RipsIt reader Dan Segall sent in this weather-related question: "After reading about the weekend's weather forecast, it got me wondering... How does SC prepare for conditions that they aren't used to? I'm guessing a lot of these kids can count on both hands the number of times that they have played/practiced in the rain, having grown up in the area. Are there drills to simulate the wet conditions, or do they only get the practice on the rare occasions that it rains?"

Other than occasional, small-scale wet-ball drills, the Trojans don't do too much weather-specific training other than dealing with what Mother Nature sends their way. So this week, they've had chilly, blustery weather during practices, which will surely come in handy Saturday in Oregon. Also, the team practiced in steady rain for two days prior to the Notre Dame game, so the players are used to playing through precipitation, another experience that'll probably be needed this weekend.

But all in all, the Trojans don't make a big deal about the weather -- no matter if it's cold and rainy or hot and dry -- because it's something they can't control.

And anyway, as Coach Carroll always says, "as long as it rains on both sides of the field on game day, we'll be fine."