How USC’s defense is tackling the bye week after loss to Notre Dame
The Trojans had a season-high 10 missed tackles against the Fighting Irish, who totaled 306 rushing yards while handing USC its second loss
Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price runs up field as USC’s Bishop Fitzgerald tries to tackle him during the first half last weekend in South Bend. The Trojans had a season-high 10 missed tackles and gave up 306 rushing yds in the 34-23 loss. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Haley Sawyer (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — The entire USC football team has been doing tackling drills this week. Not just the defense. It’s everybody.
“We’re doing a couple things on the field as a whole team,” defensive end Braylan Shelby told reporters after practice on Wednesday.
“We’re just doing it on the bags and things like that, but it’s just getting back to being in those positions because you never know when you’re going to end up on offense doing something like that. It’s good to have everybody do that and just be better collectively as a team.”
USC (5-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) had a season-high 10 missed tackles in its 34-23 loss to Notre Dame, which once again brings a football fundamental back into focus.
“Still tackling,” defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn said of the work for this bye week. “It’s block destruction, getting off blocks and tackling and communication. Those are three things that, no matter what defense we call, no matter what scheme you’re in, you have to be able to do those things at a high level.”
Extra time for individual drills is built into bye week practices, since there’s no weekend opponent to prepare for. Certain days can be dedicated to one skill, like tackling, so that examples of good and bad moments can be shown and drills can be intentionally chosen.
Shelby (10) has been one of the most efficient tacklers on the team with 17 total tackles and zero missed tackles in addition to five tackles for loss and 3½ sacks. He told reporters on Wednesday that he felt locked in ahead of the Notre Dame game.
“When I’m in that mode, I’m kind of just mentally in it,” Shelby said. “Everything else is just quiet. And you’re trying to just focus on the game, and you’re just running through plays, imagining having success, which is a big factor in actually having success on the field. That’s a big thing for me.”
Still, the fact remains that the Trojans gave up 442 yards of total offense – and 306 of those yards were on the ground.
Head coach Lincoln Riley told reporters on Tuesday that he felt the team’s physicality was similar to that of the Michigan game, which was a breakthrough night for the defense. The problems, he said, were more so regarding gap control and assignments.
“The first run of the game, and we got two guys completely out of position,” Riley said. “It’s a perfect call – it should be a dead play or a 4-yard gain, maybe. But against a good team with two phenomenal running backs – you give them a couple of gimmes, it’s going to be a real challenge and battle the entire game.”
POTENTIAL DEPTH CHART CHANGES
Lynn didn’t rule out making changes to the depth chart and said that there are multiple players who are on the verge of breaking into the lineup.
“Any guys who earn our trust are going to get a chance to play,” Lynn told reporters. “Playing time can adjust all throughout the year. There’s a handful of other guys that are on that fringe, where if they just can be a little bit more consistent, you’ll see them out there more.”
He used redshirt freshman Jadyn Walker (31) as an example. Walker, from Portage, Michigan, has started the last two games at Will linebacker after seeing time at both Will and Mike in the first five games of the season.
The coaching staff is also searching for a player who can take over at nickel so that safety Kamari Ramsey can once again be moved around the field.
“The more reps these young guys get – because we have a lot of guys who are getting reps, but they might be getting 10 reps a game or 15 reps a game,” Lynn said. “Weeks like this, you could really pour into them.”
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Fomer USC star linebacker Marvin Powell III said it clearly about the current linebacker play on the team; “if you’re not coaching it, you are allowing it” about the continual mis-reading, out of position and being smart enough to be aware who is lined up or moving to the position to block you/hook you out of position/block you out of the play. Isn’t this what we have been seeing on the defense side unable to stop running games. Further, on championship level programs, the majority of your best athletes play defense and it’s been that way forever. This is where… Read more »
Here’s the good news. If(or when) they decide to fire LR, I think that they will get a really good coach next time. Why? Because next time around you won’t have Max(couldn’t care less about football) Nakias and Pat(charity boy) Haden or Lynn(golf boy) Swann making the hire. You’ll have Jen Cohen and Chad Bowden. I think that they will get someone who is really good.
Interesting observation. I can’t say I disagree. I sometimes wonder if Jen Cohen already has her eyes on who she might eventually go for.
But these big coaching hires seem like so much of a crapshoot. We come across so many failures. “Fit” has so much to do with success. Would Lincoln Riley have ever succeeded at LSU had he taken that job? I doubt any Tiger fans think so now.
If she did get the chance to replace LR, with all the investment put into the football program, it would have to be a very proven winner who knows how to win in the Big Ten and national championships, And we know who that is, who is waiting for the right program to win a 3rd nattie.
Wouldn’t be a bad choice, but the jury is still out on him. He seems to be getting his sea legs at Bama, but consistency has been a problem. And Penix clearly elevated his results at Washington.
I’m glad USC isn’t gonna replace LR before next season. Too many strong open jobs. Just not nearly enough capable coaches to make even 1/2 those schools happy.
For me that’s good too because I haven’t totally lost confidence in LR. He is a young coach and is evolving. But even if there aren’t enough great coaches to go around, I still like SC’s chances against the other schools that are going after them. SC has a lot of advantages.
You’re very generous towards LR, which is fine. People deserve a break every now and then and it’s easy to be overly critical of coaches who don’t satisfy our demands as loyal fans. That especially applies when your coach has become a near billionaire while severely underperforming at your beloved school’s expense. But this “young and evolving” schtick doesn’t work for me at all. LR wasn’t hired to be young and evolving. He was hired to kick butt and take names. And he sure wasn’t hired to field flat, unprepared teams in South Bend, or teams that get bullied by… Read more »
Easy there Allen, they’ve only had 2 weeks to figure the gap thing out (sarcasm). Seems like it’s whack-a-mole with Riley’s team. Always a handy excuse. I agree, he was not hired for this result at all. If he’s so smart, why hasn’t he evolved in the 3.5 years? Why are we seeing the same mistakes and game endings we’ve seen since Hero Ball? I’m with you on this, my patience has run out on LR. I’m not seeing the pace of adaptation that leads me to believe he will get it done at USC. I hope he will surprise… Read more »
If the players still feel they can attain their destiny as end Lyons claims, they need to understand they are a mediocre performing team right now compared to many better teams they have & will play. It all starts on the LOS which the offensive line has improved and shown they can at least hold their own in the BIG. They still should be lots better opening running lanes. But the D-line has been the biggest disappointment getting pushed back off the LOS too many times to too many teams. Until they show they can handle physical BIG play, then… Read more »
Ok, having come full circle on Lane Kiffin, I’ll just say it. I want him as USC’s next HC. I know there’s no way it’ll ever happen. He has all the positives of LR and non of the negatives. And his pressers and quips are a can’t miss entertainment. For example, here’s what he said after his beat Okie and Venebles said OK was the better team: “That’s an interesting take. That’s a hot take,” Kiffin said during Monday’s press conference. “I wouldn’t have thought people watching would say that. We won at their place, in weather that a defensive… Read more »
I couldn’t believe Venables said OU was really a “better team” and that his team only lost because they got “out-executed.” Sometimes, these big-time, high-money coaches say and do the stupidest stuff imaginable. Makes you wonder how smart they really are. I’m really glad for Kiffin to win this big game in Norman and that he was able to put Venables’ so-called #1 defense back on it’s heels in the 4th Q and blow them away 34-26. Now losers of two of their last three with TENN and ALA coming up back-to-back, 6-2 OU is suddenly facing another big disappointing… Read more »
Both teams are 5-2 and have to win this game to basically stay relevant in CFB.
Perfect, giant motivation set up before a huge crowd and amazing atmosphere.
The colder weather forecast shouldn’t be an excuse for either team not to play their very best with their backs each against the wall. Some of the best games I’ve ever seen were in bad weather.
We’ll see if the Trojans can put the beatdown from the more physical Irish behind them.
USC matches up well vs the injury-riddled Huskers and should win.
I believe USC will be 6-2 after this game but they aren’t there quite yet… Sometimes that 6th win can be elusive, especially on the road at night 1500 miles from home.
My motto for USC football this season is “no more excuses.” We’ve needed them too much under Lincoln Riley as it is.
Saturday in Lincoln should be a classic showdown between two teams and coaches looking to get over the hump with both their fanbases and records.
Do you think Matt Rhule, who played for Paterno on their unbeaten ’94 team, being a likely PSU target has been much of a distraction for NEB? Are NEB fans worried he might split? PSU AD Pat Kraft and Rhule are like brothers as you know.
Allen, your edit is wrong again lol. Nebraska is 6-2. They have played one more game than USC. Yes, I think there is realistic chance Rhule leaves for PSU but I don’t feel like he is likely the first option. However, with so many big jobs open, he may the best they can get. Most Nebraska fans want him to stay but there is a small but very vocal group of fans who expect Curt Cignetti type of results so they would be happy if he left. That group will never be happy though. All of the above has been… Read more »
6-2, 5-2, what’s the diff? 😂 😉 My point is, one more loss after this weekend and either NEB or USC is undoubtedly relegated once again to the also-rans of CFB for 2025, something each program is desperately trying to avoid after years of disappointing performance. Curt “Google Me” Cignetti has totally changed the landscape of CFB. In only two years, he somehow elevated total doormat IU to possibly the #1 team in the country. What a story! What a coach. After years of fielding “soft” teams, I wish our coach was hard-nosed like that. I’m looking forward to OHIO… Read more »
While I agree overall, most Nebraska fans aren’t viewing our team as a playoff contender. We just made it to a lower tier bowl game last year for the first time in many years. Most realistic fans picked 8-4 this year as the bench mark for progress. That said, winning a game like this could go a long ways towards speeding up the turn around. We have a pile of 4 and 5 star recruits showing interest and many will be visiting for this game.
While I can’t speak for NEB fans and their expectations for Matt Rhule, if Lincoln Riley loses this game and drops to 5-3 (with several cupcake program wins) after getting handled by ND again, it’ll only reinforce the thinking by a growing number of Trojan fans that he’ll simply never get it done in L.A.
Riley’s ridiculously huge buy-out number has become a big public albatross around his neck amongst Trojan fans. He definitely won the battle at the contract bargaining table, but ironically he’s losing the war big-time with Trojan followers who feel USC is trapped with him now.
Thankfully USC is not in a state that has a governor like they have in Louisiana who told the school to fire the coach, and now has said to fire the AD. Of Course we all know LSU is public, but what a fiasco going on down there. Who would want to go coach there.
Brian Kelly had become totally toxic to LSU fans and even though he has outperformed Lincoln Riley, he simply wasn’t cutting it any longer for the Tigers. LSU was smart to dump him and cut their losses. As far as who would want to coach there. Just ask Ed O. John Robinson also found the place very suitable and consulted there for three years for Ed, helping the Tigers to a national championship. Lots of coaches would love to step into the job and they’ll land somebody big. Football is king there, so no need to apply if you’re a… Read more »
Saban did just fine in Baton Rouge. Even mediocre Les Miles won a NC there. I think it’s a great college job for many reasons with access to massive talent and money and a devoted fan base, so we’ll just disagree. ✌
Public versus private school, yes, so it could conceivably happen at the school nearby. I wouldn’t put it past our state’s leaders if there were any political gain to be had.
Nebraska just extended Matt Rhule and raised his buyout to 15 million (what another school has to pay if he leaves early). That should eliminate any distractions related to PSU. Now he just has to worry about how to handle being overmatched by USC.
BrianKelly has joined the former bosses at Penn State, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Virginia Tech. There’s more coming. That seems to be a trend nowadays. Fire your coach and pay big money to cover the rest of his expensive contract. Lincoln Riley…..I hope you are seeing the writing on the wall. Your seat is getting hotter by minute.
For now, because of his huge buy-out, Lincoln Riley is safe from everything except his weak 31-16 record. Caleb Williams saved him with a 11-3 year in 2022, but then Caleb forced “Hero Ball” down USC’s throat and Caleb’s literally been floundering ever since. So has LR. How all these recent firings have affected LR, if at all, is a big mystery to me. For all I know, he. couldn’t care less. His $70-80 mil (or something insane like that) buy-out number is that big of a shield. He also knows he’s safe until the $200 mil/60,000 sq ft Bloom… Read more »
His buyout is saving him but not USC football. These buyouts we are seeing in the last 5 or so years are ridiculous. Jimbo is laughing every Tuesday when he is on College Sports radio on Sirius XM. Those mega buyouts are enough to make a coach want to get fired 3 or 4 years in. Far better than the salaries they’d be making and no stress. I would be super ultra surprised if any school came calling for Riley. He hasn’t shown any true level of skill being the HC. He also has the personality of a dry cheese… Read more »
“He also has the personality of a dry cheese sandwich on white bread (no butter).” Cracks me up! Can LR fix that too? Your point about huge buy-outs being a good trade off for getting your butt kicked and constantly abused by fans is a good one. Why go back into the lion’s den if you can live on easy street every day for the rest of your life and avoid having to make up all those predictable excuses for losing too much? But I think I read that James Franklin’s PSU contract obligates him to seek another head coaching… Read more »
He’s still young and learning. I hope that learning means that he is evolving and not devolving(and also not staying the same). He does have one outstanding characteristic. He’s a great offensive mind. I agree with you that I’d rather it be a great defensive mind but I’d want him to be great at something even if it is just a great CEO.
USC S Bishop Fitzgerald named semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
Fitzgerald is tied for the national lead with five picks. Connor Morrissette (USCFootball.com) — Fitzgerald is Pro Football Focus’s highest graded safety with an overall defensive grade of 91.3. He was named to the Sports Illustrated midseason All-American first team and the Athletic midseason All-American second team earlier this month. 247sports.com
As to the OC Register article above, we are past the halfway point in the season and DC Lynn is still looking at depth changes on defense. Granted the loss of projected starters at DB at the start of the season has greatly affected that position since. We also knew the weakest position at the beginning was going to be linebacker. Judging by what we noticed in games, a hesitancy at Mike position to quickly read the plays to cover holes & make tackles at the LOS has been a big problem even this late in the season. Seeing our… Read more »
The more and more I look at Lynn’s defenses, the more and more I’m beginning to believe that I bought stock in Lynn too soon. I drank the Kool-aid without asking what was in it. The #3 defense in the country is Toledo. They have five 4 stars and zero 5 stars. SC has thirty nine 4 stars and three 5 stars. Don’t tell me that it will take a few more years to get to a NC talent level. They’re loaded with talent.
For first time travelers to Lincoln for a game- Please feel free to stop by different tail gates around the stadium. 99% of us welcome opposing fans and enjoy talking football, and sharing food and drinks. For the party scene, the railyard is fun with live entertainment, plenty of food options, and bars with walk up windows. Many visiting fans go to the Big 10 bar for pre-game. They have a $5 cover but they provide live music, cheap drinks, and decent food. The Haymarket area has a lot of restaurant and bar options. The entire area will be busy… Read more »
One of the better CFB experiences I have ever had was in Lincoln watching the Trojans beat the Huskers 49-31 in 2007. I can’t believe it was so long ago. USC was such a tough out back then.
ESPN GameDay was there to watch #1 USC vs #14 NEB. USC used to be on GameDay all the time. Amazing camaraderie, atmosphere and Husker hospitality.
Me with a typically friendly and welcoming Husker fan. It can get a little chilly.
Wow. That game was in mid-September, and it was already parka and gloves weather.
Do remember the first game between SC and Nebraska, in 1969? It was Opening Day, in what would now be Week 4. SC rented the Sports Arena for a closed-circuit telecast of the game. I went with my new girlfriend (still my wife) and had a blast. After the game we went to Disneyland. Quite a day.
Wow is right. What a day for you and congrats to you and your wife!
The biggest memory I have of that amazing 1969 Trojan season is the thrilling 14-12 win over UCLA. I was fortunate enough to be sitting low in the corner of the end zone right in front of where Sam Dickerson made his amazing game-winning catch. Man, was it ever dark.
I think I remember Tommy Prothro saying this loss bothered him more than the 21-20 defeat in ’67.
Ahh, the 69 UCLA game. That game marked the debut of the teddy bear you see in my avatar. That was my second bear. I made the first one, with the help of a now-departed friend and classmate, for the 67 game. I took that one to the games in 67 and 68 — they were a lot less picky then about what you could bring to your seat. In 67 I almost missed the end of O.J.’s 64-yard run reaching for the teddy bear to thrust it into the air. Alas, after the 68 game, my then girlfriend and… Read more »
Yeah, it was really dark at the end of the 69 game.
It was my wife’s first SC-UCLA game. I had handcrafted a fake student ID for her and a classmate who didn’t go to games let me buy her student activity book.
I think the kickoff was 3:00. My wife gave me the weirdest look when I told he I’d pick her up for the game at 8 in the morning.
Student activity books. Fake IDs. The Nine-O. Days gone by.
I still have my USC Student ID. I know, weird. Good times.
Both teams entered the 1969 game undefeated (the first time since 1952), but we had tied ND, 14-14, and UCLA had tied STAN, 20-20.
One of my favorite in-person games of all-time (90,814 attendance), I was there with two of my best HS friends, all of us seniors and totally jazzed to be at the game. I just watched the last USC/ND game with one of them.
I wish I still had mine. Even more, I wish I still had my wife’s fake. I was very proud of it.
I had mine until about 12 years ago when our house was burglarized. They got all the jewelry and, because I had a few watches in a dresser-top case, they also got my student ID and my very precious Junior Angels Club membership card from 1963, showing I was member #1.
That’s not my ticket stub. Just got it off the internet. But we got our seats from my friend’s dad, a former USC All-America player. I still remember a lot about that game. It was filled with many miraculous plays and we had the Wild Bunch. They called us the Cardiac Kids because we were always winning in the 4th Q.
Thankfully, UCLA’s Danny Graham got nailed for that PI penalty, opening the door for Dickerson’s otherworldly 32-yd catch TD corner catch from Jimmy Jones.
Both SC and UCLA had their own set of announcers doing the tape reply of the game. Tom Harmon was doing the UCLA play-by-play and I think Tom Kelly was doing the SC play-by-play.
On Sunday I watched both replays. Kelly called obvious pass interference before the ball hit the ground. Harmon was beside himself over what a bad call he thought it was. Pretty funny.
I thought the pass was uncatchable but I don’t think that rule had come into existence by 1969.
Ya, that ball was way out of reach. I think it was a classic example of how your verdict depended on whether you wore Red or Blue. I’m sure I would have been insanely pissed were I a little gutty fan.
That picture reminds me of something I read about Red Sanders a long time ago. He said he changed UCLA’s jerseys from dark blue to “powderkeg blue” and went to a Clarendon font so it would be easier to read the numbers on game films.
Here’s what Dan Jenkins of Sports Illustrated said about Charlie Weaver in his post-game article entitled, “Make Way for the Wild Bunch” — All afternoon and evening the Wild Bunch bounced Dennis Dummit around the coliseum floor like a double dribble, smothering him for loss after loss and forcing him to throw the football upward, downward and sideways. This was the main reason USC eased into the Rose Bowl last week for a record fourth straight year. In this unwitting era of scoring, the defense finally had its day. “The game belonged to the Wild Bunch. They kept the Bruins… Read more »
Nebraska fans & hospitality has always been noted as a top notch reputation. They appreciate good football and will clap after the game is over even if the visiting team wins. I truly hope Matt Rule stays in the program.
If Nebraska’s D-line penetrates into the Trojan pocket and the Trojan D-line is pushed back off the LOS, it’s going to be another painful game to watch. If these two weeks of prep doesn’t show a renewed player determination in aggressively taking control of the LOS for the 2nd game in a row, you have to wonder if the staff is able to truly reach these players and the Michigan game was nothing but a perfect storm happening.
Nebraska has a pretty good pass defense, combined with a windy night, could be a rough one for Maiava. Hushers are not so good with the run game, offense or defense. Could be a big night for The King!
You are right that Nebraska has struggled against the run but offensively we run the ball OK. Our RB1 is 2nd in the B1G and 5th in the nation for yards from scrimmage. The massive number of sacks we allowed earlier in the year make our rushing stats look pretty rough. Pass defense has been solid but has been looking a little more leaky lately. Overall USC is 2-3 scores better but playing in the cold in a hostile environment, I think Nebraska has a shot to keep it competitive.
You have the advantage of being at home. Lincoln Riley is 1-7 when >1000 miles from LA, 0-8 against the spread. I think it could be a 2-3 point game. Riley has brain farts in a close road game.
Frigid Temperatures Expected For Saturday Night in Lincoln Caden Handwork (si.com) — Saturday night’s matchup between USC and Nebraska is expected to have some chilly weather conditions for the first day of November. The forecast on Saturday night is currently expected to be 38 degrees with 10 mph wind gusts. These weather conditions could benefit the Cornhuskers while hurting the Trojans. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, back in August, even predicted that the conditions for the game would be cold and that the Trojans wouldn’t be ready for it. The Trojans are just starting to get used to playing in… Read more »
You are so right GT, 38 degrees is good football weather. I used to golf in it and with some rain added. Get the players outside and working out when you arrive and in pre-game stretching. It won’t be an issue.
Regarding “fair weather” SC players, yes and no: Yes,Trojans play home games and practice daily in warm weather conditions; but many players are from cold weather HS in the USA. For example, Gentry is from Pa; Shelby, Hines and Jackson are from Tx; Dalton and Fitzgerald are from Va; more than a handfull are from Tx; ditto from the deep south, & midwest etc. bottom line: Nebraska QB throws a lot, so cold+windy conditions may not favor the cornballs. Halloween W/E adds to the celebration, so buckle your seats.
I really don’t think the weather will have any impact. That said, 12 of 98 on your roster played high school in the cooler weather and only 8 of those come from locations with equally as cold of weather as Nebraska. Texas, Va, and the deep south are considerably warmer than Nebraska. Looking at your roster, The vast majority come from warm weather locations. The exceptions are Corey Sims from St Louis, Eric Gentry from PA, Desman Stephens from MI, Carson Tabaracci from Park City UT, Alex Graham from MI, Jadyn Waker from MI, Seneca Moore from MI, Kash Amos,… Read more »
LONG POST WARNING: Just for fun, I asked chatGPT this question, “Why are the usc trojans football team not better than they are?” Here’s what it said (with its own icons and bold and italicized wording!): “That’s a great and layered question — and one USC fans have been asking for years. The Trojans have the brand, location, money, recruiting base, and history to be a perennial powerhouse. Yet they’ve underperformed relative to their potential. Here’s why, in a nutshell, they haven’t been as dominant as expected: ðŸ›️ 1. Institutional InstabilitySince Pete Carroll left in 2010, USC has had frequent… Read more »
This response to “VT” is pretty much what most if not all of us on this website have said. This isn’t rocket science mystery secret. It just confirms the truth of the matter again each step of the way Lincoln Riley has ventured being the Trojan HC. When USC was winning championships, it was with a physical offense & defense. In the decades under the PAC, you could win with flash star talent. In the BIG, you are middle of the pack and that is where USC was last year and is this year…… duh what a surprise!!! Everyone seems… Read more »
Exactly! That’s what struck me too, it’s not rocket science. Everyone of us, even with our untrained eyes, knows what needs to happen, but LR is making this seem like rocket science to a kindergartner. Get it done, LR!!! We’re waiting…
Lane Kiffin says it’s not about the money RotoBaller.com — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is now rumored to be a candidate for the vacant Florida and LSU head coaching jobs, but the 50-year-old said money is not going to be a factor in his decision-making. “I have never made a decision based off money, nor will I,” Kiffin said. “I’ve seen too many examples in life where money does not buy happiness. So I’m never going to make a decision off of money, nor do I care about it. Jimmy Sexton (his agent) gets really mad when I… Read more »
Brian Kelly vs Lincoln Riley Just fired Brian Kelly, who was hired at the same time Lincoln Riley was and previously coached ND for 12 years, finishes his three-plus-year LSU tenure with a 34-14 record after going 10-4, 10-3 and 9-4 in his first three seasons, before trailing off to 5-3 this season leading to Kelly getting the sudden axe. Kelly won 70% of his games at LSU. Riley is only a 65% winner at USC. Here’s Lincoln Riley’s numbers at USC: 2022 — 11-3 2023 — 8-5 2024 — 7-6 2025 — 5-2 LR Overall — 31-16 (65%) BK… Read more »
Snoop Dogg calls out Lincoln Riley’s ridiculous play calling: Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — The NBC announcers for the USC at ND game openly questioned Lincoln Riley’s decision making on the broadcast. Even Snoop Dogg called him out. “Who calls a reverse pass to a non-quarterback in the rain?” the rapper and USC fan wrote on social media. “Damn coach, what you smoking?” Playcalling was supposed to be the strongest tool in Riley’s arsenal. And while he has had his share of dazzling moments as a playcaller, he’s also had other days like this one, when late-game management gets the… Read more »
It’ll go down in Trojan history as one of the most boneheaded calls ever, never to be forgotten.
You know when huge Trojan honk Snoop Dog himself makes a laughable reference to Lincoln Riley being too loaded to properly coach USC football, you’ve officially entered the Twilight Zone.
Snoop is a rare, highly unusual talent who can be pretty funny, and finally it has come at LR’s expense.
LSU pulls the trigger. Brian Kelly is on the unemployment line…….with 54 million to enjoy.
The coaches are all salivating over the dumb contracts these over paid admin folks will hand them. Hundreds of millions to run a football team. Well…..in Riley’s case to call plays. Meanwhile the 4 star general in charge of the joint chiefs responsible for our nations security makes $250,000 per year with no buyout.
What a world.
More like criminal……but don’t ever tell me that the kids are being overpaid……it’s the coaches, admin, networks, marketers, vendors etc being over paid. A QB like our current player should be making 10 million per year.
But, as nice of a gentleman as Jayden Maieva is, does he oversee the safety of citizens and aliens (legal and illegal) of the USA? Numbers make no sense, but what you gonna do?
First time I’ve heard this one. From this article: https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/10-things-im-absolutely-overreacting-to-after-week-9-in-the-sec-3/ 2. If I’m Florida, I’m making 1 phone call … And it’s to the active USC head coach, not the former one y’all want who was fired on the tarmac. I’m calling Lincoln Riley, and even if it takes me 39 days instead of the 38 days Alabama needed to land Nick Saban, I’m not allowing him to say no. It’s what they should have done before hiring Napier. Florida has been looking for the next Steve Spurrier since the HBC left. Yes, Urban Meyer won, but never with Spurrier’s personality,… Read more »
Why in the heck would any big-time program want to hire Lincoln Riley after all the program rebuilding, leadership and play-calling weaknesses he has shown at USC? Not to mention that all of Riley’s teams are bad on D.
How important is winning to the USC administration? It sure seems to me it is being very patient waiting a long time for Lincoln Riley to rebuild a historical top notch program. Does anyone want to hear the excuse being in the Big Ten conference is the reason why the rebuild is as slow as molasses? Should a flagship program ever use an excuse like that? Competing against AP ranked opponents since Riley came here, USC has only a 250% winning average. LSU which just showed they have no patience with a HC that doesn’t compete for conference & National… Read more »
Brian Kelly’s Future as HC Reportedly Being Discussed by LSU Amid Contract Buyout Info Andrew Peters (B/R) — Brian Kelly’s time in Death Valley could be nearing its end.
Per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, “LSU administrators and university executives have held and are holding high-level discussions over” Kelly’s future, and those discussions involve the state’s governor. Dellenger noted that there is “there is no immediate resolution.”
Kelly is owed $54 million in buyout money if he is fired.
USC moves up to #23 in the AP poll, squeezed between HOU and UTAH. Not playing apparently suits us. AP Top 25 1. Ohio State 2. Indiana 3. Texas A&M 4. Alabama 5. Georgia 6. Oregon 7. Ole Miss 8. Georgia Tech 9. Vanderbilt 10. Miami (Fla.) 10. BYU 12. Notre Dame 13. Texas Tech 14. Tennessee 15. Virginia 16. Louisville 17. Cincinnati 18. Oklahoma 19. Missouri 20. Texas 21. Michigan 22. Houston 23. USC B/R — The Trojans faced three straight ranked opponents in Illinois, Michigan and Notre Dame prior to their bye week, and settled for a… Read more »
If this was the playoff ranking, ND would be the first out, with Memphis taking the Group of 6 spot as the 12th seed. 5 SEC, 3 BIG12, 2 ACC and 1 Big12. Still a lot that can happen.
SC has 5 tough games still coming against teams that have a combined record of 24-11. If they can win 4 of those games, I will say that they are a pretty good team.I’m betting that they will win 3 or less.
Illinois Trojan 48000Dubpar22 30000BUS83 29000Rialto Trojan 28500TommeTrojan 25000GoldenTrojan 23000Scoochnew 22000TrojanRJJ 18500MrsSteveg 17000Steveg 10000Figueroa 7000LeftCAnotSC 3000Satyrdancing 3000Click Here for Game by Game Results
Riley isn’t going anywhere since we can’t afford his buyout with our money problems. So expect Brian Kelly to go first if LSU struggles the rest of the season.
I predicted Brian Kelly would be gone immediately. I’m a prophet. The Nostradamus of college football. Oh, but wait!. I predicted it after it was already in the newspapers. Oh Well, maybe not so much of a prophet.
I got news for you. Neither did Nostradamus predict the day and time.He once predicted that there would be a great earthquake on may 10. What he failed to say was where it would be and what year. I’ll do that right now. There will be a great earthquake in LA on June the 5th. I guarantee, if you give me 500 or 1,000 years it will happen on June the 5th in LA. See…..maybe I am the next Nostradamus.
I keep wondering what would USC do after firing Riley. USC is not going to get rid of him any time soon, I think we all know and agree on that. In the last two years he has truly started building a program, he has hired great assistants, a world class GM and staff and has the best AD in the business over him. We seem to dwell a lot on the negative, but I am seeing a bright future coming, one season at a time. The dynasty will return.
It is amazing to think about those two super high profile coaches, within a day of one another, who both jilted huge brands to brazenly split 🎭 for greener grass and much more moola at other huge programs — only to discover the grass wasn’t really greener at the new place, especially in the win/loss dept in big games.
Think about the programs they left. Also consider that coaches have left other supposedly destination schools to coach at another college: Alabama (Dennis Franchione), Florida State (Jimbo), aTm (Bear Bryant), Florida (Ron Zook), and Oregon (seems like everyone).
Never happened at SC, although I can see one of the schools currently being led by an interim coach making a run at Riley.
Washington trounced Illinois. I’m so tired of hearing that we are still building up our talent level. Let me say again…… Illinois has six 4 stars and zero 5 stars on their 2025 squad. Washington has eighteen 4 stars and zero 5 stars. SC has thirty nine 4 stars and three 5 stars. So SC has forty two combined 4 and 5 stars while Illinois and Washington combined have twenty two combined 4 stars and zero 5 stars. LR is a young couch and he could prove himself in the near future but right now it’s beginning to look like… Read more »
PS—-In all fairness, I’m not criticizing SC for hiring LR. It really did seem like a great hire at the time. I certainly thought it was and many of you probably did too. But today, after 3 1/2 years it seems like a terrible waste of money. I really hope I’m wrong.
The food poison thing was real. The team was not 100% in Champaign. So just throw that game out when judging this team. Better depth would have helped but still too many guys were ill.
Good post Parcelman! If the rankings of these Trojan players coming into college isn’t out-of-wack, then it’s the coaching. I’m sorry but ready to point fingers, from development to mental attitude to position coaching to DC & OC playcalling to pre-game week prepping. What else could it be? We continue to see underacheiving, poor communication and lack of physical determination on the field. . In this coming Nebraska game, which again USC has the superior athletes, Are we going to see our coaching staff out-coached again led by a HC that continues in poor game management? Will we finally see… Read more »
As frustrating as the IL loss was, if we weren’t decimated by food poisoning, we probably win that game easy, w/o being subject to a trademark LR event like a boneheaded trick play or a (non)clock management strategy.
In other words, if it’s not close, Riley can’t screw up a victory for us.
Nobody knows….but that could be a big time game. If Iowa beats Oregon and USC beats Nebraska. Iowa went toe to toe with Indiana until the last few minutes of their game and the Iowa QB went out due to injury.
So glad ucla got curb stomped by the Hoosiers. I was getting ill having to listen to all this talk about what a great story this was, and now with the new coaches they were a really good football team. Even Coach Neweasel predicted a bruin victory. They could still beat us, but they got put in their rightful place today.
Nebraska barely got by Northwestern, and Iowa hammered Minnesota. USC better have learned a lot. All 5 remaining games may be tough. Can we get a road win in Lincoln, Lincoln?
Allen- I agree our conference schedule as a whole has been soft. But I would not characterize Michigan as a cupcake. As for our upcoming game, I don’t have any confidence in a Riley coached team in the central time zone. We are better than the Huskers, but I expect SC to find a way to lose.
Seriously? Did you actually hear or read where Rick Neuheisel predicted victory? Or is this just common knowledge? I only ask because it’s so hard for me to believe. It doesn’t seem possible that such an experienced CFB talking head, even though hiskid Jerry is the Bruin OC, would make that call. 🤔
I heard it and couldn’t believe it. Then I saw the video from ” Inside college football” on CBS Sportsline.( it wasn’t AI). Rick said the team ” believes” and because of that, team that believe can do anything. He believes too, and predicted a bruin victory over Indiana. He looks like a drunken fool now. To be honest, that show should tell him to recuse himself from picking bruin games, as long as his son is the OC. If I knew how to forward the video I would.It is over on the “WEARESC” site
Who should USC fear the most Nebraska or Northwestern? Close one with 4 turnovers total. Since Riley’s Trojans are 1-6 traveling over 1000 miles guess I answered my own question.
Go Hoosiers! Covered the over with over half of the 2nd quarter to go. Don’t stop now! Pour it on! Ruins getting a dose of reality. The bubble has popped on their hot streak!
Oops, meant they covered the points. Guess I’m too used to betting the over. Almost beat the over all by themselves! Go Aztecs, looking good at the half.
UCLA is in Indiana for the Big Noon Kickoff game vs the remarkable #2 Hoosiers. Each team is an amazing story. Curt Cignetti has brought IU back from the long term dregs of CFB — and they are now nearly the King of College Football. In a much smaller way, UCLA is almost as remarkable — over the last three weeks that is. Before then, UCLA was literally one of the worst teams I have ever seen when DaBong was in charge. Since DaBong got the boot, the Bruins have magically played like they would be a tough out for… Read more »
Read this in a Yahoo Sports article about cfb playoff expansion and the rise of almost unprecedented parity.
“A whopping 43% of power conference football games have been decided by one score, which is on pace to be the highest percentage in any season in the last 20 years.”
This only amplifies the need for near perfect game and clock management. Given that USC is, IMHO, well below average in this area, it’s no wonder LR’s record is what it is.
Does USC need the Notre Dame rivalry? If USC desires to keep the rivalry, what changes should be made? Scott Dochterman (The Athletic) — College football is built upon rivalries, but expansion and realignment have damaged many of the sport’s greatest series. USC-Notre Dame is in this category. This summer, I ranked it No. 5 in college football. It’s unique because it’s a cross-country rivalry outside of any conference structure, so hopefully both sides can come to a mutually beneficial solution to ensure its future. However, USC now competes in a national conference that requires at least three annual trips to… Read more »
I agree. The Comebakc was the game that made me a Trojan for life, but everything about cfb has changed in the past 50 years. The biggest change related to this rivalry is what is stated in the article, the “nationalization” of leagues replacing regional ones. All of the other rivalries listed in that ranking article were either in-state or border adjacent. With USC being in a mega coast to coast conference, ND is going to have to concede some points to make the rivalry work. And really, if USC drops ND, who else would ND consistently play every year… Read more »
This is a spot on analysis of Notre Dame and USC. Funny how ND’s rivalries years ago were more nationally competitive ( especially USC) and have whittled to some armed forces and ACC teams. They play a good team or two ( many scheduled when they weren’t) and it’s supposed to minimize their “independent” scheduling. I’d like to see ND play our 2026 schedule and see how their depth holds up. Just sour grapes. PS not minimizing our own coaching fundamentals and buyout problems.
Dan Weber Would Like Low Personality Lincoln Riley To Get Even More Help! Would Ed O come to the rescue? Would LR ever invite him? Weber (USCFootball.com) — Lincoln Riley’s teams do not show up when it means the most to them and the USC football family. His record against ranked teams is clearly sub-par. So what to do? Can’t fire Lincoln (you know, the $70 mil buyout). But can’t get back to USC being USC with him? Is that right? The thing I liked most about Lincoln on his hiring was how he seemed like a cerebral guy, smart enough to… Read more »
For what it’s worth, is anyone else seeing what I am seeing at most of the ends of games? The defense is pretty much on the field at the last minutes of the games. I’m wondering if Lincoln Riley is playcalling his offense to where they never seem to milk the game clock long enough at the end to close it out. Is Riley calling plays that have less chance to gain the necessary 10 yards to hold onto the ball so his offense can walk off the field and put it on the defense to save games?
USC DC D’Anton Lynn sees what we see, now can he fix it? Lynn drilled down on the Trojan defensive issues and how he wants to fix them. R.J. Abeytia (247sports.com) — USC has backslid to being the No. 58 DFEI team (points per drive) in 2025. The Trojans’ yardage numbers are slipping towards last year’s totals. The Trojans’ ability to limit big plays was a crucial pillar upon which their improvement was built in 2024. This season, USC has allowed far too many big plays. Last Saturday’s nightmare in South Bend was a clear illustration of most of the continuing… Read more »
Coach Speak, Player Speak. It’s all generic pablum designed to avoid addressing real problems with real solutions. Imagine if we heard this from a player: “The coaches don’t seem to be able to teach us about how to fill gaps before big games. Don’t ask me why. Some of our players still don’t know how to tackle and they just bounce off the opposing team. We try as hard as we can, but against better teams we’re just don’t have the physicality to compete well. Coach Riley doesn’t really know how to coach an entire team. He isn’t a motivator.… Read more »
Ha, that’s an interview I would pay to hear! 😅 Absolutely coach speak. Each player needs to execute their own job. Period. I mean, ok, let’s play this silly phrase out. If a player in live action sees a teammate miss his assignment, what’s he supposed to do, go cover for him? Then that leaves his job abandoned. And another player sees that second player abandon his job, and he goes to cover for him, then the third guy’s job is abandoned. And so forth. Please Coach Lynn, save the tribal speak, we’ve been hearing that for many years before… Read more »
The SC defensive players seem to be in the wrong position on every play. That makes me think that the defensive playbook may be too complicated. Too many pro coaches on that side of the LOS who have a tendency to be complicated. Don’t tell me they don’t have the talent. This team has 38 four stars and 3 five stars. There are not too many teams in the country with that kind of talent.
USC headed to the Alamo Bowl for the first time? Is this our destiny this year? Chris Trevino (USCFootball.com) — The latest bowl projections are unanimous as CBSSports.com, Athlon, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and ESPN all peg the Trojans for the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 30, in San Antonio, TX (ESPN at 6 p.m. PT). CBS’ Mark Schlabach has the Trojans facing off against ASU (5-2) while ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura has the Trojans playing CIN. The Trojans and Bearcats have never faced each other. Athlon has the Trojans playing IA ST, which also has never played USC. USA Today has USC dipping back into its Pac-12 days to face UTAH. The two teams have… Read more »
“Florida offers Kiffin 13.5 mil?” Clearing my throat . . . we respectfully dissent in part, adding we may be talking about the difference between whether Florida actually made a written offer or more likely, someone at Florida simply flapped his gums. IMHO, this is an inaccurate, non-factual media report. Lane Kiffin is meeting right now with his Rebel players denying this “clickbait” story. It is correct there are no NCAA or SEC “tampering” rules or regulations about offering a more lucrative contract to another SEC coach mid-season. But such a written offer, not a leaked “blue sky wish” quote,… Read more »
It doesn’t matter if talks are supposedly “private” (whatever that means in today’s 24/7-know-everything-world) or if so-called “offers” are writing. Any school can go after any coach any time they want. It’s all fluid and unrestricted. Anyone can sue for whatever reason their lawyer comes up with. That also means nothing. Coaches deny interest in other schools constantly. It’s often just a sign that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Lane’s gonna tell his team not to worry. He doesn’t need to invite anymore more mattress burning in the streets at this stage.
Offering a new huge salary job to a CFB coach employed by another institution is NOT considered tampering. How do you think Lincoln Riley and countless other CFB coaches who were poached got their current jobs? You can actually win a NC at UF and why not bank $13.5 mil a year in the process. OLE MISS paid Kiffin $9 mil for the 2025 season, plus whatever bonuses he earned. A NC is not happening at OLE MISS. I’d make the move were I Lane. Gainesville is a pretty cool college town based on my experience. I watched the GA… Read more »
The Swamp was rockin’ and I was there as a guest of the Gator staff on their sidelines, where you miss a lot of the game but meet some interesting people.
The Gators were pretty good. And I learned how great “alligator hush puppies” were after the game.
Furman University at Florida in November of 2011. This game was Furman’s annual paycheck game against a FBS opponent. But through a game plan of throwing caution to the wind and players sporting “hair on fire” attitudes. Furman was actually leading the Gators at the start of the fourth quarter.
Alas, Florida finally wore out the Paladins. But without a doubt, it was the best game to watch of my son’s career at FU. They managed to keep the Swamp quiet and frustrated for most of the game.
IF true, that would possibly constitute tampering and interference with a contractual relationship. Did Florida’s AD make a “public” offer or is this simply a clickbait, passing precatory comment? Lane’s pretty content at Ole Miss. His girls go to college there and his ex-wife even moved back to Ole Miss. Perhaps this is a “leak” intended to exact an Ole Miss contract extension increase?
Go Lane. Take the $13.5 mil per year and become a Gator! Who says getting “Tarmacked” is the end of the world? ‘Lane Kiffin will be the Gator head coach next year,’ says college football insider on Florida job originally appeared on The Sporting News. Ole Miss Rebels football coach Lane Kiffin is already on his way out of Oxford, Mississippi, and on his way to be Billy Napier’s replacement with the Florida Gators. That’s the position that Bleacher Report’s College Football Reactions host Mike Ola Jr. takes anyway. Ola doesn’t care if it’s an “overreaction.” He predicts Kiffin ditching all the progress he’s made in… Read more »
MARK SANCHEZ 12/11/2025 TELEVIZED TRIAL DATE WITH DESTINY
The Jamaican “Honey Badger”, Perry Tole.
Bests Mark Sanchez, who hung at The Point, drinking hard… in Dana Point.
Now he’s headed back east to Indiana — calling it “a short vacation.”
Maybe he beats the charge, maybe walks out on mild probation.
Or maybe… it’s #Prison — total exposure.
Dinner, drinks and full disclosure?
Or a cell block, counting time for total loss of composure.
Starting linebacker was shown on game tape to be watching a play develop and not reading his assignment to where he was caught out of position and/or easily blocked away from making a tackle he he supposed to make. This happened multiple times during the game of players watching too long and not reacting quickly enough, Is this a coaching failure or is it a player can’t decide quickly enough to position himself to make a tackle? This is just one example. And after halfway into the season you wonder if these players should be playing let alone starting? Missing… Read more »
Shelby
He used
Fomer USC star linebacker Marvin Powell III said it clearly about the current linebacker play on the team; “if you’re not coaching it, you are allowing it” about the continual mis-reading, out of position and being smart enough to be aware who is lined up or moving to the position to block you/hook you out of position/block you out of the play. Isn’t this what we have been seeing on the defense side unable to stop running games. Further, on championship level programs, the majority of your best athletes play defense and it’s been that way forever. This is where… Read more »
Here’s the good news. If(or when) they decide to fire LR, I think that they will get a really good coach next time. Why? Because next time around you won’t have Max(couldn’t care less about football) Nakias and Pat(charity boy) Haden or Lynn(golf boy) Swann making the hire. You’ll have Jen Cohen and Chad Bowden. I think that they will get someone who is really good.
Interesting observation. I can’t say I disagree. I sometimes wonder if Jen Cohen already has her eyes on who she might eventually go for.
But these big coaching hires seem like so much of a crapshoot. We come across so many failures. “Fit” has so much to do with success. Would Lincoln Riley have ever succeeded at LSU had he taken that job? I doubt any Tiger fans think so now.
If she did get the chance to replace LR, with all the investment put into the football program, it would have to be a very proven winner who knows how to win in the Big Ten and national championships, And we know who that is, who is waiting for the right program to win a 3rd nattie.
I think she would go after DeBoer first.
Wouldn’t be a bad choice, but the jury is still out on him. He seems to be getting his sea legs at Bama, but consistency has been a problem. And Penix clearly elevated his results at Washington.
We have t find someone who can get past the old Peter Principle. But I do like the people that we have that will be conducting the search
I’m glad USC isn’t gonna replace LR before next season. Too many strong open jobs. Just not nearly enough capable coaches to make even 1/2 those schools happy.
It’s a current up-and-coming coach’s dream scenario. Can you say, “Name your price”?
For me that’s good too because I haven’t totally lost confidence in LR. He is a young coach and is evolving. But even if there aren’t enough great coaches to go around, I still like SC’s chances against the other schools that are going after them. SC has a lot of advantages.
You’re very generous towards LR, which is fine. People deserve a break every now and then and it’s easy to be overly critical of coaches who don’t satisfy our demands as loyal fans. That especially applies when your coach has become a near billionaire while severely underperforming at your beloved school’s expense. But this “young and evolving” schtick doesn’t work for me at all. LR wasn’t hired to be young and evolving. He was hired to kick butt and take names. And he sure wasn’t hired to field flat, unprepared teams in South Bend, or teams that get bullied by… Read more »
Easy there Allen, they’ve only had 2 weeks to figure the gap thing out (sarcasm). Seems like it’s whack-a-mole with Riley’s team. Always a handy excuse. I agree, he was not hired for this result at all. If he’s so smart, why hasn’t he evolved in the 3.5 years? Why are we seeing the same mistakes and game endings we’ve seen since Hero Ball? I’m with you on this, my patience has run out on LR. I’m not seeing the pace of adaptation that leads me to believe he will get it done at USC. I hope he will surprise… Read more »
If the players still feel they can attain their destiny as end Lyons claims, they need to understand they are a mediocre performing team right now compared to many better teams they have & will play. It all starts on the LOS which the offensive line has improved and shown they can at least hold their own in the BIG. They still should be lots better opening running lanes. But the D-line has been the biggest disappointment getting pushed back off the LOS too many times to too many teams. Until they show they can handle physical BIG play, then… Read more »
I definitely under-estimated the difficulty USC would face competing in the more physical B1G. Just a big whiff by me overall.
Ok, having come full circle on Lane Kiffin, I’ll just say it. I want him as USC’s next HC. I know there’s no way it’ll ever happen. He has all the positives of LR and non of the negatives. And his pressers and quips are a can’t miss entertainment. For example, here’s what he said after his beat Okie and Venebles said OK was the better team: “That’s an interesting take. That’s a hot take,” Kiffin said during Monday’s press conference. “I wouldn’t have thought people watching would say that. We won at their place, in weather that a defensive… Read more »
I couldn’t believe Venables said OU was really a “better team” and that his team only lost because they got “out-executed.” Sometimes, these big-time, high-money coaches say and do the stupidest stuff imaginable. Makes you wonder how smart they really are. I’m really glad for Kiffin to win this big game in Norman and that he was able to put Venables’ so-called #1 defense back on it’s heels in the 4th Q and blow them away 34-26. Now losers of two of their last three with TENN and ALA coming up back-to-back, 6-2 OU is suddenly facing another big disappointing… Read more »
Trojans vs Huskers
Both teams are 5-2 and have to win this game to basically stay relevant in CFB.
Perfect, giant motivation set up before a huge crowd and amazing atmosphere.
The colder weather forecast shouldn’t be an excuse for either team not to play their very best with their backs each against the wall. Some of the best games I’ve ever seen were in bad weather.
We’ll see if the Trojans can put the beatdown from the more physical Irish behind them.
USC matches up well vs the injury-riddled Huskers and should win.
I believe USC will be 6-2 after this game but they aren’t there quite yet… Sometimes that 6th win can be elusive, especially on the road at night 1500 miles from home.
My motto for USC football this season is “no more excuses.” We’ve needed them too much under Lincoln Riley as it is.
Saturday in Lincoln should be a classic showdown between two teams and coaches looking to get over the hump with both their fanbases and records.
Do you think Matt Rhule, who played for Paterno on their unbeaten ’94 team, being a likely PSU target has been much of a distraction for NEB? Are NEB fans worried he might split? PSU AD Pat Kraft and Rhule are like brothers as you know.
Allen, your edit is wrong again lol. Nebraska is 6-2. They have played one more game than USC. Yes, I think there is realistic chance Rhule leaves for PSU but I don’t feel like he is likely the first option. However, with so many big jobs open, he may the best they can get. Most Nebraska fans want him to stay but there is a small but very vocal group of fans who expect Curt Cignetti type of results so they would be happy if he left. That group will never be happy though. All of the above has been… Read more »
6-2, 5-2, what’s the diff? 😂 😉 My point is, one more loss after this weekend and either NEB or USC is undoubtedly relegated once again to the also-rans of CFB for 2025, something each program is desperately trying to avoid after years of disappointing performance. Curt “Google Me” Cignetti has totally changed the landscape of CFB. In only two years, he somehow elevated total doormat IU to possibly the #1 team in the country. What a story! What a coach. After years of fielding “soft” teams, I wish our coach was hard-nosed like that. I’m looking forward to OHIO… Read more »
While I agree overall, most Nebraska fans aren’t viewing our team as a playoff contender. We just made it to a lower tier bowl game last year for the first time in many years. Most realistic fans picked 8-4 this year as the bench mark for progress. That said, winning a game like this could go a long ways towards speeding up the turn around. We have a pile of 4 and 5 star recruits showing interest and many will be visiting for this game.
While I can’t speak for NEB fans and their expectations for Matt Rhule, if Lincoln Riley loses this game and drops to 5-3 (with several cupcake program wins) after getting handled by ND again, it’ll only reinforce the thinking by a growing number of Trojan fans that he’ll simply never get it done in L.A.
Riley’s ridiculously huge buy-out number has become a big public albatross around his neck amongst Trojan fans. He definitely won the battle at the contract bargaining table, but ironically he’s losing the war big-time with Trojan followers who feel USC is trapped with him now.
Thankfully USC is not in a state that has a governor like they have in Louisiana who told the school to fire the coach, and now has said to fire the AD. Of Course we all know LSU is public, but what a fiasco going on down there. Who would want to go coach there.
Brian Kelly had become totally toxic to LSU fans and even though he has outperformed Lincoln Riley, he simply wasn’t cutting it any longer for the Tigers. LSU was smart to dump him and cut their losses. As far as who would want to coach there. Just ask Ed O. John Robinson also found the place very suitable and consulted there for three years for Ed, helping the Tigers to a national championship. Lots of coaches would love to step into the job and they’ll land somebody big. Football is king there, so no need to apply if you’re a… Read more »
Ed O was hunting buddy of the governor so he was safe. Louisiana is a different kind of place, they do things differently down there.
Saban did just fine in Baton Rouge. Even mediocre Les Miles won a NC there. I think it’s a great college job for many reasons with access to massive talent and money and a devoted fan base, so we’ll just disagree. ✌
Public versus private school, yes, so it could conceivably happen at the school nearby. I wouldn’t put it past our state’s leaders if there were any political gain to be had.
Nebraska just extended Matt Rhule and raised his buyout to 15 million (what another school has to pay if he leaves early). That should eliminate any distractions related to PSU. Now he just has to worry about how to handle being overmatched by USC.
Brian Kelly has joined the former bosses at Penn State, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Virginia Tech. There’s more coming. That seems to be a trend nowadays. Fire your coach and pay big money to cover the rest of his expensive contract. Lincoln Riley…..I hope you are seeing the writing on the wall. Your seat is getting hotter by minute.
For now, because of his huge buy-out, Lincoln Riley is safe from everything except his weak 31-16 record. Caleb Williams saved him with a 11-3 year in 2022, but then Caleb forced “Hero Ball” down USC’s throat and Caleb’s literally been floundering ever since. So has LR. How all these recent firings have affected LR, if at all, is a big mystery to me. For all I know, he. couldn’t care less. His $70-80 mil (or something insane like that) buy-out number is that big of a shield. He also knows he’s safe until the $200 mil/60,000 sq ft Bloom… Read more »
His buyout is saving him but not USC football. These buyouts we are seeing in the last 5 or so years are ridiculous. Jimbo is laughing every Tuesday when he is on College Sports radio on Sirius XM. Those mega buyouts are enough to make a coach want to get fired 3 or 4 years in. Far better than the salaries they’d be making and no stress. I would be super ultra surprised if any school came calling for Riley. He hasn’t shown any true level of skill being the HC. He also has the personality of a dry cheese… Read more »
“He also has the personality of a dry cheese sandwich on white bread (no butter).” Cracks me up! Can LR fix that too? Your point about huge buy-outs being a good trade off for getting your butt kicked and constantly abused by fans is a good one. Why go back into the lion’s den if you can live on easy street every day for the rest of your life and avoid having to make up all those predictable excuses for losing too much? But I think I read that James Franklin’s PSU contract obligates him to seek another head coaching… Read more »
He’s still young and learning. I hope that learning means that he is evolving and not devolving(and also not staying the same). He does have one outstanding characteristic. He’s a great offensive mind. I agree with you that I’d rather it be a great defensive mind but I’d want him to be great at something even if it is just a great CEO.
USC S Bishop Fitzgerald named semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
Fitzgerald is tied for the national lead with five picks.
Connor Morrissette (USCFootball.com) — Fitzgerald is Pro Football Focus’s highest graded safety with an overall defensive grade of 91.3. He was named to the Sports Illustrated midseason All-American first team and the Athletic midseason All-American second team earlier this month.
247sports.com
As to the OC Register article above, we are past the halfway point in the season and DC Lynn is still looking at depth changes on defense. Granted the loss of projected starters at DB at the start of the season has greatly affected that position since. We also knew the weakest position at the beginning was going to be linebacker. Judging by what we noticed in games, a hesitancy at Mike position to quickly read the plays to cover holes & make tackles at the LOS has been a big problem even this late in the season. Seeing our… Read more »
The more and more I look at Lynn’s defenses, the more and more I’m beginning to believe that I bought stock in Lynn too soon. I drank the Kool-aid without asking what was in it. The #3 defense in the country is Toledo. They have five 4 stars and zero 5 stars. SC has thirty nine 4 stars and three 5 stars. Don’t tell me that it will take a few more years to get to a NC talent level. They’re loaded with talent.
Trick or Treat? For Domers and Tigers, it’s a treat all the way.
I vote this the best post ever.
This could have been added to the Halloween package
Love the playoff hope expiration date. Too funny.
Outstanding!
For first time travelers to Lincoln for a game- Please feel free to stop by different tail gates around the stadium. 99% of us welcome opposing fans and enjoy talking football, and sharing food and drinks. For the party scene, the railyard is fun with live entertainment, plenty of food options, and bars with walk up windows. Many visiting fans go to the Big 10 bar for pre-game. They have a $5 cover but they provide live music, cheap drinks, and decent food. The Haymarket area has a lot of restaurant and bar options. The entire area will be busy… Read more »
One of the better CFB experiences I have ever had was in Lincoln watching the Trojans beat the Huskers 49-31 in 2007. I can’t believe it was so long ago. USC was such a tough out back then.
ESPN GameDay was there to watch #1 USC vs #14 NEB. USC used to be on GameDay all the time.
Amazing camaraderie, atmosphere and Husker hospitality.
Me with a typically friendly and welcoming Husker fan. It can get a little chilly.
Wow. That game was in mid-September, and it was already parka and gloves weather.
Do remember the first game between SC and Nebraska, in 1969? It was Opening Day, in what would now be Week 4. SC rented the Sports Arena for a closed-circuit telecast of the game. I went with my new girlfriend (still my wife) and had a blast. After the game we went to Disneyland. Quite a day.
Wow is right. What a day for you and congrats to you and your wife!
The biggest memory I have of that amazing 1969 Trojan season is the thrilling 14-12 win over UCLA. I was fortunate enough to be sitting low in the corner of the end zone right in front of where Sam Dickerson made his amazing game-winning catch. Man, was it ever dark.
I think I remember Tommy Prothro saying this loss bothered him more than the 21-20 defeat in ’67.
Ahh, the 69 UCLA game. That game marked the debut of the teddy bear you see in my avatar. That was my second bear. I made the first one, with the help of a now-departed friend and classmate, for the 67 game. I took that one to the games in 67 and 68 — they were a lot less picky then about what you could bring to your seat. In 67 I almost missed the end of O.J.’s 64-yard run reaching for the teddy bear to thrust it into the air. Alas, after the 68 game, my then girlfriend and… Read more »
Thanks for the cool history on your Bear. ✌
Yeah, it was really dark at the end of the 69 game.
It was my wife’s first SC-UCLA game. I had handcrafted a fake student ID for her and a classmate who didn’t go to games let me buy her student activity book.
I think the kickoff was 3:00. My wife gave me the weirdest look when I told he I’d pick her up for the game at 8 in the morning.
Student activity books. Fake IDs. The Nine-O. Days gone by.
I still have my USC Student ID. I know, weird. Good times.
Both teams entered the 1969 game undefeated (the first time since 1952), but we had tied ND, 14-14, and UCLA had tied STAN, 20-20.
One of my favorite in-person games of all-time (90,814 attendance), I was there with two of my best HS friends, all of us seniors and totally jazzed to be at the game. I just watched the last USC/ND game with one of them.
I wish I still had mine. Even more, I wish I still had my wife’s fake. I was very proud of it.
I had mine until about 12 years ago when our house was burglarized. They got all the jewelry and, because I had a few watches in a dresser-top case, they also got my student ID and my very precious Junior Angels Club membership card from 1963, showing I was member #1.
Ha. Reserved seat. I guess you didn’t have to leave for the game at 8.
That’s not my ticket stub. Just got it off the internet. But we got our seats from my friend’s dad, a former USC All-America player. I still remember a lot about that game. It was filled with many miraculous plays and we had the Wild Bunch. They called us the Cardiac Kids because we were always winning in the 4th Q.
Thankfully, UCLA’s Danny Graham got nailed for that PI penalty, opening the door for Dickerson’s otherworldly 32-yd catch TD corner catch from Jimmy Jones.
Re Danny Graham
Both SC and UCLA had their own set of announcers doing the tape reply of the game. Tom Harmon was doing the UCLA play-by-play and I think Tom Kelly was doing the SC play-by-play.
On Sunday I watched both replays. Kelly called obvious pass interference before the ball hit the ground. Harmon was beside himself over what a bad call he thought it was. Pretty funny.
I thought the pass was uncatchable but I don’t think that rule had come into existence by 1969.
Ya, that ball was way out of reach. I think it was a classic example of how your verdict depended on whether you wore Red or Blue. I’m sure I would have been insanely pissed were I a little gutty fan.
I thought it was a pretty blah game, except for the late heroics and Charlie Weaver’s hit on Dennis Dummit.
The Dummit Hit was truly fantastic. The “all-time greatest hit” was how one of the Wild Bunch described it.
Greg Slough and Al Cowlings bear down on Dummit
Best I’ve ever seen.
That picture reminds me of something I read about Red Sanders a long time ago. He said he changed UCLA’s jerseys from dark blue to “powderkeg blue” and went to a Clarendon font so it would be easier to read the numbers on game films.
I think he had a point.
Sanders was a great coach. His ’54 split NC team was the only national title UCLA has ever won.
He is credited (not Vince Lombardi) with saying “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing“.
Sanders also said, “Beating ‘SC is not a matter of life or death; it’s more important than that!”
And Red Sanders died “in the saddle,” if you know what I mean 😂
Right. At the Lafayette Hotel on Beverly Blvd.
With a hooker.
Here’s what Dan Jenkins of Sports Illustrated said about Charlie Weaver in his post-game article entitled, “Make Way for the Wild Bunch” — All afternoon and evening the Wild Bunch bounced Dennis Dummit around the coliseum floor like a double dribble, smothering him for loss after loss and forcing him to throw the football upward, downward and sideways. This was the main reason USC eased into the Rose Bowl last week for a record fourth straight year. In this unwitting era of scoring, the defense finally had its day. “The game belonged to the Wild Bunch. They kept the Bruins… Read more »
ah, the dreams of our college days….
Nebraska fans & hospitality has always been noted as a top notch reputation. They appreciate good football and will clap after the game is over even if the visiting team wins. I truly hope Matt Rule stays in the program.
Thank you NU Fan! Now that we are in the B1G, i want to visit the different campuses in our new conference. Nebraska will be high on the list!
If Nebraska’s D-line penetrates into the Trojan pocket and the Trojan D-line is pushed back off the LOS, it’s going to be another painful game to watch. If these two weeks of prep doesn’t show a renewed player determination in aggressively taking control of the LOS for the 2nd game in a row, you have to wonder if the staff is able to truly reach these players and the Michigan game was nothing but a perfect storm happening.
Nebraska has a pretty good pass defense, combined with a windy night, could be a rough one for Maiava. Hushers are not so good with the run game, offense or defense. Could be a big night for The King!
You are right that Nebraska has struggled against the run but offensively we run the ball OK. Our RB1 is 2nd in the B1G and 5th in the nation for yards from scrimmage. The massive number of sacks we allowed earlier in the year make our rushing stats look pretty rough. Pass defense has been solid but has been looking a little more leaky lately. Overall USC is 2-3 scores better but playing in the cold in a hostile environment, I think Nebraska has a shot to keep it competitive.
You have the advantage of being at home. Lincoln Riley is 1-7 when >1000 miles from LA, 0-8 against the spread. I think it could be a 2-3 point game. Riley has brain farts in a close road game.
Another ’26 commit, USC gets the #1 Juco TE, Josiah Jefferson from Southwestern College, Chula Vista. Brother of Chargers Safety, Tony Jefferson.
Frigid Temperatures Expected For Saturday Night in Lincoln Caden Handwork (si.com) — Saturday night’s matchup between USC and Nebraska is expected to have some chilly weather conditions for the first day of November. The forecast on Saturday night is currently expected to be 38 degrees with 10 mph wind gusts. These weather conditions could benefit the Cornhuskers while hurting the Trojans. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, back in August, even predicted that the conditions for the game would be cold and that the Trojans wouldn’t be ready for it. The Trojans are just starting to get used to playing in… Read more »
Well, we are traveling over 1000 miles and two time zones to the east. Bet on SC to win at your wallet’s peril.
hope I am wrong, but I am real down on the head coach again. Yes I am spiraling.
38 is not that cold, put on an extra layer and keep moving. The wind will affect the passing and FG attempts by both teams. Pound the rock Riley.
You are so right GT, 38 degrees is good football weather. I used to golf in it and with some rain added. Get the players outside and working out when you arrive and in pre-game stretching. It won’t be an issue.
Ooo, 38 and wet! That’s miserable!
Regarding “fair weather” SC players, yes and no: Yes,Trojans play home games and practice daily in warm weather conditions; but many players are from cold weather HS in the USA. For example, Gentry is from Pa; Shelby, Hines and Jackson are from Tx; Dalton and Fitzgerald are from Va; more than a handfull are from Tx; ditto from the deep south, & midwest etc. bottom line: Nebraska QB throws a lot, so cold+windy conditions may not favor the cornballs. Halloween W/E adds to the celebration, so buckle your seats.
I really don’t think the weather will have any impact. That said, 12 of 98 on your roster played high school in the cooler weather and only 8 of those come from locations with equally as cold of weather as Nebraska. Texas, Va, and the deep south are considerably warmer than Nebraska. Looking at your roster, The vast majority come from warm weather locations. The exceptions are Corey Sims from St Louis, Eric Gentry from PA, Desman Stephens from MI, Carson Tabaracci from Park City UT, Alex Graham from MI, Jadyn Waker from MI, Seneca Moore from MI, Kash Amos,… Read more »
4th place looks a possibility if Riley can win a winnable road game. Iowa got two more loses coming and Michigan has at least one.
Classic Lincoln Riley era statement — “4th place looks a possibility.”
Attaway, Lincoln! Aspire for greatness! SMH😡
Colin Cowherd on Caleb Williams and his persistent big inaccuracy issues — “It shouldn’t be this hard.”
Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown a TD pass in the last two games and the sloppy Bears lost to the Ravens, led by backup QB Tyler Huntley, 30-16 yesterday.
Oh well…..the Bears have done it again. Hopefully Williams stuffs a good portion of that 40 million away and gets a great life.
LONG POST WARNING: Just for fun, I asked chatGPT this question, “Why are the usc trojans football team not better than they are?” Here’s what it said (with its own icons and bold and italicized wording!): “That’s a great and layered question — and one USC fans have been asking for years. The Trojans have the brand, location, money, recruiting base, and history to be a perennial powerhouse. Yet they’ve underperformed relative to their potential. Here’s why, in a nutshell, they haven’t been as dominant as expected: ðŸ›️ 1. Institutional InstabilitySince Pete Carroll left in 2010, USC has had frequent… Read more »
This response to “VT” is pretty much what most if not all of us on this website have said. This isn’t rocket science mystery secret. It just confirms the truth of the matter again each step of the way Lincoln Riley has ventured being the Trojan HC. When USC was winning championships, it was with a physical offense & defense. In the decades under the PAC, you could win with flash star talent. In the BIG, you are middle of the pack and that is where USC was last year and is this year…… duh what a surprise!!! Everyone seems… Read more »
Exactly! That’s what struck me too, it’s not rocket science. Everyone of us, even with our untrained eyes, knows what needs to happen, but LR is making this seem like rocket science to a kindergartner. Get it done, LR!!! We’re waiting…
I agree with you about urban Meyer.
Really interesting VT.
Don’t count on him coming
That’s amazingly accurate and doable, if Riley would read and act on the information.
You nailed it, longest post in TBD history right there.
😅
But it was good reading.
Lane Kiffin says it’s not about the money RotoBaller.com — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is now rumored to be a candidate for the vacant Florida and LSU head coaching jobs, but the 50-year-old said money is not going to be a factor in his decision-making. “I have never made a decision based off money, nor will I,” Kiffin said. “I’ve seen too many examples in life where money does not buy happiness. So I’m never going to make a decision off of money, nor do I care about it. Jimmy Sexton (his agent) gets really mad when I… Read more »
Brian Kelly vs Lincoln Riley Just fired Brian Kelly, who was hired at the same time Lincoln Riley was and previously coached ND for 12 years, finishes his three-plus-year LSU tenure with a 34-14 record after going 10-4, 10-3 and 9-4 in his first three seasons, before trailing off to 5-3 this season leading to Kelly getting the sudden axe. Kelly won 70% of his games at LSU. Riley is only a 65% winner at USC. Here’s Lincoln Riley’s numbers at USC: 2022 — 11-3 2023 — 8-5 2024 — 7-6 2025 — 5-2 LR Overall — 31-16 (65%) BK… Read more »
Snoop Dogg calls out Lincoln Riley’s ridiculous play calling: Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — The NBC announcers for the USC at ND game openly questioned Lincoln Riley’s decision making on the broadcast. Even Snoop Dogg called him out. “Who calls a reverse pass to a non-quarterback in the rain?” the rapper and USC fan wrote on social media. “Damn coach, what you smoking?” Playcalling was supposed to be the strongest tool in Riley’s arsenal. And while he has had his share of dazzling moments as a playcaller, he’s also had other days like this one, when late-game management gets the… Read more »
For the first time ever, I find myself saying, “yes, Mr. Dogg, I agree with you wholeheartedly.”
“Damn coach, what you smoking?”
It’ll go down in Trojan history as one of the most boneheaded calls ever, never to be forgotten.
You know when huge Trojan honk Snoop Dog himself makes a laughable reference to Lincoln Riley being too loaded to properly coach USC football, you’ve officially entered the Twilight Zone.
Snoop is a rare, highly unusual talent who can be pretty funny, and finally it has come at LR’s expense.
When you’ve lost Snoop, you’ve lost everybody.
LSU pulls the trigger. Brian Kelly is on the unemployment line…….with 54 million to enjoy.
The coaches are all salivating over the dumb contracts these over paid admin folks will hand them. Hundreds of millions to run a football team. Well…..in Riley’s case to call plays. Meanwhile the 4 star general in charge of the joint chiefs responsible for our nations security makes $250,000 per year with no buyout.
What a world.
Incredible isn’t it?
More like criminal……but don’t ever tell me that the kids are being overpaid……it’s the coaches, admin, networks, marketers, vendors etc being over paid. A QB like our current player should be making 10 million per year.
But, as nice of a gentleman as Jayden Maieva is, does he oversee the safety of citizens and aliens (legal and illegal) of the USA? Numbers make no sense, but what you gonna do?
It is what it is.
First time I’ve heard this one. From this article: https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/news/college-football/10-things-im-absolutely-overreacting-to-after-week-9-in-the-sec-3/ 2. If I’m Florida, I’m making 1 phone call … And it’s to the active USC head coach, not the former one y’all want who was fired on the tarmac. I’m calling Lincoln Riley, and even if it takes me 39 days instead of the 38 days Alabama needed to land Nick Saban, I’m not allowing him to say no. It’s what they should have done before hiring Napier. Florida has been looking for the next Steve Spurrier since the HBC left. Yes, Urban Meyer won, but never with Spurrier’s personality,… Read more »
Bring the Brinks truck and pay the buyout.
Take My Wife… Please! Just flew in from LA… Boy are my arms tired! Too much Gatorade, spiked with moonshine!
Yes, please.
Why in the heck would any big-time program want to hire Lincoln Riley after all the program rebuilding, leadership and play-calling weaknesses he has shown at USC? Not to mention that all of Riley’s teams are bad on D.
How important is winning to the USC administration? It sure seems to me it is being very patient waiting a long time for Lincoln Riley to rebuild a historical top notch program. Does anyone want to hear the excuse being in the Big Ten conference is the reason why the rebuild is as slow as molasses? Should a flagship program ever use an excuse like that? Competing against AP ranked opponents since Riley came here, USC has only a 250% winning average. LSU which just showed they have no patience with a HC that doesn’t compete for conference & National… Read more »
Love it!
Brian Kelly’s Future as HC Reportedly Being Discussed by LSU Amid Contract Buyout Info
Andrew Peters (B/R) — Brian Kelly’s time in Death Valley could be nearing its end.
Per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, “LSU administrators and university executives have held and are holding high-level discussions over” Kelly’s future, and those discussions involve the state’s governor. Dellenger noted that there is “there is no immediate resolution.”
Kelly is owed $54 million in buyout money if he is fired.
b/r.com
Mind boggling that LSU has $54 million in taxpayer funds to afford a buyout.
If they fire him, Lane Kiffin and James Franklin are both going to be the top candidates for the job.
There’s going to be a feeding frenzy after Lane. He’s earned it. The Land Sharks are now #7 after beating OU in Norman.
We ought to go after him
ON3 already has a list out. Franklin is not on it.
USC moves up to #23 in the AP poll, squeezed between HOU and UTAH. Not playing apparently suits us. AP Top 25 1. Ohio State 2. Indiana 3. Texas A&M 4. Alabama 5. Georgia 6. Oregon 7. Ole Miss 8. Georgia Tech 9. Vanderbilt 10. Miami (Fla.) 10. BYU 12. Notre Dame 13. Texas Tech 14. Tennessee 15. Virginia 16. Louisville 17. Cincinnati 18. Oklahoma 19. Missouri 20. Texas 21. Michigan 22. Houston 23. USC B/R — The Trojans faced three straight ranked opponents in Illinois, Michigan and Notre Dame prior to their bye week, and settled for a… Read more »
If we just take bye weeks the rest of the season, and beat ucla for the final win, we may be a top 10 team in December!😎
If this was the playoff ranking, ND would be the first out, with Memphis taking the Group of 6 spot as the 12th seed. 5 SEC, 3 BIG12, 2 ACC and 1 Big12. Still a lot that can happen.
SC has 5 tough games still coming against teams that have a combined record of 24-11. If they can win 4 of those games, I will say that they are a pretty good team.I’m betting that they will win 3 or less.
Football Contest – Week 9 Results
Illinois Trojan 48000Dubpar22 30000BUS83 29000Rialto Trojan 28500TommeTrojan 25000GoldenTrojan 23000Scoochnew 22000TrojanRJJ 18500MrsSteveg 17000Steveg 10000Figueroa 7000LeftCAnotSC 3000Satyrdancing 3000Click Here for Game by Game Results
Could Brian Kelley get fired and bought out before Lincoln Riley?
Riley isn’t going anywhere since we can’t afford his buyout with our money problems. So expect Brian Kelly to go first if LSU struggles the rest of the season.
I predicted Brian Kelly would be gone immediately. I’m a prophet. The Nostradamus of college football. Oh, but wait!. I predicted it after it was already in the newspapers. Oh Well, maybe not so much of a prophet.
Please make some more predictions for us about USC football Nostradamus!
I want people to like me so I’ll predict USC football will win the NC the next 50 years in a row.
Good prediction parcel, only thing you didn’t predict was the day and time.
I got news for you. Neither did Nostradamus predict the day and time.He once predicted that there would be a great earthquake on may 10. What he failed to say was where it would be and what year. I’ll do that right now. There will be a great earthquake in LA on June the 5th. I guarantee, if you give me 500 or 1,000 years it will happen on June the 5th in LA. See…..maybe I am the next Nostradamus.
If that happens and California still has the same governor, multiply the disaster 2X.
I keep wondering what would USC do after firing Riley. USC is not going to get rid of him any time soon, I think we all know and agree on that. In the last two years he has truly started building a program, he has hired great assistants, a world class GM and staff and has the best AD in the business over him. We seem to dwell a lot on the negative, but I am seeing a bright future coming, one season at a time. The dynasty will return.
It is amazing to think about those two super high profile coaches, within a day of one another, who both jilted huge brands to brazenly split 🎭 for greener grass and much more moola at other huge programs — only to discover the grass wasn’t really greener at the new place, especially in the win/loss dept in big games.
Riley left OU for USC on Nov 28, 2021.
Kelly left ND for LSU on Nov 29, 2021.
Think about the programs they left. Also consider that coaches have left other supposedly destination schools to coach at another college: Alabama (Dennis Franchione), Florida State (Jimbo), aTm (Bear Bryant), Florida (Ron Zook), and Oregon (seems like everyone).
Never happened at SC, although I can see one of the schools currently being led by an interim coach making a run at Riley.
He gone!!
I wish it was Riley whom you are referring, SteveG
Not me, not yet.
Washington trounced Illinois. I’m so tired of hearing that we are still building up our talent level. Let me say again…… Illinois has six 4 stars and zero 5 stars on their 2025 squad. Washington has eighteen 4 stars and zero 5 stars. SC has thirty nine 4 stars and three 5 stars. So SC has forty two combined 4 and 5 stars while Illinois and Washington combined have twenty two combined 4 stars and zero 5 stars. LR is a young couch and he could prove himself in the near future but right now it’s beginning to look like… Read more »
PS—-In all fairness, I’m not criticizing SC for hiring LR. It really did seem like a great hire at the time. I certainly thought it was and many of you probably did too. But today, after 3 1/2 years it seems like a terrible waste of money. I really hope I’m wrong.
The food poison thing was real. The team was not 100% in Champaign. So just throw that game out when judging this team. Better depth would have helped but still too many guys were ill.
The food poison thing was real. I still say that they are not playing like a great team. From what I have seen, they are an 8-4 team or even 7-5
Good post Parcelman! If the rankings of these Trojan players coming into college isn’t out-of-wack, then it’s the coaching. I’m sorry but ready to point fingers, from development to mental attitude to position coaching to DC & OC playcalling to pre-game week prepping. What else could it be? We continue to see underacheiving, poor communication and lack of physical determination on the field. . In this coming Nebraska game, which again USC has the superior athletes, Are we going to see our coaching staff out-coached again led by a HC that continues in poor game management? Will we finally see… Read more »
As frustrating as the IL loss was, if we weren’t decimated by food poisoning, we probably win that game easy, w/o being subject to a trademark LR event like a boneheaded trick play or a (non)clock management strategy.
In other words, if it’s not close, Riley can’t screw up a victory for us.
Quick question to the board, what’s your best guess as to the start time of the Iowa game? I’m thinking about grabbing some tickets.
Nobody knows….but that could be a big time game. If Iowa beats Oregon and USC beats Nebraska. Iowa went toe to toe with Indiana until the last few minutes of their game and the Iowa QB went out due to injury.
Depends on if the corn has been harvested. If they are still bringing in their crops, it will be a night game🤣
Don’t they cut in the dark? With headlights?😂
So glad ucla got curb stomped by the Hoosiers. I was getting ill having to listen to all this talk about what a great story this was, and now with the new coaches they were a really good football team. Even Coach Neweasel predicted a bruin victory. They could still beat us, but they got put in their rightful place today.
UCLA’s three wins came against opponents that were a combined 1-11 in the B1G.
Now they get to lick their wounds during a bye week after a horrible beat down.
All of USC’s wins have come against cupcakes too. Now 5-2 NEB, which got hammered by mediocre MINN 24-6, faces USC and UCLA back-to-back.
We’ll see what USC “learned” during the bye week.
Nebraska barely got by Northwestern, and Iowa hammered Minnesota. USC better have learned a lot. All 5 remaining games may be tough. Can we get a road win in Lincoln, Lincoln?
Allen- I agree our conference schedule as a whole has been soft. But I would not characterize Michigan as a cupcake. As for our upcoming game, I don’t have any confidence in a Riley coached team in the central time zone. We are better than the Huskers, but I expect SC to find a way to lose.
Absolutely! Sorry. I totally forgot about our great win over MICH. I think I’m still suffering from Irish Derangement Syndrome!
Jerry and Rick N can now enjoy the feeling of a 50 point beat down.
And to think Rick predicted a bruin victory. I really enjoyed them getting destroyed. ucla, it’s time to get back to reality. You are mediocre at best
Seriously? Did you actually hear or read where Rick Neuheisel predicted victory? Or is this just common knowledge? I only ask because it’s so hard for me to believe. It doesn’t seem possible that such an experienced CFB talking head, even though his kid Jerry is the Bruin OC, would make that call. 🤔
I heard it and couldn’t believe it. Then I saw the video from ” Inside college football” on CBS Sportsline.( it wasn’t AI). Rick said the team ” believes” and because of that, team that believe can do anything. He believes too, and predicted a bruin victory over Indiana. He looks like a drunken fool now. To be honest, that show should tell him to recuse himself from picking bruin games, as long as his son is the OC. If I knew how to forward the video I would.It is over on the “WEARESC” site
Who should USC fear the most Nebraska or Northwestern? Close one with 4 turnovers total. Since Riley’s Trojans are 1-6 traveling over 1000 miles guess I answered my own question.
Neither…..we’ll smash them both. Unless Riley really goes nuts.
It would be nice to break the road choke.
Curt Cignetti on playing UCLA today
UCLA is one of the hottest teams in college football. What scares you about UCLA coach?
Cignetti — “You can’t play scared. You’ve got to attack.”
Five mins later, IU gets a pick six on UCLA’s second play from scrimmage after a big sack to start the game.
Go Hoosiers! Covered the over with over half of the 2nd quarter to go. Don’t stop now! Pour it on! Ruins getting a dose of reality. The bubble has popped on their hot streak!
Oops, meant they covered the points. Guess I’m too used to betting the over. Almost beat the over all by themselves! Go Aztecs, looking good at the half.
UCLA is in Indiana for the Big Noon Kickoff game vs the remarkable #2 Hoosiers. Each team is an amazing story. Curt Cignetti has brought IU back from the long term dregs of CFB — and they are now nearly the King of College Football. In a much smaller way, UCLA is almost as remarkable — over the last three weeks that is. Before then, UCLA was literally one of the worst teams I have ever seen when DaBong was in charge. Since DaBong got the boot, the Bruins have magically played like they would be a tough out for… Read more »
Read this in a Yahoo Sports article about cfb playoff expansion and the rise of almost unprecedented parity.
“A whopping 43% of power conference football games have been decided by one score, which is on pace to be the highest percentage in any season in the last 20 years.”
This only amplifies the need for near perfect game and clock management. Given that USC is, IMHO, well below average in this area, it’s no wonder LR’s record is what it is.
Does USC need the Notre Dame rivalry? If USC desires to keep the rivalry, what changes should be made? Scott Dochterman (The Athletic) — College football is built upon rivalries, but expansion and realignment have damaged many of the sport’s greatest series. USC-Notre Dame is in this category. This summer, I ranked it No. 5 in college football. It’s unique because it’s a cross-country rivalry outside of any conference structure, so hopefully both sides can come to a mutually beneficial solution to ensure its future. However, USC now competes in a national conference that requires at least three annual trips to… Read more »
I agree. The Comebakc was the game that made me a Trojan for life, but everything about cfb has changed in the past 50 years. The biggest change related to this rivalry is what is stated in the article, the “nationalization” of leagues replacing regional ones. All of the other rivalries listed in that ranking article were either in-state or border adjacent. With USC being in a mega coast to coast conference, ND is going to have to concede some points to make the rivalry work. And really, if USC drops ND, who else would ND consistently play every year… Read more »
This is a spot on analysis of Notre Dame and USC. Funny how ND’s rivalries years ago were more nationally competitive ( especially USC) and have whittled to some armed forces and ACC teams. They play a good team or two ( many scheduled when they weren’t) and it’s supposed to minimize their “independent” scheduling. I’d like to see ND play our 2026 schedule and see how their depth holds up. Just sour grapes. PS not minimizing our own coaching fundamentals and buyout problems.
They did make it through the playoffs to get to the NCG last year.
Dan Weber Would Like Low Personality Lincoln Riley To Get Even More Help! Would Ed O come to the rescue? Would LR ever invite him? Weber (USCFootball.com) — Lincoln Riley’s teams do not show up when it means the most to them and the USC football family. His record against ranked teams is clearly sub-par. So what to do? Can’t fire Lincoln (you know, the $70 mil buyout). But can’t get back to USC being USC with him? Is that right? The thing I liked most about Lincoln on his hiring was how he seemed like a cerebral guy, smart enough to… Read more »
For what it’s worth, is anyone else seeing what I am seeing at most of the ends of games? The defense is pretty much on the field at the last minutes of the games. I’m wondering if Lincoln Riley is playcalling his offense to where they never seem to milk the game clock long enough at the end to close it out. Is Riley calling plays that have less chance to gain the necessary 10 yards to hold onto the ball so his offense can walk off the field and put it on the defense to save games?
SC needs a defense that can stop the opponent in the last 2 minutes.
Good point. When was the last time USC had the ball and closed out a game with the victory formation after a tight game.?
USC DC D’Anton Lynn sees what we see, now can he fix it? Lynn drilled down on the Trojan defensive issues and how he wants to fix them. R.J. Abeytia (247sports.com) — USC has backslid to being the No. 58 DFEI team (points per drive) in 2025. The Trojans’ yardage numbers are slipping towards last year’s totals. The Trojans’ ability to limit big plays was a crucial pillar upon which their improvement was built in 2024. This season, USC has allowed far too many big plays. Last Saturday’s nightmare in South Bend was a clear illustration of most of the continuing… Read more »
Fine, but I heard a lot of that “trust the guy next to you” talk with Grinch to no avail. Honestly, I don’t even know what that means.
Coach Speak, Player Speak. It’s all generic pablum designed to avoid addressing real problems with real solutions. Imagine if we heard this from a player: “The coaches don’t seem to be able to teach us about how to fill gaps before big games. Don’t ask me why. Some of our players still don’t know how to tackle and they just bounce off the opposing team. We try as hard as we can, but against better teams we’re just don’t have the physicality to compete well. Coach Riley doesn’t really know how to coach an entire team. He isn’t a motivator.… Read more »
Ha, that’s an interview I would pay to hear! 😅 Absolutely coach speak. Each player needs to execute their own job. Period. I mean, ok, let’s play this silly phrase out. If a player in live action sees a teammate miss his assignment, what’s he supposed to do, go cover for him? Then that leaves his job abandoned. And another player sees that second player abandon his job, and he goes to cover for him, then the third guy’s job is abandoned. And so forth. Please Coach Lynn, save the tribal speak, we’ve been hearing that for many years before… Read more »
Your truth is clear and bracing as a late October Saturday morning, Allen.
The SC defensive players seem to be in the wrong position on every play. That makes me think that the defensive playbook may be too complicated. Too many pro coaches on that side of the LOS who have a tendency to be complicated. Don’t tell me they don’t have the talent. This team has 38 four stars and 3 five stars. There are not too many teams in the country with that kind of talent.
That’s alarming.
They also have tons of very talented 3 stars who should be 4 stars
ND looked stronger. You may have talent but if you lack conditioning the talent is wasted. The front 7 on defense looked good in all but 2 games.
USC headed to the Alamo Bowl for the first time? Is this our destiny this year? Chris Trevino (USCFootball.com) — The latest bowl projections are unanimous as CBSSports.com, Athlon, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and ESPN all peg the Trojans for the Valero Alamo Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 30, in San Antonio, TX (ESPN at 6 p.m. PT). CBS’ Mark Schlabach has the Trojans facing off against ASU (5-2) while ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura has the Trojans playing CIN. The Trojans and Bearcats have never faced each other. Athlon has the Trojans playing IA ST, which also has never played USC. USA Today has USC dipping back into its Pac-12 days to face UTAH. The two teams have… Read more »
“Florida offers Kiffin 13.5 mil?” Clearing my throat . . . we respectfully dissent in part, adding we may be talking about the difference between whether Florida actually made a written offer or more likely, someone at Florida simply flapped his gums. IMHO, this is an inaccurate, non-factual media report. Lane Kiffin is meeting right now with his Rebel players denying this “clickbait” story. It is correct there are no NCAA or SEC “tampering” rules or regulations about offering a more lucrative contract to another SEC coach mid-season. But such a written offer, not a leaked “blue sky wish” quote,… Read more »
It doesn’t matter if talks are supposedly “private” (whatever that means in today’s 24/7-know-everything-world) or if so-called “offers” are writing. Any school can go after any coach any time they want. It’s all fluid and unrestricted. Anyone can sue for whatever reason their lawyer comes up with. That also means nothing. Coaches deny interest in other schools constantly. It’s often just a sign that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Lane’s gonna tell his team not to worry. He doesn’t need to invite anymore more mattress burning in the streets at this stage.
Offering a new huge salary job to a CFB coach employed by another institution is NOT considered tampering. How do you think Lincoln Riley and countless other CFB coaches who were poached got their current jobs? You can actually win a NC at UF and why not bank $13.5 mil a year in the process. OLE MISS paid Kiffin $9 mil for the 2025 season, plus whatever bonuses he earned. A NC is not happening at OLE MISS. I’d make the move were I Lane. Gainesville is a pretty cool college town based on my experience. I watched the GA… Read more »
As you so well stated…..If I were Kiffin…..gone……he can win it all at Florida…..Miss St…..never.
Well, you’re right, Kiffin will never win it all at Miss St…because he doesn’t coach there.
Yep!…..screwed that up…..
Hope you know I was just picking at you for fun.
Have a great day pal!
😄
Bulldogs in the Swamp. Hmm, they have been playing in Jacksonville for years. What year was that?
UF wiped out GA 52-14 in 1994 in The Swamp.
The Swamp was rockin’ and I was there as a guest of the Gator staff on their sidelines, where you miss a lot of the game but meet some interesting people.
The Gators were pretty good. And I learned how great “alligator hush puppies” were after the game.
Gators were a tough out in the swamp during that era and on the rise under Spurrier. That must’ve been epic.
Furman University at Florida in November of 2011. This game was Furman’s annual paycheck game against a FBS opponent. But through a game plan of throwing caution to the wind and players sporting “hair on fire” attitudes. Furman was actually leading the Gators at the start of the fourth quarter.
Alas, Florida finally wore out the Paladins. But without a doubt, it was the best game to watch of my son’s career at FU. They managed to keep the Swamp quiet and frustrated for most of the game.
In 94 and 95 the stadium in Jacksonville was being rebuilt.
Ah, that explains it, I had not remembered that. Thanks.
You want information on the Gator Bowl, who do you call?
IF true, that would possibly constitute tampering and interference with a contractual relationship. Did Florida’s AD make a “public” offer or is this simply a clickbait, passing precatory comment? Lane’s pretty content at Ole Miss. His girls go to college there and his ex-wife even moved back to Ole Miss. Perhaps this is a “leak” intended to exact an Ole Miss contract extension increase?
Go Lane. Take the $13.5 mil per year and become a Gator! Who says getting “Tarmacked” is the end of the world? ‘Lane Kiffin will be the Gator head coach next year,’ says college football insider on Florida job originally appeared on The Sporting News. Ole Miss Rebels football coach Lane Kiffin is already on his way out of Oxford, Mississippi, and on his way to be Billy Napier’s replacement with the Florida Gators. That’s the position that Bleacher Report’s College Football Reactions host Mike Ola Jr. takes anyway. Ola doesn’t care if it’s an “overreaction.” He predicts Kiffin ditching all the progress he’s made in… Read more »
Florida offers Kiffen 13.5 mil? Isn’t there a rule against offering to a coach during the season?
MARK SANCHEZ 12/11/2025 TELEVIZED TRIAL DATE WITH DESTINY
The Jamaican “Honey Badger”, Perry Tole.
Bests Mark Sanchez, who hung at The Point, drinking hard… in Dana Point.
Now he’s headed back east to Indiana — calling it “a short vacation.”
Maybe he beats the charge, maybe walks out on mild probation.
Or maybe… it’s #Prison — total exposure.
Dinner, drinks and full disclosure?
Or a cell block, counting time for total loss of composure.
Starting linebacker was shown on game tape to be watching a play develop and not reading his assignment to where he was caught out of position and/or easily blocked away from making a tackle he he supposed to make. This happened multiple times during the game of players watching too long and not reacting quickly enough, Is this a coaching failure or is it a player can’t decide quickly enough to position himself to make a tackle? This is just one example. And after halfway into the season you wonder if these players should be playing let alone starting? Missing… Read more »
I had a feeling South Florida was the likely victim.