Comparing College Football Programs to Families from Game of Thrones

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler (6) and tight end Bryce Dixon (13) look to the sideline during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

House Baratheon = House USC

“Fight On”

For a while, we didn’t know which Baratheon was the right one to follow. There was Robert, then there was Renly, then there was Stannis. It was a confusing time for the once strong family, and they paid for it. Now, Stannis looking from the outside in, and trying anything possible to make his way back to the throne. If he can win the support of the North and draw those men to his cause, he could lead an attack on King’s Landing with a strong and sizable force. But the fate of House Baratheon is still one largely unknown.

Similarly, for a while, we didn’t know which USC head coach was the right one to follow. There was Lane Kiffin, then there was Ed Orgeron, then there was Steve Sarkisian. It was a confusing time for the Trojans, and they paid for it. This past season, Sarkisian rallied his team around him and mustered an assault on the Pac-12 conference championship. However, USC was thwarted much like how Stannis’s storming at Blackwater Bay ultimately failed.

Now just as Stannis has new motivation by changing tactics, the Trojans too have a lot to look forward to in this season. They have a veteran quarterback, top talent in receivers, and Sarkisian has settled in at coach with a year behind him. Fans expect great things; we’ll have to see if the leader can deliver.

P.S. I tried to come up with clever house words for USC, but the Trojans’ conventional cheer was already perfect. “Fight On” could easily be straight out of Westeros. Can’t you just see the lord clasping a hand on the shoulder of his sworn sword, saying to him in a rough but inspiring tone, “Fight on, my friend”? I can.

Next: House Stark as Michigan