USC quarterback Caleb Williams did not speak to reporters after the Oregon State game. He then did not speak as scheduled Wednesday for his weekly appearance with the media. It’s a bad look. If you make $8 million a year and can do TV commercials, you can handle speaking to the media after a bad game. He’ll do it in the NFL. You think Justin … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Caleb Williams Keeps Low Profile

USC linebacker Eric Gentry is the Trojans’ best defensive player right now. He was also a three-star prospect and that shows how recruiting rankings can be full of holes. USC didn’t even offer Gentry a scholarship out of high school. Arizona State did a lot of things wrong under Herm Edwards but someone was smart enough to go after Gentry. Gentry is from Philadelphia. If … Continue reading Did USC Offer Eric Gentry A Scholarship?

It shouldn’t be an issue Saturday but a problem last weekend was USC burning three timeouts in the first half because its offense was disorganized. That was definitely surprising with how calm and organized the offense is expected to be under Lincoln Riley. “I thought there were some things operationally from us that we’ve got to be more efficient with,” Riley said. “We wasted some … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Does Pac-12 Atmosphere Prepare USC For Real Success?

The Trojan Dance Force will perform at a USC football game for the first time in its history on Saturday night. It’s long overdue. But it also seems like a reaction to the fact the Cardinal Divas performed at the Fresno State game and went viral. It had to miff the dance force, which has performed for more than 20 years, but never at a … Continue reading Saturday’s USC Game Will Be A Dance Spectacular

UCLA made tickets for the USC available to the general public today. You can see below the blue areas of the Rose Bowl where tickets are available. And they aren’t cheap, going from $130 to $559. Here’s a link for tickets. Note: Some USC season-tickets holders never got a notice from USC to buy tickets for this game and now have no choice but to … Continue reading USC-UCLA Tickets Just Became Available

I don’t really care about the obsession of Oklahoma fans with Lincoln Riley. Or about some USC fans gloating about Oklahoma losing to Kansas State. Before you join that chorus, be aware that Riley is 1-2 vs. Kansas State coach Chris Klieman. “Had one of those nights where he wasn’t at his best throwing wise. It’s going to happen, to even the best of throwers. … Continue reading Lincoln Riley Praises A Pass To Remember

QUARTERBACK I knew it was possible for Caleb Williams to have a bad game, I just didn’t know it would be this soon. The part that isn’t being greatly discussed is how average Williams becomes when under pressure. Grade: D+ RUNNING BACK Travis Dye is living up to his billing. I’m less impressed with Austin Jones. But Dye does everything plus provides leadership. USC is … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC-Oregon State Report Card

According to the Athletic, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey drove to USC last week to pick up a pair of yellow tights that some Trojan players are wearing for games. Ramsey was originally committed to USC before he switchd to Florida State. Frankly, I think the yellow tights are awful on USC and the Rams. So it’s a good excuse for me to mention his father, … Continue reading Yellow Fever Is Spreading

One of the most unpleasant basketball games I ever attended was a USC-Oregon State game in Corvallis where I sat in front of the student section. It was a torrent of profanity and inappropriate comments. Now when I sat in other parts of Gill Coliseum, it was a great environment. Pete Carroll was so appalled by the fans after the first time he went to … Continue reading There’s Been An Overreaction To Oregon State Atmosphere

WINNERS Travis Dye The star tailback is not only the top tailback but a team leader. That’s quite a luxury to have him and Caleb Williams as your leaders. Alex Grinch For a week everyone will talk positively about the USC defense instead of the offense. Trent Bray The Oregon State defensive coordinator did the unthinkable Saturday night: He made USC’s offense look average. Eric … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of Week

Here’s an interesting comment from Pac-12 Network analyst Nick Aliotti that he told John Canzano during the game. “Those guys are the more physical team,” Aliotti said of Oregon State. Aliotti is a former defensive coordinator at UCLA and Oregon. Do you agree or disagree? Nansen, a former USC and UCLA assistant, has never been a defensive coordinator before. Yesterday, Cal had 615 yards in … Continue reading Who Was More Physical? USC Or Oregon State?

We were told last week to understand the USC-Oregon State game had to be on the Pac-12 Network so the real networks could save the Trojans for later in the season. But what channel will USC-Arizona State on next weekend? Will ESPN or Fox pick up the game with USC playing a 24-point underdog? Fans should be livid if they do after ignoring the USC-Oregon … Continue reading USC Notes: Will The TV Networks Pick Trojans?

Let’s back up for a moment. As I said this afternoon, USC had a better team than Oregon State. And USC has a good coach. So the result should be predictable. But Saturday night, Oregon State defensive coordinator Trent Bray outcoached Lincoln Riley. If I’m Riley, I remember Bray in case Alex Grinch gets a job after the season. The question is whether this was … Continue reading Discuss The USC-Oregon State Game And My Thoughts

USC survives a woeful effort on offense and defeats Oregon State, 17-14. USC takes back the lead as Caleb Williams finally finds Jordan Addison for a 21-yard TD. The offense has been pathetic and it backs up the defense as OSU starts a drive on the 22-yard line and Jam Griffin scores on an 18-yard TD run. Oregon State 14, USC 10. Oregon State has … Continue reading USC-Oregon State Live Blog

This is supposed to be the first test for USC. Maybe. Maybe not. Oregon State should have the best defense USC has faced to date. That doesn’t mean it can stop the Trojans’ offense. People like to pretend when these games take place that years of recruiting doesn’t matter. There is no reason USC should lose this game. Oregon State is a team of overachievers. … Continue reading My USC-Oregon State Prediction

I get that there is a difference in interest between USC and UCLA football. The same chasm exists — in reverse — in basketball. But I’m surprised their hasn’t been more of a media backlash against UCLA’s schedule. I remember going pretty hard at USC in 2015 when it opened the season with Arkansas State and Idaho. But Bowling Green, Alabama State, South Alabama and … Continue reading Saturday Thought: We Need A Schedule Backlash

Before you pick the score, look at the crowd at the Coliseum last night for the Rammstein concert. At least this headline didn’t call it the Coli. K-Pop singer Kim Sejeong performed at USC last night. KIM SEJEONG SLAYEDDDD LOVE MAYBE 😚😚😚😚 #kimsejeong #Sejeong #lovemaybe #BusinessProposal #kpop #kcclasejeong #usc #usckpop #ioi #gugudan pic.twitter.com/NtWI56D5xh — Raquel⁷ met piwon ! (@strawberrysoob_) September 24, 2022 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Morning Buzz: Pick The USC-Oregon State Score

With each passing week in the NFL, more people wonder how Clay Helton didn’t win more games at USC when he had Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michael Pittman and Drake London at wide receiver. RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Pool’s Sandwiches, 6920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood There’s something about a well-lit restaurant circa 1938. Especially when you could get chili and beans for 20 cents. Nothing is more … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

This week will be a great test to see what gamblers know? There has been more money bet on Oregon State (+6.5) to cover against USC than any of the Week 3 NFL games or Week 4 college football game spreads. And the bettors apparently know Oregon State is without tight end Luke Musgrave and running back Trey Lowe. A heavily bet game on the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Oregon State A Trap Game?

One thing I’ve noticed at USC games is defensive coordinator Alex Grinch stays pretty calm on the sideline. When USC made its goal-line stand at the end of the Fresno State game, Lincoln Riley and other coaches jumped around and celebrated. Grinch stayed pretty calm even though you might expect him to be the happiest. When USC marched down the field for an early TD … Continue reading We’re Starting To Get A Picture To How USC Coaches Respond

USC’s game at Oregon State is considered by some a trap game but the atmosphere won’t quite be what it normally is at Reser Stadium. The stadium’s west side stand was demolished and is being rebuilt, which means the current capacity is just 26,000. Normal capacity was 43,000. This could be USC’s last game at Reser Stadium because it is moving to the Big Ten. … Continue reading USC-Oregon State Atmosphere Won’t Be Quite What It Was

Some USC notes on a Wednesday morning: “It was a lack of communication, guys not being in the right spot and guys not doing their job,” Lee said. “I would say it’s more of us not doing something right than somebody getting beat.” Now they are both in limbo. Bryant wants to preserve his eligibility and redshirt, which would allow him to transfer and have … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Transfer Portal Tricky And Kliavkoff Jumps Shark

Lincoln Riley said this morning wide receiver Gary Bryant plans to redshirt. I’ve been noting the lack of opportunities for players like Bryant and Terrell Bynum through the first three games and this is a result: Bryant went from starting last year to barely playing this year. It’s the Jordan Addison Show this season. But here’s the thing: Riley is going to hit the transfer … Continue reading Wide Receiver Gary Bryant To Redshirt

Here are a couple observations from Lincoln Riley on Monday night. “We weren’t excited about how we defended the run, and it was very similar to the week before. We’re not getting beat physically much,” Riley said. “We had a couple missed alignments, we had a couple guys in the wrong gaps.” And on the offensive line: “We definitely took some steps forward in the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley On Running Ball/Stopping The Run

Alex Grinch is a candidate for the Arizona State job. Personally I would be surprised if they gave it to someone who has no head-coaching experience unless it was a hot name like Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken. oh nothing… i created a majorette team at a PWI and performed at our first game. truly though i’m so blessed and can’t thank God enough. Thank … Continue reading USC Notes: Scotty To Arizona State?

There’s a growing trend at USC games that needs to be called out. A lot of fans are wearing USC jerseys to games with names on the back. Do we need to explain why this is a terrible idea besides mentioning USC has never had names on its jerseys? Why would you wear a jersey that is in direct contrast to the actual team jersey? … Continue reading A Disturbing Trend At USC Games

The USC-Arizona State game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be on ESPN. That will be three straight night games for the Trojans. How about Oregon State-Utah at 11 a.m.? What a conference. Continue reading It’s Another Night Game For USC

QUARTERBACK If you give Caleb Williams more than 2 seconds to throw the ball, forget it. Williams was pretty good vs. Fresno State, which meant he wasn’t quite to the standard of the first two games. But it’s more than good enough. Grade: B- RUNNING BACKS Travis Dye and Austin Jones both rushed for more than 100 yards and averaged nine yards per carry. What … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC-Fresno State Report Card

You know what I liked best Saturday night? When USC was on the goal line, Caleb Williams lined up under the center. It feels like a long time since that happened. Coach Bohn: Carol, this is Jake Haener. Carol: Jake, will you be ready for the Oregon State game next week? #USC president Carol Folt talking to Fresno State QB Jake Haener as he leaves … Continue reading USC Notes: Can You Guess What Moment I Liked Best?

Here are my thoughts on USC-Fresno State: Now there’s nothing wrong with throwing to the best receivers. But a good team might be able to blunt their impact and then does USC have anyone else? Gary Bryant, who started last year, didn’t even have a pass thrown to him. Terrell Bynum, who transferred from Washington, has not caught a pass this season. They are inundated … Continue reading My USC-Fresno State Takeaways

How many TD passes will Caleb Williams have tonight? Can he challenge this season Cody Kessler’s school-record 7 TDs vs. Colorado? Would Lincoln Riley even let him throw that many in a game? He’s probably not a stat hound like Steve Sarkisian. Continue reading Discuss The USC-Fresno State Game

This is supposed to be a better test for USC. I’d be more inclined to say that if Fresno State had beaten Oregon State. But QB Jake Haener should be able to test the Trojans’ cornerbacks. And when I say test, I mean beat. How many pass interference penalties will the secondary get? Can the Bulldogs’ defense stop USC? I see USC scoring a lot … Continue reading My USC-Fresno State Pick

Before you pick the score, did you notice the modication on the front of the USC helmets this season? There is a small “V sign” sticker right in the front of the helmet. It seems unnecessary when the whole point of the USC helmet is its “classic” look. Now you have the Nike spelled-out decal, the V sign decal and the Nike logo decal. How … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Pick The USC-Fresno State Score

Here’s another TV appearance from former USC football player Phil Hoover from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Continue reading The Friday USC Column Supplement

USC landed a commitment Thursday from Sam Greene, a three-star defensive lineman from Baltimore, Md. And now for some history: Hoover played left end (receiver) at USC but during the 1963 Rose Bowl, USC ran out of defensive linemen. Gary Kirner sat on a luggage rack that collapsed and the fall cut his finger to the bone. He tried to play in the game but … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Here’s another reason it’s time to get away from the Pac-12. If the Pac-12 Network were not bad enough, the college football punditocracy keeps mentioning the Pac-12 could do a deal with Amazon or Apple. If it is a secondary deal, OK. But what if the Pac-12 makes Amazon its primary partner? Amazon Prime is available in only 42 percent of internet households in the … Continue reading USC Notes: Things Could Get Worse Than Pac-12 Network

I was pretty critical of the USC defense for its performance vs. Stanford. But I stressed the other day no more so than the coaches. “We’re not fans,” defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said Wednesday. “We can’t be in a position where we’ll be fine as long as the offense scores. So we’ve got to be better, much better in the run game and in the … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Coaches Can’t Be Fans

Just a follow-up to this morning. When Lane Kiffin coached at USC, one of my main criticisms was that he was not a leader of men. You could talk to the players and they would express their dissatisfaction or lack of respect. Same with Clay Helton. But that is not an issue now. USC has never needed a great coach. It just needs a competent … Continue reading USC Thrives When It Has Leader Of Men

UCLA coach Chip Kelly said it was a mistake for the school’s official football twitter account to call it Transfer U. “When I saw it, I said, ‘That’s a mistake,’ ” Kelly said. Maybe someone was jealous that USC has become Transfer U. ‘I wanted that offer but little Jake Haener wasn’t tall enough and didn’t have enough stars next to his name,” he said. … Continue reading Who Is Transfer U.? USC Or UCLA?

What do I like most about the first two USC games? It’s nothing really about the offensive scheme or the athleticism of Caleb Williams, which were already a given if you watched Oklahoma last season. I just like the consistent competency. USC might make mistakes or do things that go against its game plan but Lincoln Riley’s instilled a miminum level of competence that was … Continue reading Morning Buzz: What Do I Like Most About USC?