Yes, USC fans (well, at least many of them) are definitely rooting for the Lions to beat the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game…
Matt Zemek (Trojans Wire) — The San Francisco 49ers do have a couple of USC Trojans on their roster. However, Talanoa Hufanga (29, torn right ACL) and Drake Jackson (knee) are both inactive for the NFC Championship Game this coming Sunday.
The Detroit Lions will definitely be the choice of most USC football fans for two obvious reasons.
First, Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) has had a terrific season in Detroit. He has become a central component of the Lions’ offense and their go-to guy when they need a 3rd and 6 conversion to seal a game or keep a key drive alive. St. Brown has made hugely important and timely catches late in games to provide the defining difference for a franchise that has returned to the NFC title game for the first time in 32 years. St. Brown has been a game-changer for Detroit. USC fans want him to taste Super Bowl glory.
The other reason USC fans will root for the Lions is that Aidan Hutchinson — Detroit’s star pass rusher — is a product of Shaun Nua (left), the man who developed Hutchinson at Michigan before moving to USC. Hutchinson making the Super Bowl would give Nua a bigger, better recruiting pitch to make on the trail in search of game-changing pass rushers who would bolster the Trojans’ defense heading into the Big Ten.
Go USC? Go Lions. Detroit winning would elevate USC’s national profile to a considerable degree.
yahoo.com
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Sources: Packers to hire Boston College’s Jeff Hafley as DC Pete Thamel (ESPN) — Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley is expected to become the new defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, sources told ESPN. Hafley has gone 22-26 in four seasons at Boston College, bringing them to bowl eligibility in three of his four years. Boston College finished 7-6 this year with a win over No. 22 SMU in the Fenway Bowl. Hafley has resisted prior NFL coaching opportunities in the past. But his reasons for taking this coordinator job are rooted in both the overall state of college football and… Read more »
https://247sports.com/college/usc/article/usc-football-trojans-athletic-director-jen-cohen-trojans-recruiting-philosophy-226219977/ I don’t blame Jen for this at all, but this article is the tell all say all with SC. What bothers me most about this article is the excuses to not pay HS recruits what they deserve. Litigation, governance, title 9. Im calling BS . As if other elite programs don’t have those challenges as well. It also bothers me that SC acts entitled. When they ain’t done nothing in 30 years and they use there history and flash as if someone owes them something. McKay was successful and SC was successful under Carol because they controlled California recruits!!… Read more »
The brakes are being put on Cohen by Folt. Till the NCAA, courts or Congress sort it out it will be wild. There are about 30 5 star recruits a year. Most are mercenaries going to the highest paying winning program. No loyalty. I would rather have a team of 4 stars that are proud to be Trojans and hungry to prove themselves than a team of entitled primary donnas.
It’s not about 4 and 5 star recruits. It’s about Folt being greedy and using BS excuses like litigation, governances, and title 9 as if other elite programs don’t have those issues as well to pay HS recruits. But I’ll go ahead and pay transfer players thou!! And then acting like we are an elite program when you are not willing to pay HS recruits compared to other elite programs, and as I said before HS recruits are easier to build chemistry with than transfers. My main point getting out bidded for HS recruits, but I’ll pay a transfer portal… Read more »
I do like what Utah has done, giving free car leases to all scholarship athletes.
They must be doing something right if they beat us 4 x in the last 2 years with a top 5 offense. We are not living in the times of getting guys to play for us based our past or how many NFL guys we have put out. We are in a pay to play world now. Yes I get it our hands are tied with these issues of litigation, governances etc. However just ask yourself this do you think USC is the only elite program that has those issues. I gotta say I really don’t think so. That’s all… Read more »
Amen GT!
Could not agree more.
On the Mc Affee show Snoop Dog was asked what he wants for PC? I want PC back at SC to restore order! You saw what he did there. He was Prime before Prime! Snoop knows pretty much what lots of Trojans have in the back of their minds.
As his track record shows, Enfield’s program starts off slow the beginning of the season. But unlike this season the team starts to Bond and improves to being formidable. One & done in basketball has affected so many programs it is hard to create continuity each year where program’s players are constantly changing. It becomes a crapshoot how each years’ team will blend together successfully. I wonder how Wooden, Knight, Dean Smith would be dealing with the challenges of today. The recruiting today is one thing but retaining your best players after the 1st & 2nd year seems to be… Read more »
Travis Kelce is a bad-ass guy.
I didn’t know much about him before he officially became a Swifty. But he sure looks good out there for a guy who’s 34 and playing the tough spot of a receiving TE who can also block. Also jaws across the LOS if he wants. Big intimidation factor.
I am thankful for the nice run Andy Enfield has given SC BB. Long term success like we have never seen. But coaching runs come to an end. It’s obvious he can’t get through to what is a talented group. There is no fire or passion. I hope at the end of the season, our new AD thanks Andy for his past service, and then kicks him to the curb. This season is beyond being disastrous, and keeping him around will not end well. We shouldn’t have to settle for this level of play. Our administartion has shown the willingness… Read more »
I would say, without the Mobley bros., Enfield would look pretty mediocre at best. He only got them by giving dad a job. How he got James, Collier and Rodman is a mystery. Time for an elite MBB coach to build from here.
Old Andy’s definitely seen better days. Jen Cohen might have a decision to make. I really have no idea what might be going on in her mind. Hard to say what her immediate expectations are here. So many comments about USC hoops out there and their utter lack of fire and togetherness.
I stopped watching the men’s games this year. The top 10 Lady Trojans and JuJu Watkins (Magic in female form) are a lot more exciting, team-oriented, and apparently much better coached.
I’ve stopped watching the men’s games too. It’s a mystery how Enfield can get so much talent on the team. It’s not a mystery to me that the team performs poorly, especially at the free throw line where Enfield excelled in college as a player for Johns Hopkins University. He simply can’t coach and make in-game adjustments. Jen Cohen needs to replace him with a solid coach. I would have loved to have seen Paul Westphal coach USC, but he passed away at way too young of an age a couple of years ago. His brother Bill played for USC… Read more »
How about Lindsay Gottlieb as MBB coach? She has NBA chops.
JuJu Watkins in action! Sweet.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1751105163018813480
Hate to say it, but USC almost looks disinterested here as UCLA’s Adem Bona easily dunks on Trojans during last night’s 65-50 drubbing at the hands of the mediocre Bruins in the Galen Center. Then again, maybe I’m just seeing things…
Seems to me that what we have here is a collection of players but not a team.
I agree volunteerTrojan. Enfield reminds me of Helton in that he’s a nice guy who can’t coach a team with talent and the team is mediocre at best in terms of its performance. I knew SC was in trouble this year when it lost home games to the likes of UC Irvine and Long Beach State before the conference season began. I think the team will perform better when Collier returns, but I don’t know when that will be. The PAC-12 basketball tournament will be played in Las Vegas in March and I was hoping to drive up to see… Read more »
This Trojan hoops team looks much better on paper than they do on the court. Can’t figure out why they’re not better.
Hit some sales goals and got rewarded with tickets and trip to opener vs LSU. Cool stuff!
I’d say very cool. You’ll have to give us a dump of your impressions and observations of things we may not be able to pick up on via the broadcast, like sideline coaching, energy, etc.
The Wisconsin Badgers hired Alex Grinch as safeties coach? Wonder how that interview went? Doubtless it crossed the Badgers mind he might provide some insight about USC.
Whatever their thought processes, the revised USC secondary going forward is absolutely alien to Grinch given the portal transfers. The acid test will be: do the Wisconsin safeties let receivers get behind them?
DanaPt, I find it an odd coincidence that Curtis Tackett transferred to WI. Any chance that Tackett now moves to safety? Not that is matters, but I used to live in Monarch Beach before moving to Texas.
I can’t see Curtis Tackett being fast enough for safety. But it’s hard to judge how much better or differently USC defenders might play at another program. Grinch and Tackett might be a better package deal than apart from one another. Who knows? USC wanted Tackett to stay. I was really surprised he bolted.
BTW, I love hanging out at Dana Point every once in a while. Great place to walk, eat, check out interesting boats, picnic, feast on Danish & coffee, and chill on the 4th of July.
Frosh sensation JuJu Watkins puts on yet another show as USC extends its home winning streak, boosting attendance to three times last season’s average Thuc Nhi Nguyen (LAT) — The crowd gasped as a Washington State defender tumbled to the floor. JuJu Watkins tends to have that effect on fans. One vicious crossover at a time, Watkins helped No. 11 USC bounce back from a road sweep at Colorado and Utah with a 70-62 win over Washington State (14-5, 3-3) at Galen Center on Friday. Watkins had 29 points with seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Grad transfer… Read more »
LB Mason Cobb and S Bryson Shaw will be playing at USC this season in case you had any doubt.
Allen, Glad they are returning. The issue is whether they will see the field. Unless Cobb changes his approach to preparation and his attention to details, I doubt he plays much. I feel confident Davis and Gentry and the Oregon State transfer will approach their preparation and game execution in totally different manner than Cobb. Shaw’s issue is ability. I think Ramsey (the UCLA transfer) and Zion Branch (if healthy) are both more athletic than Shaw and I expect will be our starters.
RJJ — Unfortunately, one of the lessons I took away from USC in 2023 was that I trusted the upside of the Portal too much. I kind of overlooked these guys are in there for different reasons, some not so good. You better be damn well sure the guys you are bringing in are definitely better than the ones you are losing. Maybe USC’s new coaches will be better talent evaluators than the guys who had to walk the plank. Insightful evaluation is such a keen, but sometimes overlooked element of recruiting. Reeling ’em in is too often the when… Read more »
“Reggie Bush is a Heisman Trophy winner and any and all ways we can honor and recognize that for him that are appropriate for him we will do.” Jen Cohen
she is crushing it. Like her more every day.
The obvious. We could load our defensive coaching side with Belichick, Arnsparger, Bud Carson, Buddy Ryan and Tony Dungy, and it won’t make a difference unless the head coach = CEO has a thirst for an effective defense. Same thing on offense ( we’ve seen defensive oriented CEO’s paralyze their offense too). The top of the elite coaching pyramid demonstrates that. It’s absolutely fine if the CEO has a deep expertise in offense or defense, but completely understands and is invested in balance as a mandatory. I’m hoping, actually I’m convinced that LR has transformed ( perhaps by strong persuasion, force, or… Read more »
Colin Cowherd’s Top 10 players in the Lions at Niners game on Sunday (3 PT, Fox) 1 Niners RB Christian McCaffrey (Top 3-4 NFL RB all-time per Cowherd) 2 Niners LT Trent Williams (allowed two sacks in three years) 3 Niners EDGE Nick Bosa (highest-graded Niners defender) 4 Lions OT Penei Sewell (highest-graded OT in the League this year) 5 Niners WR/RB Deebo Samuel (one of the more unique players in League history; health?) 6 Lions DL Aidan Hutchinson (led NFL with 62 pressures this season) 7 Lions OC Frank Ragnow (best OC in the NFL; a beast) 8 Niners… Read more »
Sewell…wasn’t he a miss by The Cat’s regime?
A BIG miss! All 6-5, 320-340 pounds worth. Sewell, from St. George, Utah, chose the Ducks over ALA, USC and UTAH.
Detroit eventually picked Sewell with the 7th pick in the 1st round of the 2021 Draft after winning both the Morris and Outland Trophies, then opting out of the 2020 season due to Covid.
Can Lincoln Riley become a “Culture Creator”? Colin Cowherd thinks very few coaches are what he called “culture creators“. He used examples of coaches like Jim and John Harbaugh, Andy Reid and Sean McVay who are. Brandon Staley isn’t, as a quick example. “He just called defenses, and he didn’t do a great job. He didn’t create any culture,” says Cowherd. “That’s been the knock on Lincoln Riley at USC — inside the building. Smart guy. Good play caller. Okay recruiter. But is he creating a collaborative culture? Defense, offense, special teams? There’s a feeling it’s really an offensive program.… Read more »
I am very happy with the new defensive coaches LR brought in. I will be happier if he lets Lynn make all the calls on defensive. Unless one of his coaches gets an offer to be a HC, I want LR to keep them as long as he can to create a strong foundation in defensive football.
Jamaica, I think that LR will allow Lynn to make all the calls on the D side of the ball. IMO, the issue will be whether the way SC practices and does its S&C will change. Given who LR brought in on D, both the way SC practices (it will be much more physical) and way it does S&C (much stronger and larger players) will change. There will also need to be accountability for the players – last year, Grinch played Tackett Curtis when he should have been playing Davis or Gentry. In fact, he played Cobb, when Cobb said… Read more »
I hope our new staff stays around long enough to really cement the new culture in place.
Steveg, I agree with you 100 percent! Back in my day as a student at USC in the 1970s, Marv Goux created a strong culture under HC John McKay. The Defense was always strong and didn’t get enough credit in my opinion. As an alum and fan, I often focused on the offense as the reason USC won so many Rose Bowl games in that decade and three National Championships. What I failed to realize then, but do now, is that the Defense held the likes of Ohio State and Michigan in check when SC played them in the Rose… Read more »
Allen, I think we will start to see this season. It is obvious LR has changed and changed quickly in his approach to running the team & has implement a huge upgrade in the quality of his staff to align with that change. I am still at the point where the 2024 Trojans should not be ranked pre-season top 25, and we fans need to be patient and not expect the season record to exceed 8-4, with 6-6 being as likely as 8-4. But, with its present staff and talent has the potential to “make noise” next year. Will it?… Read more »
John McKay’s son Rich McKay’s role suddenly redefined in Falcons’ organization CEO Rich McKay is no longer involved in football operations after working in that capacity for 21 years with Atlanta Matt Urban (Falcons Wire) — After conducting a search that lasted over two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons finally hired former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris on Thursday evening. The team met with 14 different coaches, but Morris was one of four to receive a second interview. The 47-year-old spent the last three seasons in Los Angeles and now returns to Atlanta where he spent six years (2015-2020) as a member… Read more »
Well, Blank has always been an idiot owner.
Zach Branch makes ESPN’s first 2024 All-America team. Branch is the only Trojan to be named to either the 1st or 2nd team. Chris Low (ESPN) — Selecting our early All-America team is always difficult, especially in the transfer portal era, but we talked to NFL scouts, college coaches and other media members to select the players projected to be the best at their respective positions in 2024. Returner: Zachariah Branch, USC Branch returns for his sophomore season as one of the most talented players on USC’s roster and has a chance to be one of the Trojans’ best players in… Read more »
Reports are out there that Grinch may be joining the Badgers as safeties coach. Can’t wait for Sept. 28!
When USC’s Helpless Clay Helton ditched Justin Wilcox overboard, he also went to WIS as their DC, where he had a much-improved-from-USC year as the Badgers DC. So good that he was swooped up by CAL where he is 36-43 since 2017.
But I think Grinch would need a brain transplant to become a good DC. Maybe he can be more effective in coaching just safeties. Good for him. I figured he’d be selling encyclopedias door-to-door post-USC, even in an online world.
Ranking USC’s Top 5 most important returners for the 2024 season Chris Trevino (USCFootball.com) — A look at USC’s key returners for the 2024 season 1) OL Jonah Monheim 2) DL Bear Alexander 3) QB Miller Moss 4) LB Eric Gentry 5) DB Jaylin Smith HONORABLE MENTIONS WR Zachariah Branch: Special teams dynamo who will compete to be WR1 next season. CB Jacobe Covington: Injury limited him in the second half but a favorite to start in 2024. OL Emmanuel Pregnon: Key guard starter returning. Very good in pass block but needs improvement in the run game. S Zion Branch: Potential to be the next great safety but… Read more »
Eric Gentry should not be on that list at all. He has made a few spectacular plays which is the fans remember but if they watched him on every play they will see a guy who is out of position, takes bad angles and cannot tackle anyone by himself. Also, he gets injured a lot.
True. With two more years of eligibility, I’ll be interested to see how he figures into USC’s plans with better coaching, schemes, and surrounding talent. Here is what Trevino said about him in case you didn’t catch it: “Gentry had the most puzzling season of any player on the team with tons of preseason buzz that was followed by wildly inconsistent playing time (three total starts) with stretches where he looked like the best player on the field. Despite roller coaster reps, Gentry still finished with 45 stops, a respectable eighth on the team. The linebacker room has plenty of experience returning from… Read more »
Eric “starvin marvin” Gentry, like Calen Bullock, Domini Jackson are all super talented players that got worse in Grinch’s failed “speed defense”.
I am a Gentry fan. Some guys just can’t put on weight. A problem I never had, lmao. sc
I think that he is a very good player and he must be ready to compete. Otherwise he would have transferred out by now. He made some comments during the season which indicated that he was less than satisfied with the way things were going. He obviously wasn’t one of Grinch’s favorites. Yet he’s still here.
I got totally behind this show of full-on Trojanism by Gentry in 2022. I’m a big fan of his, regardless of his missed tackles. He’s made some very strong plays as well. Our very own Stork (MIA, and an incredible Raider in the end, aka Ted Hendricks!)
https://youtu.be/X5RIAjBYQGY
To Allen, SanClemente and Parcelman007: Thank you for all the thoughful replies. I want to go back to why I posted in the first place. Allen posted the following list from the Chris Trevino(See Below) which listed Gentry as the 4th most important returning player on the Trojans. Do I think he is the 4th most important player? No, I think the 2 Branch brothers are more important, more talented and will have a bigger impact. I think the two offensive lineman are more important and see more playing time than Gentry. I think Gentry is a fine backup, a… Read more »
I guess it’s how you define important.
USC doesn’t have much talent at linebacker and even less depth.
Maybe the portal will change that. Certainly have the coach for it. sc
That is a valid point.
They have Newby, Stephans and Arnold(from Oregon State) coming in. They could probably use one more LB.
I posted Trevino’s list because I believed it would stir discussion. Mission accomplished. I agreed with your first post, but do like Gentry more than you. Yet he’s still a big mystery to me because of his injuries, his frame and size, Grinch’s handling, a lack of surrounding talent last year, and USC’s pervasively horrid and overmatched D in general. Would I put this stork-like baller in my top 4? No. But with USC’s total in-flex situation in this studs-up rebuild with both players and coaches, this list could be so fluid as to defy any stability whatsoever. Miller Moss… Read more »
Harbaugh’s a Charger! Nice. Terrific pick by Dean Spanos.
Harbaugh went 89-25 in nine seasons at alma mater, MICH. Before that, he went 44-19-1 in four seasons as the 49er’s coach and got to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. But he couldn’t get along with the front office.
Harbaugh also had winning records at STAN (big nemesis of Pete Carroll) and USD.
Who will take Harbaugh’s place at MICH? Wolverine OC Sherrone Moore is the fave per ESPN.
Man, I always like the Chargers. Now with Harbaugh I will have to reconsider.
Lets see who goes portal now from MI.
I have always disliked the 49ers, as I was a die hard Ram fan as a youth. And, Detroit has been so bad for so long. But, I really like Hufanga. Think of it, two Trojans having to battle each other. Hufanga battled St. Brown in practice. My favorite St. Brown play was his “tip” to Bru McCoy to beat ASU. Never seen the play before or since. Slovis threw the ball to a covered St. Brown (instead of the open McCoy). St. Brown out jumped the DB and tipped to ball to the wide open St. Brown standing about… Read more »
That heady St. Brown tip was truly amazing. Little did we know McCoy would end up with the Vols.
I just listened to a video on Twitter by D’Marco Farr, the ex-Bruin. He said that if you have kid on either side of the ball and want that kid developed, send him to SC. His point was that Henderson is force who will demand the kids work hard and perform at high levels in practice or not play. I am actually beginning to believe that SC might be better next year than I thought. I do not want to drink the Kool-aid, but it looks like the new D staff is the real deal. Remember, Henderson is also part… Read more »
The guilty ‘Noles wisely played ball, avoiding expensive, lengthy, and unpredictable outside litigation.
The NCAA and FSU have already negotiated the penalties.
Did not know that. Someone is going to have to take this on. Waiting to see what will happen.
I’d be rooting for the Lions even if St. Brown was not playing for them. It has been so long since the Lions have won a championship. Having grown up a Rams fan and I still am, the 49ers are the NorCal rival. I don’t care who beats them. Same with the Giants in MLB, Warriors in the NBA, and Sharks in the NHL.
Dan Campbell’s done an amazing job. I’m also pushing for the never-successful Lions and hoping Amon-Ra has a strong game.
But with three Trojans on the Niners, I’ll be happy for Talanoa Hufanga (always a huge fave of mine), Drake Jackson and Sam Darnold, and can always fantasize about Darnold coming in to replace an injured Brock Purdy, and leading the Niners to a Super Bowl entry win.
I’m just hoping for a good, close game.
NFL Rumors: USC’s Kliff Kingsbury Interviews for Eagles’ Vacant OC Job Scott Polacek (B/R) — The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly interested in a former NFL head coach for their vacant offensive coordinator position. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the NFC East team interviewed USC senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury for the position on Tuesday. The Eagles are in the market for a new OC after they moved on from Brian Johnson, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Kingsbury is a notable name, but he doesn’t have a long track record of success. He was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for… Read more »
Kingsbury rubbed me the wrong way when he snubbed USC as its OC and took the Arizona Cardinals job. He has long been associated with the “Air Raid” offense ever since he played QB at Texas Tech for Mike Leach. That offense is like the Wishbone back in the 60s and 70s. Both are too one dimensional and help poor teams become decent, but neither of them win championships. Balance on offense and a stout defense has always been a recipe for success in football.
I am not so sure that anyone much at all runs the true air raid any more. I remember the wishbone and it was the first real spread with big gaps. Now adays the coaches all have their own version of what was once the air raid, like Riley, he loves to run when he can and will be fairly balanced. Not sure what KK likes to do but I am sure his offense evolved at Arizona. After the two spending time together we could see some new versions coming out soon.
Hopefully, LR’s impressive new coaches will reimpose a new physicality into USC that evaporated from USC under Riley last season. It’ll be interesting to watch for any Trojan media reports that USC’s future practices have actually become more physical, but since LR insists on largely closed practices and has battled with reporters who ask too many questions of his players, it’s hard to know what to realistically expect. I would also consider Kingsbury (basically an unimportant redundancy) no loss whatsoever, but it’s hard for me to blame him for turning down the huge NFL opportunity and $$$ that Arizona suddenly… Read more »
Has the 2024 spring football game at the LA Coliseum been scheduled yet? I can’t seem to find it online.