Reviewing the "Men of Troy" book plus USC football camp updates

The Peristyle Podcast dives deep into the golden era of USC football under Pete Carroll, reviewing Monty Burke's book 'Men of Troy' as a vivid, nostalgic chronicle of a transformative decade. The hosts reflect on how Carroll's philosophy of fun, competitiveness, and cultural magnetism turned USC into a national powerhouse—despite never securing a national title in the BCS era. They argue that the absence of a playoff system unfairly diminished the legacy of teams that were arguably better than many champions. The discussion turns to the present, with RJ Abadia sharing insights from recent USC football camps, highlighting how the program now uses these events as two-way evaluations—coaches assessing recruits, and recruits assessing the coaching staff. The episode also explores the future of the Bloom Center, USC’s new football-only facility, and debates whether schools like Stanford can realistically become elite again in the NIL era, concluding that while resources exist, academic rigor and transfer restrictions create a slow, class-by-class rebuild. Finally, the hosts react to the Brendan Soresby betting scandal, calling it a win for college football’s integrity and foreshadowing a future where gambling and fantasy football could reshape the sport’s landscape.