Game Day — Can Caleb Williams Finish 2-0 Over UCLA?

UCLA vs. USC football preview: Trojansโ€™ defense has a lot to prove

With Alex Grinch gone, the unit’s struggles going into the rivalry game puts pressure on the coaching staff

Luca Evans (OC Register)ย  —ย  LOS ANGELES โ€” Forty-eight hours into his tenure as USCโ€™s interim co-defensive coordinator, Brian Odom couldnโ€™t remember what day of the week it was.

Life has moved at breakneck speed inside the USC bunker sinceย defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was firedย and Odom, the inside linebackers coach, and defensive line coach Shaun Nua were promoted to co-defensive coordinators.

An offseasonโ€™s worth of potential tweaks to Grinchโ€™s established defensive scheme could only be crammed into a handful of days, and head coach Lincoln Rileyโ€™s message to his staff was simple: Attack for two weeks. Figure the rest out later.

The reality of the situation, though, once this coaching staff comes up for some Thanksgiving turkey-scented air after this weekโ€™s crosstown matchup with UCLA, is obvious. Riley said Thursday, after two years building USCโ€™s program and two years of defensive struggles, that he had a โ€œlot more clarityโ€ on the Trojansโ€™ defensive-coordinator search, a new face whoโ€™d bring in an armada of fresh coaching disciples.

Perhaps itโ€™ll be former Wisconsin DC Jim Leonhard. Perhaps Baylor head coach Dave Aranda if heโ€™s fired, like Riley once a disciple of the late Mike Leach. Perhaps recently fired ex-Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett, who took over the Bulldogs for Leach after his hospitalization.

Any way USC turns, thereโ€™ll be little immediate overlap with anyone on this current defensive staff. Odom and outside linebackers coach Roy Manning followed Grinch from Oklahoma; defensive backs coach Donte Williams has longevity and recruiting chops, but has largely failed to develop a standout homegrown corner in recent years.

That leaves one final showing Saturday for USCโ€™s defensive staff, with jobs on the line, to galvanize a dysfunctional unit.

โ€œYou sign on the dotted line to go be a coach, thereโ€™s a lot of things that come with it โ€“ a lot of good, a lot of bad,โ€ Odom said last week. โ€œI wouldnโ€™t change my profession, so the future will hold what it holds.โ€

Rileyโ€™s expressed goal for Saturday, against a UCLA offense thatโ€™s scored a total of 17 points across its past two games, is for this USC defense to take a step forward. Plain and simple, he put it. Itโ€™s logical, now with two weeks under the belt to implement tweaks removed from Grinch; players have pointed to Nua and Odomโ€™s ability to simplify concepts.

โ€œThe one thing is that we got to keep getting them to play hard and play violent football,โ€ Nua said. โ€œThatโ€™s whatโ€™s going to overcome all this fancy fundamental stuff.โ€

There was little violence up front, though, inย a 36-27 loss to Oregonย last week, andย fancy fundamental stuffย seemed like it couldโ€™ve come in handy with a secondary that visibly threw up its hands multiple times after big-play Duck touchdowns.

So on Monday, Riley said, he and staff laid out clear expectations for players. The defensive group will be healthier. Guys at the front of the room, as he said, are different. Schematics are different.

โ€œYouโ€™re certainly pushing that the combination of all that,โ€ Riley said, โ€œwould lead to an improved performance this week.โ€

If it doesnโ€™t, and UCLAโ€™s offense sputters to life, itโ€™ll leave a final ugly stain on USCโ€™s ledger โ€“ and will likely lead to widespread staff shake-up.

When UCLA has the ball

Completely lost in discussions of the Bruinsโ€™ offensive struggles: Their run game is the best, in terms of yards per game, of any unit USCโ€™s defense has faced this year. Transfer Carson Steele and TJ Harden form an effective one-two punch in the backfield. After a pretty decent showing against Oregonโ€™s backs, the Trojansโ€™ linebackers need to find angles to swallow up four-yard runs before they become eight.

โ€œThe key, I think, is really being consistent and sustaining drives,โ€ UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said this week. โ€œThe teams that have had success offensively have sustained drives on them.โ€

When USC has the ball

Kelly is firmly on the #CalebForHeisman train.

Discussions of back-to-back Heisman hype for Williams have thoroughly died with USCโ€™s season, but his stats โ€“ 3,249 passing yards, 40 total touchdowns, four interceptions โ€“ undeniably rival anyoneโ€™s.

โ€œI think sometimes, you get into the โ€˜Well, he won it last year, so letโ€™s give it to somebody else,โ€™โ€ Kelly said. โ€œBut if the awardโ€™s supposed to go to the best player in the country, that kid is as good as a football player as Iโ€™ve had the opportunity to coach against.โ€

That includes Andrew Luck, by the way. A hat tip, it seems, from Kelly before Williamsโ€™ potential final game of collegiate football. Thereโ€™s no storyline more compelling from USCโ€™s standpoint Saturday than a last chance to see a generational prospect at work against his programโ€™s greatest rival.

UCLA (6-4 overall, 3-4 Pac-12) at USC (7-4, 5-3); Saturday, 12:30 p.m.; Coliseum; TV/radio:ย ABC (Ch.ย 7)/570 AM

ocregister.com

_______

TrojanDailyBlog membersย โ€”ย ย We always encourage you to add factual information, insight, divergent opinions, or new topics to theย  ย that donโ€™t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.

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Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 8:23 am

How do you intend on building a program without developing the most important part which is Offensive lineman!!!!! Now you don’t have Caleb. Hmmm imagine Miller in the game against ND. We lost Vorhees and another guy last year. What efforts were made to replace that?!?! There’s one answer to regressing in year 2. You cannot protect your QB without that!!’ We do not need to spend any recruiting efforts on WR’s period. You need a run first offense!! This is College not Pro’s Recruiting should be on OL and development. “ DEFENSE”, and RB’s. Big plays downfield are created… Read more ยป

Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 7:44 am

Hey Jennifer Cohen does the majority of top college football programs pay for players!?!?!? What is the point of hiring LR if you going cripple his ability to do that?!?!? What is the point of moving to the Big-10, and do you actually think you are going to have a better chance at making the playoffs by just moving to the Big-10?!?!? Why do you think we are loosing the recruiting war in our own backyard with 4 and 5 star defensive players to Oregon?!?! It’s because you wanna play old school ball and act like the history of SC… Read more ยป

Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 8:35 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I get that it is Riley Allen but there is a root to that. What is the point in hiring any perineal HC if you are not going to keep up with the Jones, and that means paying players. We might as well stay in purgatory and not pay for HC if your going to handcuff him because you wonโ€™t pay for players. Thatโ€™s the point.

Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 9:08 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

If you are not going to pay players your not rebuilding anything for the future of this program. It does not matter who the coach is you are crippling the development of the program by having that policy in place to not pay players, and what coach is going to want go to SC when you are handcuffing his ability to recruit players based on that policy currently in place. That’s a major major obstacle Allen LR or not. Might as well not pay for a top DC without removing that policy just saying. It’s a big big problem moving… Read more ยป

Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 10:16 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Bottomline we are taking away the ability for “any” coach to reach there full potential in recruiting with the current NIL policy in place at SC and if the rest of the elite teams in the nation do not have that policy in place in there programs then I rest my case! I want to take care Caleb Williams and my WR’s.Those are not the players that are the key to winning. Winning is about spreading the love around. It’s about Balance. Do the best teams in college have the best QB? No they have a capable QB. Do I… Read more ยป

TrojanRon
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November 19, 2023 9:09 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I just saw an interview with Mike Tomlin, HC of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s the type of Head Coach USC desperately needs. A no-nonsense, defensive-minded guy who stresses discipline and ball control. All of the most successful USC Head Coaches were that way, starting with Howard Jones in the 1920s-1930s whose teams were known as the Thundering Herd. Now SC is the Stumbling and Bumbling Herd. I’m very disappointed with Riley. He’s an OC who is way over his head as a HC-just like Paul Hackett.

SC Gator
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November 19, 2023 10:09 am
Reply to  TrojanRon

When was the last time SC hired a head coach who played as a lineman?

McKay was a running back
JRob was a tight end
Tollner a QB
Smith an end
Hackett, a QB
Carroll, a DB
Kiffin, Sark, Helton, and Riley, all QBs.

Rock2112
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November 19, 2023 2:25 pm
Reply to  SC Gator

Trust me – they are no happier with Mario Cristobal out there in Miami than we are with Riley.

SC Gator
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November 19, 2023 3:21 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Touche

Fighton74
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November 19, 2023 10:32 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Unfortunately we are stuck with Riley SC. Cannot afford to back peddle. Yes we need a Defensive minded HC however that’s not gonna happen because then are talking about a whole new system and recruits that takes at least a couple of years to re-develop. SC ‘s easiest fix is to lift there restricted NIL policy, and to hire and “pay” for the best DC on the market. Someone from the Big-10 who can advise LR on how to build a capable Big-10 team. I don’t like him either, but you can’t fix what has already been done, because it… Read more ยป

TrojanRon
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November 19, 2023 4:00 am

UCLA won yesterday with a solid running game and stout defense. That’s what USC had in the 1970s when I was a student at SC. Both John McKay and John Robinson pounded the rock and played solid defense. SC won 3 Nattys in the 1970s with the undefeated 1972 team being the best in my opinion. Most of the 1972 guys were from local High Schools. The backfield of Mike Rae from Lakewood HS, Sam Cunningham from Santa Barbara HS, and Anthony Davis from San Fernando HS was one of the best USC ever had, but rarely talked about these… Read more ยป

Jamaica
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November 18, 2023 10:15 pm

Jennifer Cohen, you have a 10-million dollar problem working in Heritage Hall running a football program that stinks right now the way it is playing.

USC1988
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November 19, 2023 7:09 am
Reply to  Jamaica

Any coach that could create such an anemic defense and allow that mess for two full years … well we will see what LR really is. Unfortunately, we have a good idea. We have seen these types the past decade.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 8:18 pm

USC defense gave up 419 points this season which is the most points given up by USC all time. Let that sink in. No other USC team has EVER given up this many points. Wild.

DonEstif
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November 19, 2023 8:09 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

โ€˜Wildโ€™ is very generous โ€œegregiously embarrassingโ€ is probably more accurate.

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 7:48 pm

If I were a great QB being recruited by Riley…….sorry……..I want to get to the pros with all my organs. As for Miller……make sure your insurance is current.
From past experience….you can recruit whoever you want….OL freshmen can’t do it……as for transfers……you’ll have to offer a billion dollars for anyone worth much to want to come to a line with no development, very little talent, no cohesion and coaches that might get fired. Why would an NFL type linemen risk the big bucks coming here.

2manyyears
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November 18, 2023 7:46 pm

That was embarrassing to say the least. Turnstile defence and a good QB running around trying to stay alive.The comment from one poster at the game said his section was calling out the plays before SC ran them. I have been doing that most of the year.LR does not have the ability to adapt on the fly. He is stubborn about everything. 3 Yards rushing. Hell Stanley Havili could have gotten 10 yds today with no blocking (And I loved Stanley). My fear is that some of the skill players we have may hit the portal because who needs to… Read more ยป

Chris
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November 18, 2023 7:06 pm

Ok, Iโ€™m over it now. My rock kicking is over. Note to everyone, do not watch the game with a bunch of family members who went to the other school. It makes it all the more aggravating, and I canโ€™t suplex my 78 year old father in law. That would be frowned upon by my wife.

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 7:23 pm
Reply to  Chris

I watched it with a Giants fan who really likes one thing about Caleb ……. The Giants currently have a HORRIBLE offensive line and he liked how Caleb can still make plays playing behind a bad offensive line .

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 8:02 pm
Reply to  HOF19

Short career in NFL

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 8:39 pm
Reply to  USC1988

Hilarious

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 8:13 pm
Reply to  Chris

Yes, we lived for the Pete years. It was as good as it could ever get. Hoping LR could give us consistent good years. But not happening, he just wasnโ€™t what we thought. Sloppy play, still no size, line play awful, a complete embarrassment for a defense.
With just decent coaching we beat Utah and Washington. But instead a quit job today and a complete failure of a season. With no experienced qb vs next yearโ€™s schedule, it looks disheartening.

Chris
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November 18, 2023 8:21 pm
Reply to  USC1988

The good news is there will be change. A competent DC can move us from horrible to average without doing much. Also, do not discount the portal. Florida st is in playoff hunt because of the portal. They did it the right way. The DLine we just played was entirely transfers. Riley just got his first real taste of failure. It will be interesting to see how he changes and adjusts.

Mikejohn
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November 19, 2023 8:31 pm
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 โ€œThis is a fine mess you’ve gotten us into.โ€
This quip from Laurel and Hardy does have relevance to the USC coaching staff.

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 6:33 pm

Boy ……The back-and-forth in this Kansas vs Kansas St game never seems to stop.

volunteerTrojan
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November 18, 2023 7:18 pm
Reply to  HOF19

The WA/ORSt game and the MO/FL game are pretty good too.

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 6:24 pm

USC Beat writers have been informing their readers that Caleb declined to talk to ANYONE after this game .

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 6:40 pm
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Good for him

Fighton74
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November 18, 2023 6:12 pm

If SC does not pay for the best DC on the market and drop there moronic policy of not paying players what they deserve. Then going to the Big-10 is the biggest mistake they will ever make!!!

Golden Trojan
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November 18, 2023 6:21 pm
Reply to  Fighton74

Absolutely, if you didn’t want to play with the big boys and play by their rules then why bother? If you want to be no better than Indiana, Michigan ST, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Purdue what’s the point? Use football to fund non revenue sports? The LR hire is on Mike Bohn, it’s up to Jen Cohen to fix it. Let’s hope Enfield can give us some fun this winter.

Rock2112
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November 18, 2023 6:07 pm

Lincoln Riley era is similar to the Kiffin era so far, but without the sanctions excuse. I have lost all my enthusiasm for USC football all over again. We are at the bottom of a pit again and are not a great DC hire away from program restoration. Riley is exposed offensively as well. It is not just the line. It is unsophistication in adjusting to what your opponent is doing. I am about six games into wondering where the quick slant is. Two quick steps and BAM — ball is out to the receiver. Or at least a draw… Read more ยป

Golden Trojan
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November 18, 2023 6:13 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Well in the Big10 USC gets $65 million a year. Enough to buy out the old staff and hire a new one. Jen Cohen inherited LR. It is up to her to convince Carol Folt what the reality is. LR has another year to make good.

Trojanfanatic
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November 18, 2023 6:15 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Agree. He is exposed offensively as well. I was at the game as most here were. Fans in my section were literally shouting out the next usc play before the snap. Heโ€™s an air raid simpleton. Oh and fanboys donโ€™t give me the BS that he doesnโ€™t run the air raid. Your clueless.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 6:51 pm
Reply to  Trojanfanatic

Fanboys – lol

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 6:54 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

Straight out of Scott Wolfs blog.

volunteerTrojan
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November 18, 2023 6:56 pm
Reply to  Steveg

That guy is going to have fodder for months off of today’s crash and burn.

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 7:00 pm

I won’t even go there with all the wacko nut cases.

volunteerTrojan
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November 18, 2023 7:04 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Maybe once every few weeks I’ll scan the blogger’s post titles, but I haven’t read below the fold in years. Reading the comments of the inmates running that asylum is a useless waste of time.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 8:12 pm
Reply to  Steveg

I see over a dozen that just signed up in the last month. Probably the same person.

Chris
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November 18, 2023 7:03 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

โ€œFanboysโ€ is a lame troll move

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 7:04 pm
Reply to  Trojanfanatic

Ya, I’m clueless. Whatever you say.

Chris
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November 18, 2023 7:12 pm
Reply to  Steveg

My hand is in the air. Iโ€™m clueless too. Itโ€™s fun.

Trojan96
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November 18, 2023 6:29 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Noticed when they played cover 2 man, LRโ€™s offense struggled to move the ball down the field unless the WR beat the Corner and made a play on the outside. It seemed like the last 6 teams we played know our entire playbook.

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 6:38 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

The entire Big 10 plays cover 2 … LR has been a massive disappointment

volunteerTrojan
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November 18, 2023 6:55 pm
Reply to  USC1988

I, for one, certainly do not consider him an offensive guru. There are many offenses in the country every bit as effective as Riley’s.

Chris
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November 18, 2023 7:02 pm

Not too many.

SC Gator
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November 19, 2023 12:37 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

And I am six games into wondering what the offensive game plan is.

USC1988
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November 19, 2023 7:34 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

The lack of run game imagination was unreal

DonEstif
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November 19, 2023 8:25 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Agree. I believe Peteโ€™s biggest strength was the halftime adjustments he made. Riley does little if anything to change tactics, except throw the ball more than the 75% of the plays he already calls for passing. Rileyโ€™s play designs seem to take three beats minimum before someone is to be open, no quick hitters except behind-the-line tosses to WRs, almost nothing quick in the middle โ€ฆ and Caleb seems to only be looking 20 yds down field, until he has to scramble. A very predictable offense.

Trojanfanatic
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November 18, 2023 6:04 pm

Lincoln Riley took over a stoops program. When stoops players and foundation started to ebb away, Riley had to get out. Heโ€™s an air raid simpleton who doesnโ€™t understand the fundamentals of natty level football. Defense is something you do between offensive possessions. Heโ€™s out of his league as far as understanding how to build a program from the ground up.Clueless.
The 2 biggest football powerhouse high schools in the nation are literally minutes away from him and heโ€™s somewhat a stranger to them. Sorry, a Mike Leach program will never win anything except a meaningless bowl game. 

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 5:38 pm

Back-and-forth lead changes Kansas vs Kansas St Game .

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 5:36 pm

I’am being told Riley stated that great days are ahead……what universe does this moron live in.

RialtoTrojan
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November 18, 2023 5:05 pm

Here’s what Lincoln Riley seems to be like to me (I have probably used this joke before) A golf pro was challenged to teach a gorilla how to play golf. A few months go by and the pro summons the challengers to the golf course. There they find the pro and a gorilla dressed in proper golf attire. The gorilla steps up to the ball and, wham, 310 yard drive right to within two feet of the hole! The pro collects money from some who had wagered he couldn’t do it. The lone hold out wants to see the gorilla… Read more ยป

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 5:01 pm

Looking back on the game, both teams sucked. Without the two lost fumbles and interception resulting in scores it could have been a different game outcome. To bad Caleb didn’t finish with a win.

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 5:30 pm
Reply to  Steveg

UCLA has sound concepts … especially on D. Chip was handicapped by the qb but his 2nd TD was a beautifully designed fake wheel to TE delay. So O was much better too.

DonEstif
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November 18, 2023 4:58 pm

Next year, SC with have a 3 win season . . . I know, Iโ€™m being overly optimistic.

Golden Trojan
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November 18, 2023 4:57 pm

Is Lincoln Riley; An elite head coach? Absolutely not. An offensive gure? Definitely no. A great OC? No. A good quarterback coach? Probably. Grotesquely over paid? Absolutely. Jen Cohen, wow, you have inherited the project that will make or break your career. A grossly over paid head football coach with a bad football team. This is a mediocre Pac12 team and will be a bad Big10 team. He’s no better than Clay Helton! Your job one, convince Carol Folt the collectives need to operate like every other elite program. Number 2, tell LR he is on a short leash. You… Read more ยป

volunteerTrojan
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November 18, 2023 5:29 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

I agree with you on your 5 questions and answers. I don’t blame Riley for for his contract, but, he now DOES have to live up to it, which after 2 years he has not. To me, he has 1 more year. Grinch lost me after the first half of the first game of this season. LR can do the same in the first game of next season. We will see how he reacts to this adversity. The coaching staff needs to be rebuilt from the ground up with coaches who emphasize recruiting, the two lines, size, strength and toughness.… Read more ยป

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
November 18, 2023 6:08 pm

The LR bandwagon has crashed and burned. He needs to start building a program the right way from the ground up. There is no quick fix with the Portal unless you have a collective that can go out and buy the best players. Even then it would take a couple seasons to get everyone on the same page. Of course you need the staff that can do it, which USC clearly doesn’t have.

Jamaica
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November 18, 2023 4:40 pm

Looking at the program right now: with the exception of some skill players, what is there to look forward to next season? Where has LR got the program positioned to play in a physically tough conference? Did the administration take into consideration how a refined air raid offensive sided HC would prepare a program to succeed in the Big Ten? I am wondering if the money backers are thinking what some of us are? They have to be! That Lincoln Riley isn’t a PC, a McKay or a Robinson that can develop a football program suitable to compete week in… Read more ยป

DonEstif
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November 18, 2023 4:50 pm
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Riley just needs to go, write him a $77M check and get somebody else. The QB is good, the RBs and WRs are good, and everyone else is suspect. If Riley were a true coach heโ€™d find a way to work with what he has rather than forcing them to comprehend his complex offensive schemes and his ignorance and indifference to defense. Riley sucks!

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:52 pm
Reply to  Jamaica

The one thing I wonder is are a lot of these players coached up to as good as they will be? Is it all on the staff? I am not defending Riley here, he has made some big mistakes. Riley does not run a true air raid, he will use the ground game, when it works. It for some reason has not worked. If you look at the B1G, they are not the 3 yards and a cloud of dust any more, even Wisconsin has gone to the air. Irregardless, it is over for 2023, we shall see what steps… Read more ยป

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 5:28 pm
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Wouldnโ€™t work because QB was of little threat to run … in this O he has too.
Also, trying to developer drop back skills should had been left to pros.

But more than anything the D was beyond pathetic

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 6:59 pm
Reply to  USC1988

I couldn’t understand CW not taking off more often but he seemed gun shy. Worst defense in USC history I believe.

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 4:24 pm

What Riley needs to say…..I have done a poor job this year coaching this team. I will take an objective look in the mirror and do what is necessary to win. Which will include a pay cut for me. A new OC so I can focus on being a head coach. A new DC A completely new coaching staff to include recruiting and conditioning A focus on building connections across the USC family including HS coaches. A realization that winning national teams have great defenses and offenses and play a balanced offensive game plan. If he lays this off on… Read more ยป

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:37 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

I agree with everything but I do think there are some areas the players are the problem. Not that they are not trying, simply some of the talent level is not where it should be. Like size on the D line, speed of linebackers, and blocking ability of the O line. I think Riley knew what he had in Caleb, a once in a generation Qb, and did what he thought was best to get Caleb to the NC. It simply was not enough. Now perhaps he begins a real rebuild.

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November 18, 2023 4:56 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Thatโ€™s a pretty generous assessment when the players get questionable coaching. Teach them how to block and tackle at thislevel, but all the coaches do is draw up complex plays so that theyโ€™re recognized as geniuses. Execution always wins out and as weโ€™ve seen SC canโ€™t execute much. Thatโ€™s on the coaches, if they donโ€™t have players that can execute it is their primary responsibility to change that: recruit; train; teach. This LR really sucks!

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:22 pm

Thanks guys, it has been a rough season. We have nowhere to go but up. Great to be around a good group of people fighting for USC.

TrojanMPA90
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November 18, 2023 4:17 pm

After today’s game, Riley has a lot of work to do. This was as bad a performance as we’ve seen in many years.

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:20 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

As has been stated, the worst defense in USC history. I hope Riley realizes it.

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 4:13 pm

Riley want to Impress me ? …….Give about 10 million (or more) to some charity or something .

Trojan96
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November 18, 2023 4:12 pm

Thank you Caleb!!!! And sorry you had a horrible supporting cast. You deserved so much better young man. You will have a successful NFL career.

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 4:19 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

Canโ€™t wait to watch him in NFL … when he gets some help

TrojanMPA90
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November 18, 2023 4:10 pm

I don’t want Riley to say we’re so close. He needs to come out and say we played like garbage.

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:11 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

or played like sh!t

HOF19
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HOF19
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November 18, 2023 4:10 pm

Miss you already Caleb …..Now Stay healthy and what the heck …..Maybe end up in that place known as the NFL Hall of Fame ?????

TrojanMPA90
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November 18, 2023 4:10 pm

And now a bowl game is it.

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:09 pm

Just about everything that can be said has been said. This season is over. Good riddance.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 4:09 pm

Thank god this game is finally over.

Chris
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November 18, 2023 4:08 pm

Thanks Caleb!

Fighton74
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Fighton74
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November 18, 2023 4:08 pm

Pathetic you canโ€™t salvage pride at home against your cross town rival for the final game of the season Hot Garbage!!!! What a complete embarrassment!!

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 4:08 pm

7-5 USC vs 7-5 Duke in the Sun Bowl .

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 4:20 pm
Reply to  HOF19

No Bowl game

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 4:08 pm

The one good outcome of this game is it keeps chocolate chip Kelly employed at ucla.

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 4:07 pm

Looks like Chipster got a new pair of glasses……looking his age

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 4:05 pm

A much better rivalry game is on in about 5 minutes ….Kansas St vs Kansas on FS1 .

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:06 pm
Reply to  HOF19

WA vs Or St also

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 4:08 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Wa better win or I’am a disaster with the point game.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 4:04 pm

Look how empty the coliseum is

Chris
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Chris
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November 18, 2023 4:03 pm

3 yards rushing. 3!

Paul_Muad_dib
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November 18, 2023 4:07 pm
Reply to  Chris

That’s almost 1 per quarter! Progress!

HOF19
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November 18, 2023 4:00 pm

Would not be surprised if NFL Scouts are not totally happy …..WHY …….Because playing behind this USC Offensive line they might be wondering if they are getting a TRUE Picture of Calebs Talents !

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 4:01 pm
Reply to  HOF19

I think they know the good and bad parts of his game. He will be #1

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 4:05 pm
Reply to  HOF19

nfl scouts, coaches, and general managers all know what CW is capable of. Going pro he can spend 8-10 hours a day on his game with good coaches.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 3:59 pm

Sadly what DC will want to join this train wreck.

illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 4:00 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

not with mr heave it in charge

Trojan96
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November 18, 2023 5:40 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

USC will need to offer full autonomy and a huge payday to get a quality DC.

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 3:59 pm

Where in the heck are those towel wavers…..

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 4:00 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

They were too embarrassed

Chris
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Chris
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November 18, 2023 3:59 pm

is this the worst game you loss you can remember? Considering the circumstances, I think it is for me. Iโ€™ve been watching USC football for 40 years, I canโ€™t think of a bigger let down.

Paul_Muad_dib
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November 18, 2023 4:01 pm
Reply to  Chris

I witnessed USC lose 13-9 vs UCLA and miss out on a national championship opportunity. However this game trumps that dumpster fire. This is the most embarrassing performance I’ve ever seen by USC. I feel so bad for Caleb.

TrojanMPA90
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November 18, 2023 3:58 pm

This feels like 2012 all over again. A trip to the Sun Bowl and seeing Riley wear a sombrero will only cap it off.

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 3:58 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

I cant wait

USC1988
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November 18, 2023 4:21 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

LR can stay there

Paul_Muad_dib
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November 18, 2023 3:56 pm

Can Caleb Williams sue this O line for attempted man slaughter?

Steveg
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November 18, 2023 3:57 pm
Reply to  Paul_Muad_dib

Or aat least for fraud

Steveg
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Steveg
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November 18, 2023 3:56 pm

Get #4 off the damn field.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 3:57 pm
Reply to  Steveg

If they take everyone off the field that isnโ€™t doing anything there will be no one left.

Chris
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Chris
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November 18, 2023 3:55 pm

Caleb needs to get out now. Do not get hurt

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 3:57 pm
Reply to  Chris

and sit out any bowl……its time for him to do the right thing after the game and say he is moving on. We need to find a QB and he deserves the big bucks.

HOF19
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HOF19
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November 18, 2023 3:55 pm

Does Riley OWE Caleb some sort of apology for this season ?

Trojan96
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November 18, 2023 3:54 pm

#71 sucks!!!

Trojan96
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November 18, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

#76 sucks too.

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 3:56 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

On the bright side 71 will not need to shower after the game. He hasnโ€™t blocked anyone all day

Paul_Muad_dib
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November 18, 2023 4:02 pm
Reply to  Trojan96

The entire o line sucks beside Monheim

TrojanMPA90
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November 18, 2023 3:54 pm

Can we opt out of the Big 10 and stay with the Pac-2

UtahTrojan
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November 18, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

The PAC 2 only wants good teams.

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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November 18, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

that means we’d be 0-2…..not that bad

Steveg
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Steveg
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November 18, 2023 3:54 pm

CW has reached his limit with this line