When USC went 9-4 after the 2009 season, most Trojan fans glumly smiled and said "wait until next year."

After all, those four losses were all Pac-10 conference foes and USC had just come off a remarkable seven year run where they had dominated all comers in that time period.

Then the NCAA laid down their hammer on USC and the pall cast upon the team was accompanied by player defections that depleted the depth that had set the Trojans apart from others.

No matter, those same Trojan fans declared, 'We are still the Trojans and we'll find a way."

After last nights demolition of USC by the Oregon Ducks, that "way" remains elusive.