USC Football: Trojans Midseason Review and Second Half Preview
Despite a tough last-second loss to Utah, the Trojans remain hugely in the hunt for a potential Pac-12 title and spot in the College Football Playoff.
Travis Dye and Caleb Williams are just a few of the numerous transfers who have helped turn USC into an immediate contender in Lincoln Riley’s first season as head coach. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Kane Webb (Athlon Sports) — At the midpoint of the 2019 college football season, USC was sitting a middling 3-3 and the Trojans fan base was stuck with the idea of Clay Helton being the head coach for the foreseeable future. National championships were not considered to be in the realm of possibility and Heisman Trophy ceremony invites were mostly ceremonial, with the real candidates replacing those who were just hype. It was a very mediocre time in the program’s history.
Fast forward three years and USC is rocking one of the nation’s most prolific offenses while also fielding one of the nation’s premier defenses, all while being coached by one of the best in the business in Lincoln Riley. It certainly has been a new era in Los Angeles in 2022 and while the Trojans are coming off a crushing one-point loss to Utah in Salt Lake City, it was their first loss of the year and the chase for one of the four College Football Playoff spots appears to be as wide open as it’s ever been in the history of the format. Not only are UCLA and Tennessee in the top 10, but each team is a legit playoff contender in its own right, especially with the Volunteers coming off a thrilling upset of Alabama in which they hung 52 points on the Crimson Tide.
USC has a real shot of making the playoff, but needs to hit the ground running next week against Arizona when it comes off of its bye. The Trojans appear to have the offense envisioned under Riley while coordinator Alex Grinch’sdefense has been playing lights out. But neither side of the ball can let up over the last five games of the regular season and then, presumably, in the Pac-12 Championship Game. If USC has one thing going in its favor, it’s a very manageable schedule the rest of the way.
Here’s a look at how USC got to where it is right now (6-1, No. 12 in the AP Top 25) and what lies ahead.
Offensive MVP: Caleb Williams, QB
Williams has been as advertised since arriving from Norman. He’s done it with his arms and his legs. His ability to stretch the field with his arm has resulted in spectacular plays, like the last-second throw to Jordan Addison that led to the victory in Corvallis against a scrappy Oregon State team. His arm is so strong that defenders can’t afford to give receivers even an inch of space or risk being beaten. Should Williams have a similar second half, he could very well find himself at least invited to New York for the awarding of a certain stiff-armed trophy.
Defensive MVP: Secondary
Giving this award to one person would be a slap in the face to the way the defense has played over the first half of the season. This is the definition of “team” defense, with players contributing from everywhere. If you had to pick one standout portion of the defense, it would probably be the secondary. Not only has this group become a turnover machine with seven takeaways courtesy of defensive backs, but it also is in command of the nation’s 20th-ranked passing defense. That’s quite the turnaround from former coordinator Todd Orlando’s group which seemed to always be a day late and a dollar short.
Best Moment of First Half: Eric Gentry’s motivational speech
They may have lost the game in the end, but Gentry running off the injury cart with one leg to deliver an impassioned speech to the USC defense during last Saturday’s game at Utah before being taken back to the locker really emphasizes the passion and love these players are playing with on a weekly basis. Not every motivational moment comes in victory, Tim Tebow’s famous speech occurred after a similar loss. If the Trojans come out of the bye with renewed determination and vigor, this moment may become one of legend and lore for the program.
Best Newcomer: Travis Dye, RB
It would be too easy to give this award to Caleb Williams with all he’s done. It would be even easier to give it to Jordan Addison for his prolific ability as a receiver. But the newcomer who has had the most impact in my mind has to be Dye. The Oregon transfer has defined grit and determination in the backfield and though he hasn’t gotten the same level of praise, it was his running and receiving ability that gave Williams the chance to hit Addison with the aforementioned game-winning TD against the Beavers. Without Dye’s vision and veteran play, USC may not have been in that spot.
Keeping analysis balanced is really important for any journalist. The good must come with the bad. For all the improvements that USC players have made under the leadership of the new staff, one of the things that stand out to me the most is the complete absence of Foreman. This was the former No. 1 overall recruit in the country and through two seasons, he’s been persona non grata. If any player was going to take a giant leap in their development, it seemed like it should be Foreman but he has yet to prove he even belongs on this defense.
Three Things to Watch in the Second Half
1. Can turnover luck continue? The Trojans have been very opportunistic this season with 16 turnovers forced (12 INTs) through seven games. They’ve also only turned it over on themselves just once (INT). Their plus-15 margin is far and away the best in the country. Only one other team (Louisiana) is in double digits (+10). Turnover luck is impossible to predict and even more impossible to rely upon. Whether or not this continues is a matter of time, but should it continue the Trojans will have a much easier path to their overall goals.
2. Will the second-half adjustments continue? One thing USC lacked the ability to do under Clay Helton was address deficiencies at halftime. That has not been a problem for Lincoln Riley and his staff. With the exception of the Utah game – and there are even arguments to be made there – the Trojans have looked like a different team coming out of the half. They adjust to their opponents and give them different looks and reads. Second-half adjustments are extremely crucial but often overlooked and Riley has made sure they’re not an afterthought.
3. Will the front seven improve their run defense? The defense has been an impressive unit so far. Not only does USC lead the nation in turnovers, but the Trojans also are 20th against the pass and tied for ninth in sacks (24 for 114 yards). If you had to find an area that’s been a struggle, it would be against the run. USC is a modest 77th in the nation as a result of allowing 4.54 yards per carry to go along with 14 touchdowns on the ground. This must improve, especially if the secondary is going to remain aggressive in search of a potential game-changing play.
Ranking the Toughest Remaining Games on the Schedule
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Sorry, Sark. Colin Cowherd’s not coming to your rescue.
Cowherd, who has always liked and promoted Sark, is finally starting to see the error of his madness. He got down on Sark and his 10-10 TEXAS record pretty big today. Sark has blown seven 2nd half leads, including all three Longhorn losses this season.
“Wherever Sark goes, his defense is man-over-board and he loses too many of these wild games, and he loses control of his team late in these games,” said Cowherd.
Ahhh Suck still has Herbie and Klatt making excuses for him … all that booze,dope and hookers Suck used schools expense accounts to hook these guys up is still paying off.
The Trojans will beat UCLA & ND; Oregon Ducks are iffy. That said, the Ducks were down to Washington State Univ 27-15 at the end of 3, and down 24-34 with 4 min remaining. A Pic-6 helped the Ducks. I’m watching the UCLA-Oregon replay: SC, like most of the Ducks opponents, will score many points. I am NOT addicted to quack.
STAN has won just 14 games in the last four years and haven’t been to a bowl game since 2018. Result — zippo attendance at the ASU/STAN game (Homecoming) won by the Cardinal 15-14.
Why? “Nobody cares about college football in the Bay Area, and those who do aren’t interested in paying outrageous prices to wait in traffic for 2 hours just to watch 2 bad teams,” said one observer.
Wow! Obviously, the Stanford Administration simply does not care. I can see why the poll of fans showed Stanford had 100% as having no hope for the future of the program. Why even field a team. Stick to the Olympic sports.
If you are a recruit why would you go to Stanford? For a free education is all, not to become a big time player. If football becomes a money loser they will drop it. But then the whole athletic department becomes a money pit. If Olympic sports are that important I guess they will poor money into it.
Sad to see such poor attendance for a Homecoming Game at Stanford. I haven’t been to the Bay Area for many years so I can only imagine what the traffic is like these days. With SC moving to the Big10 in 2024, I don’t see any more opportunities to see an SC vs STAN game unless it’s a non-conference game. Bottom line is I’d rather do a weekender in the Bay Area instead of Lincoln, NEB!
My trip to Lincoln to see USC beat the Huskers during the Pete Carroll days was a unique and fantastic experience. Those were the days when you could ride with the team on their plane, which was pretty special. And the ESPN GameDay crew was there too. And from a football experience, the STAN or CAL weekender doesn’t even come close to the fan experience (for me at least) in Lincoln if you care about enjoying a couple of days at a game where the other team’s fans actually care and are there in massive numbers. Since San Francisco is… Read more »
I would bet just about every Big10 location would have the Bay Area beat for fun football fans. Though I hear Ohio State fans can be hard to handle, to put it nicely.
I’ve been to Columbus too, for the 1990 game which was called on account of sheet lightning. We had no problems whatsoever with any of the massive number of Buckeye fans on their absolutely huge campus. Respect for the Trojans exists in places like Columbus, Ann Arbor, South Bend, etc, based on my experiences. But regardless of the fans, I’d take the amazing atmosphere and pageantry of game days in Columbus or Lincoln over the comparatively boring experience in sleepy Palo Alto, where USC fans outnumber the STAN nerds. Bring on new, more vibrant traditions. I’m not gonna miss playing… Read more »
I went to the 2002 game vs ASU in Lincoln. I was lucky enough to be in Omaha for business and stayed to go to the game. It was bonkers. That whole state shut down. Amazing tail gate and crazy loud stadium full of good people. I would be excited to road trip there in the future. Not sure November games would be fun, but early in the season will be great.
Well, thank you for your effort in writing this blog, I appreciate that. However [always a however], USC defense is NOT playing lights out; rather lights off, then on, then off again. To wit: SC allowed Utah 415 yards passing!!! Please Note: SC’s favorable turnover margin is due NOT so much to the the play of their defense as it is to the ineptitude of their opponents.
Dah…in SC’s early games, many passes of its opponents dribbled off their fingertips, serendipitously into USC defenders ‘waiting’ arms. One cannot misconstrue this as “great or even good” USC defense. Nevertheless, I have a good feeling that the Trojans will win out [ 12-1 but not 13-1]✌😉
I see the possibility USC being squeezed out of the conference championship & Rose bowl unless they win out the rest of their games and Utah loses another conference game. Utah has to play at Eugene on Nov.19th. Even then, if Utah loses that game and UCLA wins out, then UCLA & Oregon plays for the Rose Bowl. The best USC can realistically hope for is win the rest of their games and get a major bowl invitation other than the Rose Bowl. But beating ND may not give them much help since the Domers are out of the top… Read more »
So whatever Oregon does, we need them to beat Utah November 19. That assumes nothing crazy happens in the next 5 weeks to Oregon UCLA Utah and USC. Oregon finishes with UDUB, Utah and Oregon St. Utah only has Washington St and Oregon both on the road as their challenges. UCLA’s only tough game left is with the Trojans and likewise for Trojans.
I say if Justin Wilcox had left CAL (typical 3-4) and taken up on ORE’s offer to be the Ducks HC, UCLA would have beaten ORE yesterday in Eugene. Dan Lanning has already proven he was by far the better choice than Wilcox, who is only 16-28 in the Pac-12 while at CAL since 2017. Hard to believe that ORE actually wanted established loser Wilcox more than Lanning, the young and smart DC from GA. So the still-powerful Ducks lucked into Lanning because Wilcox turned them down. Such a big event in the Pac-12 which already significantly affects USC, and… Read more »
It’s looking like ORE will remain a west coast power under Lanning. They looked really good yesterday against a strong and mature UCLA team. The Ducks will always be able to bring in some big-timers from the southern Calif area, regardless of USC. It’s an alternative that some kids just like, and this ORE staff clearly has some really strong recruiters.
Sure hope we play ORE when all is said and done this year. A guaranteed wild affair.
UCLA then Notre Dame then Oregon … way too much for this smoke and mirror D. But LR is the type of coach that could pull something like that off! Wouldn’t that be something
Allowing this one great conference know for it’s exciting football and big crowds enjoying sun splashed Saturdays, to collapse … is one of the worst happenings in sports. F all those involved in it’s failure from Larry Scott, ESPN and the NCAA.
Commentary: Are biased refs needling USC, Texas (14 penalties in yesterday’s game, 0 for OKS) and other expansion defectors? J. Brady McCollough (LAT) — “The Longhorns and Trojans now share much more than their status of being underachieving blue bloods who have been duped into hiring Steve Sarkisian as head coach — they are potentially both receiving middle fingers from their respective conferences via college football officials, who already carry a well-earned vote of no confidence from long before any potential realignment bitterness. “Their bumbling reputation is kind of the perfect cover. “Maybe I’m just a little sensitive after my trip to… Read more »
Duped is right … Horn AD must have gotten the appropriate kickback from agent. This Saban rehab ploy is hilarious. Gomer could had OCed at Bama and won their rigged SEC set up national titles.
Let’s pretend for a moment that the p12 refs are punishing USC and ucla for bolting to the B1G. What will the stumbling bumbling p12 refs do when USC and ucla play each other? My guess is punishing them both with about 15 penalties each to take over the game and make it all about themselves, and an unwatchable game.
Looks like the only reprieve Sark has is the upcoming recruiting class with Arch Manning headlining. No matter what happens the rest of this season, I doubt the administration and alumni would want to risk losing that class. Now if Manning decommits, it’s a whole different ballgame. Being a superior recruiter can sure buy a guy some time and mask weaknesses.
Sark has settled into his typical Seven Win situation. I thought McCollough’s use of the word “duped” was a classic description of Sark’s mysterious ability to somehow land big jobs at places scrambling for a return to respectability. Now TEXAS is paying the price. I’m also one of those who believe the Arch Manning hype machine isn’t going to pan out well in Austin.
Predicting the AP top 25 poll for Week 9 (SI.com) 25. South Carolina. Shane Beamer continues to build a foundation here, and is coming off an important win over Texas A&M, moving to 5-2 on the year, two wins away from bowl eligibility. 24. Tulane. The Wave took a 35-0 lead into halftime, but were outscored 28-3 in the final two quarters. It’s still their fourth straight going into the bye week and good enough to stay in the rankings. 23. NC State. Devin Leary is out for the year, leaving the QB position in the hands of transfer Jack Chambers, who had… Read more »
I watched a lot of games yesterday, usually 2 at a time on split screen. The team nobody says a lot about but put together a comeback to win was TCU. TAM was supposed to be the big guy in Texas but it looks like Sonny Dykes has pulled something together in Fort Worth that is worth mentioning. They should move way up in the poll as the other in state teams drop even further. They saved my butt in the contest.
If anybody did not see the performance by the Weber State long snapper today they should look it up. 4 wild snaps all for safety’s. Was the difference in the game they lost. OUCH.
We can be happy the Bruins lost and make all the snarky comments about the Ducks uniforms we want. But IMHO both of them are better than the Trojans. USC has far less room for error than the Bruins or Ducks. We better hope the coaching staff can tighten up the defense, because if they don’t UCLA is going to keep the Trojans from the Pac-12 Championship. That said, I am still enjoying this season. LR has brought this team & program much farther than I ever thought possible in such a short time.
The USC/UCLA game at the Rose Bowl is shaping up to be a College GameDay or Big Noon KO affair as I see it. I think the game would be a betting toss-up.
The Bruin defense looked pretty bad today too. It’ll be fun to see if USC can trim down its defensive problems, because right now both schools can’t stop diddly.
It should be a crazy game … imagine the national interest if the Pac was bright enough to take care of SC rather than who gives a F Utah.The SEC is sickening but they take care of their interests.
This pleased me as well today. They don’t call him Seven Win Sark for nothing. No. 11 OKS scores 17 straight to come back and beat Sark’s No. 20 TEXAS, 41-34 Yahoo Sports — “No. 11 OKS scored 17 points over the final 16 minutes on the way to a 41-34 win over No. 20 TEXAS that could prove pivotal in the race to the Big 12 title game. “Bryson Green scored the go-ahead TD for the Cowboys with 3:09 left on a 41-yd catch and run. It’s a play that will be an example for teams and players everywhere… Read more »
Suck is the definition of soft coach … he is only in it for the money, attention and life style. Love Norm Chow but wish he had never pulled that loser out of the used computer sales business. Complete fraud.
That pile of garbage Bernie Madoff fraud deserves every bad moment ever
Do you see those monster rbs and Oline that stupid F has ! Only Suck and probably Kiffin could find away to lose with those people.
So glad the gutties got whipped. They have been getting so much love from Herbstriet, Neweasel, etc, that it was getting sickening. They got gashed for 261 on the ground.
Now we have to fix our issues on defense, and get ready for them.
I’m right there with you PN4SC. I’d love to see SC put up some big rushing numbers on the little gutties this year. Travis Dye is the real deal and I just hope all of SC’s RBs are healthy for the game. During my years at SC as a student in the 1970s, Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell and Charles White put up solid numbers against the bRUINS. Back then SC had some great Defenses as well that shut down UCLA’s vaunted Wishbone-T Offense.
So glad to see the Bruins get rolled. Oregon has not dropped off from Cristobal. Lanning looks like one of the few successful coordinators that have made the transition to head coach. Oregon is going to continue to recruit at the top because he surrounded himself with assistants that excel in that area. This is the deepest, at the top, that the PAC 12 has been in many years, IMO. SC, UCLA, Oregon, and Utah can play with and beat most in the country. No love lost for Texas, but how do you have 14 penalties for the game, and… Read more »
Crazy refs didn’t see the ball roll out of the receiver’s hand?
Here’s a thought. Buy up the championship tickets. That way you have them if we need them and the duck fans or whatever crazy crowd won’t be a factor. If you don’t need them you can make money on them
How do you “break Serve ” in a game where both offenses score almost every time they step on the field ????? ….Onside Kick !!!!!…..Nice (gutsy) decision by Oregon .
1 of 3 things …….Dabo adjusted well at halftime or the Syracuse offense ( for some reason) played badly 2nd half OR Clemson D just stepped it up in the 2nd half …..But looking like a Clemson win .
I expect the bruins to pull out a victory today, and in some respects, may help SC. But I can’t bring myself to root for the little gutties, even vs. the hated Ducks. Seeing them win, being undefeated and in the top 10 makes me sick. And I am tired of all the man love Herbstriet is giving to the bruins and Chip. Would love to see them lose, but I think they are better than Oregon.
Herbie does love him some Buckeye. He’s become a major football TV announcer, both in college and the NFL (on Amazon Prime with Al Michaels), but when the chips are down, the Bucks get his favor. And he loves UCLA today, even though Lee Corso, in what has to be a final year of appearances, donned a huge Ducks Head to announce his choice.
I cannot see how this Tennessee game could in any way improve their position. UT Martin is like the little sisters of the poor. Very small school simply in need of a good payday.
I think there are five outstanding teams that can run the table; Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama(weakest of the five, but still Alabama). You know the winner of Mich/Ohio St is going to get in, and two out of the three SEC teams get in, and unless Clemson loses this game, will get in on rep alone. That leaves maybe one spot unless the loser of Mich/Ohio St gets in, which is a distinct reality. Other schools on outside looking in. Can’t wait for expanded playoffs. Only fair way to go about business
CLEM, already switching QBs, is gonna lose this game. At least there’s a good chance of that, with SYRA ahead 21-10 with 14 mins to go. But CLEM is threatening big-time.
Talk about a Cognitive Dissonance Day! Forced to choose between the Nike Nourished Ducks and the Little Gutty Bruins, both pretenders to any claim of 2022 dominance in the West, I am barely inclined to side with the Ducks today and hope to see USC meet them in the P12 Championship game. So Go Ducks! Beat the Bruins. Show me Choc Chip Kelly’s fat sour face after another one of his many excruciating defeats at UCLA. The Ducks have won seven straight against the Bruins in Eugene since 2006. Kelly HCed ORE from 2009-2012 and went 46-7 before splitting for… Read more »
Difficult one to choose for sure. A UCLA win and USC controls its destiny to the Pac12 CCG to at least 2nd place (Utah beat USC, USC beats UCLA, UCLA beats Oregon, Utah-USC 1st and 2nd). If Oregon wins today they also need to beat Utah for USC to get to CCG. I think?
I’m actually unable to pencil out how it’s all gonna end up in the end, but if USC goes undefeated and beats UCLA, regardless of how the Bruins do today, I’ve convinced myself that USC will play for the P12 championship.
I just love to see the little gutties in pain. It all goes back to 1965 I think, when I watched Gary Beban Bomb USC to death at my first USC game in the Coliseum. Some occasions you just never forget.
This has been such a terrific CFB season so far. The wonderful game feels fully back on its feet to me this season after the wildly unpredictable Covid cutbacks.
And the best is yet to come, as you say. This UCLA/ORE game should be incredibly exciting. Can’t wait for 12:30 (Fox).
Allen—as I have mentioned before, I have watched stanford football for a long time. The one I will never forget was the 72 to nothing red sanders and ucla beat down.
I personally do not care which one wins, although an Oregon win would help with the USC playoff position. I would rather have to play the Ducks in the championship than to have to play ucla or Utah again.
Do we allready have one of the top 5 or 10 plays of the day ? (TD by Syracuse gives Syracuse 14-7 lead over Clemson ) >>>>> 2nd 10:13 – SYR 1st & 3, at SYR 3
DJ Uiagalelei rushed up the middle for 7 yard loss. DJ Uiagalelei fumbled. JA’HAD CARTER of Syracuse RECOVERED FUMBLE and RETURNED for 90 YARD TOUCHDOWN (Andre Szmyt made PAT)
Sure would be nice to see CLEM get knocked off. SYRA will probably somehow cave at the end and blow it but I’d sure like to see Dabo blow a gasket. He’s fun to watch when massively agitated!
SYRA is now up 21-7 shortly before half after their QB ran across for the score, reminiscent of Vince Young’s historic TD to beat USC and halt the Trojans’ two-year NC winning streak.
Although our defense has been very good at times, they have also been very bad. So this article is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Throughout the article his comments are way too Rah Rah about the defense. But to say that our run defense ranked 77th in the nation is respectable? That is setting the bar extremely low.
I’m not sure why Grinch uses Foreman in anything other than a true 2 technique. That’s what he is made to do. Put his hand in the dirt, pin his ears back, and put pressure on the QB. Grinch has his drop a lot, or twist and stunt and move inside.
but Foreman needs to resolve a bigger issue first, earn his way onto the field. Byrd has, Nick has, so he can as well.
Chris, I think by now Grinch knows what Foreman can and cannot do. Given how much this D needs a great pass rush and how much it needs speed and athleticism to contain QBs, Foreman’s lack of playing time tells the story. I will give the kid a break and state that he simply has not yet figured it out but he has the ability to do so down the road. Allen believes that he is playing to the best of his ability and that ability was grossly overstated coming out of high school, in large part because of Covid.… Read more »
I have read some analysis some where that shows most 4-5 star recruit make it big but a few are average, just as most 2-3 star become average in college but a few become big time. Nothings 100%.
I am not fond of Oregon and even less fond of Ucla they both have an unearned sense of entitlement, which is galling. So it’s going to be hard to root for the shoemaker’s son, but someone has got to beat the ursine infants.
It’s not a happy Saturday unless the quacks win.
It’s interesting to read a viewpoint that may not reflect what hard-core Trojan fans think because we pay so much attention to USC. But Webb closed stronger with his warning to the Trojan run D — get better, or lose.
Webb sure nailed it about Foreman. So sad to see what could be great be so insignificant. I am looking forward to the rest of the schedule, hoping the Trojans have fun and win out, with a great closing run to at least make the committee consider them, which would be a monstrous step forward. Now for a day of unbiased watching game after game. Just hoping my picks can keep me in the contest.
The coaches have addressed the Foreman situation, apparently he’s resting on his high school credentials. He doesn’t put out effort in practice. With the leaders on defense taking extra reps after practice, he is still not trying to improve. It not apparent if he’s sulking or something else is wrong. Even when in the game he’s not really IN the game. Whether it’s the Helton effect or a case of mistaken identity, he is not as he was billed to be. I’m not sure if he’ll hit the portal voluntarily or he’ll be asked to leave, I wouldn’t be surprised… Read more »
Current Standings After Week 7
San Diego Trojan- 32000
Chris – 27500
Rialto Trojan – 23500
Satyrdancing – 21500
DubPar22 – 20000
Troy5543 – 17000
Trojan RJJ – 13750
Golden Trojan – 7500
M/M SteveG – 3000
Rock2112 – 2000
BUS83 – 0
Thank you BUS83 for playing.
Itemized Wager Results can be found on the original post for this week.
Sorry, Sark. Colin Cowherd’s not coming to your rescue.
Cowherd, who has always liked and promoted Sark, is finally starting to see the error of his madness. He got down on Sark and his 10-10 TEXAS record pretty big today. Sark has blown seven 2nd half leads, including all three Longhorn losses this season.
“Wherever Sark goes, his defense is man-over-board and he loses too many of these wild games, and he loses control of his team late in these games,” said Cowherd.
Ahhh Suck still has Herbie and Klatt making excuses for him … all that booze,dope and hookers Suck used schools expense accounts to hook these guys up is still paying off.
The Trojans will beat UCLA & ND; Oregon Ducks are iffy. That said, the Ducks were down to Washington State Univ 27-15 at the end of 3, and down 24-34 with 4 min remaining. A Pic-6 helped the Ducks. I’m watching the UCLA-Oregon replay: SC, like most of the Ducks opponents, will score many points. I am NOT addicted to quack.
STAN has won just 14 games in the last four years and haven’t been to a bowl game since 2018. Result — zippo attendance at the ASU/STAN game (Homecoming) won by the Cardinal 15-14.
Why? “Nobody cares about college football in the Bay Area, and those who do aren’t interested in paying outrageous prices to wait in traffic for 2 hours just to watch 2 bad teams,” said one observer.
Wow! Obviously, the Stanford Administration simply does not care. I can see why the poll of fans showed Stanford had 100% as having no hope for the future of the program. Why even field a team. Stick to the Olympic sports.
If you are a recruit why would you go to Stanford? For a free education is all, not to become a big time player. If football becomes a money loser they will drop it. But then the whole athletic department becomes a money pit. If Olympic sports are that important I guess they will poor money into it.
Wow! So tell me again why the BIG would want Stanford in its league?
Sad to see such poor attendance for a Homecoming Game at Stanford. I haven’t been to the Bay Area for many years so I can only imagine what the traffic is like these days. With SC moving to the Big10 in 2024, I don’t see any more opportunities to see an SC vs STAN game unless it’s a non-conference game. Bottom line is I’d rather do a weekender in the Bay Area instead of Lincoln, NEB!
You probably would have more fun in Lincoln than the Bay Area.
My trip to Lincoln to see USC beat the Huskers during the Pete Carroll days was a unique and fantastic experience. Those were the days when you could ride with the team on their plane, which was pretty special. And the ESPN GameDay crew was there too. And from a football experience, the STAN or CAL weekender doesn’t even come close to the fan experience (for me at least) in Lincoln if you care about enjoying a couple of days at a game where the other team’s fans actually care and are there in massive numbers. Since San Francisco is… Read more »
I would bet just about every Big10 location would have the Bay Area beat for fun football fans. Though I hear Ohio State fans can be hard to handle, to put it nicely.
I’ve been to Columbus too, for the 1990 game which was called on account of sheet lightning. We had no problems whatsoever with any of the massive number of Buckeye fans on their absolutely huge campus. Respect for the Trojans exists in places like Columbus, Ann Arbor, South Bend, etc, based on my experiences. But regardless of the fans, I’d take the amazing atmosphere and pageantry of game days in Columbus or Lincoln over the comparatively boring experience in sleepy Palo Alto, where USC fans outnumber the STAN nerds. Bring on new, more vibrant traditions. I’m not gonna miss playing… Read more »
I went to the 2002 game vs ASU in Lincoln. I was lucky enough to be in Omaha for business and stayed to go to the game. It was bonkers. That whole state shut down. Amazing tail gate and crazy loud stadium full of good people. I would be excited to road trip there in the future. Not sure November games would be fun, but early in the season will be great.
Cold weather games are so much fun, everybody bundles up in parkas with blankets and a little nip of Jack to keep them warm.
In Lincoln there would be less crap to step in. That is the bright side of it.
Well I see on some websites we are a 16 point ROAD favorite (and playing a game that SHOULD end before midnight NY Time) …..Fight On !!!!!
Well, thank you for your effort in writing this blog, I appreciate that. However [always a however], USC defense is NOT playing lights out; rather lights off, then on, then off again. To wit: SC allowed Utah 415 yards passing!!! Please Note: SC’s favorable turnover margin is due NOT so much to the the play of their defense as it is to the ineptitude of their opponents.
Turnovers count … no matter how they happen
Dah…in SC’s early games, many passes of its opponents dribbled off their fingertips, serendipitously into USC defenders ‘waiting’ arms. One cannot misconstrue this as “great or even good” USC defense. Nevertheless, I have a good feeling that the Trojans will win out [ 12-1 but not 13-1]✌😉
I’m with you on this point.
I see the possibility USC being squeezed out of the conference championship & Rose bowl unless they win out the rest of their games and Utah loses another conference game. Utah has to play at Eugene on Nov.19th. Even then, if Utah loses that game and UCLA wins out, then UCLA & Oregon plays for the Rose Bowl. The best USC can realistically hope for is win the rest of their games and get a major bowl invitation other than the Rose Bowl. But beating ND may not give them much help since the Domers are out of the top… Read more »
Take that a run … Fiesta or Cotton would be fun
Coaches Poll
1. Georgia (43)
2. Ohio State (17)
3. Tennessee (2)
4. Michigan (1)
5. Clemson
6. Alabama
7. TCU
8. Oregon
9. Oklahoma State
10. Wake Forest
11. USC
12. Ole Miss
13. Penn State
14. Utah
15. UCLA
16. Syracuse
17. Kentucky
18. Illinois
19. Cincinnati
20. LSU
21. North Carolina
22. Kansas State
23. NC State
24. Tulane
25. South Carolina
ucla behind us again, right where they belong.
AP Poll
1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Tennessee
4. Michigan
5. Clemson
6. Alabama
7. TCU
8. Oregon
9. Oklahoma State
10. USC
10. Wake Forest
12. UCLA
13. Penn State
14. Utah
15. Ole Miss
16. Syracuse
17. Illinois
18. LSU
19. Kentucky
20. Cincinnati
21. North Carolina
22. Kansas State
23. Tulane
24. NC State
25. South Carolina
So whatever Oregon does, we need them to beat Utah November 19. That assumes nothing crazy happens in the next 5 weeks to Oregon UCLA Utah and USC. Oregon finishes with UDUB, Utah and Oregon St. Utah only has Washington St and Oregon both on the road as their challenges. UCLA’s only tough game left is with the Trojans and likewise for Trojans.
I say if Justin Wilcox had left CAL (typical 3-4) and taken up on ORE’s offer to be the Ducks HC, UCLA would have beaten ORE yesterday in Eugene. Dan Lanning has already proven he was by far the better choice than Wilcox, who is only 16-28 in the Pac-12 while at CAL since 2017. Hard to believe that ORE actually wanted established loser Wilcox more than Lanning, the young and smart DC from GA. So the still-powerful Ducks lucked into Lanning because Wilcox turned them down. Such a big event in the Pac-12 which already significantly affects USC, and… Read more »
Maybe … seems like anyone they put in there has some success. With a real coach at SC, quacks will not be getting great LA kids anymore
It’s looking like ORE will remain a west coast power under Lanning. They looked really good yesterday against a strong and mature UCLA team. The Ducks will always be able to bring in some big-timers from the southern Calif area, regardless of USC. It’s an alternative that some kids just like, and this ORE staff clearly has some really strong recruiters.
Sure hope we play ORE when all is said and done this year. A guaranteed wild affair.
UCLA then Notre Dame then Oregon … way too much for this smoke and mirror D. But LR is the type of coach that could pull something like that off! Wouldn’t that be something
I have heard them called salesmen in some media.
Just goes to show you who the PAC-12 school’s worst enemy is. Their own administrations! That has been proven over and over again.
Allowing this one great conference know for it’s exciting football and big crowds enjoying sun splashed Saturdays, to collapse … is one of the worst happenings in sports. F all those involved in it’s failure from Larry Scott, ESPN and the NCAA.
known
Commentary: Are biased refs needling USC, Texas (14 penalties in yesterday’s game, 0 for OKS) and other expansion defectors? J. Brady McCollough (LAT) — “The Longhorns and Trojans now share much more than their status of being underachieving blue bloods who have been duped into hiring Steve Sarkisian as head coach — they are potentially both receiving middle fingers from their respective conferences via college football officials, who already carry a well-earned vote of no confidence from long before any potential realignment bitterness. “Their bumbling reputation is kind of the perfect cover. “Maybe I’m just a little sensitive after my trip to… Read more »
Duped is right … Horn AD must have gotten the appropriate kickback from agent. This Saban rehab ploy is hilarious. Gomer could had OCed at Bama and won their rigged SEC set up national titles.
Let’s pretend for a moment that the p12 refs are punishing USC and ucla for bolting to the B1G. What will the stumbling bumbling p12 refs do when USC and ucla play each other? My guess is punishing them both with about 15 penalties each to take over the game and make it all about themselves, and an unwatchable game.
Looks like the only reprieve Sark has is the upcoming recruiting class with Arch Manning headlining. No matter what happens the rest of this season, I doubt the administration and alumni would want to risk losing that class. Now if Manning decommits, it’s a whole different ballgame. Being a superior recruiter can sure buy a guy some time and mask weaknesses.
Sark has settled into his typical Seven Win situation. I thought McCollough’s use of the word “duped” was a classic description of Sark’s mysterious ability to somehow land big jobs at places scrambling for a return to respectability. Now TEXAS is paying the price. I’m also one of those who believe the Arch Manning hype machine isn’t going to pan out well in Austin.
Predicting the AP top 25 poll for Week 9 (SI.com) 25. South Carolina. Shane Beamer continues to build a foundation here, and is coming off an important win over Texas A&M, moving to 5-2 on the year, two wins away from bowl eligibility. 24. Tulane. The Wave took a 35-0 lead into halftime, but were outscored 28-3 in the final two quarters. It’s still their fourth straight going into the bye week and good enough to stay in the rankings. 23. NC State. Devin Leary is out for the year, leaving the QB position in the hands of transfer Jack Chambers, who had… Read more »
I watched a lot of games yesterday, usually 2 at a time on split screen. The team nobody says a lot about but put together a comeback to win was TCU. TAM was supposed to be the big guy in Texas but it looks like Sonny Dykes has pulled something together in Fort Worth that is worth mentioning. They should move way up in the poll as the other in state teams drop even further. They saved my butt in the contest.
Can still finish this season undefeated alert >>>>> ( Ranked # 8) TCU …………..
If anybody did not see the performance by the Weber State long snapper today they should look it up. 4 wild snaps all for safety’s. Was the difference in the game they lost. OUCH.
Maybe after 2 you switch … no
We can be happy the Bruins lost and make all the snarky comments about the Ducks uniforms we want. But IMHO both of them are better than the Trojans. USC has far less room for error than the Bruins or Ducks. We better hope the coaching staff can tighten up the defense, because if they don’t UCLA is going to keep the Trojans from the Pac-12 Championship. That said, I am still enjoying this season. LR has brought this team & program much farther than I ever thought possible in such a short time.
The USC/UCLA game at the Rose Bowl is shaping up to be a College GameDay or Big Noon KO affair as I see it. I think the game would be a betting toss-up.
The Bruin defense looked pretty bad today too. It’ll be fun to see if USC can trim down its defensive problems, because right now both schools can’t stop diddly.
It should be a crazy game … imagine the national interest if the Pac was bright enough to take care of SC rather than who gives a F Utah.The SEC is sickening but they take care of their interests.
This pleased me as well today. They don’t call him Seven Win Sark for nothing. No. 11 OKS scores 17 straight to come back and beat Sark’s No. 20 TEXAS, 41-34 Yahoo Sports — “No. 11 OKS scored 17 points over the final 16 minutes on the way to a 41-34 win over No. 20 TEXAS that could prove pivotal in the race to the Big 12 title game. “Bryson Green scored the go-ahead TD for the Cowboys with 3:09 left on a 41-yd catch and run. It’s a play that will be an example for teams and players everywhere… Read more »
Love seeing Sark lose , and again, Texas blows a 2nd half lead.
Sark’s teams seem to have a rep for playing “soft” I would say. It’s as though the quality emanates through his teams.
Suck is the definition of soft coach … he is only in it for the money, attention and life style. Love Norm Chow but wish he had never pulled that loser out of the used computer sales business. Complete fraud.
That pile of garbage Bernie Madoff fraud deserves every bad moment ever
Do you see those monster rbs and Oline that stupid F has ! Only Suck and probably Kiffin could find away to lose with those people.
Its always good to see Texas lose. I don’t really care about Sark. It seems like a lifetime ago that he was our coach.
Score Update: Texas 14 Oklahoma State 0. Oh wait, that was the penalties!
So glad the gutties got whipped. They have been getting so much love from Herbstriet, Neweasel, etc, that it was getting sickening. They got gashed for 261 on the ground.
Now we have to fix our issues on defense, and get ready for them.
I’m right there with you PN4SC. I’d love to see SC put up some big rushing numbers on the little gutties this year. Travis Dye is the real deal and I just hope all of SC’s RBs are healthy for the game. During my years at SC as a student in the 1970s, Anthony Davis, Ricky Bell and Charles White put up solid numbers against the bRUINS. Back then SC had some great Defenses as well that shut down UCLA’s vaunted Wishbone-T Offense.
Down go the Bruins in Eugene
Looks like November 19 is going to be the PAC 12 semifinals with Utah at Oregon, and SC at UCLA. Both games could be classics.
So glad to see the Bruins get rolled. Oregon has not dropped off from Cristobal. Lanning looks like one of the few successful coordinators that have made the transition to head coach. Oregon is going to continue to recruit at the top because he surrounded himself with assistants that excel in that area. This is the deepest, at the top, that the PAC 12 has been in many years, IMO. SC, UCLA, Oregon, and Utah can play with and beat most in the country. No love lost for Texas, but how do you have 14 penalties for the game, and… Read more »
Goat Kiffin got rolled … Suck about to pull a Suck too
Sooooo …….Oregon and SC do not lose again this season and UCLA would not be our last Pac-12 opponent this season .
It will be tough slowing down gutties … expect a Utah type game and hope for a break or two
Touchdown Oregon making it 45 -23 Oregon and (to me at least) that’s GAME .
Crazy refs didn’t see the ball roll out of the receiver’s hand?
Here’s a thought. Buy up the championship tickets. That way you have them if we need them and the duck fans or whatever crazy crowd won’t be a factor. If you don’t need them you can make money on them
It looks like the Ducks have the speed to play and keep up with ucla. I can see why Riley wants players with lots of speed.
Everyone wants speed … it’s speed and size that make you USC
This is as of right now (have a whole 2nd half to play yet) but Oregon looking to be the better team …….AGAIN as of right now .
The Pac12 ref crew is sure making themselves known today in the ucla game. Guys are pathetic.
How do you “break Serve ” in a game where both offenses score almost every time they step on the field ????? ….Onside Kick !!!!!…..Nice (gutsy) decision by Oregon .
UCLA Responded …..Tie game .
10-3 Oregon so the next thing to see in this game is ????? ………………….. Can UCLA Respond ?????
Oregon is undefeated in the ugly uniform category.
1 of 3 things …….Dabo adjusted well at halftime or the Syracuse offense ( for some reason) played badly 2nd half OR Clemson D just stepped it up in the 2nd half …..But looking like a Clemson win .
I expect the bruins to pull out a victory today, and in some respects, may help SC. But I can’t bring myself to root for the little gutties, even vs. the hated Ducks. Seeing them win, being undefeated and in the top 10 makes me sick. And I am tired of all the man love Herbstriet is giving to the bruins and Chip. Would love to see them lose, but I think they are better than Oregon.
Herbie does love him some Buckeye. He’s become a major football TV announcer, both in college and the NFL (on Amazon Prime with Al Michaels), but when the chips are down, the Bucks get his favor. And he loves UCLA today, even though Lee Corso, in what has to be a final year of appearances, donned a huge Ducks Head to announce his choice.
Tennessee getting a nice mid season scrimmage/bye with Tennessee Martin, 45-7 near halftime.
I’d say TENN is the #1 team in the country, of course with some significant USC transfer portal help!
I cannot see how this Tennessee game could in any way improve their position. UT Martin is like the little sisters of the poor. Very small school simply in need of a good payday.
I think there are five outstanding teams that can run the table; Tennessee, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama(weakest of the five, but still Alabama). You know the winner of Mich/Ohio St is going to get in, and two out of the three SEC teams get in, and unless Clemson loses this game, will get in on rep alone. That leaves maybe one spot unless the loser of Mich/Ohio St gets in, which is a distinct reality. Other schools on outside looking in. Can’t wait for expanded playoffs. Only fair way to go about business
CLEM, already switching QBs, is gonna lose this game. At least there’s a good chance of that, with SYRA ahead 21-10 with 14 mins to go. But CLEM is threatening big-time.
SEC scheduling at its best.
Talk about a Cognitive Dissonance Day! Forced to choose between the Nike Nourished Ducks and the Little Gutty Bruins, both pretenders to any claim of 2022 dominance in the West, I am barely inclined to side with the Ducks today and hope to see USC meet them in the P12 Championship game. So Go Ducks! Beat the Bruins. Show me Choc Chip Kelly’s fat sour face after another one of his many excruciating defeats at UCLA. The Ducks have won seven straight against the Bruins in Eugene since 2006. Kelly HCed ORE from 2009-2012 and went 46-7 before splitting for… Read more »
Difficult one to choose for sure. A UCLA win and USC controls its destiny to the Pac12 CCG to at least 2nd place (Utah beat USC, USC beats UCLA, UCLA beats Oregon, Utah-USC 1st and 2nd). If Oregon wins today they also need to beat Utah for USC to get to CCG. I think?
I’m actually unable to pencil out how it’s all gonna end up in the end, but if USC goes undefeated and beats UCLA, regardless of how the Bruins do today, I’ve convinced myself that USC will play for the P12 championship.
I just love to see the little gutties in pain. It all goes back to 1965 I think, when I watched Gary Beban Bomb USC to death at my first USC game in the Coliseum. Some occasions you just never forget.
I expect a four way knot come November 20th. We may need to be rooting for the Beavers over Ducks on the 26th. November will be wild, too much fun!
This has been such a terrific CFB season so far. The wonderful game feels fully back on its feet to me this season after the wildly unpredictable Covid cutbacks.
And the best is yet to come, as you say. This UCLA/ORE game should be incredibly exciting. Can’t wait for 12:30 (Fox).
Allen—as I have mentioned before, I have watched stanford football for a long time. The one I will never forget was the 72 to nothing red sanders and ucla beat down.
1954 in L.A. Red Sanders was a very formidable coach. Fortunately for USC fans, he “retired” early.
I personally do not care which one wins, although an Oregon win would help with the USC playoff position. I would rather have to play the Ducks in the championship than to have to play ucla or Utah again.
Utah on a neutral field or in the Coliseum would be a different story. Utah on the road are horrible this year in particular.
We need to win out and need the ducks to beat the Utes. I would almost prefer the duck to lose to the ruins so we can destroy their season.
Do we allready have one of the top 5 or 10 plays of the day ? (TD by Syracuse gives Syracuse 14-7 lead over Clemson ) >>>>> 2nd 10:13 – SYR 1st & 3, at SYR 3
DJ Uiagalelei rushed up the middle for 7 yard loss. DJ Uiagalelei fumbled. JA’HAD CARTER of Syracuse RECOVERED FUMBLE and RETURNED for 90 YARD TOUCHDOWN (Andre Szmyt made PAT)
Sure would be nice to see CLEM get knocked off. SYRA will probably somehow cave at the end and blow it but I’d sure like to see Dabo blow a gasket. He’s fun to watch when massively agitated!
SYRA is now up 21-7 shortly before half after their QB ran across for the score, reminiscent of Vince Young’s historic TD to beat USC and halt the Trojans’ two-year NC winning streak.
Do you have to bring that up? You just brought back that ugly visual!😥
I dare you to watch the play on rerun later today. It made my blood run cold!
😂
Although our defense has been very good at times, they have also been very bad. So this article is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.
Throughout the article his comments are way too Rah Rah about the defense. But to say that our run defense ranked 77th in the nation is respectable? That is setting the bar extremely low.
I’m not sure why Grinch uses Foreman in anything other than a true 2 technique. That’s what he is made to do. Put his hand in the dirt, pin his ears back, and put pressure on the QB. Grinch has his drop a lot, or twist and stunt and move inside.
but Foreman needs to resolve a bigger issue first, earn his way onto the field. Byrd has, Nick has, so he can as well.
Chris, I think by now Grinch knows what Foreman can and cannot do. Given how much this D needs a great pass rush and how much it needs speed and athleticism to contain QBs, Foreman’s lack of playing time tells the story. I will give the kid a break and state that he simply has not yet figured it out but he has the ability to do so down the road. Allen believes that he is playing to the best of his ability and that ability was grossly overstated coming out of high school, in large part because of Covid.… Read more »
3 not 2 technique.
RJJ- agreed on Grinch knowing what he has. He’s a professional coach and I am not.
But I don’t think he is playing anywhere near his potential unless he got slower and weaker I’m not sure what is wrong, only know that something is
I have read some analysis some where that shows most 4-5 star recruit make it big but a few are average, just as most 2-3 star become average in college but a few become big time. Nothings 100%.
I am not fond of Oregon and even less fond of Ucla they both have an unearned sense of entitlement, which is galling. So it’s going to be hard to root for the shoemaker’s son, but someone has got to beat the ursine infants.
It’s not a happy Saturday unless the quacks win.
Somebody spiked this guy’s espresso with espresso before he wrote this article. He’s way too bullish on our D.
It’s interesting to read a viewpoint that may not reflect what hard-core Trojan fans think because we pay so much attention to USC. But Webb closed stronger with his warning to the Trojan run D — get better, or lose.
Webb sure nailed it about Foreman. So sad to see what could be great be so insignificant. I am looking forward to the rest of the schedule, hoping the Trojans have fun and win out, with a great closing run to at least make the committee consider them, which would be a monstrous step forward. Now for a day of unbiased watching game after game. Just hoping my picks can keep me in the contest.
The coaches have addressed the Foreman situation, apparently he’s resting on his high school credentials. He doesn’t put out effort in practice. With the leaders on defense taking extra reps after practice, he is still not trying to improve. It not apparent if he’s sulking or something else is wrong. Even when in the game he’s not really IN the game. Whether it’s the Helton effect or a case of mistaken identity, he is not as he was billed to be. I’m not sure if he’ll hit the portal voluntarily or he’ll be asked to leave, I wouldn’t be surprised… Read more »