USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin should be talking about how inconsistent the offense has been through six games. Or worse. Like how it scored only 3 points against Stanford. Instead, he offers this joke: “Teams gotta figure out how they want to defend us … What’s good for me and us is, we’ve shown we can win games doing both.” Continue reading USC Quote Of The Day

Anything for publicity. Lane Kiffin now says he has offered a scholarship to Cole Leinart, the 11-year-old son of fomer USC QB Matt Leinart. Remember Kiffin made news when he offered David Sills at 13, who never made it to USC. He also offered Tee Martin’s son, Kaden, when he was 13. Kaden Martin is starting at quarterback at Redondo High School as a freshman. … Continue reading Lane Kiffin Offers Matt Leinart’s 11-Year-Old Son

I mentioned JT Daniels’ arm strength in yesterday’s report card. During the bye week, his arm was rested because he was tired. Did he look like his arm was strong after the rest against Colorado? Like I said, Daniels did a good job after the interceptions. But if he walked down the street, you would not think he was a football player. I’m not sure … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

Porter Gustin was named to the Associated Press midseason All-America second team. Gustin will miss 17 games in the past two seasons after he fractured his ankle Saturday against Colorado. Former USC wide receiver Joseph Lewis was sentenced to a year in prison and five years probation after he pleaded no contest to felony domestic violence. Lewis punched, scratched and strangled his girlfriend in July, according … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

Here is my column for the Sporting News on the Pac-12’s awful weekend. Excerpt: No two-loss team has ever made the Playoff, so Oregon, with a 5-1 record, is the newest pretender to be presented as the Pac-12’s top team. USC, Stanford and Washington already blew their chances, so the Ducks offer the best case scenario. But exactly how Oregon would leapfrog any legitimate contender from … Continue reading The Pac-12’s Bad Weekend

Some people I see are taking the “I accept USC winning ugly and move on each week” approach this season. It demonstrates how low the level of tolerance is for USC fans. Do you imagine fans at Alabama, Ohio State or Clemson would accept this approach? Would those fans accept two receivers running into each other on TWO DIFFERENT PLAYS? Would those fans accept getting … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Level Of Tolerance Is High For Some Fans

USC coach Clay Helton said defensive end Porter Gustin fractured his ankle and will miss the rest of the season. Gustin will have surgery this week and have a recovery time of about 3-4 months. “Sad to say that Porter Gustin late in the game had an injury that caused an ankle fracture that will take him out the rest of the season,” Helton said. … Continue reading Porter Gustin Out For The Season

It’s six games and while I know people are praising the defense or JT Daniels after his two interceptions, here are two glaring stats: USC was 2 for 10 on third down last night. And USC rushed for 62 yards in 27 carries. This is not a team that is getting better in many areas. But the offense is just one of them. Continue reading When Does USC Get Better?

I’m already flustered after watching how unprepared Clancy Pendergast had the defense for the Wildcat play where Colorado scored a TD. Here’s the frustrating post-game quote: “It’s a win that allows us to control our destiny the rest of the way,” USC coach Clay Helton said. UPDATED: USC is up 28-14 and going to win. It’s a typical Pac-12 South game. Terrible. USC will need … Continue reading Discuss The USC-Colorado Game

Another tough week to pick a USC game. Do you think USC can finally play a clean game? Or Colorado can actually prove it is for real? I will make my pick later today. Continue reading Pick The USC-Colorado Score

It’s time for Friday’s USC notes column: How does a team that had only two practices last week so everyone could rest enter the Colorado game with linebacker Cameron Smith only 50-50 because of a strained hamstring? And even after the two-practice bye week, USC kept its streak intact of having an offensive line starter miss at least one practice when Toa Lobendahn sat out … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

It’s hard to believe USC used this video to honor Kevin Ellison, who suffered mental illness and family is donating his brain to be examined for CTE. The late, great Kevin Ellison. #FightOnForever pic.twitter.com/48gdmixAS7 — USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 11, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Worst USC Tweet Ever?

USC linebacker Cameron Smith is only 50-50 for the Colorado game with a strained hamstring. Center Toa Lobendahn practiced today after being out Wednesday with back spasms. Didn’t USC practice two days last week so everybody would be ready to go? Continue reading Good Thing USC Rested During Bye Week

In the past two USC-Colorado games, the Trojans outscored the Buffaloes, 34-0 in the first half. Colorado outscored USC, 41-25, in the second half. Continue reading USC-Colorado Stat Of The Day

Remember wide receiver Randal Grimes? He was supposed to compete for playing time this season but has made about as much impact as Josh and Daniel Imatorbhebhe. Grimes was relegated Tuesday to pretending to be Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault. And he caught two long TD passes in the practice. It still won’t get enough to get on the field. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

Judge Frederick Shaller ruled that the NCAA violated California state law when it imposed a show-cause penalty against former USC assistant Todd McNair. The decision would prevent the NCAA from imposing show-cause penalties in California. McNair had a one-year show cause penalty that prevented him from recrutiing when the NCAA handed down sanctions against USC. That meant a school would have to appear before an … Continue reading A Legal Victory (Of Sorts) For Todd McNair

With Bubba Bolden departing USC, the Trojans return only three safeties next season: Talanoa Hufanga, C.J. Pollard and Isaiah Pola-Mao. Cornerback Chase Williams has practiced at safety too so it could be four theoretically. Worse, USC has no safeties committed in its current recruiting class. USC is recruiting safety Noa Pola-Gates of Gilbert, Ariz., the cousin of Pola-Mao. But the recruiting services currently have projected … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Safety Options Thin

USC’s game at Utah will kick off at 5 p.m. PT (6 p.m. MT) on the Pac-12 Network on Oct. 20. So you know the drill: If you do not get the Pac-12 Network, good luck! You need a sports bar that has it. Continue reading USC-Utah Will Be On Pac-12 Network

Bubba Bolden, who was supposed to start the season opener at safety for USC, is no longer enrolled at USC. This was the inevitable conclusion when Office of Title TX infractions are involved. Remember Bryce Dixon and Matt Boermeester? No word yet on where Bolden will end up. Continue reading Bubba Bolden No Longer At USC

USC’s loss to Texas is not looking as bad as a few weeks ago after the Longhorns defeated TCU and Oklahoma. But the Trojans’ loss to Stanford is not holding up at all. USC scored 3 points against a defense that surrendered 109 the past three weeks. What does that say about Clay Helton and Tee Martin? Meanwhile, Colorado comes to the Coliseum with a … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz

Kevin Ellison, a three-year starter at safety at USC, has died, according to multiple sources. He was 31. The cause of death has not been announced. Ellison, who played at Redondo High School, made 174 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss at USC. He deflected 18 passes with five interceptions. He briefly played for the San Diego Chargers and Spokane Shock of the Arena Football League. … Continue reading Former USC Safety Kevin Ellison Dies

USC will not lose today or commit a penalty. That is progress for the Trojans. Serra cornerback Max Williams, who tore his ACL at the beginning of the season, committed to USC today. Clay Helton was at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night to watch offensive tackle Sean Rhyan (6-5, 300). UCLA coach Chip Kelly was also at San … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz

Former USC cornerback Jack Jones was sentenced Friday to 90 days in the Ventura County Jail for breaking into a Panda Express restaurant in Santa Paula. A judge reduced the charge from a felony to a misdeameanor. Jones’ attorney has asked for the sentence to be served in home confinement instead of a prison, which should be granted because Jones has no prior criminal history. Jones … Continue reading Jack Jones Sentenced

Here is my USC notes column, which can be found at USC247.com. Excerpt: “Imagine if USC were located in Philadelphia or New York? Why? Because the media coverage would be much tougher on USC coach Clay Helton. Helton blinked this week, under just a little media scrutiny, because he held only two bye week practices. All of a sudden Wednesday, after the second and final … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Defensive lineman Connor Murphy has played in just two of USC’s five games? Murphy was a four-star recruit and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh famously spent the night at his house on his home visit. His brother, Trent, was an All-American at Stanford. If you want to say players are not developing under the current regime, he is Exhibit No. 1. Continue reading Did You Know?

I spoke to a USC booster on Wednesday who said, “I will not go to another USC game until changes are made.” He went to four-or-five home games last season sitting in the big donor seats. I spoke to another die-hard USC fan who said, “I am off the bandwagon. I never expect good things to happen any more.” Is this indicative of USC fans … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: How Are The Fans Doing?

“If you want to be average don’t come here” –@coachtee17 https://t.co/l5Pk4UYcxI — Koy Moore 🇲🇦 الحمدلله (@asap_koy) October 3, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js   I would argue the opposite is true right now. USC is the perfect place to come to be average. Continue reading USC Tweet Of The Day

You can read my full story on right here on USC247.com. Excerpt: “3.) Get some discipline This could be a weekly feature. But it’s hard to lecture the team about penalties when the coach is getting a sideline interference penalty in the fourth quarter. Or when a senior (Tyler Petite) commits a false start coming out of a timeout. Does USC need to commit a personal … Continue reading 10 Things USC Needs To Fix During Its Bye Week

USC ended practice 10 minutes early yesterday. Why not? There is not much to fix. JT Daniels didn’t throw to rest his arm. This is actually a good idea if his arm needs a break. More than the arm, I think Daniels needs a break because he doesn’t like taking hits. But today is the last practice of the week, so everyone will get a … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Bye Week Continues!

Some people are actually defending USC practicing twice this week. Do they think USC does not have things to work on? 18 penalties should answer that. Do they think USC needs rest? If they practiced Tuesday-Thursday, they would still get a three-day weekend and maybe four if they took Monday off. Let’s be clear: Bye week practices are easier and often geared toward younger players. … Continue reading Let’s Poke Some Holes In Bye Week Propaganda

Time for the grades on an ugly performance. The entire report card can be found here. Continue reading USC-Arizona Report Card

I wrote a column today on the fact USC is practicing only Tuesday and Wednesday despite an error-filled performance vs. Arizona. You can read it at USC247.com. Continue reading Would You Believe USC Is Only Practicing Twice This Week?

The kickoff for the USC-Colorado game will be 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1. Meanwhile, USC has a bye this week. This is normally the time you fix mistakes. What is USC capable of fixing with this staff? When you commit 18 penalties in the fifth game, you are making mistakes that tend to be constant. That is why USC … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz

USC coach Clay Helton was in fine form Sunday night. “I can’t wait for people to see this team come November, because I believe in where they’re going, I see where they’re going,” Helton said. Does anyone think this coaching staff will deliver improvement? Or any success other an easy Pac-12 schedule? Helton on the Arizona game: “We had the opportunity to separate ourselves and … Continue reading Sunday Night With Clay Helton

UPDATED: What an utter joke of performance. How can Clay Helton be proud of a mere 24-20 victory over Arizona? This was a disaster. I guarantee you Lynn Swann is disgusted. He won’t do anything but he is disgusted. USC had 18 penalties for 169 yards. If you have some comments on tonight’s game, feel free to start here. PREVIOUSLY: USC is going to win … Continue reading Discuss The USC-Arizona Game

USC is easily more talented. USC should win this game. So there are a couple things to consider: Can the USC coaches screw things up enough for Arizona to pull off an upset? Will Arizona possibly play better than in its first four games? Is Khalil Tate going to be 100 percent and allowed to scramble? Will USC get pressure on him unlike other games … Continue reading My USC-Arizona Pick

I will make my pick later today. But now is your turn. USC is a big favorite on paper but will that translate tonight at Arizona Stadium? Meanwhile, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott, who put his foot in his mouth last weekend when he said Porter Gustin’s hit on Washington State QB Gardner Minshew was not targeting, did damage control before the UCLA-Colorado game on Friday … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Pick The USC-Arizona Score

OK, you can read my Friday notes column here on USC247.com. Two things: It is FREE to register for the site. And since this site charges for some articles, I am writing with that in mind and giving you as much as I can find out about the program. Full column here Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Nebraska tailback Johnny Rodgers won the Heisman Trophy in 1972 and a two-time consensus All-American. But when he was in high school, he wrote a letter to USC saying he was interested in playing for the Trojans. What happened? A USC coach read the letter and never got back to Rodgers. Was this the biggest recruiting blunder? Continue reading A Recruit That Got Away From USC

The USC coaches finally allowed true freshman cornerback Olaijah Griffin to get some first-team reps during Wednesday’s practice, signalling he might start against Arizona. It is stunning to me it took this long. Here is what I wrote after the USC-Texas game: “I’ve seen enough of some of the veteran corners. USC has two five-star freshmen corners on the bench (Olaijah Griffin, Issac Taylor-Stuart). If … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Plagued By Slow-Moving Decisions

No. 2 Learn to play situational football Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast seems incredibly naïve or stubborn. His schemes seem to always be all-or-nothing. There are ways to pressure to quarterback without blitzing and Pendergast doesn’t seem to realize it. #USC https://t.co/JpRhEpFEDF — InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) September 26, 2018 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading 10 Things USC Needs To Fix To Beat Arizona

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott was asked about USC linebacker Porter Gustin’s helmet-to-helmet hit on Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew. From the Associated Press: Scott said he had consulted the officiating team about that call. He said every play is reviewed. “So you can certainly assume that play got a lot of looks, not just from the replay booth at the stadium, but we’ve got our … Continue reading Larry Scott Strikes Again

USC held its third Presidential Search Advisory Committee listening session Tuesday night on campus. Most of the meeting focused on things like the fact there is no student representation on the search committee. But there was an odd moment when a man identified himself as Ed Gilliam and said he played football and baseball at USC in the 1970’s.  One of Gilliam’s concerns was that Notre … Continue reading Morning Buzz: An Odd Night At USC

I’ve done my report card for the game and some of the marks are not pretty, especially for the defense, where some bad trends have emerged through four games. To see the report card, click here. Continue reading USC-Washington State Report Card

Did you know former USC tailback Ronald Jones has not even dressed for the past three weeks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The rookie second-round draft choice is 100 percent healthy. The reasons he does not play are pretty simple: Jones is not viewed as being able to block or catch at an NFL level. These are things that were brought up to USC coaches … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Where Is Ronald Jones?