Hello Grinch, Bye Bye Bear, Gentry, Lake…

USC vs. Wisconsin three things to watch: the infamous Alex Grinch returns to L.A.

USC coach Lincoln Riley, left, talks with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch at practice.

Lincoln Riley talks with his former DC Alex Grinch during practice in March 2022. Grinch now coaches safeties at WIS. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Ryan Kartje (LA Times)ย  —ย  When Lincoln Rileyย was hired atย USCย in 2021, one of his first calls was toย Alex Grinch. The defensive coordinator had already helped turn around his Oklahoma defense, and in the process, the two coaches had come to trust each other. Their families got close. So when Riley arrived in L.A., on an early-morning plane that November, Grinch was on the same flight.

It turned out to be a rocky ride for Grinch at USC.ย He lasted less than two seasonsย and presided over two of the worst defenses in school history. But when the two coaches reunite Saturday at the Coliseum โ€” this time, with Grinch wearing a different shade of red โ€” Riley wonโ€™t be thinking about how things ended for him, less than a year ago, at USC.

โ€œItโ€™ll be good to see him,โ€ Riley said. โ€œItโ€™ll certainly be unique, being on opposite sidelines, with all the good times and great memories we had together, all the years working together.โ€

The two coaches had worked together from 2019 to 2023, between stints at Oklahoma and USC. Plenty of time certainly for Grinch, who now coaches Wisconsinโ€™s safeties, to understand exactly how Rileyโ€™s offense ticks.

โ€œCoach Grinch has a good familiarity with what weโ€™ve done,โ€ Riley said. โ€œBut I still think the game comes down to players and who executes the best on Saturday afternoon. I think weโ€™ve prepared hard, but we know itโ€™ll be a good challenge going against a defense that heโ€™s obviously a part of.โ€

That Wisconsin defense, for what itโ€™s worth, now ranks 16th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten in scoring defense (23 points per game).

Hereโ€™s what to watch as No. 13 USC faces Wisconsin in its Big Ten home opener on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PDT in a game airing nationally on CBS (Paramount+).

On the edge

USC linebacker Eric Gentry warms up before a win over LSU in Las Vegas on Sept. 1.

It took new USC defensive coordinator Dโ€™Anton Lynn all of two practices to figure out that he should probably try Eric Gentry, the Trojansโ€™ freakish 6-foot-6 linebacker, off the edge as a pass rusher.

It was just that obvious to him. Even if it hasnโ€™t always been obvious to others.

โ€œHe just does some stuff that you canโ€™t coach,โ€ Lynn said this week.

That stuff has been on display the past few weeks. Especially as Lynn has opened up Gentryโ€™s role as a rusher off the edge.

Against Michigan, Gentry lined up for 26 snaps on the defensive line. That was more snaps off the edge than he had all of last season (24). He has 41 snaps on the edge already this season, tied for his most in a season at USC, and his 6.5 tackles for loss in that role are tied for the most in the Big Ten.

Itโ€™s clear, all across the conference, that itโ€™s been a good fit with Gentry and Lynn. And Lynn still has a few ideas left to deploy with his suddenly dangerous edge rusher.

โ€œWe still havenโ€™t used him in all the ways that we have in practice,โ€ Lynn said. โ€œSo, thereโ€™s still more for us to do with him. And then, as the season goes on, as the package expands, Iโ€™m sure thereโ€™s going to be different ideas that keep on popping up each week.โ€

Life after Bear

USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander, right, lines up opposite Utah State offensive lineman Teague Andersen.

Former USC DT Bear Alexander lines up opposite UTAH ST OL Teague Andersen during the Trojansโ€™ blowout win Sept. 7. (Mark J. Terrill / AP)

Bear Alexander played only 69 snapsย through three games, but his absence in the defensive line rotation does open up some important opportunities for young players to prove themselves in his place.

Thatโ€™s especially true for Jide Abasiri, a true freshman and former three-star prospect who has turned heads since his arrival in spring. When the team updated its depth chart Wednesday, Abasiri had moved into Alexanderโ€™s spot on the second team.

How that new rotation actually works in practice remains to be seen. But Abasiri will certainly have a shot to crack it.

โ€œHe kind of has that feel where itโ€™s just a matter of time,โ€ Riley said. โ€œBecause the kid is very talented. Heโ€™s a hard worker. He really seems like he wants to get this done โ€” heโ€™s just progressing really quickly. It wouldnโ€™t surprise me if he works himself into an opportunity to help this football team this year. And regardless, heโ€™s got a very bright future.โ€

Lake-less in L.A.

USC tight end Lake McRee warms up before a win over LSU on Sept. 1.

Lincoln Riley was just finally starting to lean into using the tight end again, when USC lost its leading pass-catcher at the position.ย Lake McReeย is likely to miss several weeks with a lower-body injury, leaving USC with a litany of unproven options at the position.

Kade Elridge, a redshirt freshman who played primarily running back in high school, is the most likely to lead the group in snaps to start after establishing himself as a reliable blocker and pass-catcher. Freshman Walker Lyons, who spent the previous year on a Latter-day Saints mission, could quickly make an impact, too, as he continues to adjust to the college game.

Quarterback Miller Mossย said Tuesday that he has โ€œa tremendous amount of confidenceโ€ in both.

โ€œTheyโ€™ve practiced really well,โ€ Moss said. โ€œKade had a great spring, and Walker has been doing really well since he got in.โ€

latimes.com

___________

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

 

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Steveg
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Steveg
Online
September 27, 2024 7:38 pm

Miami finally has a decent opponent and is struggling. #7?? They should drop after this game. 34-24 in the fourth.

John Weld
Admin
Noble Genius
John Weld
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September 27, 2024 5:35 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Looking forward to the game, I haven’t seen a Rutgers game in many years.

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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September 28, 2024 4:59 am
Reply to  John Weld

I was astounded at how well Washington looked. The flight time was over 7 hours…..commute to both airports between 20 minutes to 40 minutes……3 time zone change……short week. Showers. If not for a few bone headed penalties Wash would have won the game going away.
Fisch looking like a quality coach that does well with lesser talent.
Lost my bet by a half point but ……..it was a great game.
Just got the feeling Rutgers was hanging on.

TrojanRon
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TrojanRon
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September 28, 2024 5:47 am
Reply to  illinoisusc

Great comment about the travel time and time zone changes, illinoisusc. When I first heard last year that USC was moving to the BIG, I had the same concerns about our players. The same can be said for the fans who want to attend an away game. It was an easy drive or even easier flight to get to Cal and Stanford back in the day. Now in the BIG, it’s going to be long flights and at least one change of planes for me as the closest airport to where I now live in retirement in Bullhead City, AZ… Read more ยป

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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September 28, 2024 10:21 am
Reply to  TrojanRon

I don’t live in Madison but have friends there. Grew up 90 miles away. For the size of the city you may be surprised at how cosmopolitan. It is the state capital. Growing like a weed. Very healthy. The university is on a huge lake and is a beautiful campus. Very progressive community if that trips your trigger…..not for me…..but it takes all types. As for travel I understand your concern…..personally it’s been a blessing. I’am too old to go to most games anymore but living in Indy…..ND, Mich, Mich St, Ill, Indiana, Ohio St, Northwestern, Purdue, Tenn, Louisville, Cinn… Read more ยป

illinoisusc
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illinoisusc
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September 28, 2024 10:24 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

He did not have a great night. I would not have wanted to be on that 7 hour flight, being him, on the way home. Hopefully he remembers his stroke when he plays USC.

RialtoTrojan
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RialtoTrojan
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September 27, 2024 2:13 pm

I know it’s cold but I thought Grinch was throwing a gang sign for West Covina Big Dudes. I was corrected, that has crossed thumbs (?) He’s throwing the wieners hand sign. He was always confused about the USC hand sign. He didn’t know what two fingers in a V stood for because his defense didn’t have any convincing victories. Someone asked if I missed Grinch? I told nope I told them I do miss taking extra blood pressure medicine during the game and invited them to ask again the next time I see two defenders tackling each other while… Read more ยป

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 27, 2024 3:10 pm
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

I miss Grinch like I miss a colonoscopy prep!

John Weld
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Noble Genius
John Weld
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September 27, 2024 3:30 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

……or a proctology exam ๏ปฟ  :wpds_eek: ๏ปฟ

Chris
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Chris
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September 27, 2024 1:47 pm

Grinch is coaching on the other side which means someone on our side should have a career day. Iโ€™ll go with Jaโ€™Kobi catching 3 TDโ€™s.
38-13 USC

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 27, 2024 1:53 pm
Reply to  Chris

I hope Moss runs the same play he threw the pick six last week. This time he stares down and pump fakes the short guy, the safety bites and he goes long to wide open Lane or Robinson for TD.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 27, 2024 1:56 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

Speaking of Robinson, could he be used as a Tight End?

Chris
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Chris
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September 27, 2024 2:28 pm
Reply to  Golden Trojan

He was in high school, but heโ€™s too light to block LBโ€™s or DEโ€™s right now. I do not think heโ€™s put on much weight since being here.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 27, 2024 4:45 pm
Reply to  Chris

Just imagine all the receivers out there and then throw in Duce at TE as a receiver. Poor Linebackers.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 27, 2024 12:37 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I get a sense that Wisconsin is like Michigan’s little brother. Not as big and strong but able to pass a bit better. SC should win this but not sure they will cover the 15. Hope for more than 50 total points

John Weld
Admin
Noble Genius
John Weld
Online
September 27, 2024 12:59 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

My Score Prediction: USC 35 Wisconsin 17

I am out there on the ledge, anyone want to join me with a prediction.

Jamaica
Noble Genius
Jamaica
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September 27, 2024 1:21 pm
Reply to  John Weld

The issue here is the inconsistency of LRโ€™s playcalling & clock management, In two games so far you have to question his Thinking in time management and in the 1st half last week you would think it was more like Kirk Ferentz calling the plays than a Mike Leach deciple. Wisconsin doesnโ€™t play at away games like they do at home so at least they arenโ€™t going to come out here and steamroll our defense. If my memory is correct, Alabama threw on the badgers pretty easily. I will go 38 to 20.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
September 27, 2024 1:51 pm
Reply to  John Weld

I’ll go with USC 31 Wisconsin 20. Just covers the over.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Online
September 27, 2024 4:47 pm
Reply to  John Weld

USC 42 Wisc 13 Remember we are going against a Grinch defense.

John Weld
Admin
Noble Genius
John Weld
Online
September 27, 2024 5:38 pm
Reply to  Steveg

This is what it says in the Wisconsin Football media guide: “Alex Grinch, regarded as one of the nation’s top defensive and secondary coaches, joined the Badgers’ staff as safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator.” I got a good chuckle out of it.