No. 13 BYU Cougars (9-2) at USC Trojans (4-6) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7:30pm on ESPN
Cougar to Watch: Sophomore RB Tyler Allgeier
The Cougars have an elite power rushing attack led by Allgeier, a former linebacker, who punishes tacklers with his 220-pound frame. He ranks second in the nation in rushing touchdowns with 18 to go along with 1,303 yards (5th most in FBS).
3 Keys
Test of Will:Â The Trojans better bring their hard hats against maybe the most physical opponent they have played this season. USC’s rush defense started strong against UCLA but ultimately faded, giving up 260 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. Along with Allgeier, BYU QB Jaren Hall is a threat to run, scoring three touchdowns on the ground over the last five games. He ran for 92 yards in the Cougars’ rivalry win over Utah earlier this season.
Fit the Pieces:Â The Trojans offense grew into the game against UCLA thanks to a patient rushing attack and the emergence of Gary Bryant Jr. It’s been a difficult adjustment without Drake London, but the Trojans are not without weapons if they can play to their strengths. Bryant has proven his ability to separate vertically. Kyle Ford can hurt opponents with his size on back shoulder throws, while Tahj Washington is at his best running after the catch. If the running game remains consistent, USC can find the dynamism in its offense again.
For the Seniors:Â This game is all about the Trojans’ mentality. It’s the final home game of the season, which means Senior Day for some Trojans who have been through the wars. Will the young guys lay it on the line so the vets can go out winners? Will USC rally around the goal of bowl eligibility in a must-win situation? The answers needs to be “Yes!” to all if the Trojans are going to knock off a ranked BYU team at this stage.
Credit: USC Athletic Department
Now Lincoln Riley is being thrown out there? Campbell must be a no go. I thought we would get an answer this weekend, but it looks like that’s not happening.
From what I can find he’s 55 snd 10. Even the L. A. Times is reporting this. It’s a good move because he can start putting together a staff now.
It was so nice to see this team actually take a fourth quarter lead and compete to the end, for the first time in a long time. It gives hope going forward, that the coaching change can make the difference for a lot of these current players
I only watched the game sporadically late last night as i was falling asleep (Pac-12 Late Night is BS). I am curious. Was Slovis suited up? Was he on the sideline? Will he be playing next season in his home state of AZ?
Slovis in street clothes (I think that’s what I saw!). IMO, this is Dart’s job for good now, unless he gets hurt, He still needs to be more accurate, but he can do things Slovis can only dream of. But I don’t see Slovis getting drafted high enough to warrant him leaving college ball now. Would you stay at USC if you were Slovis, and ride the pine? If an NFL career is his big goal, I’d say he has to move to where he can start. The problem is, JT Daniels is now on the bench at GA. There… Read more »
Clearly something changed after I went to bed. Still lost, but guess I’ll have to watch the 4th quarter. Last I saw, BYU went right down the field for a TD with no resistance.
With some good coaching, this team will be in the top 20 next season.
The squad that played BYU last night is not the squad that has shown up all season.
Game ball to the refs. Unbelievably bad and slanted flags. Not one pass interference call against BYU? Holding on a crucial run? And the fumble run extending a play? Are the refs still mad at USC for costing them extra cash last year by skipping a bowl game? Again next week is for the bottom of the PAC12 USC should just call it on account of lack of a point.
USC could have and should have won this game. They just don’t know how to win, period.
Why should they. Clay never taught them. They won solely on talent, not fundamentals and proper attention to details. Chris Steele played a great game. By far the best of his career. He really needs to come back and do it regularly. It shows the true potential of these kids, which The Cat totally wasted.
The kids played with heart. I wished this team would have showed up earlier in the season.
I agree. It shows SC had the talent to be a good to very good team. As we all thought, it was the scheming and coaching. They outplayed BYU and should have won the game. But, they did not know how to win. This was not a Helton ugly game. It is a shame these young men were so poorly coached . They deserved better from SC.
Heartbreaker. But best game of the year.
I don’t recognize this team.
It was the team SC should have been. It shows GH is maturing. Shame he had three years OTJ training to learn the lessons. He will be better at his next job, but it needs to be at a lesser program. As with Clay, he never should have been hired.
Well it’s Sc’s game to win. Drive and score or lose.
This drive is all USC. Get the TD
Run it right at them
This is the offense Harrell always wanted. With an O line getting off the ball and opening holes.
Let’s go!
STOP them
I’m loving this USC version while it lasts. Who knows how long this will go on?
Beat #13 BYU!
I can’t believe that I’m actually seeing this, but we are winning the physical battle.
Somebody challenged them on the sideline. It’s nice to see they still have some fight left.
Nice to see USC have the momentum for a change.
Wow. Great drive.
Where did this O line come from? Run blocking!!
This is best quarter the OLine has played all season.
This is not the Air Raid. It is a completely different O. The D is also playing well. They have turned BYU into the Air Raid team. Amazing.
Best game of the year at home for SC. Dart is playing really well.
Yep. They are playing hard. It’s almost as if they found some heart.
Those two are going to be fun to watch.
Not to be a broken record, but ITS gets beat again.
If Allgeier is out, we might have a chance.
BYU’s RB is not the same.
If (when) Cal and USC both lose tonight should they bother playing next week? Neither will be bowl eligible.
The question is could SC field a team? There are a lot of guys undressed on the sidelines.
USC’s players always seem to get injured and miss a lot of time. Maybe I’m just imagining things. Maybe not.
this message board is by far the best part of this season.
The announced crowd is 55k they must all be behind the camera.
Without Ingram we have no running game.
Barlow is actually pretty good. Our OLine is just atrocious.
Good on this drive.
If they score on this drive it will go down as one of the best of all season. If they don’t then it will be typical.
Just as soon as hit ‘enter’ on my comment Barlow had 2 good runs.

Go figure. You should post that we aren’t going to score this drive
We just can’t catch a break. What could have been a momentum changing interception turns into another easy TD drive. To think the season could have mercilessly ended tonight if not for the Cal reschedule. This season has been like watching a bad reality show where I feel more embarrassed for the players than they do for themselves.
Isaac Taylor Stuart is honestly so terrible that I do not understand why he still plays. We have recruited lots of high rated DB’s, just give anyone of them a shot.
My friend who is a SC WR legend said that he’s lazy and never liked his play.
He’s been as bad as can be this season.
That’s it for me. I’m out. Good night all.
Thanks for participating.
Let the blowout begin.
The BYU over & under is 50. I say they will get north of 50.
What a BS roughing the passer call. We finally do something right, and then.
If I was Dante. I would tell my players to target the refs. These A$$hats destroy PAC-12 football.
I am sick and tired of seeing these flipping dip sh*t Pac 12 officiating refs.
terrible
weak call
Dart looks better and better.
BYU’s defense is punishing these ball carriers. I miss the good old days when SC defense would play physical.
SC can sure burn the clock when they are behind. Way to go.
I guess USC only tackles when 4 guys have their arms around the runner.
WTH? Defense didn’t even get set for that 3rd and short.
We blitz and get there, it just happens to be after the QB gets rid of it to a wide open guy.
Like most other teams, they go where USC is showing the blitz. Orlando has never changed a thing.
I just can’t believe how often we are a step late, it’s like clockwork.
Anyone think we keep them under 50?
Only if BYU forgets about Allgeiers.
No.
USC is just a GREAT job to take now.
We have all been fully tortured with USC’s ineptness for a long time. The new guy should be able to come in and really upgrade noticeably because USC looks so dumb on the field sometimes.
This is the PERFECT time to take over USC football.
They just have to find someone who wants to take over.
If I’m a candidate, and I see what I have to work with on defense, especially, I’m wondering if it’s not so attractive after all. By the way, I did see that an IOWA ST writer is saying that Matt Campbell has had a change of heart and told USC no and is looking for an extension to stay. Any truth to that, you think?
That would be a blessing. We really need Aranda or a NFL defensive minded coach.
Baylor announced that they are working on a long term extension of Aranda’s contract.
I heard the same thing. We throw everything including the kitchen sink at him to try to steal him away.
I have heard so much I am not listening. When Bohn announces, then I will.
Could be. I don’t think anyone is willing to say Matt Campbell is signed, sealed, and delivered. I assumed Bohn and friends still have to close the deal.
If true, we are in a bleak place. Who is left? Caruso’s well of world class coaches has run dry.
Run dry? Really? You mean to say USC couldn’t even get one single good CFB coach to take over?
Gotta get up early so I am out ……..Have a great night all …….Fight On !
How can a Defensive coordinator allow so many points during a season and not be able to change anything including players and schemes, to at least be competitive? Second drive where a player is too lazy to get off the field in time. I wouldn’t let him back in the game. Play walk ons if you have to.
Echolls should not play the rest of the half.
To me …..We GOTTA lead the country in stupid …….stupid …….stupid penalties .
Secret to BYU success tonight is just keep throwing at Steele, and mix in QB keepers
Yep. You’ll get a completion or a PI call.
Steele isn’t bad, ITS is a train wreck.
Cal 14 fucla 10
USC could still win this game. I’d say BYU is beatable. It sure would be great to see USC get hot and have a great couple of quarters.
I agree. BYU is not looking great. Dart looked good on that that last series. The issue is the D. We scored 33 on UCLA, problem is the scored 62.
This last BYU drive, 95 yards aided by penalties and undisciplined play, is unwatchable. What was really embarrassing is that I watched USC players over celebrating the few stops that were made. Never seen a USC defense ranked last in the PAC 12 before. When an opponent takes points off the board, like Stanford did, to go for it on fourth and 1 1/2 because they know how easy it is to convert against this team, then shame on everyone involved
Helton’s impact has been greater on our program than the NCAA sanctions.
Very true, Kiffin’s Trojans played better with less scholarship players than this team with full scholarship load of players.
I SADLY just gotta say maybe ……….Maybe !