USC football midseason report: What’s gone right and wrong for the Trojans
Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — By the midway point of a season quickly descending into disaster, Donte Williams was willing to try anything to change USC’s football fortunes.
“I even tried to wear my white shoes and channel my inner Pete Carroll,” Williams joked this week at practice, pointing at his new footwear. “Whatever it takes right now.”
With a much-needed bye week upon USC, Williams could certainly use some of that mid-2000s magic right now.
Setting aside the decision to part ways with Clay Helton after Game 2, let’s take a look at where the Trojans stand at midpoint of the season.
What went right
1. Drake London has emerged as one of the nation’s top receivers.
It’s tempting to just list London’s accomplishments to fill this space — most contested catches, most receptions in the nation (64), second-most receiving yards (832) — but we’ll spare you a long list of numbers. Just know this: London has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season.
His combination of size and skills and smooth route running has discombobulated defenses, making him nearly impossible to cover with just one man. That extra attention has, in turn, opened up opportunities for the rest of USC’s offense. London has had at least nine catches and 130 yards in five of USC’s six games — remarkable consistency considering how defenses have focused gameplans on stopping him, going so far as to take regular cheap shots.
Drake London heads into the end zone for a score against UTAH in the first half at the Coliseum on Oct. 9. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
No defense has figured out how to stop him yet, even as they’ve figured out the rest of USC’s offense. On a better team, his prolific stats might’ve warranted Heisman Trophy buzz by now. But London may have to settle for just being a truly great college receiver who dominated during a not-so-great season on his way to the draft.
2. The run game has actually improved.
USC’s rushing attack had been on a downward trajectory for years, before it finally bottomed out last season as the Trojans could barely scrounge together 97 ypg, good for 120th in the nation.
Keaontay Ingram is pursued by CU CB Christian Gonzalez on Oct. 2 in Boulder, Colo. (David Zalubowski / AP)
Enter two transfer backs from Texas in Keaontay Ingram and Darwin Barlow. Ingram has been a major upgrade as the lead back, while Barlow has proven himself worthy in recent weeks of supplanting Vavae Malepeai in the primary change-of-pace role. Together, they’ve given USC a passable rushing attack, which is more than USC could say it had in recent years.
Ingram has been the linchpin of that progress. A violent runner capable of shaking off tacklers, his presence in the backfield has made moving the offense easier on quarterback Kedon Slovis. Ingram already has 16 plays of 10 or more yards this season, which is just two fewer than the entire USC backfield had through its six games last season.
His emergence has been aided by better run blocking upfront, which is a testament to first-year offensive line coach and run game coordinator Clay McGuire. But Ingram deserves a ton of the credit for finally making opposing defenses respect the run … that is, until USC has been forced to pass to try to quickly erase deficits.
3. The future is safe in the hands of freshman Jaxson Dart.
It was just one game, but boy was it a heck of a game. In a dynamic debut for the ages against Washington State, Jaxson Dart threw for 391 yards and four touchdowns, hobbling his way to a resounding road victory on an injured meniscus.
Jaxson Dart throws a pass against Washington State on Sept. 18 in Pullman, Wash. (Young Kwak / AP)He hasn’t played a snap since, but the single-game performance was enough to back up what we thought was clear after fall camp: Dart is USC’s future at quarterback.
He may be its present, too, by the time USC returns from its bye. Dart is progressing at practice and nearing clearance from his injury, perhaps by the Notre Dame game next Saturday. It’s unclear if that means he’ll get a shot at the starting job, like Williams promised after the Washington State game. But his bright future beyond this season is good reason to retain some hope through 2021.
4. For what it’s worth, the offensive line has been better than expected.
Jonah Monheim (79) protects Kedon Slovis (9) from the rush of ORE ST Beavers LB Riley Sharp (56) at the Coliseum on Sept. 25. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)
OK, so maybe it’s a backhanded compliment. But after expecting the worst, USC’s offensive line has at least exceeded those expectations.
USC was always going to take its lumps with two freshmen offensive tackles. But Jonah Monheim has at least shown a propensity for run blocking on the right side of the line, while the interior has done well in that regard too, clearing more room than USC backs have been accustomed to in recent years.
Pass blocking, especially on the edges, has been a bit of a different story. But believe it or not, USC ranks among the top-20 teams in the nation in sacks allowed, having taken just seven so far this season.
I know, I was surprised, too. But signs point towards both Monheim and left tackle Courtland Ford finding their stride sometime in the second half of the season.
What’s gone wrong
1. The USC defense has unraveled.
Drake Jackson sacks CU QB Brendon Lewis in the second half on Oct. 2 in Boulder, Colo.
(David Zalubowski / AP)
No need to isolate a specific part of USC’s defense. Depending on the week, it’s been trampled on the ground or picked apart through the air. What once looked like USC’s best chance to compete in the Pac-12 has now become its biggest question mark.
Its pass defense has underperformed in spite of its overwhelming talent, allowing 8.4 yards per pass attempt, which ranks worst in the Pac-12 and 112th in the nation. After looking fearsome in fall camp, a defensive front loaded with potential NFL talent has been just mediocre through the midway point of the season.
Edge rusher Drake Jackson has had brief brushes with greatness, tallying two sacks and a fumble recovery against Colorado, but he hasn’t been consistent like you’d expect from a potential first-rounder. Cornerback Chris Steele and safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, both key veterans, have struggled mightily after looking like sure draft picks themselves.
It’s difficult to diagnose what’s wrong with the defense because it’s been a different problem every week. But if USC doesn’t isolate the issue soon, it might only get worse from here.
2. No second option has emerged in the passing game.
Gary Bryant Jr (1) leaps over his teammate RB Quincy Jountti (27) and ORE ST WR Makiya Tongue (9) in the second half at the Coliseum on Sept. 25. (Gina Ferazzi / LAT)Memphis transfer Tahj Washington was the likeliest option to fill that void, but he’s so far seemed miscast in USC’s offense. Gary Bryant Jr. has had his moments, but started slow due to a hamstring injury. And freshman tight end Michael Trigg appeared bound for a breakout role before a knee injury slowed him against Utah.
No one has taken the reins yet. But USC can’t keep asking Drake London to do it all. Defenses will adjust at some point.
The Trojans have plenty of top recruits in their receiving corps. At least one should be able to step up alongside London in the second half of the season.
3. The Trojans’ top freshmen haven’t lived up to their top billing just yet.
WSU OL Abraham Lucas blocks USC DL Korey Foreman on Sept. 18 in Pullman, Wash. (Young Kwak / AP)
When Korey Foreman signed with USC, the athletic department wasn’t exactly subtle in announcing the freshman’s arrival. It did so with a billboard on campus, making it clear how prominently Foreman factored into the Trojans’ future plans.
But through six games, Foreman hasn’t figured that prominently on USC’s defense. The top overall recruit has averaged 11.5 snaps per game, the vast majority of which has come on obvious passing downs. Foreman got his first sack last week, but he still has plenty to prove to earn the coaches’ trust.
He’s not the only one. Raesjon Davis, the second highest-rated recruit in the Trojans’ 2021 class, has played a total of 11 snaps on defense this season, all of which came against San Jose State. After Foreman and standout safety Calen Bullock, defensive back Jaylin Smith has played the next-most among freshmen. But since reeling in a sack and interception against Washington State, Smith has played just three snaps.
4. Penalties are still a problem.
The broken record drones on. USC has somehow, some way managed to get worse in the penalty department. Only six teams in college football are losing more penalty yards per game than USC, which has lost 80.7 yards on an average of 8.2 penalties per game this season.
When Williams first stepped into his interim role, he promised to address USC’s discipline issues and improve accountability. But so far, he has not been able to stop the penalties. USC had two of its most penalized games of the last three years under Williams’ watch.
latimes.com
___________
TrojanDailyBlog members — Always feel free to add information or topics to the TDB which don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.
I afraid the pixie dust has left the Dodgers. Second walk off defeat in a row. Not saying it still can’t be done, but the pressure is really on to take all three in LA.
Roberts over managed the game yesterday. Let Treinen or Graterol pitch the 8th.
Completely agree, Chris. Graterol always makes me nervous, but Treinen had only thrown 9 pitches in the seventh, so why not have him start the eighth and go from there. Scherzer said after the game that he could tell his arm was dead when he warmed up. What? If that’s the case, why not have Buehler ready to go since he was the most rested, then give Scherzer two more days rest with the off day. Hard to argue with the overall job Roberts has done this year with so many injuries and losing three fifths of your opening day… Read more »
The Dodgers just aren’t getting the timely hits they’ve gotten in years past.It’s homer or nothing. Both Turner’s are struggling, and Bellinger can’t carry the team like he used to. I think Muncy would have had a homer or two if he was healthy. What do I know? I’m just second-guessing like the rest of us
Prediction time SDT. Who’s gonna win: Dodgers or Braves? I bet you say Dodgers, like every other Dodger fan out there.
Great series so far.
Anyone here just gonna flat out predict the Braves are the team that is moving along to the WS?
I hope I’m wrong, but I think the Dodgers will win 2 out of the 3 here, and lose game 6 or 7 in Atlanta. As crazy as it sounds after winning 106 games in the regular season, there’s been something missing this year. Timely hitting and bullpen pitching. Just a gut feeling
The Dodgers, IMO, really miss the spark and timely hits that Kiki and Joc provided the last few years. They haven’t really replaced those guys, and you can see what Joc did against us in game 2, and what Kiki is doing for the Red Sox in the playoffs. His batting average is 615 in this series alone, with multiple HR’s and RBI’s
I say follow the gut! I had this “gut feeling” about Gentleman Clay a long time ago, but I would waver and think Bohn, these new coords and all these new coaches, as well as the admin upgrades could somehow work. It’s amazing how all these supposed upgrades to the USC program couldn’t even help one iota. Not one single bit. Now I’m at the stage where I don’t even care if Donte Williams stays. He’s obviously very capable of signing who he goes after. But can he evaluate talent well and can he coach what he signs? So far,… Read more »
Agree. I would like to keep Donte as a recruiter too, but if the new guy doesn’t want him, I won’t lose sleep. I used to feel bad when ace recruiters like Ed O and Tee Martin left, but there’s always another guy or two that become good at it, and if we make the right hire, the job is easier.
Martin is now the WR coach with the Balt Ravens. Frankly, I’m shocked he has landed so well, and in a job that requires no recruiting whatsoever. This guy (who was quite a QB at TENN and led the Vols to the ’98 NC) must have some well-connected juice.
I wondered what happened to him after the latest Tennessee scandal. He always seems to land on his feet
Maybe those Braves have been lying in wait for the Dodgers, especially after what the Dodgers did to them last year.
Sudden death in baseball really is sudden.
LSU gets how important a successful football program is to the University, and has never worried about the costs of a buyout, or how it looks to replace a coordinator or head coach after a short time. I feel bad for Ed professionally. He won’t miss any meals financially, and will regroup as a D line coach in the pros or any top program that needs a stellar recruiter and motivator on staff. By making this announcement now, LSU will be swimming in the same pool of coaching candidates as SC, and offers one of the top status jobs in… Read more »
Were you a CFB HC who could swing it, would you take the LSU or the USC job, assuming you were willing to work anywhere in the country and just wanted the better job.
Allen, It would depend entirely on my budget for staff and how much control I had. My guess is SC will hamstring on both staff and control. If both jobs had the same level of staff budget and control, I would take SC. But I doubt that will be the case.
Another way to look at it, I would have to be protected from Folt. I am not certain how one does that.
LSU
Without the obvious bias, the SC job all day. Pay for me and the staff being equal, I can be the king of the West, instead of an occasional division and conference winner in the SEC.
Agreed. The PAC is a grease fire. Did not think it would be this bad, but it is.
Allen,
Your question is too complex for their to be a simple answer or choice, based on your context. Much too much to considered through analysis.
Easy for me @alfa1 . USC all the way.
Much, much easier competition. Better weather 365 days a year. The USC job is just better all-around, and easier, especially if dominating your conference is your goal. L.A. is also better than Baton Rouge, and it’s not even close. Living in southern California is awesome. That’s all the context I need.
Now the L.A./USC job downside — tell me all about it! ✌
USC. A much better job IMHO.
LSU: surrounded by venomous snake and mosquito infested swamps and a peculiar subset of people who speak in a dialect that no one outside of Louisiana understands. USC: surrounded by high quality high school football players. Hmmmm. Tough choice. Not.
Outstanding remarks! You can include Florida in that and add alligators along with the other descriptive adjectives and nouns to describe LSU and the state where it is located.
As long as the school gives the head coach the authority he needs, it would have to be USC. The name still carries massive national clout. The west coast is devoid of any other school that carries that clout. Oregon and Stanford have national clout too but not like USC’s. LSU is in direct competition by way of being in a region with the Alabama schools, the Florida schools, the Texas schools, the Georgia schools and even the Oklahoma schools. Selling Los Angeles to a midwestern or northeastern 5 star recruit would be easier than selling Baton Rouge.
Most sports talk shows point to USC being the better job due to the PAC-12 conference wouldn’t put up much of a fight towards getting into the playoff just about every year. And you know, they’re probably right.
USC for 2 reasons
Justin Wilcox, the former USC DC, is now only 22-26 (11-23 Pac-12) in his mid-fifth year as CAL HC.
I never understood that hire in the first place.
Yet Wilcox actually fits CAL football perfectly. This is almost always who the Bears are in football. Tom Holmoe actually had a .218 record over five years from ’97-01; 12-43). Imagine living through that nightmare as a CAL fan!
Even Jeff Tedford was only 82-57 in Berkeley, but at least he got to eight bowls.
This is one of the PAC-12 football programs i identify as just there to participate to get the TV money and little else. Thank God we don’t have that administration to live with here.
Impossible to have a quality football team in the middle of all of that social correctness.
Agreed. It’s an inner culture oxymoron that in part will always hold football at CAL, and to a lesser degree STAN, back. Even Joe Kapp, Mr. CAL Bear himself, only went .373 at CAL over five years.
UCLA football will host Oregon and ESPN’s College GameDay show this week.
I well remember the days when this was USC’s gig.
Clutch ……CLUTCH drive by Sam Darnold in last minute of regulation time ….Will that game go to overtime ?
AP top 25 football: Cincinnati up to No. 2 1. Georgia 2. Cincinnati 3. Oklahoma 4. Alabama 5. Ohio State 6. Michigan 7. Penn State 8. Oklahoma State 9. Michigan State 10. Oregon 11. Iowa 12. Mississippi 13. Notre Dame 14. Coastal Carolina 15. Kentucky 16. Wake Forest 17. Texas A&M 18. North Carolina State 19. Auburn 20. Baylor 21. Southern Methodist 22. San Diego State 23. Pittsburgh 24. Texas San Antonio 25. Purdue Others receiving votes: Clemson 64, Utah 43, Arkansas 29, Brigham Young 21, Air Force 19, Iowa State 14, Louisiana-Lafayette 13, Arizona State 7, Florida 7, Texas… Read more »
Really telling. Power 5: SEC & B10 – 6 each B12 – 3 ACC – 3 Pac 12 -1 Others American – 2 Conference USA, Mountain West, and Sunbelt – 1 ND The Pac is officially not a Power 5 Conference. It is the a monument to the Larry Scott “equity” doctrine. Some would say it is a pile of dung erected by Scott at the request of the then Pac 12 Presidents and ADs. Boy, was Pat Haden an awful AD. How about the Pac 12 South not having one top 25 team and there is little chance it… Read more »
Rumors abound that LSU may go after MICH ST’s (7-0) Mel Tucker, who began his coaching career as a grad asst under Nick Saban, the Kingmaker, and was later the DC at GA from 2016-18 before taking the CU job.
They certainly have the income to do this. It is going to be very difficult for any school to compete with the Big 10 or SEC for hiring coaches and staff. Both Conferences were well run and have significant cash advantages over their competitors. I wrote earlier about Lake at UW. Does UW have either the funds or the willingness to spend significant dollars on its football staffing. My guess is UW is very “woke” and simply will not invest in the program at the levels needed to become elite again. Say what you want about Petersen; he was able… Read more »
I would say that Jimmy Lake is already officially a bust at UW, based on what I’ve seen of the Huskies under him. The Bruins beat the heck out of them last night in Seattle. They sure aren’t the Don James variety I enjoyed watching.
UW is really no better off than USC right now. They need to make another coaching switch, and quick, or they will just become more ingrained as a mid-level non-power that plays in a beautiful setting.
I don’t follow UW close enough to have a strong opinion about Jimmy Lake. But I don’t think it is good for the sport if a 2nd year coach with an overall 5 & 5 record is going to be booted based on a shortened first season and half of a 2nd.
USC stuck with guys like Paul Hackett and Clay Helton even though in year two it was obvious both wouldn’t make it. Things only got worse.
UW is 2-4, even lost to MONTANA (in Seattle no less!), and is headed to a losing season. I really feel for the Huskies. Been there, done that. My heart goes out to them.
Trojan 5, I think Allen has this one right. Look at the lessons from SC and Stanford. Stanford hired an assistant of an elite coach (Harbaugh) and Shaw had a great first two years on the job (and developed nicely). Even the incompetent Helton won the Rose Bowl with Sark and Kiffin’s recruits (and Sam Darnold). It is a horrible sign to have a coach take over a championship level team coached by an elite level coach and have him bomb his first full year at the helm. Given what is at stake, you cannot gamble on his developing in… Read more »
Remember, OHIO ST had only one bad 6-7 year with Luke Fickell and immediately fired him to go with Urban Meyer, who immed went 12-0 and won a NC in year 3.
Sometimes bold moves are necessary, but it sure helps when you know pre-massive scandal UM wants your super high-profile job.
Seems to me the top 5 should be undefeated until someone knocks them off. Sorry Alabama you fell into a trap game and lost. Michigan, Okla St and Mich St should be ahead of them. The Big10 will sort themselves out soon enough.
Coach O leaving LSU end of season. Depending on who Bohn hires, it would not surprise me to see O coming back as DC?
With a Title IX issue still pending at LSU and the co-Ed hot tub incident, hmmm. Most likely head to the NFL…just a guess.
“Depending on who Bohn hires, it would not surprise me to see O coming back as DC?”
It wouldn’t surprise me…I would be shocked!
The School needs to look to the future…not to the past.
The best PAC-12 defense wouldn’t compare anywhere to the worst SEC defense. And the USC defense is not at the top of our conference list. I think the fanbase is fed up watching our offense having to out score the other team to win a game. If a new HC brought in a defensive specialist with “past” issues, as more & more coaches have them today, I don’t think a lot of fans would squawk much about it.
In your hypothetical, it’s one thing to bring him in as a position coach, it’s entirely a different matter to bring him in as a Coordinator…baggage or not. That’s a choice for the new Head Coach.
‘He lost track of who he was’: Inside Ed Orgeron’s fall from celebrated son of Louisiana to LSU coaching pariah Brody Miller (The Athletic) — “LSU and Orgeron reached a separation agreement that will take effect after the season, sources tell The Athletic, confirming multiple reports. Orgeron is expected to get his full buyout, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. It comes less than two years after leading an undefeated national championship team in 2019 that some argued was the best in college football history. He followed that championship with a pair of up and down campaigns with two polar-opposite staffs, neither working to lift… Read more »
If he (his agent) negotiated a full buyout, 21M through ‘21, I don’t think there is any anguish worrying about where his next meal is coming from, however, it does show a distinct difference in Universities one reluctant to make a switch for the sake of money, the other willing to make a change for the better…and promptly.
SC was negotiating civil law suits for hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawyers here could comment on the optics of throwing tens of millions of dollars around on football coaches while arguing how much to settle with young women that have been molested.
So, those scurrilous impediments were solved 4 weeks ago, and cleared the way for Helton’s unexpected departure….Really.
Yes those lawsuits were settled over the summer. That finally put Helton on a short lease and Bohn pulled it.
Alfa, As I write above, Ed O’s life is a story still in process. Let’s see how he lives it out. It is truly amazing, but cannot be told until the story is over. Probably another 20 years from now.
Sounds like an old school guy trying to live a public life in a new world with a stressful job. Some time away from the lime light to get his life in order seems appropriate. I didn’t realize he divorced last year. I remember when he was at SC, his wife and kids were in Louisiana and at LSU he was now home with the family. Guess that didn’t work so well. Well Ed there’s always the Saban Coaches Rehab Center in Tuscaloosa, or take your millions and move on to some new chapter. What would Orgeron be like in… Read more »
My exposure to Kelly Orgeron was that she was the perfect coach’s wife and a very likeable person. Ed would spend the night in L.A. whenever duty called as USC’s chief recruiter and DL coach supreme. I’m sorry to see that Ed has seemingly lost his way, at least for the time being. Success, even in his home environment, proved too difficult for him to handle. I can’t believe that he hired coordinators without even fully interviewing them. It doesn’t seem fathomable that Ed would become such a poor steward of his own success. Congrats on beating the Gators Ed!… Read more »
This is a really great stage play (or movie) in the making. It cannot be written for another 20 years or so, but it is one amazing story. Ed O is a larger than life character, with a larger than life story, whose story is worthy of a Shakespeare. If I had the ability (which I do not remotely possess), there are so many of these types of stories waiting to be told. Uganda, Zimbabwe/Rhodesian and Rwanda are all incredible stories that I hope someone eventually tells.
Orgeron out at end of ‘21 season…LSU IN A COACH SEARCH
Just spent the week in LA. Got to take my daughter to school, catch a dodger game, hit the beach, but….never went anywhere without a huge crowd or stupid traffic. Not sure how you So Cal peeps do it.
Interesting weekend. Got to see things other than via SC lens. In the Pac South, Utah has emerged as the new favorite, following rallying in the second half to trounce ASU. The Pac 12 South race has three teams in the mix: UCLA, Utah and ASU. USC, with 3 league losses, is effectively out of the race. Things actually go much worse for two teams this weekend. First, the AZ Wildcats lost their second QB for the season. They are now down to the 3rd team QB (who played most of the game against CO in a 34-0 loss). They… Read more »
You actually think USC is gonna win RJJ?
Or just claim some type of moral victory if they don’t lose by more than 14, in which case Clay Helton would always refer to the USC players as “warriors?”
I’m not buying this crappy Trojan team actually winning in South Bend for one second. I’ve seen a lot better Trojan teams than this one lose there. With the spread at only 4.5, others obviously have a lot more confidence than I do.
I am not predicting a win. I just do not think they stink the place up like they did against Stanford, Oregon State and Utah. Those 3 games were over at the end of the 3rd Q. I would be surprised by an SC win, but not shocked. This SC team is so bad that Kelly’s most difficult issue will be to get his kids excited about the game. Imagine watching the film of Stanford, Oregon State and Utah dismantling this team. Hard not to think – these guys stink. The ND kids will then lose focus. If ND shows… Read more »
ND will be plenty focused on kicking USC’s rear, like Brian Kelly has gotten very used to doing lately. The Irish, already 5-1, are headed to 11-1. USC’s probably headed to another losing season, and if not, 6-6 is looking good.
If USC, with yet another interim coach, somehow beats a better ND team in South Bend, then all I can say would be Fight On! But it won’t happen.
Hope springs eternal. But Kelly won’t let two straight losses at home happen. I just see our team composure dissolving in that atmosphere with what shaky confidence it has presently. Slovis might not make it to the end of the game and what most everyone wants, the freshmen wonder comes in to try his luck.
I think either Slovis or Dart could beat the Irish. I’d admit. I’d love to see Dart play, only if healthy of course.
Outside of London, it’s the rest of the team I’m worried about. Wish we saw more of Barlow.
I just think USC has too many holes. Every coach here is in a tough life situation too. Kind of a nightmare spot for USC football. Bohn put off the problem for as long as he could, and this is what happened.
Oklahoma State now #6 in the RPi (BUT can they beat Oklahoma) .
Chances that NC State wins it’s division and NOT Clemson winning their Division increasing ……Anybody last August lay a wager at Vegas that Clemson would not win their Division this season ?
Coach O beats Florida, Georgia fails to cover over Kentucky.
So glad for Coach O today. Losing to the Gators in Baton Rouge would have been a rough one. Great win on the way out.
With Iowa losing Alabama probably back into top 4 .
First I very much doubt he leaves the State of Ohio …….. That being said if …..If Mr. Fickell can get in the Natl Championship game AND if …..IF he does the improbable and defeats Georgia and has a conversation with our AD if he had ANY interest in coming to SC his salary request (as the coach of a Natl Championship team ) would be EXTERMELY high .
Mr. Luke Fickell about to move up to #2 in the AP Poll ?
It seems only fair, no?
Gotta agree .
The Sark honeymoon in Austin, or what was left of it, would appear to be over.
So OK State just beat Texas and are 6-0 ……But can they EVER beat Oklahoma ? ….We will see .
Say goodbye to being in the AP top-25 Texas .
I don’t know what to expect from Dart if he plays in South Bend, but I can say with great confidence he gives us the best chance to win. If you asked members of the team, I am pretty sure they would agree.
If the offense struggles under Slovis( and we all know it will) they have to give Dart the ball. He can make plays with his feet, and exudes a certain Darnold like swagger that the team, including the defense can feed off.
Stephan Carr and Indiana currently upsetting #10 Mich State .
I have only seen Indiana play this one game but it seems Stephan might be getting the opportunity to be Indiana’s feature back .
What happens if Jaxon Dart doesn’t scramble around dodging tacklers and throw touchdowns the next game he plays and wins by 3-TDS? The press, among others in the media, is identifying him the next savior of USC football after watching him play half of game against a notorious cellar dweller. Let’s slow down on the hype and not rush him into being Superman. Haven’t we done enough of this in the past 4-yrs with 3-freshmen QBs?
What happens if shellshocked Kedon Slovis just stands around in the pocket, unaware he’s ready to get smashed from behind again after holding the ball way too long and unable to find any receivers except Drake London? The truth is that Jaxson Dart obviously does some things that Slovis can’t do (such as run the ball, be a team leader, and make plays out of nothing). He’s the future. So if he’s healthy, why sit him on the bench when he should be getting the experience he needs to develop? Haven’t we had enough of pretending Slovis is ever gonna… Read more »
Slovis was considered the savior two seasons ago who chased away JT for the same reason when JT recovered. What was beginning to happened to JT, holding the ball too long, being indecisive, has eventually happened to Slovis now. He’s an old man after being beaten on every game. Darnold was getting the same treatment until he escaped early. But his last year here took a toll. This program is eating up QBs, we all know this. And because the coaching change happened after the start of the season, not much has changed in execution of the offense as we… Read more »
Oh, those poor USC “young lions.” Let’s just stack ’em up on the bench so they won’t get hurt. That’s a great message for USC’s already soft team. No wonder the Trojans reek.
It doesn’t really matter what Slovis was two years ago. Actually, it’s totally irrelevant. It’s 2021 now.
That’s one way of putting it. Just another example as so many have pointed out, no measurable player development with the expectation the skill positions will pull out a win. Injuries are definitely part of this game but this program has consistent QB injury issues. But another year, another freshman QB recruit thrown in early to survive the elements for as long as he can….. This thankfully will end this season when GH and his version of the air raid offense is sent packing.
Next thing you know, I’ll be getting fired up for the Notre Dame game.
Uh, Oh….. I can feel it coming on! Beat the Irish next Saturday!
Yep. Riley didn’t hesitate to yank Rattler for a freshman last week against TX. The best coaches go with the best players.
Rattler got rattled! OU leads TCU with their new QB, 17-14, late in the 2nd Q.
Among the many sins committed by CH was that USC got away from the idea that the best player plays. Top teams like AL really don’t play that many freshman, but they do play those that deserve to . The depth of those teams also makes it harder for freshman to play. But over the last 5 years CH didn’t acquire/develop that level of depth. Making it even more frustrating that he didn’t identify & play the players with the most upside.
So true. Helton developed a very strange, personal priority system. Problem was, he had to always look at the tape to figure it out. So maddening.
I’m no coach , but it looks to me that Dedich is one of the guys who should get more playing time. He plays with a nastiness and never seems to quit.. IMO The weakest link on the OLine is Neilon. I would like to see Dedich get a shot. I guess there is a news embargo from USC. I have not read one word about the Thursday “youngsters” scrimmage. How did Raseshon do? The DBs? Korey? LB Sermon?
At least 6 players in the weekly contest are betting big on Oregon (-14.5) tonight, including myself. Another lovely late start. Will the Pac12 ever fix that?
Just when Oregon looked like the surest bet of the week, they are about go behind Cal early in the fourth.
It’s the pac 12. Remember…..Parity Rules !
They didn’t cover…You’re Bummed ☹️
Well I will just go all in next week for ND, whatever the points.
I say ND will be favored by 10. What about you GT?
I have no idea but would think at least by 14.
I look forward to all the talk I expect to hear about USC having the “talent” to beat ND.
I’m not sure of that anymore.
ND’s only favored by 4.5 on FanDuel’s opening.
Seriously, ND can’t be that bad. I would take ND and 4.5 in a heart beat. They are too strong in the trenches to let USC push them around.
This season of super seniors, upsets and inconsistent play has certainly had an outsized effect on the wagers this year.
Tim Tessalone, the long-term SID of USC who is leaving at the end of the year, gets a nice, final opportunity to go out from his position during an incredibly exciting time.
It’ll be intriguing to follow how USC handles this new coach mission in the press for the Trojans.
After deciphering your word salad …oh Yes, he will have the opportunity and command from upstairs to turn this inexplicable mess into something positive on his way out the Door !
Dodgers!
Poor Giants will always have to live with the “checked swing” last-out controversy forever.
It’s a horrible way to make history, especially since it was such a great game.
I haven’t lived in Southern California in 30 years, but I still hate the Giants. Very questionable call, but suck it Frisco. I remember many times when the Dodgers would come out on the short end on controversial calls. And Go Dodgers, beat the Braves.
As you probably know, the Giants also beat the Dodgers earlier this year on a checked swing miscall. So turnaround is fair play. Missed calls are part of sports in general.
It’s too bad it had to happen, but the Dodgers had that game in the bag, and absent a miracle, the Giants, down to their last strike, were walking to their clubhouse in defeat. This year’s Giant team simply lacked hitters, the clear problem with their club.
Dodgers, starring Mookie Betts, lead 1-0 in the 6th. Giants immed tie it 1-1.
Wow. This Dodgers/Giants game is coming down as one of the most anticipated games I can remember in a long time.
Amazing Oct enthusiasm suddenly. Go Dodgers.
Vin Scully , now 93, still often comes to mind.
I wish he were calling this game, he’s the best. Growing up we were spoiled with Vin and Chick, there are plenty of good guys now, but they just feel like LA.
Like Jim Murray, and Allan Malamud did in print.
I think he missed the largest “goods”; (1) Clay Helton was removed as HC, (2) Donte was allowed to remove himself as a successor (3) both co-ordinators ended their stays at SC, and (4) the destruction of SC football by allowing the incompetent Cat run it for 6 years is on full display sans his inane PR.
The outcome of the remaining Trojan games in 2021 doesn’t really matter to me. I really dislike losing to ND and UCLA, but I’ve gotten used to losing to ND, so I don’t get up for that game like I used to. Sure, I’m rooting for USC to win them all. But I have zero expectations, regardless of our opponent. Too much weirdness on this USC team now. I’m assuming it’s each man for himself, and that includes all the coaches. Any win at this stage is simply gravy, because the Wicked Witch Is Dead. The infamous Clay The Cat… Read more »
The program had to hit rock bottom or close to it for the administration to stop being ignorant and address the obvious failure it had created. If Cowherd is correct saying there are quality candidates who will seek the HC job, the administration better be careful who they hire or the fanbase will erupt.
Cowherd hasn’t mentioned the USC job hunt lately. I’m expecting him to know when something is up.
“ the administration better be careful who they hire or the fanbase will erupt.”
Perhaps ‘evaporate’ is a more appropriate term.
I like both alfa1, erupt then evaporate.
Regardless who is picked, 15-20% of the fan base is going to be pissed.
As between losing to ND or UCLA, I’ll take losing to ND. ND is wildly underperforming its talent level, which I believe is due to my controversial opinion that Brian Kelly is a crappy coach. Ok, I will upgrade crappy to mediocre. But his record is just fluffed up with so many cupcakes, and near miss wins like Florida State, Toledo, and Va Tech this year. And, I’m sorry, but my eyeballs tell me what my eyeballs tell me. Just given the recent recruiting gap alone, we don’t belong on the same field with ND. But something tells me we’ll… Read more »
At least ND wins those close games. USC has sunk to the point where it’s majoring in massive Coliseum blow-out losses to anyone even mediocre. As far as keeping games close for a half, that seems just like routine college football to me. I don’t give USC any brownie points for that, even if it happens. I think ND, regardless of who starts at QB, will beat USC by two TDs. I don’t even give the Trojans a chance in that game, even though some will suggest anything can happen in a rivalry. Last year the cancellation of the ND… Read more »
UDub is bad! Lost to Montana to start the season, and needed OT to beat Cal. I am frankly surprised at the line on that. Shows there is not a lot of excitement around Bruin football and the guru linemakers don’t think much of this year’s version of DTR (which has run from mediocre to bad).
I have no doubt DTR will gouge USC for big yardage this season, just like he did last year. Fortunately, we had Talanoa Hufanga to stop him in his tracks.
Last year’s win over UCLA was one of my favorite Trojan wins over the little gutties ever! Gotta give credit where credit is due, even to a Clay Helton-coached team.
The Ruins’ secondary is god awful. I could see Drake London just eating them alive. Of course, our secondary is bad too, so expect a lot of big plays and a high scoring game in this year’s rivalry. Our downfall is that I don’t think our o-line can keep whatever QB we have in there upright long enough for some of those big plays to develop, so the advantage will be with the Ruins. We’ll see.
I don’t see USC stopping the Bruin ground game either.
If we are to beat the Bruins (somehow!) I see Jaxson Dart needing a memorable game with both his arm and legs. More of a hope than a prediction, I suppose.
Remember that great, rambling catch for a TD London had last year? Choc Chip Kelly was literally applauding him on the sidelines. I don’t remember the last time I saw another coach actually physically do that for an opposing player.
And the icing on the cake is Bohn hires a base hit instead of a home run HC.
Problem is that for some any choice other than Urban or Saban will be considered a base hit.
Excellent point @Trojan5 ! It’s as though nobody else counts as a so-called fantastic coaching prospect except for those two in the entire country. And After Urban’s Damaged Goods Twerk Faceplant, maybe that leaves only Saban, the greatest in the history of the game who’s a Tuscaloosa lifer now. This USC coaching search fascination has been building up for years after so many post-Carroll whiffs. I think this is much more fascinating than the LSU dump on Ed O. The Tigers are wasting no time discarding our favorite Trojan asst this side of Marv Goux. Whoever comes in for USC,… Read more »
I’m ok with everything you say, except for being happy about the Dodgers. Go Giants!
These teams have both inflicted such major pain on each other. For me, the rivalry still brings to mind Juan Marichal clubbing John Roseboro with his bat at the plate. There’s a rivalry for you!
I’m now convinced Dodgers v Giants is the greatest rivalry in MLB. Last night was just wild. Neither team deserved to lose, but one always has to.
🤮
Yes the obvious grand slam candidates are out of the picture alright. And I don’t see Mike Bohn taking a chance hiring a twice fired PC like MG did who was desperate after his first 3-choices declined. But PC wowed him with his game plan presentation rebuilding the program. I keep thinking Alabama OC Bill O’Brien is going to get offers from both the NFL & college due to his HC experiences in both and is getting some detailed know how from the master making him a hotter CFB candidate than a NFL OC. And so what he got fired… Read more »
I don’t think Urban can be classified as a “grand slam” CFB hire anymore, and I wouldn’t want him at USC. No way. Since we all know USC wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole, I’m safe. The guy is obviously mentally fragile, and damaged goods at this stage. If you want a punchline, Urban’s your guy. He used to be great, but ended up in big trouble at both UF and OHIO ST for different reasons. He just seems to seek out trouble. He needs to learn how to put himself on some type of probation before he quickly… Read more »
Urban has completely taken his name off of the list through his actions.
Poor Urban can’t get out of his own way while NFL veterans chafe at his style. Duh, Urban. You aren’t dealing with 18-yr olds anymore:
“According to Pro Football Talk, the Urban Meyer situation ‘is far from over.’ The report speculated that Meyer’s future as HC could depend on whether his statement about letting GM Trent Baalke know in advance that he was going to stay behind in Ohio was truthful. Pro Football Talk reported the players and staff didn’t know Meyer wasn’t traveling back until they were on the plane ride home…
foxnews.com
Antonio Morales (The Athletic) — “A USC comeback in this year’s race would require Arizona State to lose at least three conference games (including to USC on Nov. 6) and Utah to lose at least four times of its final seven games, while the Trojans win their final four Pac-12 games. Technically, it’s not impossible. But at this moment, it also doesn’t seem to be within the ballpark of likely. “It’s fair to wonder whether the players will (or can) stay locked in now, though, especially after the past two home games. In both, USC’s defense gave up 40-plus points,… Read more »
Game 5 tonight. Dodgers decide to start a reliever when we have 20 game winner Urias ready to go. I’m sure he’s going to get the majority of the innings tonight, but a strange move. Don’t overthink it, play your best!
The newspaper said Urias was starting, did something change?
He’s been replaced as starter by Corey Knebel. “The decision is definitely a shocker, but one the Dodgers made strictly based on strategy and not due to an Urías injury. “’Corey’s a guy that I expected to pitch tonight, and just changing up when he pitches is a part of it,’ said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who sent a courtesy text to Giants manager Gabe Kapler on Wednesday night to inform him of his team’s decision. “The Giants have been a tremendous ballclub all year, and just speaking to the offensive side, they have been the best team in baseball… Read more »
That whole thing just makes it worse. Why text him? The whole point is to gain an advantage. This is similar to starting your wildcat QB instead of your best QB and telling the opposing coach the day before. It makes no sense.
Steve Garvey pointed out the “co-mingled” nature of the two front offices. Guys from the Giants now were in the Dodger organization before they switched. Lots of courtesy between those two, though the fans seem to battle each other big-time.
USC SID Tim Tessalone is retiring:
AD Mike Bohn announced Wednesday that SID Tim Tessalone will retire at the end of the calendar year.
Tessalone began as an asst SID in 1979 and became SID in 1984. He’s worked more than 500 USC football games and according to Bohn, under Tessalone, the USC SI office has won eight Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) “Super 11” awards, tied for most of any school.
Tessalone is a member of the USC Athletics, College Sports Information Directors of America, and FWAA Halls of Fame.