USC's penalties may not affect them this season

[GoAUpher]

Something I've seen in several news articles and blog posts is the fact that if USC appeals the sanctions (which the appear eager to do) that would delay the imposition of the penalties until 2011 at the earliest. So it is apparently possible that they might not get the scholly reductions/bowl ban going until next season.

Didn't realize that was the case, but it would make sense that the punishment gets held until the appeal is done. Also, the consensus in all the articles/posts is that USC will have a tough time getting the penalties changed if they do appeal. Apparently the NCAA tweaked the appeals process in 2008 and since then only 1 of 11 appeals resulted in lowered penalties.

[hyaluronic]

If I was USC, I'd take the lump and run... it should only minimally affect this year's recruiting (2011 players would only face one year of bowl bans) and the 2012 class would be back to normal - perhaps with the promise of early playing time. If you drag out the punishment, the longer your program is in decline, and the more difficult it will be to rebound.

[ulfr]

If I was USC, I'd take the lump and run... it should only minimally affect this year's recruiting (2011 players would only face one year of bowl bans) and the 2012 class would be back to normal - perhaps with the promise of early playing time. If you drag out the punishment, the longer your program is in decline, and the more difficult it will be to rebound.

precisely my thoughts as well. Dragging this out just makes recruits nervous for the future. That being said, let me please take this moment to say "Suck it Sean Henderson!"

[RodentRampage]

I bet a lot of players are thinking about transferring. They won't want to wait for an appeal. It may be that dragging this out hurts the team for three years instead of just two. And with the hubris coming from USC, they aren't helping their case one bit. They aren't David, they are Goliath. The rubes might buy this, but no one else will.