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
_______________
The fundamental problem with USC under Alex Grinch: The Trojans are soft as a pillow… Matt Zemek (Trojans Wire) — USC was supposed to be tougher this season. The Trojans were supposed to be stronger and more robust on defense. This is Year 2 of Alex Grinch. Players were supposed to be more familiar with the system. The strength and conditioning program was supposed to take effect and create tougher, more durable players. The understandable weaknesses and limitations of Year 1 were supposed to give way to a better product in Year 2. Unless you want to put a lot of… Read more »
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.
He has been supplied with more than enough talking points so far.
Notre Dame fans are losing their minds over offensive coordinator Gerad Parker Matt Wadleigh (Trojans Wire) — It really is remarkable that USC and Notre Dame have such talented head coaches with great expertise on one side of the ball. Lincoln Riley is a great offensive tactician. Marcus Freeman has a great defensive mind. Riley can score bunches of points on just about anyone. Freeman held Ohio State to 17 points a few weeks ago, 10 in the first 59 minutes before the Buckeyes’ last-second touchdown against the Irish. Yet, while Riley understands offense and Freeman understands defense, the two head coaches… Read more »
It’s just remarkable how quickly things can change in CFB. Not very long ago, Lincoln Riley was hated in Oklahoma because he unexpectedly left the always highly-regarded Sooner program in the lurch. Sooner fans were so hurt, the nation was pleading with them to “get over it! Move on!” LR had broken all their hearts, and moving to a high-profile program like USC sure didn’t help. Now, you wouldn’t be able to find one single Sooner fan who would want LR back. They rejoice in the fact he is no longer associated with OU. He’s the joke who couldn’t coach… Read more »
Hot seat? Like in danger of being let go or just under pressure?
Under massive pressure. I call that the hot seat. Obviously, he’s not gonna be fired, and I didn’t mean to be misleading. I still believe in LR as USC’s coach and hope he can change gears and improve the weaker areas of USC football. Unfortunately, USC hasn’t looked like a team that is improving like teams such as OU have. Frankly, LR’s currently a stubborn laughingstock amongst some CFB writers who view him as a QB whisperer and superb play-caller who has never proven he can put together a complete team. That’s what his history shows, objectively speaking. OU fans… Read more »
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.
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.
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 »
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.
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.
Which college football fan bases should be most disappointed? Can anyone challenge LSU (Ari Wasserman and David Ubben — The Athletic)? 1 LSU 2 A&M 3 ND 4 CLEM 5 TT 6 ARK 7 BAY 8 UTSA 9 MIA 10 PITT Dishonorable mention: USC USC is 6-0, what do Trojans fans have to be upset about? Well, they know the bear is coming for them. They may feel a little sense of comfort in the fact that USC is undefeated, but after barely skirting by Arizona in triple overtime late Saturday in Pac-12 After Dark action, it is clear yet again that the Trojans… Read more »
I wonder if LR is tried of being savaged by the national press for his retaining of Grinch?
He’s human. It’s gotta hurt, especially since his friend Grinch is dragging him down, while LR pumps out the same platitudes.
We all know that without Caleb, we’d be very lucky to make a good bowl in year two under LR. Shocking, frankly.
You were always ahead of the curve here. Congrats.
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.
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.
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.
Pac-12 columnist: ‘Hard to envision USC not making an in-season DC change’ Jon Wilner @wilnerhotline Hard to envision USC not making an in-season DC change. Only question is whether it comes before the Ore/UW b2b or after those teams take turns scoring 50+… Matt Zemek (Trojans Wire) — “USC can’t just fire Alex Grinch. It has to have a plan and a successor lined up. Doing this in the middle of the season is extremely difficult. Could USC find an actual successor as opposed to a stopgap interim replacement? “Even the fans who want Grinch out would admit USC might… Read more »
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 »
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.
Many hard-core USC fans are okay with that approach. But there are also many USC fans who view that as a waste of the best college QB who may have ever played the game. I’m in the second group after watching USC somehow skid to a 6-0 record vs many total crap teams. And as far as “rolling” UCLA this year goes, I’ll believe it when I see it after comparing the schools’ defenses so far this year. Right now, maybe one of LR’s biggest issues is that he doesn’t see some problems as clearly as others do. I’d sure… Read more »
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 »
Dak Prescott just can’t get it done for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. The 49ers’ Mr. Irrevelant Brock Purdy is WAY better than massively over-paid Prescott, who is now just an average pocket passer.
I expect the NFL draft maneuverings for Caleb Williams to be very fascinating. He can already do things most NFL QBs can only dream about.
Totally agree; Dak will never get the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Interesting to see how Jerry Jones handles this.
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 »
This is why Sark lost to Venables
https://twitter.com/i/status/1710734844043419673
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.
Will Farrell (and his Eye of the Tiger on the right) still knows how to have a good time at SC
https://twitter.com/i/status/1711068127503495546
How Much Humble Pie Will Lincoln Riley Eat? Oklahoma has reached the revenge stage with Lincoln Riley — now it’s time for indifference Ari Wasserman (The Athletic) — When Lincoln Riley packed up his stuff in the middle of the night and bolted to sunny Los Angeles two years ago, the entire country stood with Oklahoma fans. Riley became a villain for leaving an already great job for what some would have considered a lateral move. Yes, he got an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, but is that what should be driving a college football coach trying to win a national… Read more »
Who cares … OU is a shit job compared to SC. That’s why he left.
So Venables beat that colossal loser Suck. Big deal.
OU is already #5 and now USC is down to #10. That’s a very big deal whether you want to admit it or not.
I saw the game. USC wouldn’t beat either TEXAS or OU at this stage, and that’s another big deal.
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.
Allen, I have warned you in the past about being rational & honest.
Where have I been irrational and dishonest?
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.
Actually, I accidentally thought you were USC1988, who is obsessed with Sark and Kiffin. Sorry about that.
Confusion reigns about USC these days. We’re undefeated, yet seemingly under attack by the CFB world for stealing LR in the first place, then for not realizing ahead of time that he can’t field a defensive team for the life of him. Strange days, indeed!
For now, I just say Beat the Irish! That would immediately fix a lot.
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.
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.
At least we don’t have to worry about ND cutting the field turf. Outlined against a Blue-gray October sky…
2005 reference there
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.
It’s a totally amazing game. The outcome was fantastic, but USC chose the hard way to get there for sure! Lots of twists and turns. Crazy stuff.
Zona was ready. SC was sleepwalking. Watching the replay after being there live, Cats held every receiver every time.
Excuses, excuses, excuses. BS.
We’re back to the days of winning ugly at USC, and when I say ugly, I mean REALLY ugly. I guess teams aren’t supposed to be ready for us, huh? Are you channeling Clay Helton these days?
Who lol I stopped watching SC football after that disaster of a Kiffy hire.
Just win baby. Ready or not.
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 »
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
We have a chick for an AD now, so there will no making her to be the asshole…. Woman Power!
It will be LR’s choice period
That’s what we’re all afraid of.
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.
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 »
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/
Why not? Without Caleb Williams, what are we?
Ya but he would be gone in a month.
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
I really don’t expect USC to have back-to-back so-called “generational” QBs, unless Webster’s changes the def of the overused description generational. Caleb’s one of a kind. Comparing him with whoever starts next for us leaves me laughing a little, certainly for 2024.
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 »
If USC gets greased in South Bend by a Top 20-25 team that has a coach who isn’t looking too smart these days, things could get uglier for LR fast.
Jen Cohen has to be worried.
BTW, I’m totally shocked by how different UCLA looks on D under their new DC. It’s a sea change in Westwood.
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 »
She just got here … she knows better
He fired Stoop’s brother … he will can Grinch after the first awful loss.
As LR pointed out, redshirt JR Jacobe Covington’s (6-2, 200; UW transfer) perfect pick with about 11 mins to go in the 2nd Q completely turned the 17-0 destruction derby around, giving USC life.
Prior to that play, which gave the Trojans the ball on the 12, USC was absolutely playing as bad as it could play. Soon after the pick, Caleb adroitly spooked his way into the EZ corner to make it a game. Our defense was horrible, yet strangely positive during some important moments.
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.
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 »
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 »
Fair enough … Caleb has to run the ball, even if for 5 yds and OB. Otherwise, the O is blah.
The offensive line is a problem.
I thought the O line got handled pretty well by Arizona. But the D line did too.
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.
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 »
Ouch. Deserved, but still ouch.
https://saturdayblitz.com/2023/10/08/usc-football-trojans-looking-fraudulent-another-tight-win/?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=806ba77a8b7251dd6e289347216d5b23938f94de41a4b8b9c0dbfd794d983603
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 »
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.
Notre Dame’s HC Marcus Freeman already looking over his shoulder before this year’s big game with USC in South Bend
Freeman has now coached 21 games as the HC of ND. He’s 14–7 (.667), which currently puts him squarely in between the school’s greats and the school’s failures. He’s treading water right in the middle. So much for Waking the Echoes.
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 »
They held Byrd and Bear like mothoFers too
USC Slips to #10 in the AP Poll
USC drops two spots to #9 in the Coaches Poll Coaches Poll top 25 1 Georgia (61 first-place votes) 2 Michigan 3 Ohio State (2) 4 Florida State 5 Penn State 6 Washington (1) 7 Oklahoma 8 Oregon 9 USC 10 Alabama 11 Texas 12 North Carolina 13 Ole Miss 14 Oregon State 15 Louisville 16 Utah 17 Tennessee 18 Duke 19 Washington State 20 LSU 21 Notre Dame 22 UCLA 23 Kentucky 24 Kansas 25 Missouri Others receiving votes: Miami 74; Wyoming 60; Air Force 58; Iowa 57; Maryland 37; Clemson 33; West Virginia 24; Wisconsin 23; Texas A&M… Read more »
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.
Ceyair Wright got burned on the same pass route 2 plays in a row to let AZ tie it up!
ESPN power rankings after Week 6: Changes near the top
1 GA
2 MICH
3 FSU
4 OHIO ST
5 OU
6 UW
7 ORE
8 PSU
9 USC
10 TEXAS
11 ALA
12 UNC
13 LOUIS
14 ORE ST
15 OLE MISS
16 UTAH
17 WSU
18 TENN
19 DUKE
20 ND
21 UCLA
22 MIA
23 UK
24 LSU
25 MO
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.
Congrats on kicking butt so far in John’s contest partner!
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.
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.
Well (for what is is worth)The RPi poll now has USC at #11 …… and YUP …..OK took our place at #9 …..Fight On !!!!!
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 »
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.
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.
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 »
Bad Trojan D Helps Rescue Trojans Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — The Trojans allowed just 11 points in the second half, settling somewhat after a sloppy start that saw them spot Arizona 17 points, all before USC’s own offense earned a first down. “We certainly had a lot of moments where we didn’t play very well, but our team’s fight and resolve to come back and win that, with some of the craziness that happened in that game, I’m really proud,” Lincoln Riley said. “A lot of teams don’t win that game. You go down 17 to nothing and you… Read more »
And the Beat Goes On… Stewart Mandel (The Athletic) — Every week is an adventure for USC football, and Saturday’s late game against Arizona very nearly took the cake. The Trojans (6-0, 4-0 Pac-12) completely botched their last sequence in regulation, leading to a missed chip-shot field goal; allowed a touchdown on Arizona’s first play of overtime; and backed itself up with penalties, twice, in their second OT. But Caleb Williams ultimately saved the day, again, in a 43-41 triple-overtime win, despite struggling to reach 300 yards of offense in regulation and despite Williams completing just 11 passes before overtime.… Read more »
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!
I do think Riley has a lot of offense he has not shown. Games coming up we may need it for sure.
For those of us who remember MIA’s Paul Dee as one of the people who tried to ruin USC football, here’s some extended schadenfreude: last night’s ‘Cane meltdown.
https://youtu.be/XraPQwBPBb0
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….
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 »
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eric, welcome to the blog!!
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
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 »
https://youtu.be/r_4g0Yx8ORo