You Had To See It To Believe It…

Caleb Williams carries USC past Arizona in triple overtime

Luca Evans (OC Register)  —  LOS ANGELES — He had been bruised and battered, tossed aside spread-eagle on the sidelines like a rag-doll, smothered and scattered and made to look decidedly mortal.

But when it mattered most, Caleb Williams became Hercules himself.

At the start of the fourth quarter in a dogfight against Arizona, previously-nonexistent USC momentum buoyed by heaps of yellow laundry, the Trojans expended two full minutes of gametime starting a drive from the one-yard line. This was not battle but war in the trenches, end-zone pushes from Austin Jones and MarShawn Lloyd and Williams ending in a fruitless pile of bodies.

And on a first down from the one, Williams took a snap and pushed, hitting a wall of Wildcats defenders and seemingly disappearing. Arizona cornerback Treydan Stukes’ arm was around his neck, and there was nowhere to go, the Heisman winner seeming dead to rights.

Except Williams turned 360 degrees, angling back, keeping his feet moving as Stukes clung like a barnacle, clawing and churning and full-body extending until miraculously he thumped to the turf with the ball across the goal line.

It was an awe-inspiring display of heart, Williams’ second rushing score of the day giving USC an eight-point lead in a game that had felt like chewing with a mouth full of peanut butter, a summation of a gritty effort in his worst game of the year that was somehow going to be enough to drag the Trojans, yet, again, across the finish line.

And even as it seemed as if a win would nearly slip away from USC — did, nearly, slip away from USC in one of the most unbelievable botched-field-goal plays you’ll ever see — Williams and USC survived a truly unimaginable triple-overtime game to put Arizona away 43-41, the Trojans’ demigod becoming immortal yet again with one final two-point conversion run before USC’s defense finally held to shut a final Wildcat two-point conversion away.

In a moment, the Coliseum exploded, lights flickering away and a stream of USC red-and-goal swarming the field in a game that was thankfully, at long last, finished.

With seconds left to play, tied 28-28 on a final drive, Williams had done his part, hitting Tahj Washington for a 26-yard gain over the middle of the field and recovering a late fumble to preserve possession. Lloyd had done his part, breaking off a couple runs to set USC up. All the Trojans had to do to seal a win, to escape the Coliseum 6-0 and earn about a six-hour ice bath, was dump through a 25-yard field goal and send home fans into a frenzy.

Except in a play that’ll live in infamy in this 2023 USC season, a play so unbelievable it seemed to take a few seconds to set in, a field-goal snap went slightly high to punter Will Rose. And for a moment, time froze, Rose seeming unsure of whether to place the snap down or try and run, eventually placing it and kicker Denis Lynch completely whiffing — bringing an already-grueling game to overtime.

But as USC’s defense broke, completely, as all momentum dictated the Trojans simply were destined to lose this game on pure bad omen, Williams would not quit. Back and forth they dueled, Williams scrambling for an 18-yard score only to be matched by a quick bomb from Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, Arizona coming back and scoring again before Austin Jones matched them with an 11-yard touchdown run.

Williams darted in for a two-point conversion in the third overtime, Arizona’s two-point conversion was swallowed by USC’s defense, and Williams went bounding up the tunnel in glee after one of the craziest collegiate football games a rocking crowd at the Coliseum had ever seen.

ocregister.com

_______________

TrojanDailyBlog members  —  We always encourage you to add factual information, insight, divergent opinions, or new topics to the TDB that don’t necessarily pertain to any particular moderator post or member comment.

SUBSCRIBE HERE TO RECEIVE NOTICE OF NEW COMMENTS OR REPLIES.
Notify of
110 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:08 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Agreed for the most part, but Matt likes to trash USC. He’s not s bad as the other guy, but still is looking to rip USC.

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:30 pm
Reply to  Chris

He has been supplied with more than enough talking points so far.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 9, 2023 3:26 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Hot seat? Like in danger of being let go or just under pressure?

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 9, 2023 4:24 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

That’s all fair. I still believe in him. Not writing this year off either. I don’t think our defense will improve, but it won’t get any worse. Caleb is the elixir, he can fix anything that’s broken. I think we will most likely be a 10-2 team, but still won’t be shocked if Caleb finds another gear and we win them all.

next year, Riley will need to prove his mettle.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:37 pm

Let’s pretend Grinch is let go today, what would change? I would think personnel would be foremost. Possibly we simplify things. Would that be enough to take us from terrible to average? I don’t know? Is it worth doing? I don’t know? But I do know that we aren’t getting any better and I don’t think it will get much worse.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:48 pm
Reply to  Chris

Chris, it is the narrative. If Grinch is fired, his mentor (defensive analyst) would probably take over. By removing Grinch, LR is sending a clear message that he will not accept that level of performance. I doubt the kids would play much worse under a new DC who would probably simplify the D and return to basics. And, do you want to take Grinch to Oregon? The Ducks are competing for a place in the Final 4 (with Grinch as our DC, we most likely are not, even if we win out). They need to smoke Grinch and trust me,… Read more »

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 9, 2023 5:40 pm
Reply to  Chris

If someone aquainted with the defense, and they would have to be, took over they could simplify the system. We are getting 2-3 guys who end up out of the play due to confusion, either covering the wrong area, man, or are left standing there. Simplifying would in its self get guys where they are supposed to be, then tell the dang DBs to look for the ball. Another instant improvement. Brown can take them the rest of the way, he knows the players and the system. To tone it down would not take a mental giant.

Trojanfanatic
Noble Genius
Trojanfanatic
Offline
October 10, 2023 10:12 am
Reply to  Chris

Truthfully it sends a message to his team, fans, donors, and administration that he’s on this, the buck stops here, no one expects more, and is backing up his words that he will take USC to the top. That means accountability. Let’s be honest. How much worse can USC get with someone stepping in to take the reins ? At this point, unless there’s a miraculous defensive turnaround witnessed in one those big 4 games coming up, LR squaring his shoulders to this elephant in the room has more significant importance than keeping status quo.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:15 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I wonder if LR is tried of being savaged by the national press for his retaining of Grinch?

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 3:00 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Particularly given the upgrade in talent on D. This really hurts LR rep as a HC. He hugely over-estimated Grinch’s capacity as a DC, thus reinforcing that LR really does not understand D. Given that obvious weakness, the correct business decision is to bring a quality DC and let him run the D. Expensive solution, but I think the correct one.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 9, 2023 5:45 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

I keep asking how is it one of the best offensive minds in college football cannot know and understand defense. How does he strategize against a defense without knowing it.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 9, 2023 5:42 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Little does the national press know that LR has a whole lot of offense nobody has seen. If only Grinch could dial it back to play straight and let his players play.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:12 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I hope Wilner has it right. As for Zemek, I trust Jen Cohen and staff are well into the planning of the removal of the entire D staff. I know if I were the AD, I would be. And, I also trust that she and LR have has some serious conversations on the point. Remember, I gave Grinch a 50-50 chance of being removed in season and a 100% chance of being removed at the end of the season. I did not see then and still do not see how he could survive the Cotton Bowl. When CO rallied from… Read more »

TrojanMPA90
Noble Genius
TrojanMPA90
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:41 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Since Jen Cohen has only been on the job for a few months, I doubt she’s going to stick herself into the middle of this issue. Riley is going to stick with Grinch for the rest of this season and if the results turnout to not be good then he’ll make a change at the end of the season.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:56 pm
Reply to  TrojanMPA90

TrojanMPA90, you may be correct, but I would be stunned if Jen does not her staff already working on a solution, meaning contacting agents for elite DCs, working out budgets, etc. Too much is at stake. Look how terminating Helton early really helped in retaining LR. I agree that, absent a miracle turnaround on D, Grinch is gone at year’s end But IF Grinch’s D gets smoked at ND (even if we win 51-49), then why not make the change now? It will change the narrative and give the team a shot at the final 4. Right now, with Grinch… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:13 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Totally agree; Dak will never get the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Interesting to see how Jerry Jones handles this.

TrojanRon
Noble Genius
TrojanRon
Offline
October 10, 2023 2:45 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

It will be interesting to see the maneuverings in the NFL Draft for Caleb. Based upon all the press, I can see a scenario where Caleb doesn’t like the situation and returns to USC for his Senior year. If Caleb repeats as Heisman winner, and I believe he will if he continues to rescue USC from defeat, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays at USC to try to win a third. After all, Matt Leinart returned to USC his Senior year to try to get a “Three Peat” National Championship. It will be very interesting to see how things… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:16 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Suckisian the self (and Herbiestreet) proclaimed offensive genius … the qb whisperer. Can’t punch it in from 1 yd.This lazy ass fraud can’t lose enough.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:20 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Who cares … OU is a shit job compared to SC. That’s why he left.
So Venables beat that colossal loser Suck. Big deal.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:31 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I’m a long term guy … I’ll take LR’s future over either of those clowns. Suck will always be on edge there and will not last. Venables, who knows and I gave no interest in OU football. Never have.

Trojan5
Genius Member
Trojan5
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:32 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Allen, I have warned you in the past about being rational & honest.

Trojan5
Genius Member
Trojan5
Offline
October 9, 2023 12:23 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Ha! If I have to explain a joke or sarcasm I have failed. I was referring to your reply to USC1988. I too agree with you that USC could not beat OU or TX.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:04 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

It is a huge deal. LR must NOW understand that he made a huge error in retaining Grinch, but at the time, Jen Cohen had yet to be hired, and LR really did not know how much financial support he would have to completely retool the D staff. Both UO and Texas can play decent D. As you note, I doubt SC would be within 14 points of either.

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:35 am

Well…..it’s still early but the forecast for South Bend on Friday is rain…….for Saturday its showers (could be over by game time) and a high of 53 which means the 7:40 est kickoff will be in the mid 40’s. Lucky it’s on field turf but the ball may be wet. Wind is forecast at 14 mph. Let’s hope the Friday forecast does not slip into Saturday.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:31 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

2005 reference there

RialtoTrojan
Noble Genius
RialtoTrojan
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:07 am

We are in Nassau in the Bahamas for one day I have internet. Knowing this I recorded the game. The bar TV signal on the ship crashed just before the game. So finally I get to find out who won. It likes we did both won and lost. I am not sure I’ll watch the game after I get home. Oh well wait till next year again again.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:23 am
Reply to  RialtoTrojan

Zona was ready. SC was sleepwalking. Watching the replay after being there live, Cats held every receiver every time.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 12:15 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Who lol I stopped watching SC football after that disaster of a Kiffy hire.
Just win baby. Ready or not.

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
Offline
October 9, 2023 1:36 pm
Reply to  USC1988

I am a big believer in warm-up body language as a read on whether a team is psychologically ready for a battle. I remember watching Peyton Manning during the national anthem in the Super Bowl, and his eyes were almost mindlessly tracking an aircraft flying overhead — he looked unfocused, and out of place as a QB about to play a Super Bowl. He came out and played one of the worst first quarters (and games) of his entire career. Maybe I don’t remember it exactly right, but I think the opening snap flew over his head — just like… Read more »

Jalenbuck1
Genius Member
Jalenbuck1
Offline
October 8, 2023 5:44 pm

Lincoln Riley has to make the tough decision to either remove or demote the defensive staff! As it stands all credible eyes see him as a glorified offensive innovator acting as head coach, unless he makes the tough decisions, he cannot get the respect that Kirby Smart, Dabo Sweeney or Nick Saban gets! He has to be willing to be the asshole, or pass that duty to the athletic director, one way or the other, it has to happen

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 9, 2023 5:56 am
Reply to  Jalenbuck1

We have a chick for an AD now, so there will no making her to be the asshole…. Woman Power!

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:24 am
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

It will be LR’s choice period

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 12:19 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

LR will do what is best for SC … 1st Utah/Tulane type loss meltdown. Grinch is gone. Hopefully, next guy is solid, and at the very least, makes teams earn yards and points.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 9, 2023 4:05 pm
Reply to  USC1988

I am beginning to think the unthinkable: that LR will be gone to the NFL franchise that drafts Caleb as a package deal. Oh, he won’t be head coach, LR will be given carte blanche for the entire offensive side of the team. I can see Lincoln Stubborn getting tired of the bitching about how he doesn’t care about defense…. This could happen after this season or after next season (assume Caleb doesn’t like where he lands in the 2024 draft)…. I hope I am wrong, but this deterioration of Lincoln’s golden boy persona, which may have started with the… Read more »

Jalenbuck1
Genius Member
Jalenbuck1
Offline
October 9, 2023 6:23 pm
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

That reporter needs to remind him how easy it was to have him removed, apply to Grinch. If Riley were to leave with Williams that would most likely elevate Kliff Kingsbury/

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:04 pm
Reply to  Jalenbuck1

Ya but he would be gone in a month.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:48 pm
Reply to  ATL D.D.S.

LR is not going with CW … he is at SC for awhile. It’s year 2 and he doesn’t have the roster he wants or needs yet. His record with qbs before CW was damn good. His next qb will be good too, at USC

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:00 pm
Reply to  USC1988

USC1988, I doubt that. LR will have the final say, but Cohen will have a ton of input (based on what has been written about her, my guess is she already has). You do not fire Grinch unless you have a plan. And, to fix the narrative, they must make it clear that Grinch level performance is totally unacceptable. To do that, you must have plan in place to replace the ENTIRE D staff, not only Grinch. LR needs to have the ability to bring in a top notch respected DC and let that DC choose his staff. And, that… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:37 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I agree totally. The massive change in the OU D in Year 2 post-Grinch and the massive change in the UCLA D after removing a marginal DC have made this a very easy decision business-wise. SC cannot return Grinch and break in a new QB in its first year in the B1G. SC will be lucky to go 6-6 if it does that. Given that reality, I certainly hope that Jen has met with LR and a plan of resolution is presently in place. If SC gets wacked by ND, then I doubt Grinch survives. No reason to keep him… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 7:49 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

She just got here … she knows better

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 9, 2023 11:24 am
Reply to  Jalenbuck1

He fired Stoop’s brother … he will can Grinch after the first awful loss.

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:54 pm

Caleb was terrible and fantastic yesterday. I think Riley needs to reel him in a little. Caleb checks out of runs too much, doesn’t take the easy underneath stuff enough, and makes plays that no other dude in the sport can make.

TrojanMPA90
Noble Genius
TrojanMPA90
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:25 pm

Last night was a crazy game. Falling behind 17-0 and being outplayed in all aspects of the game including being outcoached, we could have easily folded. So it says a lot to respond and come back and win the game. There are definitely issues with the defense and we need to figure out how to change either schemes or personnel. I don’t see Riley making a change during the season and he won’t bend to complaints from fans calling for Grinch’s head. At the end of the day, we won the game and that it is the most important aspect… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:23 pm

What a game! I want to thank the special teams at SC for totally botching a short field goal, which allowed me to win the “over” bet I made in our fantasy league! (A joke, of course) I think the approach I am taking with this team, which I wrote on last week, is the correct one. No way is this a national championship caliber team. It has far too many flaws. I watched the OK/TX game and then ours. IMO, both OK and TX are far better teams than SC. My approach, in a nutshell, is to enjoy this… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 8, 2023 2:58 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Fair enough … Caleb has to run the ball, even if for 5 yds and OB. Otherwise, the O is blah.

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 8, 2023 5:53 pm
Reply to  Allen Wallace

I thought the O line got handled pretty well by Arizona. But the D line did too.

Rock2112
Noble Genius
Rock2112
Offline
October 9, 2023 1:50 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

That was my rant last week. The most urgent thing for USC is not to fix the D, it is to get an OL in place that can establish a pocket, run the ball, and get a push on short yardage plays against any team with a pulse. Progress and injury luck for the remainder of they year on the OL is the key to our season going forward. It is critical, and next week, good OL play will mean everything. If the same OL that played AZ presents in South Bend, we are not leaving with the win.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 9, 2023 2:42 pm
Reply to  Rock2112

Rock, Totally agree. If the team that played ASU, CO and AZ shows up, SC loses by at least 14, maybe more. I have a weird feeling that a totally different team will show up next week. I have no reason for this feeling. Maybe Grinch and staff figuring out that their careers are now on the line. LR will not be able to protect Grinch if ND smokes his D this week. As Allen wrote, LR has to feel this very deeply AND he cannot return Grinch next year, sans Caleb. I do not care who the QB is,… Read more »

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:32 pm

Volunteer, I think this team is a legit top 15 team; it is NOT a legit top 5 team. You can put in anywhere from 6 to 15. If we win out, we will not be rated higher than the champs from the SEC, B1G, ACC or Big 12 (TX or OK). If we go undefeated (highly unlikely), then I think up to #6, if one loss maybe 10-15, if two losses, 10-15. If three losses, we are out of the top 25. The author is probably predicting 3 losses (out of ND, Utah, WA, OR & UCLA). Based on… Read more »

volunteerTrojan
Major Genius
October 8, 2023 3:21 pm
Reply to  TrojanRJJ

Yeah, I have us in the 12-18 range, on the strength of Super Caleb alone. The next 3 weeks will shake up the standings more than the past 6.

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 8, 2023 11:25 am

To provide a small snip about the defense……last night they were up against what is probably going to be one of the heaviest OL they will face. Az is huge across its front. I’am out of the house right now but the weights are something like 340 or more. It seems like Fisch is trying to do what Christobal did at Oregon…..bring in huge O linemen that maul their opponents. Nothing new……bama does it consistently. Tackles are starting to be 6’7″ and 6’8″ instead of 6’6″. They were just blowing our front out. With the clock running all the time… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 8, 2023 12:33 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

They held Byrd and Bear like mothoFers too

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 8, 2023 10:10 am

This is so hard accept. A win and yet we feel let down by the performance. I had no expectations for the defense and they still let me down. I could see it last night, the system is the problem and we have some weakness on both lines. I do remember Mario got his daily drop, this one in the end zone. Why do they play him.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 8, 2023 12:24 pm
Reply to  Steveg

Ceyair Wright got burned on the same pass route 2 plays in a row to let AZ tie it up!

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 8, 2023 9:55 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

It’s easy to be hard on our guys until you watch some of these other teams as they flub their way thru the season.
Notre Dame looked horrible yesterday.
Sark……stop there.

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 8, 2023 10:20 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Well…..as you may know…..if not for overtime…..all my points would have been gone……so dumb luck……with a big thumb on the dumb. I went to bed (I live in Indy which is EST) with 5 minutes left in the 3rd thinking it was over for me and USC looking like they had it under control……woke up to check a while later and noticed we were on the 5 with 25 seconds left so went back to bed……this morning I played the recording…..what a crazy night.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 8, 2023 10:02 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

2,4 and 8 play each other, 6,7 and 9 play each other. The last year of a 4 team playoff could likely come down to 5 or 6 teams deserve a spot and fans will be screaming their team didn’t get in. Hopefully we won’t have 2 teams from the same conference or worse a team that didn’t even win their division.

HOF19
Noble Genius
HOF19
Offline
October 8, 2023 8:53 am

Well (for what is is worth)The RPi poll now has USC at #11 …… and YUP …..OK took our place at #9 …..Fight On !!!!!

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 8, 2023 8:23 am

Please correct me if I’m wrong but the USC offense is quite predictable. I looked at other teams and I don’t see the pattern. If Lloyd lines up more than a yard behind CW it’s a run, if he’s even it is a pass, if the pass coverage is good Caleb runs. This holds <95%+. It is only when Caleb and the receivers make a great play that they gain yardage. Opposing teams may be picking up on it. The last 4 possessions in Boulder and the first 4 last night yielded no points. Add to that a porous defense… Read more »

UtahTrojan
Noble Genius
UtahTrojan
Offline
October 8, 2023 10:24 am
Reply to  Golden Trojan

The game announcers talked about this during the Colorado game. Last night they were jumping CW’s cadence. He needs to get better at changing that up. Much of the game they were on top of the OL as soon as the ball was snapped.

Golden Trojan
Major Genius
October 8, 2023 12:20 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

That’s where I heard it first and watched last night to see if it was true. +90% of the time it was. If the defense knows at least if it is a run or pass aren’t they at least halfway to shutting you down? Then it is just can they out play you with better talent.

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 8, 2023 12:35 pm
Reply to  UtahTrojan

He is mixing it up better now. This has been a huge problem the last 2 games. Can’t keep running a read option offense if the QB doesn’t want to run. Other teams figured it out and are keying on the RB. Caleb, if you don’t like to run then quot checking in to read option run plays that won’t then work: ““Lanes kept opening up,” Williams said about his 41 yards rushing. “They kept dropping off. They left me with big lanes. I know I haven’t ran this year much. Don’t really like to run, to be honest with… Read more »

Chris
Major Genius
Chris
Offline
October 8, 2023 7:34 am

I have no idea how we will finish but I know this team is exciting if nothing else. I wish we were boring and buried lesser opponents, but we are what we are.

im still all in on Riley. He’s stubborn and hasn’t gone through much losing to require changing some of his philosophies. We are not and should not try and become something we’re not in mid season, that would be a disaster. Can we be a better version of what we do now? Yes. Will we? Not sure.

here’s to more shootouts!

Steveg
Major Genius
Steveg
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:39 pm
Reply to  Chris

I do think Riley has a lot of offense he has not shown. Games coming up we may need it for sure.

ATL D.D.S.
Noble Genius
ATL D.D.S.
Offline
October 9, 2023 6:06 am
Reply to  Allen Wallace

Well, my GT wife was pretty happy about this insane outcome. The Sunday morning ESPN guys on SiriusXM said Cristobal committed a fire-able offense by running plays instead of milking the clock and taking a knee. That was very Heltonesque, what Mario did….

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 8, 2023 7:07 am

After this game my revised odds for the remaining games. ND- 45-55, which is not bad since we’re on the road, ND played a poor game yesterday. Cal-70-30, could be a trap game but Williams is just too good for these guys Utah- 65-35, unless Cam comes back, if he does it turns to 55-45 Oregon-20-80, they are the better team, better coached and at home Washington-40-60, they have suffered some nasty injuries or this would have been 25-75 UCLA-50-50, their DL is going to have fun with us but I’am not sold on their QB. So my 10-2 call… Read more »

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 8, 2023 12:39 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

Rising comes back SC is 100% winning .. damaged goods
50/50 at ND. They may have more issues than we do. Also, think SC has been waiting for this one. They may like being under digs for once.

illinoisusc
Major Genius
illinoisusc
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:32 pm
Reply to  USC1988

Sounds like Rising really got dealt a bad deal. His knee was totally wrecked so I wonder if he will even come back at all.

TrojanRJJ
Noble Genius
TrojanRJJ
Offline
October 8, 2023 1:36 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

Given the extent of the injury, he probably should sit out this year to protect his pro career. But playing against a Grinch led D might be just too inviting. My guess is he plays, but I could be wrong.

Eric Turner
Genius Member
Eric Turner
Offline
October 8, 2023 5:24 pm
Reply to  illinoisusc

Unless Grinchy changes his defense I cannot see us doing nothing against our next opponents they run have big lines and tackle, something we don’t do at all.

John Weld
Admin
Major Genius
John Weld
Offline
October 8, 2023 5:56 pm
Reply to  Eric Turner

Eric, welcome to the blog!!

USC1988
Noble Genius
USC1988
Offline
October 8, 2023 9:15 pm
Reply to  Eric Turner

Just use that junior high pitch ASU introduced to all our opponents, they gains 8 yds a smack … U would think after 3 games Grinch would adjust something

TrojanRon
Noble Genius
TrojanRon
Offline
October 9, 2023 1:56 am
Reply to  illinoisusc

My opinion of Riley is eroding too. He has to be hearing all the negativity towards Grinch, but he chooses to stand by his buddy and continues to believe that SC can just put up a lot of points and win high-scoring games. I don’t think Arizona giving SC a tough game was a fluke because they lost to Washington the week before by only a TD. ND will be an interesting game as the Irish got drubbed by Louisville this past Saturday. I’m sure SC will be studying film of that game. I’m hoping for a result like 1979… Read more »