1972 USC

After two 6-4-1 years in 1970 and '71, those who knew John McKay also knew that his glory-filled run at USC was far from over, he was just reloading after an incredible string of great years. McKay also pointed out that "We would eat teams alive, then lose the ball on fumbles," noting that 33 fumbles were lost after the ball carrier had gained at least eight to ten yards, 27 of those inside the opponents' twenty yard line. Sure-handed or not, USC had running backs in their usual tradition with Sam "Bam" Cunningham, Rod McNeill, and a youngster named Anthony Davis. Mike Rae would share the QB position with upcoming soph Pat Haden, the same Rhodes Scholar winner who would lead he Rams to glory down the road. OT Pete Adams and TE Charles Young would be first round NFL choices and All Americans with Young heading up a receiving corps that included familiar names Lynn Swann, the terrifically-named Edesel Garrison, and the coach's own son, J.K. Mckay. With future pros Richard Wood, Charles Phillips, and Marvin Cobb playing defense, this was no 6-4 team relative to their talent. Their talent did indeed prevail as the 1972 squad destroyed most of their opponents in going 12-0 and winning a consensus National Championship. They scored 30 points or more in seven of their eleven games which included a well known 45-23 beating of Notre Dame and a resounding 42-17 thrashing of Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. They averaged almost 43 points per game and gave up but 12 per game! This team was and continues to be recognized arguably as the best college football team in history and certainly one of the greatest of all time. On what had become their traditional maroon helmets, McKay placed the iconic Trojan head on each side and to this day, no true fan confuses that logo and maroon headpiece with any school other than Southern Cal.