Lane Kiffin took significant heat for being USC’s coach and offensive play-caller. Everything old is new again.

Coach Steve Sarkisian has faced questions, since the Boston College loss, about whether he should be calling plays from the sideline as he oversees the entire team. USC scored 31 points and totaled 337 yards, and the Trojans are only two weeks removed from their enormous 52-point, 701-yard effort against Fresno State.

Critics decried USC’s offense against Boston College as too run-heavy, and skewered Sarkisian for being too predictable, particularly on first-down plays, and not being quick enough with in-game adjustments.

”I have a firm belief in my own capability to execute those duties, as the head coach and the play-caller,” Sarkisian said. ”I think I’ve become, actually, more comfortable in that role since the beginning — six years ago — to now. I have a much better understanding and feel for recognizing the game and the defense.”

USC’s offense improved last season after Kiffin was fired and offensive coordinator Clay Helton called plays. Helton remains in that role, but when it comes to calling plays, he serves only an advisory role to Sarkisian.

”I feel very comfortable doing it,” Sarkisian said. ”Do I want to be perfect? Sure. I want to wake up one Sunday morning and think, `Gosh, that was great, I wouldn’t change a thing.’ But so far that hasn’t happened, in six years, so I’ve got to keep striving for it.”