USC’s Miller Moss, Woody Marks could form a dynamic QB-RB connection
Marks, a transfer from Mississippi State who finished as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, was named USC’s lead back Tuesday, a day after Moss received the nod at QB
QB Miller Moss and RB Woody Marks were named the starters at their respective positions by USC HC Lincoln Riley this week. (Photos by The AP and Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Luca Evans (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — In the winter, when Mississippi State transfer running back Woody Marks (5-10, 208) and mother Tameka first visited USC, they made a point to speak with every – every – coach on staff. Not just a position coach. Top to bottom.
Marks had stuck it out for four years as a Bulldog amid three different head coaches, and after deciding to hit the portal after new head coach Jeff Lebby was hired, he was in search of some stability, Tameka remembered. They felt it, at USC. But even after Marks committed on Dec. 20, he and his mother still felt ever-so-slightly skeptical, USC entering December’s Holiday Bowl coming off a 7-5 regular season.
And then they watched Miller Moss light up Louisville.
“For him to be out there, first time starting … oh, it gon’ be real nice,” Tameka told the Southern California News Group, back in the winter. “We confident. We love it. That sealed the deal.”
Half a year later, Moss and Marks have been officially tabbed as USC’s starting quarterback-running back duo entering the Big Ten, head coach Lincoln Riley telling reporters on Tuesday that Moss was “the guy we feel like gives this team the best chance to win” at quarterback and that Marks had “asserted himself as the starter” in the running back room. It’s an intriguing combination: Marks ended his time at Mississippi State as the school’s all-time receptions leader, a consistent threat out of the backfield, seemingly fodder for creative utilization in Lincoln Riley’s offense.
“Just his overall knowledge of the game, and obviously his talent, really stood out,” Moss said of Marks. “And that’s a really good room, but he’s the veteran in that room. And I think he’s the clear guy there.”
Moss, for his part, has been the clear guy at quarterback since that Holiday Bowl performance, even after Riley brought in UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava in the spring. But as Moss himself said Tuesday that Maiava had pushed him in fall camp, Riley asserted the competition for USC’s QB1 spot had been close, saying he would feel “extremely comfortable” inserting Maiava if Moss missed any time.
“I’d play anybody with him, the way he practiced and competed,” Riley said of Maiava. “He’s a talented kid. He’s got a bright future here. No doubt about that.”
On Monday, though, Riley called Moss into his office after team meetings and delivered the news: he was USC’s starter. It was the culmination of a four-year journey, a local kid stubbornly fighting for his shot in the room as other names came and went with the autumn leaves, laughing Tuesday he was “extremely happy” he had stuck around.
But there was no stopping to smell any roses. Moss went straight to walk-throughs on Monday, and largely shrugged off any notion that earning the job was cause for celebration.
“It means a tremendous amount,” Moss said. “It’s a tremendous honor. But at the end of the day, I think it’s more about what you do with it than just being named the starter.”
He’ll have a unique weapon by his side in the backfield in veteran Marks, who had a similarly muted reaction Tuesday to a question over his RB1 designation. Riley, too, said sophomore running back Quinten Joyner was “firmly in the mix” as Marks’ backup and would “certainly get an opportunity to play a bunch,” with Marks emphasizing Joyner’s progression in pass protection was “phenomenal.”
But Riley’s affirmation Tuesday made clear, ultimately, that Marks will have plenty of chances come Week 1 to drive USC’s offense with the quarterback who – in one form – helped bring him to USC.
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If Pete Carroll wants to come to SC, the trojans would be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity. He doesn’t have to coach but I would allow him to be associated with the football program. It would be especially good if he were allowed to recruit especially when the recruits come here on their visits.Create a position for him.
Reports from LSU camp……their defensive DE’s are good, interior D line is average, LB’s are good to excellent, one is an AA, DB’s good but have not worked together much.
OL excellent but the center is inexperienced, RB’s average, Receivers good, QB good but sometimes throws interceptions.
Special teams…average
No appreciable injuries thus far.
Shocking news….they plan to smash the ball until the safeties come up. Sarcasm on my part.
Since they practice in a climate similar to South Florida, LV indoors ought to be refreshing for them.
Hopefully they get some shakes during the nearly 6 hour flight time.
No idea……..yet…….because.in fall camp everybody is an AA and I can’t watch practice from Indy. The local observers are understandably full of positive comments to protect their access so it’s rare to hear anything really useful. I love your blog because John and you are so honest. Right now if I had to choose……because of that LSU OL…..it’s got to be LSU…….but…….in a relatively close game….maybe 10 to 14 points. As you know, things change every day…..what if LSU loses Guillory…..big trouble for them.
Speaking of honesty, I haven’t the faintest idea of how the USC/LSU game will shake down. The only thing I’m sure of is that the colors Purple and Gold will clash magnificently against Cardinal and Gold. And I’ve always loved the LSU helmets. For some reason, I just dig them. This game is gonna be so hot to watch. Win or lose, you know we gonna be ready. It’s good to feel that way after all the waiting following some pretty tough years and unfulfilled promises. Seeing Riddell chin straps suddenly makes me remember when as a young kid, we’d… Read more »
I am with you. I have NO idea who is going to win this game. I do think that it will be a really great game. I have one thing that I expect. The last time I saw SC in person was the Cotton Bowl disaster which SHOULD have gotten Alex Grinch fired. I am very confident that SC will play better on D this time than last. I have listened to a couple of LSU commentators and they are just as confused about the team as we are about SC. What I did learn was that LSU has lost… Read more »
I cannot believe we won’t be much improved in both lines this season. The DL because of better coaching from the DC and the rest of his crew. Also much better scheme. The OL will be much better because the new QB will stay within Riley’s system. They won’t be a superman magician QB trying to extend plays beyond what is reasonable for O-lineman to maintain blocks. I think LSU lost more people than we did from last season. Therefore, since LSU is not as good as they think they are and we are better than the “experts” think we… Read more »
I’ll go out on that limb with 10 days to kick off. Kelly challenges our DL with the run. Riley will go after their DBs. SC gets up a couple scores. Tigers forced to pass on our elite DBs and get burned. Woody runs out the 4th quarter for a comfortable win for Trojans. Suddenly USC are media darlings!
Napier is probably regretting playing both in state/ nonconference rivals in the same season. Maybe he should have tried to get out of them! Hah! 😄😉
Stewart Mandel Takes Another Slight Swipe At USC in The Athletic Question — I keep hearing that USC is going to struggle in the Big Ten based on past performance from a defense that was led by possibly the worst DC in NCAA history (Alex Grinch). But USC’s offseason weight training program yielded significant results, and they have the two biggest lines in the conference. Why is nobody giving USC a real chance to be substantially improved along the lines? Do analysts genuinely think these beefed-up kids are going to sputter to a 7-5 record? Mandel — I ADMIRE YOUR OPTIMISM, KEVIN! Not to… Read more »
USC has size and experience but lack depth. For instance, USC has 14 OL, Ohio St has 17, USC has 4 RBs, Ohio St has 7. USC should start well but may get pretty worn down by the time ND comes to town. Gerry DiNardo of Big10 Network liked what he saw of USC’s OL. So who knows what we will see in 11 days.
Obviously, many people disagree with old Gerry, here having trouble with his headset. Gerry only won three B1G games in three seasons from ’02-04 and was quickly fired with a miserable overall Hoosier record of 8-27, ending his horrible 59-76 CFB career, featuring nine losing seasons, for good. I think the OL is the weakest part of this team in terms of both depth and overall talent. Based on what I’ve seen during his Trojan career, any line featuring Mason Murphy as a starting RT and no starting RG yet, doesn’t inspire much confidence. Maybe MM’s suddenly become a world-beater… Read more »
Hey, just looking for positive press, especially ex coaches where ever I can. Got to have some hope Coach Henson is doing his job. The national beat down by the press is real old. These Trojans better prove people wrong.
Hey, if Nick Saban or Urban Meyer or Jim Harbaugh or Pete Carroll had just spent a few days looking hard at USC with total access, I’d be interested in what they have to say. DiNardo seems more like a has-been/never-was media plaything. Sorry Gerry. From what I remember of DiNardo’s remarks, he seemed insistent on LR’s need to definitely keep the USC D off the field a lot more than last year. I agree with that totally. Gotta be more balanced. As far as I’m concerned, no more backyard “Hero Ball” is a huge plus — and the willingness… Read more »
I know the O Line is a cause for concern. Murphy is the weakest link, and depth is unproven. With this schedule,4-6 are a real possibility. But the more I listen to Mandel, the more I think he is channeling Paul Finebaum, who insists USC needs to fire Riley now!
And he is dead wrong about our receiver room- We are loaded there. I value the opinion of Joel Klatt a lot more than Mandel.
I’m biased in favor of Stewart Mandel and admit that. Prior work experience with one of the better sports media guys I have ever encountered will do that to you.
I have to laugh out loud that you would actually compare him to Paul Finebaum. That’s a total joke. Stewart has never even come remotely close to attacking USC’s Lincoln Riley like Finebaum has.
In fact, he blatantly complimented Riley on his likelihood of getting everything out of the younger USC guys.
No surprise you would value Joel Klatt’s opinion much more. Klatt loves SC these days.
I value Klatt because he played the game, and unlike Colin Cowherd, he is not a USC homer, far from it. Mandel may be a great writer, but when he implies that losing Mario Williams means we have trouble at receiver, I just think that is flat out wrong. And don’t misunderstand me. I am not comparing Mandel to Finebaum, who is a hack journalist that will regurgitate any garbage that Disney tells him to.
You said Stewart was “channeling Paul Finebaum” which I still find completely ridiculous and absurd. I remain stunned that anyone could actually say or think that. I never said Klatt was a homer. I simply said he loves USC these days which is very different. I enjoy Klatt a lot, regardless of which side of USC’s fence he is sitting on. He and Cowherd enjoy playing off each other on The Herd. But it’s not because Klatt played QB for CU that I appreciate him. You don’t need to be a player to be a good analyst, or column writer,… Read more »
I don’t doubt Mandel is well respected in the industry. He has a wealth of experience. But my critique of him seems to have hit a nerve. And I am not comparing him to Finebaum, he is an SEC clown. Mandel made some valid points, but I believe he is wrong about our receiver group. In reality, Klatt could be right that we have a significantly better defense and great QB play. Also, I wasn’t implying you were calling Klatt an SC homer, only stating that I felt it was clear he isn’t. And Mandel could be right that we… Read more »
You keep saying that you aren’t comparing Mandel to Finebaum even though you started right off by saying Mandel was “actually channeling Finebaum.” As I said, it made me laugh out loud it was so off the mark — just my humble opinion of course. No sense going any further with this PN4SC. I would never come to such an unjustified conclusion (IMHO). Let’s just move on. The TDBers are probably all sick of us (or just me) by now. Next time I speak with Stewart, I’m sure we’ll both get a big laugh over this Finebaum reference. Thanks very… Read more »
I really admire Stu Mandel. I hope he is wrong on this one, but all Trojan fans need to realize that he may be correct. If the front 7 on D and the OL play can play competently, I think he will be proved wrong. I have made it clear that I am optimistic about this season, but given all the unknowns, I still remain an optimistic 8-4 and think we stand a good chance of 10-2 if we get lucky on injuries.
Stewart’s a terrific guy and I’m very glad for his success. Starting The Athletic up from nothing is quite an accomplishment, especially in this era.
Now it’s USC’s turn to swivel some heads and get back to being great again. It all starts with LSU and I hope you have a fantastic time in Vegas seeing it all happen in person RJJ!
SC will make the playoffs in 2024. Their defense will be solid.You don’t bring in the great coaches and outstanding players that they have brought in on that side of the LOS and not improve drastically. Offensively, LR teams are always great no matter who is at QB. Everyone of his offenses from 2015 has been nationally rated. Going back even further, his 2014 offense at East Carolina was rated 5th in the nation in yards gained and 3rd in passing yards gained while averaging 36 points a game.. They don’t have a Caleb Williams but the offense will have… Read more »
Great 1951 photo of Trojan All-America RG/LB Pat Cannamela (5-10, 210; excellent friend of Frank Gifford’s) and coach Jess Hill.
Cannamela was known to be an incredibly tough, inspirational and fierce player (just ask the #1 ranked ’51 CAL Bears who lost to USC 21-14 in Berkeley) who also was the team captain in ’51, as well as a 2007 USC HOFamer.
In 1973, Cannamela, only 43 years old, was tragically shot and killed during a robbery at the Zody’s Discount Store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, where he was working as an appliance salesman.
Trojan Running Back Room Looks Good Despite Low Numbers Erik McKinney (WeAreSC.com) — Behind Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner, there isn’t much experience in redshirt freshman A’Marion Peterson and true freshman Bryan Jackson. All are from Texas, except Marks who hails from Georgia. But they’ve come along during the spring and fall enough for Lincoln Riley and position coach Anthony Jones to feel good about the RB room which is small in numbers. “We feel very good about those four,” Riley said. “We feel like we have four contributors and we know if history is any indication, we’re going to need them all… Read more »
Pete Carroll to Teach at USC in Spring, Still Open to Coaching After Seahawks Exit Adam Wells (B/R) — Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will turn 73 on Sept. 15, but he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Appearing on Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM (h/t ESPN’s Brady Henderson), Carroll revealed he will be returning to USC to teach a class this spring without offering any specifics about the job. Asked in the same interview if he wanted to get back into coaching, Carroll said he “could coach tomorrow” but it’s not something he’s “desiring at this point.” Carroll… Read more »
We know PC’s style very well. It was partly refined while coaching here at USC in the 2000s. He brought fun to the program, fun to CFB and to himself. Maybe he doesn’t do cartwheels anymore in showing his exuberance but it’s what’s in his head that counts. Him coming back to USC, as a teacher, gives us ammunition to wonder about possibilities. Maybe not in a football classroom now, but you never know what tomorrrow brings. Would we love to hear him being an advisor to LR? You look at all the coaching greats when in their middle 70s… Read more »
Based on what I’ve seen of LR so far at USC, I don’t see him welcoming Pete Carroll into any advisory role. I think LR could use some help from Pete and his “one heartbeat” approach, but I don’t believe LR thinks he needs it. Think about it. Pete was never secretive. That’s part of the reason he was a God amongst appreciative USC fans who loved watching such frequent victories, especially in huge games/rivalries. Pete was the definition of an open book. He welcomed the outside world in with open arms and celebs like Snoop, Will Ferrell and Henry… Read more »
CPC flying all the way to LA to teach a class? This sounds like someone sending a silent message to LR…..after all….he does not get hired to teach unless the top level is OK with it. Joe Paterno won the BIG title at the age of 83…….so……it’s possible. Pete loves to coach and might be willing to accept a reduction in compensation to help get rid of LR. . What is he teaching…..a class titled…..how to take over a football program from a coach from Oklahoma and turn it around in one year…..LOL. Still hoping for 10-2 this year and… Read more »
Yes, Pete did not want to leave. I watched every one of his games and could not understand why he did not order John Schneider to take a QB with the pick they used on Weatherspoon from Illinois. I wonder how he would do with the portal?
Yes Allen, what you say here is pretty much covers the situation. As far as LR is concerned, what we have witnessed so far, he won’t make changes unless he is forced to as in the firing of Alex Grinch. He is stubborn in his beliefs and ways. And that includes thinking he can just outscore the opposition each game. As for his recruiting so far, he has to be troubled by it but yet too proud to admit any failure.
Such a wide range of topics he could talk on. From general motivation, to sports management, to football specific issues. If anyone gets wind of the course specifics shout it out here.
College football predictions: Projecting every Big Ten team’s final record in 2024 (Brad Crawford/247Sports.com) USC Trojans — Projected record: 7-5, 6-3 Wins: Utah State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, UCLA Losses: LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Washington, Notre Dame The post-Caleb Williams offense will be orchestrated by Miller Moss and a bevy of speedsters at wideout. The main question is physicality in the trenches and if USC will have the strength and power to move opposing teams off the football in the Big Ten. That’s an unknown right now that will be partially answered when the Trojans take on LSU and Michigan early this season. UCLA Bruins — Projected record: 2-10, 1-8 Washington Huskies — Projected record: 6-6, 3-6 Oregon Ducks —… Read more »
Crawford sure went the safe path predicting losses to the bigger brand teams who have done well lately. I’m pretty sure the Trojans will beat at least 1 or 2 of those teams. The teams we’ll most likely beat from the group are Washington and ND. And it wouldn’t surprise me if we beat LSU.
There, I’m moving away from the safety of the trunk and out on a limb.
Here’s USC’s Big Brand Deficit lately which has Trojan fans hoping USC’s new defensive assistants can pull a miraculous recovery and suddenly make USC into an instant winner.
These are the last 5-year records of the teams that 247Sports’ Brad Crawford predicts USC will lose to.
These statistics are interesting, but they are only partially an indicator of the future. Clearly the past five years for USC hasn’t been rosy. The caveat is that the wins USC amassed were with handicaps. For three of the past five seasons USC played with their brains tied behind their backs; clueless coaches on both sides of the ball. The other two USC played without a defense. While I am just making excuses here, I am also not looking at real statistics such as close losses and who beat whom. Finally if USC is the real USC we’ve been waiting… Read more »
Nice, thanks for the research. Of the 5, LSU, Mich and UW are all facing pretty significant player and/or coach turnover, so there’s hope in matching them.
I originally thought losing a coach like Harbaugh might be too tough for MICH to immediately recover from.
But Sherrone Moore already has experience as the MICH head guy on the field because Harbaugh had to sit out three games for his “sportsmanship issues.”
Frankly, I don’t hold up much hope for a much improved USC to beat MICH in Ann Arbor. That would be a helluva story if it happened but I think beating LSU and UW are much more likely.
Jim Harbaugh is a great coach who won big every he has ever been. He won a NC in college and he should have won a super bowl in the pros.Michigan will not overcome losing Harbaugh. They’ll be good but not nearly as good as last year.
I definitely think that they can win and would not be surprised if they did but generally I agree…..beating Michigan in their house is going to be tough.
Bo is very big in Ann Arbor, and deservedly so. Here he is in 1975, a true Michigan Man who first started his career as an OHIO ST GA for Woody Hayes in 1951. John Robinson became a great friend of Bo’s, and once rushed to his hospital bedside in Michigan when Bo was experiencing heart problems which eventually killed him a month later at age 77. Robinson — “Both schools look at each other and say, ‘This is as good as it gets.’ That’s a big deal to me. There won’t be a better game in the bowl series”… Read more »
The Michigan game is hard to predict.You just don’t know how much improvement the SC defense will see this year without Grinch and Michigan has a lot of new ooaches and a lot of new players. This is not the same team that won the NC last year,
MICH is simply too tall of an order in Ann Arbor for USC right now. I know USC fans hate to hear this, but USC is coming off one of the worst seasons. The “Trojan culture” was in the total dumper during the entirety in 2023. Nobody, not the coaches nor the players, was ready to play during 2023, and it all began with the humiliating giveaway loss in the Cotton Bowl. The beginning of the season vs SJS was a big sign of things to come. We knew way back then that our OL was in big trouble. Losing… Read more »
I agree that LR needs time to rebuild especially after his cataclysmic mistake with Grinch that put the program back about 2 years.But I do think that he is the man to bring this program back to the promise land.
As far as the Michigan game, I do give SC a real good chance to win that game. My views may change after game 2. Maybe I’m just a sunshine pumper as opposed to a realist
Two things that will be interesting to watch: 1) Texas plays at Michigan in Week 2 and 2) Michigan’s current Head Coach is being investigated for recruiting violations and the NCAA is talking suspension for a couple of games this season and Michigan is considering a self-imposed suspension similar to last year when Harbaugh missed a couple of games.
He’ll have a unique weapon by his side in the backfield in veteran 
If Pete Carroll wants to come to SC, the trojans would be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunity. He doesn’t have to coach but I would allow him to be associated with the football program. It would be especially good if he were allowed to recruit especially when the recruits come here on their visits.Create a position for him.
If I were Jen Cohen, I would wait and see what this coaching staff and team accomplishes this season before I even suggest anything.
Hard to believe the season starts in a little over a week.
Excited to see how our first season in the Big 10 goes.
I think our defense with D’Anton Lynn will be much better than it was last season.
The offense with Miller Moss and our deep receiving corp should be able to put points.
I think if it all goes well we’re looking at 10-2 for sure.
Reports from LSU camp……their defensive DE’s are good, interior D line is average, LB’s are good to excellent, one is an AA, DB’s good but have not worked together much.
OL excellent but the center is inexperienced, RB’s average, Receivers good, QB good but sometimes throws interceptions.
Special teams…average
No appreciable injuries thus far.
Shocking news….they plan to smash the ball until the safeties come up. Sarcasm on my part.
Since they practice in a climate similar to South Florida, LV indoors ought to be refreshing for them.
Hopefully they get some shakes during the nearly 6 hour flight time.
Prediction?
No idea……..yet…….because.in fall camp everybody is an AA and I can’t watch practice from Indy. The local observers are understandably full of positive comments to protect their access so it’s rare to hear anything really useful. I love your blog because John and you are so honest. Right now if I had to choose……because of that LSU OL…..it’s got to be LSU…….but…….in a relatively close game….maybe 10 to 14 points. As you know, things change every day…..what if LSU loses Guillory…..big trouble for them.
Speaking of honesty, I haven’t the faintest idea of how the USC/LSU game will shake down. The only thing I’m sure of is that the colors Purple and Gold will clash magnificently against Cardinal and Gold. And I’ve always loved the LSU helmets. For some reason, I just dig them. This game is gonna be so hot to watch. Win or lose, you know we gonna be ready. It’s good to feel that way after all the waiting following some pretty tough years and unfulfilled promises. Seeing Riddell chin straps suddenly makes me remember when as a young kid, we’d… Read more »
I am with you. I have NO idea who is going to win this game. I do think that it will be a really great game. I have one thing that I expect. The last time I saw SC in person was the Cotton Bowl disaster which SHOULD have gotten Alex Grinch fired. I am very confident that SC will play better on D this time than last. I have listened to a couple of LSU commentators and they are just as confused about the team as we are about SC. What I did learn was that LSU has lost… Read more »
Let’s face it. USC v LSU is the Game of the Century.
So it has been written. So it shall be done!
I cannot believe we won’t be much improved in both lines this season. The DL because of better coaching from the DC and the rest of his crew. Also much better scheme. The OL will be much better because the new QB will stay within Riley’s system. They won’t be a superman magician QB trying to extend plays beyond what is reasonable for O-lineman to maintain blocks. I think LSU lost more people than we did from last season. Therefore, since LSU is not as good as they think they are and we are better than the “experts” think we… Read more »
I’ll go out on that limb with 10 days to kick off. Kelly challenges our DL with the run. Riley will go after their DBs. SC gets up a couple scores. Tigers forced to pass on our elite DBs and get burned. Woody runs out the 4th quarter for a comfortable win for Trojans. Suddenly USC are media darlings!
Reviewed the Florida schedule this year……you want to see a tough schedule…..they play 8 of the top 25
Wow!
Miami
Samford
Texas A&M
Miss St
UCF
Tenn
Kentucky
Georgia
Texas
LSU
Ole Miss
Florida St
That closing 5 would be enough to just call it a year in October.
I don’t see how Billy Napier survives. I don’t really know diddly about Napier, but if there’s a HotSeat List out there, he’s gotta be on it.
Allen he is at the top of the hot seat list right now and play hasn’t started.
If he went 5-7 with that schedule he ought to ask for a raise.
Napier is probably regretting playing both in state/ nonconference rivals in the same season. Maybe he should have tried to get out of them! Hah! 😄😉
Stewart Mandel Takes Another Slight Swipe At USC in The Athletic Question — I keep hearing that USC is going to struggle in the Big Ten based on past performance from a defense that was led by possibly the worst DC in NCAA history (Alex Grinch). But USC’s offseason weight training program yielded significant results, and they have the two biggest lines in the conference. Why is nobody giving USC a real chance to be substantially improved along the lines? Do analysts genuinely think these beefed-up kids are going to sputter to a 7-5 record? Mandel — I ADMIRE YOUR OPTIMISM, KEVIN! Not to… Read more »
USC has size and experience but lack depth. For instance, USC has 14 OL, Ohio St has 17, USC has 4 RBs, Ohio St has 7. USC should start well but may get pretty worn down by the time ND comes to town. Gerry DiNardo of Big10 Network liked what he saw of USC’s OL. So who knows what we will see in 11 days.
Obviously, many people disagree with old Gerry, here having trouble with his headset. Gerry only won three B1G games in three seasons from ’02-04 and was quickly fired with a miserable overall Hoosier record of 8-27, ending his horrible 59-76 CFB career, featuring nine losing seasons, for good. I think the OL is the weakest part of this team in terms of both depth and overall talent. Based on what I’ve seen during his Trojan career, any line featuring Mason Murphy as a starting RT and no starting RG yet, doesn’t inspire much confidence. Maybe MM’s suddenly become a world-beater… Read more »
Hey, just looking for positive press, especially ex coaches where ever I can. Got to have some hope Coach Henson is doing his job. The national beat down by the press is real old. These Trojans better prove people wrong.
Hey, if Nick Saban or Urban Meyer or Jim Harbaugh or Pete Carroll had just spent a few days looking hard at USC with total access, I’d be interested in what they have to say. DiNardo seems more like a has-been/never-was media plaything. Sorry Gerry. From what I remember of DiNardo’s remarks, he seemed insistent on LR’s need to definitely keep the USC D off the field a lot more than last year. I agree with that totally. Gotta be more balanced. As far as I’m concerned, no more backyard “Hero Ball” is a huge plus — and the willingness… Read more »
I know the O Line is a cause for concern. Murphy is the weakest link, and depth is unproven. With this schedule,4-6 are a real possibility. But the more I listen to Mandel, the more I think he is channeling Paul Finebaum, who insists USC needs to fire Riley now!
And he is dead wrong about our receiver room- We are loaded there. I value the opinion of Joel Klatt a lot more than Mandel.
I’m biased in favor of Stewart Mandel and admit that. Prior work experience with one of the better sports media guys I have ever encountered will do that to you.
I have to laugh out loud that you would actually compare him to Paul Finebaum. That’s a total joke. Stewart has never even come remotely close to attacking USC’s Lincoln Riley like Finebaum has.
In fact, he blatantly complimented Riley on his likelihood of getting everything out of the younger USC guys.
No surprise you would value Joel Klatt’s opinion much more. Klatt loves SC these days.
I value Klatt because he played the game, and unlike Colin Cowherd, he is not a USC homer, far from it. Mandel may be a great writer, but when he implies that losing Mario Williams means we have trouble at receiver, I just think that is flat out wrong. And don’t misunderstand me. I am not comparing Mandel to Finebaum, who is a hack journalist that will regurgitate any garbage that Disney tells him to.
You said Stewart was “channeling Paul Finebaum” which I still find completely ridiculous and absurd. I remain stunned that anyone could actually say or think that. I never said Klatt was a homer. I simply said he loves USC these days which is very different. I enjoy Klatt a lot, regardless of which side of USC’s fence he is sitting on. He and Cowherd enjoy playing off each other on The Herd. But it’s not because Klatt played QB for CU that I appreciate him. You don’t need to be a player to be a good analyst, or column writer,… Read more »
I don’t doubt Mandel is well respected in the industry. He has a wealth of experience. But my critique of him seems to have hit a nerve. And I am not comparing him to Finebaum, he is an SEC clown. Mandel made some valid points, but I believe he is wrong about our receiver group. In reality, Klatt could be right that we have a significantly better defense and great QB play. Also, I wasn’t implying you were calling Klatt an SC homer, only stating that I felt it was clear he isn’t. And Mandel could be right that we… Read more »
You keep saying that you aren’t comparing Mandel to Finebaum even though you started right off by saying Mandel was “actually channeling Finebaum.” As I said, it made me laugh out loud it was so off the mark — just my humble opinion of course. No sense going any further with this PN4SC. I would never come to such an unjustified conclusion (IMHO). Let’s just move on. The TDBers are probably all sick of us (or just me) by now. Next time I speak with Stewart, I’m sure we’ll both get a big laugh over this Finebaum reference. Thanks very… Read more »
I really admire Stu Mandel. I hope he is wrong on this one, but all Trojan fans need to realize that he may be correct. If the front 7 on D and the OL play can play competently, I think he will be proved wrong. I have made it clear that I am optimistic about this season, but given all the unknowns, I still remain an optimistic 8-4 and think we stand a good chance of 10-2 if we get lucky on injuries.
Stewart’s a terrific guy and I’m very glad for his success. Starting The Athletic up from nothing is quite an accomplishment, especially in this era.
Now it’s USC’s turn to swivel some heads and get back to being great again. It all starts with LSU and I hope you have a fantastic time in Vegas seeing it all happen in person RJJ!
SC will make the playoffs in 2024. Their defense will be solid.You don’t bring in the great coaches and outstanding players that they have brought in on that side of the LOS and not improve drastically. Offensively, LR teams are always great no matter who is at QB. Everyone of his offenses from 2015 has been nationally rated. Going back even further, his 2014 offense at East Carolina was rated 5th in the nation in yards gained and 3rd in passing yards gained while averaging 36 points a game.. They don’t have a Caleb Williams but the offense will have… Read more »
Great 1951 photo of Trojan All-America RG/LB Pat Cannamela (5-10, 210; excellent friend of Frank Gifford’s) and coach Jess Hill.
Cannamela was known to be an incredibly tough, inspirational and fierce player (just ask the #1 ranked ’51 CAL Bears who lost to USC 21-14 in Berkeley) who also was the team captain in ’51, as well as a 2007 USC HOFamer.
In 1973, Cannamela, only 43 years old, was tragically shot and killed during a robbery at the Zody’s Discount Store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, where he was working as an appliance salesman.
Trojan Running Back Room Looks Good Despite Low Numbers Erik McKinney (WeAreSC.com) — Behind Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner, there isn’t much experience in redshirt freshman A’Marion Peterson and true freshman Bryan Jackson. All are from Texas, except Marks who hails from Georgia. But they’ve come along during the spring and fall enough for Lincoln Riley and position coach Anthony Jones to feel good about the RB room which is small in numbers. “We feel very good about those four,” Riley said. “We feel like we have four contributors and we know if history is any indication, we’re going to need them all… Read more »
Pete Carroll to Teach at USC in Spring, Still Open to Coaching After Seahawks Exit Adam Wells (B/R) — Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll will turn 73 on Sept. 15, but he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Appearing on Sports Radio 93.3 KJR-FM (h/t ESPN’s Brady Henderson), Carroll revealed he will be returning to USC to teach a class this spring without offering any specifics about the job. Asked in the same interview if he wanted to get back into coaching, Carroll said he “could coach tomorrow” but it’s not something he’s “desiring at this point.” Carroll… Read more »
We know PC’s style very well. It was partly refined while coaching here at USC in the 2000s. He brought fun to the program, fun to CFB and to himself. Maybe he doesn’t do cartwheels anymore in showing his exuberance but it’s what’s in his head that counts. Him coming back to USC, as a teacher, gives us ammunition to wonder about possibilities. Maybe not in a football classroom now, but you never know what tomorrrow brings. Would we love to hear him being an advisor to LR? You look at all the coaching greats when in their middle 70s… Read more »
Based on what I’ve seen of LR so far at USC, I don’t see him welcoming Pete Carroll into any advisory role. I think LR could use some help from Pete and his “one heartbeat” approach, but I don’t believe LR thinks he needs it. Think about it. Pete was never secretive. That’s part of the reason he was a God amongst appreciative USC fans who loved watching such frequent victories, especially in huge games/rivalries. Pete was the definition of an open book. He welcomed the outside world in with open arms and celebs like Snoop, Will Ferrell and Henry… Read more »
CPC flying all the way to LA to teach a class? This sounds like someone sending a silent message to LR…..after all….he does not get hired to teach unless the top level is OK with it. Joe Paterno won the BIG title at the age of 83…….so……it’s possible. Pete loves to coach and might be willing to accept a reduction in compensation to help get rid of LR. . What is he teaching…..a class titled…..how to take over a football program from a coach from Oklahoma and turn it around in one year…..LOL. Still hoping for 10-2 this year and… Read more »
I bet Pete’s bored out of his gourd. No way was he ready to be pushed out of the Seahawk job.
He wanted the Chargers job badly. He must figure that if 72-year Belichick can get rehired somewhere, so can he.
I’m not sure either one will ever be HC in the NFL again. If even one gets back in, that would surprise quite a few of us.
Without Tom Brady as his QB, Belichick’s NFL record is a disaster.
Yes, Pete did not want to leave. I watched every one of his games and could not understand why he did not order John Schneider to take a QB with the pick they used on Weatherspoon from Illinois. I wonder how he would do with the portal?
Good question about Pete and the Portal.
How could he not demolish the Portal? Ed O would set ’em up. Pete could close ’em down.
He probably had as much natural charisma as any CFB coach I have ever seen or spoken with.
Yes Allen, what you say here is pretty much covers the situation. As far as LR is concerned, what we have witnessed so far, he won’t make changes unless he is forced to as in the firing of Alex Grinch. He is stubborn in his beliefs and ways. And that includes thinking he can just outscore the opposition each game. As for his recruiting so far, he has to be troubled by it but yet too proud to admit any failure.
Such a wide range of topics he could talk on. From general motivation, to sports management, to football specific issues. If anyone gets wind of the course specifics shout it out here.
College football predictions: Projecting every Big Ten team’s final record in 2024 (Brad Crawford/247Sports.com) USC Trojans — Projected record: 7-5, 6-3 Wins: Utah State, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, UCLA Losses: LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Washington, Notre Dame The post-Caleb Williams offense will be orchestrated by Miller Moss and a bevy of speedsters at wideout. The main question is physicality in the trenches and if USC will have the strength and power to move opposing teams off the football in the Big Ten. That’s an unknown right now that will be partially answered when the Trojans take on LSU and Michigan early this season. UCLA Bruins — Projected record: 2-10, 1-8 Washington Huskies — Projected record: 6-6, 3-6 Oregon Ducks —… Read more »
Crawford sure went the safe path predicting losses to the bigger brand teams who have done well lately. I’m pretty sure the Trojans will beat at least 1 or 2 of those teams. The teams we’ll most likely beat from the group are Washington and ND. And it wouldn’t surprise me if we beat LSU.
There, I’m moving away from the safety of the trunk and out on a limb.
Always love a little sunshine!!
Happy to provide some. I think we will lose 3 or 4, but haven’t settled on which ones yet.
There’s a chance I may get up to the Michigan game, so that would be a great one to win.
Here’s USC’s Big Brand Deficit lately which has Trojan fans hoping USC’s new defensive assistants can pull a miraculous recovery and suddenly make USC into an instant winner.
These are the last 5-year records of the teams that 247Sports’ Brad Crawford predicts USC will lose to.
LSU (46-19, .707)
MICH (51-11, .822)
PSU (43-18, .704)
UW (40-17, .701)
ND (51-13, .796)
USC’s 5-year record is 35-22 (.614).
These statistics are interesting, but they are only partially an indicator of the future. Clearly the past five years for USC hasn’t been rosy. The caveat is that the wins USC amassed were with handicaps. For three of the past five seasons USC played with their brains tied behind their backs; clueless coaches on both sides of the ball. The other two USC played without a defense. While I am just making excuses here, I am also not looking at real statistics such as close losses and who beat whom. Finally if USC is the real USC we’ve been waiting… Read more »
Like I keep saying, USC is going surprise a LOT of people this season.
Nice, thanks for the research. Of the 5, LSU, Mich and UW are all facing pretty significant player and/or coach turnover, so there’s hope in matching them.
I originally thought losing a coach like Harbaugh might be too tough for MICH to immediately recover from.
But Sherrone Moore already has experience as the MICH head guy on the field because Harbaugh had to sit out three games for his “sportsmanship issues.”
Frankly, I don’t hold up much hope for a much improved USC to beat MICH in Ann Arbor. That would be a helluva story if it happened but I think beating LSU and UW are much more likely.
Jim Harbaugh is a great coach who won big every he has ever been. He won a NC in college and he should have won a super bowl in the pros.Michigan will not overcome losing Harbaugh. They’ll be good but not nearly as good as last year.
Are you predicting a USC win in Ann Arbor?
I definitely like USC’s chances in some other big games, but can’t predict a Trojan win over MICH so early in our rebuild.
I definitely think that they can win and would not be surprised if they did but generally I agree…..beating Michigan in their house is going to be tough.
Bo is very big in Ann Arbor, and deservedly so. Here he is in 1975, a true Michigan Man who first started his career as an OHIO ST GA for Woody Hayes in 1951. John Robinson became a great friend of Bo’s, and once rushed to his hospital bedside in Michigan when Bo was experiencing heart problems which eventually killed him a month later at age 77. Robinson — “Both schools look at each other and say, ‘This is as good as it gets.’ That’s a big deal to me. There won’t be a better game in the bowl series”… Read more »
The Michigan game is hard to predict.You just don’t know how much improvement the SC defense will see this year without Grinch and Michigan has a lot of new ooaches and a lot of new players. This is not the same team that won the NC last year,
MICH is simply too tall of an order in Ann Arbor for USC right now. I know USC fans hate to hear this, but USC is coming off one of the worst seasons. The “Trojan culture” was in the total dumper during the entirety in 2023. Nobody, not the coaches nor the players, was ready to play during 2023, and it all began with the humiliating giveaway loss in the Cotton Bowl. The beginning of the season vs SJS was a big sign of things to come. We knew way back then that our OL was in big trouble. Losing… Read more »
I agree that LR needs time to rebuild especially after his cataclysmic mistake with Grinch that put the program back about 2 years.But I do think that he is the man to bring this program back to the promise land.
As far as the Michigan game, I do give SC a real good chance to win that game. My views may change after game 2. Maybe I’m just a sunshine pumper as opposed to a realist
Two things that will be interesting to watch: 1) Texas plays at Michigan in Week 2 and 2) Michigan’s current Head Coach is being investigated for recruiting violations and the NCAA is talking suspension for a couple of games this season and Michigan is considering a self-imposed suspension similar to last year when Harbaugh missed a couple of games.