http://www.usctrojans.com/blog/2013/09/h...-indy.html

And a potential mitigation of those penalties, in light of the recent reductions to Penn State. The NCAA has opened up a can of worms with that precedent. I expect UCF to do the same.

Quote:"After learning of the NCAA's actions on Tuesday (Sept. 24) regarding Penn State and the lessening of the sanctions that were imposed on that institution, when viewed in the context of the events that have shaken intercollegiate athletics over the past year, we felt compelled to discuss USC's sanctions in a new light. As I have stated on numerous occasions, I believe the penalties imposed on our football program in 2010 were unprecedented and inconsistent with NCAA precedent in prior cases. I also believe the sanctions have resulted in unintended consequences both for our football program and our student-athletes. Although the sanctions reduced our total football scholarship limit to 75 (down from 85), attrition resulting from injuries and transfers has resulted in less than 60 recruited scholarship student-athletes suiting up for our games. The current situation is certainly not what was envisioned, nor is it in the best interests of our student-athletes' welfare.

Quote:"During our meetings with the NCAA's leaders over the last two days, we discussed enforcement and sanction issues impacting both the NCAA membership at large and USC specifically. We proposed creative 'outside the box' solutions to the scholarship issues resulting from the injuries and transfers experienced by our football team over the past three seasons. After candid discussions, the NCAA asked us to provide additional information and indicated it would study our suggestions. Because time is of the essence regarding these issues, we have asked for the NCAA's response as soon as practical."

I have to wonder what USC is attempting to gain here. What sort of 'outside the box' solutions could they be envisioning? This is the last year of their sanctions anyway and it's not like they can just go out and sign a bunch of players for this season immediately. Maybe they intend to allow for 100 scholarships or something like that for next season, or maybe be allowed to exceed the 85 scholarship limit for a few seasons. Who knows?