Watching the BCS on TV, Lane Kiffin thinks about big picture for USC













"As you can see, he's always over my shoulder," Kiffin jokes. "I'm so fortunate; it's not your usual coach-athletic director relationship. Look at my phone, we text each other constantly with great give and take. I feel I have tremendous support from both the school's president and Pat, but now it's on me."

He says his job is to concentrate on the big picture and reduce distractions such as the jersey-switch controversy.

"All I want to know is if it's legal, yes it is, so I go back to third-down plays," he says. "I should have said, 'Whoa, it's legal, but what about the Kiffin factor?' It's not worth it.

"I know it's my fault there's a Kiffin factor because I've made mistakes. I wear a hoodie in the biting cold, which has nothing to do with completing a second-down pass, but I get criticized. I get it. Bill Belichick wears one the following Sunday and it's no big deal.

"It's all about winning. That's why I have to figure out how we can go 17-3 over the last two seasons but then lose five of the last six.

"What could I have done better when we were 6-2 and suddenly we can't play for the championship? I don't have the answer, but I will."

With the pizza gone and Saban's legacy certified, Kiffin is asked where he thinks USC will be ranked next season?

He grins. "I know I won't be voting.

"But I also know I owe the USC family something better. And we can do that."