and players left in the wake of previous cheating, but the bottom line is someone has to pay the price and it must be the current program. Not fair to this year's USC team, but it's the way it should be.
From a realist's perspective and as a Gopher fan, I guess this is a good development. USC is one less team out of the at-large pool come Selection Sunday
