O/NSO: Trojans holiday gift giving
In the giving spirit of the holidays…
The Obvious Gift for head coach Steve Sarkisian: An impressive victory against Nebraska in Saturday night’s National University Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Since your boss, athletic director Pat Haden, says that 8 regular season wins is unacceptable, a 10-win season in 2015.
The Obvious Gift for USC athletic director Pat Haden: A stress-free 2015 and good health.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A sideline pass for next season’s Stanford game in the Coliseum.
The Obvious Gift for quarterback Cody Kessler: MVP of the Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift: The good sense to return for your senior season.
The Obvious Gift for back-up quarterback Max Browne: Patience
The Not So Obvious Gift: Visions of being the starting Trojans quarterback against Alabama in 2016.
The Obvious Gift for defensive tackle Leonard Williams: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
The Not So Obvious Gift: To remain the class dude that you are and continue to be a role model for future Trojans defensive linemen.
The Obvious Gift for USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor: A high selection in the 2015 NFL draft.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Sideline curb sensors on your cleats that alert you of the sideline next time you have the ball during crunch time.
The Obvious gift for tailback Javorius Allen: An impressive 100-yard rushing performance against Nebraska in the National University Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift: The good sense to turn pro because the earning power and life span of a running back can be perilous at best.
The Obvious Gift for wide receiver JuJu Smith: The good sense to remain the humble, hardworking, respected team player that you are.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Another dangerous wide receiver to join you in the lineup for the 2015 season that will be good enough so that you’re not double-teamed every game.
The Obvious Gift for wide receiver coach Tee Martin: Another JuJu Smith.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A future offensive coordinator’s position of your choice.
The Obvious Gift for center Max Tuerk: All-America recognition in 2015.
The Not So Obvious Gift: No holding calls or bad shotgun snaps in 2015.
The Obvious Gift for offensive tackle Chad Wheeler: A healthy right knee for 2015.
The Not So Obvious Gift: To be rehab well enough to start against Arkansas State in the 2015 season opener.
The Obvious Gift for safety Gerald Bowman: A chance to make a living in the NFL.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A chance in the NFL to tackle your close friend Jaelen Strong, the recipient of that ASU Hail Mary against the Trojans.
The Obvious Gift for corner Josh Shaw: A solid Holiday Bowl performance in front NFL scouts.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Peace of mind.
The Obvious Gift for recruiting coordinator Peter Sirmon: A Top 10 national recruiting class.
The Not So Obvious Gift: The heck with a Top 10 class, let’s make it a Top 5 class for the 2015 signing period.
The Obvious Gift for Hayes Pullard: Defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift for linebacker Hayes Pullard: Defensive MVP down at the Senior Bowl.
The Obvious Gift for Trojans fans: New modernized seats in the Coliseum.
The Not So Obvious Gift: No personal seat licenses.
The Obvious Gift for offensive tackle Zach Banner: A reminder to stay low and increased quickness with that kick step.
The Not So Obvious: Your own morning radio/TV talk show.
The Obvious Gift for quarterback coach Clay Helton: Another Trojans quarterback with the leadership skills of a Cody Kessler.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A head coaching position at a respectable D-1 school.
The Obvious Gift for offensive lineman Toa Lobendahn: A good performance against Nebraska All-Big Ten stud defensive end Randy Gregory.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A permanent offensive line position in 2015, so you can show what you can really do in one spot for an entire season.
The Obvious Gift for Traveler: A trip to the 2015 College Football Playoff championship.
The Not So Obvious gift: A box of cardinal and gold sugar cubes.
The Obvious Gift for safety Leon McQuay lll: Memory loss of the UCLA game.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Your own musical production studio.
The Obvious Gift for tight end coach Marques Tuiasosopo: A prep All-America tight end for the recruiting class of 2015.
The Not So Obvious gift: Scratch that, you’ve already received your gift in tight end Tyler Petite from Moraga, CA (Campolindo), who decommitted from Duke to Troy.
The Obvious Gift for Trojans radio voice Pete Arbogast: More “How do you do” moments.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Continued good health and the energy to serve the less fortunate in life.
The Obvious Gift for linebacker J.R. Tavai: See Josh Shaw.
The Not So Obvious Gift: An NFL opportunity with a team that can use your unique athletic skills.
The Obvious Gift for linebacker coach Peter Sermon: A 5-star linebacker recruit.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Gardena (Calif.) Serra linebacker John Houston.
The Obvious Gift for linebacker Su’a Cravens: All-America recognition in 2015.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A victory over UCLA.
The Obvious Gift for linebacker Anthony Sarao: A big hit on Nebraska star running back Ameer Abdullah.
The Not So Obvious Gift: See Su’a Cravens.
The Obvious Gift for tight end Randall Telfer: A touchdown reception in the National University Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift: An NFL opportunity and if not, the opportunity to put that master’s degree to good use.
The Obvious Gift for special teams coach Johnny Nansen: Another Jarvorius “Buck” Allen at tailback.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Another Soma Vainuku and Quinton Powell on special teams.
The Obvious Gift for the NCAA: Guilt.
The Not So Obvious Gift: More guilt.
The Obvious Gift for wide receiver coach Tee Martin: Another Nelson Agholor.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A future head coaching opportunity.
The Obvious Gift for USC President Max Nikias: A Rhodes Scholar on the football team.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A higher football team GPA.
The Obvious Gift for offensive line coach Tim Drevno: Another Max Tuerk.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Georgia prep All-America offensive tackle Chuma Edoga. Oh, you say you already have the Edoga gift being delivered in time for spring ball?
The Obvious Gift for placekicker Andre Heidari: A flawless kicking performance against Nebraska in the National University Holiday Bowl.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A bone-jarring tackle on special teams in the Holiday Bowl.
The Obvious Gift for defensive line coach Chris Wilson: Another Leonard “Big Cat” Williams.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Gardena (Calif.) Serra defensive tackle Rasheem Green.
The Obvious Gift for offensive tackle Chad Wheeler: A healthy right knee.
The Not So Obvious Gift: The continued dedication and maturity in guiding the incoming Trojans offensive linemen.
The Obvious Gift for defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox: A good game plan for Nebraska’s option attack.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Another Ronnie Lott for your secondary.
The Obvious Gift for Dr. Bartner: Many more seasons as director of the nation’s No. 1 collegiate marching band.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Relocation of your fabulous marching band from that ridiculous peristyle end of the Coliseum back to the 40-yard line amongst the student body. Everybody knows what a “student body” is, right?
The Obvious Gift for secondary coach Keith Heyward: Another Adoree’ Jackson.
The Not So Obvious Gift: A do-over for your secondary of the final minutes of the ASU game.
The Obvious Gift for nose tackle Antwaun Woods: A full recovery of your surgically repaired left shoulder.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Another chance to sack UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.
The Obvious Gift for all Trojans fans: Happy holidays, good health, and a very Happy New Year.
The Not So Obvious Gift: Lowered volume or earplugs regarding the Coliseum pregame music before somebody gets their eardrums blown out.
