The Heisman is awarded to college’s most outstanding player. Between 1965 and 1981, four USC tailbacks had won it. Dubbed “Tailback University,” two decades passed before USC’s first quarterback, Carson Palmer, won the Heisman in 2002. Since then, to start at quarterback for USC all but guarantees entry into the NFL. Cut-throat doesn’t begin to describe the competition on and off the field at USC. When Cassel arrived at USC, their football program was as close to a professional team as Los Angeles had. The Raiders fled in 1995 and the Rams the year prior. The city and USC’s vocal, highly influential alums were ravenous for a winning football team.