Lynn Swann recently spoke with Sports Business Daily. He doesn’t usually say much but here is a quote that I think stood out. “I don’t care if you played, coached, owned a football team, if you’ve been an athletic director and the head coach and you’re now the AD. Your job is not to call the plays. You hire someone to call the plays and let that person … Continue reading USC Quote Of The Day

Clay Helton said this week USC linebacker Porter Gustin works from sunrise to sunset since undergoing knee surgery last week for a torn meniscus. Does anyone wonder if this is part of the problem? Gustin’s known for spending a lot of time in the weight room and working out harder than anyone. But he also played in only four games last season and might miss … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

UCLA announced a home-and-home series with Auburn for 2027 (Rose Bowl) and 2028 (Jordan-Hare Stadium). This again puts some pressure on USC to upgrade its non-conference schedule. Look at the future USC schedules: 2019: Fresno State, BYU, Notre Dame 2020: Alabama, New Mexico, Notre Dame 2021: BYU, Notre Dame 2022: Rice, Fresno State, Notre Dame 2023: BYU, Notre Dame 2025: Fresno State Meanwhile. UCLA has … Continue reading Let’s Compare Some Future Schedules

I got a call from an NFL coach today who wanted to know if it was true USC’s defense allowed six TD passes in last weekend’s scrimmage? Yes, it did. The coach was surprised to hear it because of all comments from the USC coaching staff about the strength of the defense. And the coach was curious how they secondary could get burned so many … Continue reading Even NFL Coaches Find Some Stats Surprising

How long has tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe been injured? He started the final four games last season but missed spring practice because of a “nagging hip injury” according to USC. He was recently medically cleared for some drills but it appears there is no rush to bring him back. “We committed to shutting him down for an extended period of time, and now it’s building … Continue reading USC Quick Thought

For the lucky few who are sitting under the new tower at the Coliseum, you will have new seats with 3 inches more leg room and wider aisles. Everyone else? Another year with the old seats and aisles! Now get back to work! Dr. Magdi El Shahawy, a long-time USC senior associate athletic director, has resigned to take a similar position at the University of … Continue reading USC Afternoon Notes

While the quarterback derby obviously is the primary interest, let’s talk a moment about left tackle. Austin Jackson and Clayton Bradley have shared the position during training camp. Jackson is the heir apparent and enjoyed a strong training camp. But he has not been named the starter. Last season, he and Bradley split time at left tackle when Toa Lobendahn was injured. But really the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

Today is the 60th anniversary of the death of former UCLA coach Red Sanders and I’ve been wanting to tell a Sanders story that I recently heard. Back in the 1950’s, newspaper reporters would meet Sanders at Scandia, a landmark restaurant on Sunset Blvd. On some of those days, Sanders would skip practice presumably because he had a bit too much to drink. It was … Continue reading Remembering Red Sanders

You know why it’s important that freshman wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is already looking ready to go as a big-time receiver this season, just like Robert Woods, Marqise Lee and JuJu Smith-Schuster were during their first training camps? Because Tee Martin doesn’t exactly develop receivers. So USC needs guys like St. Brown, who are game ready their first day of college practice. Have you seen … Continue reading Morning Buzz: No Team Needs Game Ready Receivers More Than USC

Clay Helton said after today’s practice Greg Johnson is giving Isaiah Langley competition for the starting spot at cornerback. Wonder if Langley (No. 24) giving up two touchdowns to Amon-Ra St. Brown (see below) on Saturday had anything to do with it? USC true freshman WR @amonra_stbrown made 3 TD catches in today’s Coliseum scrimmage.@USCCoachHelton: “Ooh, mercy. What a nice day he had today.”#FightOn pic.twitter.com/6dij3BHIET … Continue reading Cornerback Competition Heats Up

Todd McNair’s lawyers plan to seek a new trial on his defamation claim, according to a legal brief filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court. A jury voted 9-3 in May the NCAA didn’t defame McNair. McNair’s lawyers field a brief Monday that asked HJudge Frederick Shaller to declare a one-year “show-cause” penalty against McNair by the NCAA infractions committee in 2010 to be invalid … Continue reading Todd McNair Wants A New Trial

I spoke to a USC coach this weekend who told me some of the staff wish freshman JT Daniels would be named the starting quarterback now. Why? Because Daniels has clearly been the best quarterback and naming a starter today would end the suspense and allow the team to prepare for the first game with its starting quarterback known. Clay Helton said Saturday he might … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Time To Name Starter?

I mentioned offensive line and the secondary as big question marks for USC. When you have a scrimmage and allow 8 sacks, that shows the offensive line is question mark. Continue reading About The Offensive Line

USC will scrimmage today at the Coliseum. Each quarterback will have two drives to showcase their skills. Again, though, the coaches have confidence in JT Daniels. So unless someone else can be better than Daniels, they will have a tough time beating him out. The biggest thing Jack Sears and Matt Fink have going for them is Clay Helton’s cautious nature. Defensive back Jamel Cook, who … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz

Linebacker Palaie Gaoteote suffered a torn meniscus, just like Porter Gustin, and will undergo surgery Monday. That’s two linebackers in one week with a torn meniscus. Coincidence? Or does this have to do with a drill or training method? Gaoteote will be out 2-4 weeks. Continue reading Palaie Gaoteote Suffers Torn Meniscus

Sam Darnold completed 9 of 11 passes for 74 yards and a TD in the first half for the New York Jets. Check out the TD pass below. First one under your belt, kid. #ATLvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/fk7v05Ni2A — New York Jets (@nyjets) August 11, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Sam Darnold Is Sam Darnold In First Pro Game

Quite a bit of progress has been made on the Coliseum tower. Not to mention new seats. Too bad the upcoming season is getting in the way of finishing the job. Continue reading USC Picture Of The Day

USC’s odds to win are currently 60-1 according to Bovada. That’s actually worse than back in January when USC’s odds were 33-1. Meanwhile, Stephen Carr’s Heisman odds are 100-1. All odds are below: Odds to Win the 2019 CFP National Championship                                     1/9/18               Current Odds (8/9/18) Alabama                       11/4 … Continue reading New USC Title, Heisman Odds

If USC played a game today, here is the starting secondary: Iman Marshall, Ajene Harris and Isaiah Langley at cornerback. Marvell Tell and Bubba Bolden. That’s a solid group but not dominating. Do you disagree? The problem is the hype for the entire defense seems a bit much heading into the season and I mention the secondary because to doesn’t blow anyone away. Maybe if a … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Personnel Thoughts

Clay Helton said Porter Gustin will have surgery tomorrow to repair a slightly torn meniscus and face a 2-4 week recovery. Ajene Harris was out three weeks and Rasheem Green two following similar operations, Helton said. With UNLV the first game, it doesn’t really matter if Gustin is back for that. Continue reading Porter Gustin Update

USC linebacker Porter Gustin tore his meniscus and will undergo surgery this week. He is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. UPDATED: Gustin will miss 11 of the past 15 USC games if he does not play the first game against UNLV. It also means he might miss key games against Stanford and Texas. Continue reading Porter Gustin Suffers Torn Meniscus

Jack Sears and Matt Fink threw interceptions today, which makes it even easier for Clay Helton to name JT Daniels the starter. Of course, two years ago Sam Darnold threw far fewer interceptions than Max Browne and it did not matter. But lesson learned. Meanwhile, Porter Gustin was carted off the field after injuring his knee. He tried to walk it off before being taken … Continue reading Interception Update

USC might be a consensus Top 15 team but they were left out of Sports Illustrated’s Top 25 poll. No USC but Lane Kiffin is ranked 25th? This is obviously a poll that will catch USC fans’ attention. Continue reading A Top 25 That Doesn’t Include USC

Although Jack Sears has improved, JT Daniels is the not-at-all surprising leader three days into training camp Have you heard much about Matt Fink? The table is being set for Daniels to start the UNLV game, where he will get a test run and then face the tough road games at Stanford and Texas. Frankly, even if Daniels were not ahead, I think he would … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Quarterbacks Always Lead The Way

It’s the second commitment of the day for USC and the second wide receiver from the Class of 2020. Koy Moore of Metairie, La., committed to USC tonight. I’m told Moore, who has 14 offers, insisted on committing to USC this early and the Trojans didn’t object. Who will really remember this in a year anyways? Besides this is a boost for offensive coordinator Tee … Continue reading Koy Moore Commits To USC

Linebacker Maninoa Tufono of Honolulu committed to USC. He is a four-star prospect who had 40 offers. Wide receiver Koy Moore is supposed to commit to USC tonight at 6, I’m told. Some former USC players in the news: Wide receiver De’Quan Hampton and offensive lineman Khaliel Rodgers are among the first 100 players to sign with the Alliance of American Football signing with the San Diego … Continue reading USC Afternoon Notes

Since it is August, it means more recruits must commit today. Linebacker Maninoa Tufono of Honolulu (Class of 2019) will announce at 12 p.m. (PDT). Wide receiver Koy Moore of Metairie, La., will announce at 6 p.m. He is a Class of 2020 prospect. Both are four-star prospects. Meanwhile, the USC-Texas game has drawn a lot of interest from gamblers. It opened with USC a … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

Parker Lewis, a Class of 2020 kicker from Scottsdale, Ariz., committed to USC today. It looks like his only other scholarship offers were from Arizona and Cal. Let’s see if people start making “Parker Lewis can’t lose” references. Continue reading USC Adds A Kicker

A 20-yard TD pass to Stephen Carr was JT Daniels’ highlight of the day. But that is hardly earth shattering. More important for Daniels, he did not throw any interceptions. Jack Sears threw one instead. Turnovers will be something the coaches an eye on when they decide if they trust Daniels to start the UNLV game.   Continue reading JT Daniels Watch

Here are the nine walk-ons on the USC roster: Continue reading USC Adds Walk-Ons

St. John Bosco tight end Jude Wolfe is expected to commit to USC tonight at 8 p.m. (PDT). Wolfe is a four-star prospect with 30 scholarship offers. The only negative is he spells his last name with an “e” at the end. Continue reading Another Commitment Expected Tonight

USC opens training camp today at Howard Jones Field. The first practice is almost always uneventful. They are not bad nor does anyone really stand out significantly in first practices. They are mainly a way to set the tone for the camp with the energy level and pace the most important things to keep an eye on. it also will be more important once full … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A Notes Column

Former USC QB coach Tyson Helton, now the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, said today he received a text message from USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin that read, “I’m pulling for you.” Martin, of course, is a former Tennessee quarterback. But it would be a lot more interesting if Martin sent him a text saying, “Will someone else call the pass plays like at USC?” Or … Continue reading With Training Camp About To Start, Remember Playcalling

Talk about predictable. Everyone talks about USC being a top 15 team and that is exactly where the Trojans are ranked in the first coaches’ poll. This poll would be a lot more interesting if the coaches made their ballot public. Clay Helton is once again a voter. All the voters and the poll are below.   1. Alabama (61 first-place votes) 2. Clemson (3) … Continue reading USC Ranked No. 15 In Coaches’ Poll

Will Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s final game be the Cotton Bowl victory over USC? Meyer is on paid administrative leave at Ohio State following a report Meyer knew about a domestic violence incident involving a former Buckeyes assistant in 2015. The game seems to have made a lasting impact on USC. Porter Gustin said at Pac-12 media day the Trojans were not as big, … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Thursday Notes

Several players already committed to USC — cornerback Chris Steele, wide receiver Drake London, wide receiver Munir McClain — announced today they were officially offered by USC. Say what? If they committed then they were previously offered a scholarship, right? Or is this some new social media thing, where you get an “official” offer after you commit, so you have one more thing to brag … Continue reading The Backwards Nature Of Recruiting

There was a time when the Pac-12 would fly all its coaches on a private plane to Bristol, Conn., to spend the day at ESPN, doing all kinds of TV and radio interviews. Well, today, only Stanford coach David Shaw was in Bristol. Who knows what happened? Did ESPN decide the Pac-12 wasn’t worth the trouble? Did Larry Scott realize it was waste of time … Continue reading Pac-12 Visits ESPN

A public viewing for former USC tailback Willie Brown will be held Thursday at Second Baptist Church in Long Beach. The church is located at 1471 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Funeral services are Friday at 11 a.m. at Long Beach Poly High School Auditorium, which is located at 1600 Atlantic Ave. A viewing will be available from 9 a.m. Continue reading Willie Brown Services Information

Pac-12 media day always features commissioner Larry Scott making some comments that defy common sense. Here was Scott on the Pac-12’s 1-8 bowl record: “A handful of season-ending games are not an indicator of a conference’s overall strength.” Nine games might be a handful but eight losses are not, unless you are an awful football program. More importantly, is that Scott’s takeaway from the bowl … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Larry Scott Defends Pac-12