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USC Saturday Buzz: The Good And Bad Of This Weekend
A reader sent me this mock USC game ticket for the season-opener. How many of you will be happy going to see San Jose State (again) at the Coliseum. Eric Musselman seems to have lost some enthusiasm as the Trojans fade and today is a must victory to get back into the NCAA Tournament projections. I can’t really say the Trojans are playing with a … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: The Good And Bad Of This Weekend
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
There was genuine surprise at the reunion of the 2001 Elite Eight USC basketball team last weekend because no one expected Coach Henry Bibby to attend. “Everybody was surprised he showed up,” a player in attendance said. Why? Well, let’s just say players would swap a lot more colorful stories than heartwarming ones regarding their head coach. He can cite injuries but how many times … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Don’t Believe Spring Scrimmage Spin
So one of the excuses Lincoln Riley has given about canceling the spring game is it causes him to eliminate a regular practice for the game and another practice to prepare for the scrimmage. Here’s some things to consider: Riley usually has the team scrimmage during other parts of spring practice. How come those scrimmages are not a problem? USC and other schools hold closed … Continue reading Don’t Believe Spring Scrimmage Spin
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USC Morning Buzz: The Coliseum Schedule Just Became Odder
Now that the USC schedule is completed, here is an oddity. USC plays only two home games after Oct. 3. And one of those games is on Halloween (Ohio State). This is a byproduct of Lincoln Riley and Jen Cohen dropping the Notre Dame game at the Coliseum and replacing it with an August game vs. San Jose State. So USC fans will have three … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Coliseum Schedule Just Became Odder
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USC Replaces Notre Dame With Mighty San Jose State
USC will host San Jose State at the Coliseum on August 29th. This is the replacement for Notre Dame. Congratulations! It was expected that USC would find a cupcake because that is what Lincoln Riley wants for non-conference games. So instead of playing Notre Dame on Thanksgiving weekend, USC will play San Jose State on a hot August day. Remember when Jen Cohen said USC … Continue reading USC Replaces Notre Dame With Mighty San Jose State
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USC Morning Buzz: That Familiar Feeling With Basketball Is Back
USC isn’t going to beat UCLA when Alijah Arenas goes 2 for 8 with five turnovers. Or forwards Ezra Ausar and Jacob Cofie are a combined 4 for 16. Maybe it was unrealistic to expect USC to beat UCLA at Pauley Pavilion but it was necesary with home losses to Northwestern and Oregon. The problem is when you bring in an entire new team every … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: That Familiar Feeling With Basketball Is Back
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USC Notes: Who Is Pro Fans? Me!
UCLA is a 6.5-7.5-point favorite tonight against USC at Pauley Pavilion. The rematch is March 7 at the Galen Center. Eric Musselman needs to win tonight for NCAA Tournament hopes but he really needs to win at least once to avoid going 0-4 against the Bruins in his first two years. If USC is going to win, everyone needs to play and the two-best players … Continue reading USC Notes: Who Is Pro Fans? Me!
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Morning Buzz: USC Won’t Follow Indiana’s Lead In One Area
Lincoln Riley just sprung on everyone last night that USC spring practice would begin next week. And of course, there will be no spring game, just like last year. So even with all the freshmen enrolled already at USC, he still won’t put together a spring game for the fans. Should I mention that Indiana had a spring game last year and is scheduled to … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Won’t Follow Indiana’s Lead In One Area
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USC Notes: A Real Crowd At Coliseum
USC baseball’s starting pitchers over the weekend: 17 innings, 5 hits allowed, 1 earned run, 28 strikeouts. Continue reading USC Notes: A Real Crowd At Coliseum
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Morning Buzz: Does USC Just Have More Money Or Better Recruiters?
When Eric Henderson went to the Washington Commanders, people lamented USC losing his recruiting prowess. When Chad Savage recently got a promotion, people said his recruiting ability was one of his biggest attributes. Hard to argue since USC just had the No. 1 recruiting class. But multiple reports say USC spent as much or more money as any team in the country on NIL with … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Does USC Just Have More Money Or Better Recruiters?
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USC Sunday Buzz: The Best Coaching Job In America
You know what the best coaching job in America is? USC men’s basketball coach. You can make $5 million a year and just about have the least pressure to win of any Power 4 job with largely apathetic fan base outside of a small following that almost never calls for a coach to be fired. This is not an indictment of Eric Musselman, by the … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: The Best Coaching Job In America
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Did USC Just Play Itself Out Of NCAA Tournament?
USC entered the day as one of the last four teams in the NCAA Tournament according to ESPN but that was before disaster struck at the Galen Center. The Trojans blew a six-point lead in the final 70 seconds and lost to lowly Oregon, 71-70. Oregon is in second-to-last place in the Big Ten with a 3-13 record. Chad Baker-Mazara returned from injury and scored … Continue reading Did USC Just Play Itself Out Of NCAA Tournament?
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USC Saturday Buzz: A Take On State Of The Program
Former USC linebacker Willie McGinest was recently on the All the Smoke podcast and this was one comment about the current state of the football program. “We haven’t done what we are supposed to do. We fell short. He has delivered a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams. But as far as the standard for the school we have underchieved and we need to get … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: A Take On State Of The Program
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
Former USC wide receiver Robert Woods retired this week. I’ve never seen a freshman receiver arrive at USC and learn the play book so quickly or run such precise routes. But it was easy to comprehend if you spoke to Woods and saw how mature he was even as a freshman. Davidson had 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks against … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Who Wants College Football Teams To Compete?
This sums up how I feel about USC fans who are happy that Notre Dame is off the schedule. A segment of fans just want easy games to make the College Football Playoff. They want a lousy game over a marquee matchup. They prop up a coach who hates to compete. The Big Ten backs it up the non-competitive attitude with a ridiculous proposal for … Continue reading Who Wants College Football Teams To Compete?
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USC Morning Buzz: Muss Bus Rollover At Galen Center
The Muss Bus rolled over between Figueroa and Flower streets last night, as Illinois routed USC, 101-65. It was the largest Big Ten road win for Illinois since 1946 when the Illini defeated the University of Chicago, 70-28. Now USC was without Chad Baker-Mazara (knee), who wasn’t even at the game. And Alijah Arenas played only 18 minutes after being bothered by illness. “I didn’t … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Muss Bus Rollover At Galen Center
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Time For A Hype Machine Favorite To Get Started
If it’s the offseason, it’s time for Joel Klatt to hype up USC. Actually, he’s equally happy to do it in the offseason and during the season. Like clockwork. So here he is doing what he does best: Continue reading Time For A Hype Machine Favorite To Get Started
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USC Morning Buzz: Arm Twisting To Go To Galen Center
USC plays Illinois tonight and thinks it found a way to entice fans to show up at the Galen Center. It will offer $8 beer, $7 wine and $5 nachos at the Galen Center Hall of Fame. The catch is these prices will only be in effect until 20 minutes before tipoff. “Do I have to stay for the game?” a USC fan asked me. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Arm Twisting To Go To Galen Center
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USC Notes: A Couple Trojan Greats In News
Pat Harlow, a great USC offensive lineman, has returned to JSerra High School as an assistant coach. He was formerly the head coach at JSerra. Here’s a 1959 interview where his love for USC was apparent. Q: What would you say is humor’s part in baseball? A: It’s half of baseball. Its entertainment and we have one of the loosest teams there is. Q: And … Continue reading USC Notes: A Couple Trojan Greats In News
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Morning Buzz: An Easy Commitment For USC
Isaia Vandermade, a Class of 2027 defensive lineman from Santa Margarita, committed to USC. It was an easy recruitment because his father is former USC player and long-time football staffer Lenny Vandermade. Continue reading Morning Buzz: An Easy Commitment For USC
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A Quick Word On The New Dedeaux Field
A quick word on the new Dedeaux Field. When USC unveiled the original Dedeaux Field in 1974, it was considered one of the best college baseball stadiums in the country. The new Dedeaux Field, which officially opened Friday night, by today’s standards is a basic ball park. Not remarkable. Not below par. Just a standard, bang-average facility with a small capacity (about 1,600 attended the … Continue reading A Quick Word On The New Dedeaux Field
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Monday Buzz: Did USC Take Advantage Of Its Receivers?
When people hyped up USC’s receivers last season or next season, it’s hard not to remember that a mere seven years ago (2019), USC had Michael Pittman, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Drake London at wide receiver. Tyler Vaughns and Velus Jones were also part of the receiving corps. Did USC take advantage of it? Well, Kedon Slovis passed for more than 3,500 yards. But the … Continue reading Monday Buzz: Did USC Take Advantage Of Its Receivers?
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USC Sunday Buzz: Lane Kiffin Shows Lincoln Riley How To Do It
Does anyone have any video of Lincoln Riley interacting with USC fans like this? Govel struck out 10 and walked one in six innings. The game went only seven innings because of the mercy rule. Andrew Lamb and Dean Carpentier homered for the Trojans, the first home runs at the Dedeaux Field. Kevin Takeuchi went 3 for 4 with four RBI. Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Lane Kiffin Shows Lincoln Riley How To Do It
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USC Saturday Buzz: Beware Football Titles
USC promoted tight ends coach Chad Savage to pass game coordinator. These extra titles happen everywhere these days to give coaches an extra title even if they don’t necessarily mean more responsibility. Does anyone think Lincoln Riley — who only really cares about his passing offense — is going to let someone else handle important facets of the passing game? Savage also coaches the “interior … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Beware Football Titles
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If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
USC plays its first game at the new Dedeaux Field tonight at 6 vs. Pepperdine. Admission to all home games this season is free. When USC won the national championship in 1962, it almost unexpectedly lost the title on Nov. 17, when 4-4 Navy came to the Coliseum, fresh off a 34-6 loss to Syracuse the week before. The Trojans were ranked No. 2 in … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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USC Sets Football Weekend Date
USC has selected its Oct. 31 game vs. Ohio State for Trojan Family Weekend. Why that weekend? Well, the game won’t be moved to a Friday night. The next question is which game will be Homecoming? The likely candidates are the Oct. 3 game vs. Washington and Nov. 21 vs. Maryland. Continue reading USC Sets Football Weekend Date
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USC Morning Buzz: Are These Numbers Befitting A Star?
I’m told at the baseball dinner last week, Andy Stankiewicz made a plea for donations to finish Dedeaux Field. The entire athletics project is still $50 million shy of its stated goal. “I kind of had to say that” Stankiewicz said. If USC wants to have a successful NCAA Tournament run, their star is going to need to shoot better. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Are These Numbers Befitting A Star?
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USC Notes: An Improvised Athletic Event
USC had its alumni baseball game last weekend. The stands at the new Dedeaux Field did not yet pass inspection, so the boosters who came for the alumni game had to sit down in the bullpen with the porta-potties away from everything. Among those who showed up to festivities the night before were Lars Nootbar, Mark McGwire and Bret Boone. Continue reading USC Notes: An Improvised Athletic Event
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Morning Buzz: Seven USC Players Make NFL Combine
Seven USC player have been invited to the NFL Combine: Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, Bishop Fitzgerald, Kamari Ramsey, Lake McRee, Eric Gentry and Anthony Lucas. “These are the type of games you want,” Riley said. “These are the type of games that we came here for. We want guys to come to USC because they want to be in these games as well.” Continue reading Morning Buzz: Seven USC Players Make NFL Combine
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USC Promotes Analyst To Coach Defensive Tackles
USC defensive analyst Skyler Jones is being promoted to defensive tackles coach. What’s funny is the people who wanted Ed Orgeron or the former Texas Tech defensive line coach will celebrate this like it was a shrewd move. What this tells me is Gary Patterson didn’t really have anyone he wanted to coach the tackles. Patterson is known for being a defensive backs guy and … Continue reading USC Promotes Analyst To Coach Defensive Tackles
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A Crazy USC Fact Of Day
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Solomon Tuliaupupu were in the same class at Mater Dei and attended USC together. St. Brown just completed his fifth season in the NFL an Tuliaupupu is about to enter his ninth season of college. If Tuliaupupu made an NFL team, he would be a rookie during St. Brown’s seventh NFL season. Continue reading A Crazy USC Fact Of Day
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USC Morning Buzz: Here’s A Turkey For The Schedule
I love how some people are suggesting USC could now play North Dakota State with the Bisons moving into the Mountain West Conference. That’s the state of the program, to find any opponent and pass it off as a good deal. Is it better than playing Notre Dame? For Lincoln Riley it is, obviously. But what about the ticket-buying fans? What about those who valued … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Here’s A Turkey For The Schedule
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Former USC Player Gets Ninth-Year Of Eligibility!
Former USC defensive end Solomon Tuliaupupu has been granted a ninth year of eligibility. This is not a misprint. A ninth year! What is his 401 (k) looking like? He was a Class of 2018 high school graduate at Mater Dei and will play next season at Montana, where he also spent last season. He had 43 tackles last season at Montana. She is in … Continue reading Former USC Player Gets Ninth-Year Of Eligibility!
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USC Morning Buzz: An Underreported Seahawks Connection
With all the ties between USC and the Seattle Seahawks, there is one that didn’t get mentioned yesterday. Former USC player/assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu was an assistant coach with the Seahawks until taking a personal leave of absence in December. Last month, it was announced he would not be returning to the team. No explanation was given for the leave of absence. He joined the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: An Underreported Seahawks Connection
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It’s A USC Super Bowl!
The USC Seahawks won in style tonight. The cherry on top was when Uchenna Nwosu scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. So here’s a story on him: When Ed Orgeron was the interim coach following the firing of Lane Kiffin, the recruiting class fell apart. Orgeron decided to offer a scholarship to Nwosu. There was resistance from Pat Haden and J.K. McKay about whether … Continue reading It’s A USC Super Bowl!
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USC Super Bowl Sunday Buzz: A Telling Story On Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold is going to wear No. 14 with the Seattle Seahawks, the number he has worn since USC. But unlike many players, Darnold did not demand to wear No. 14. When he arrived at USC, he did not make any demands for a jersey number, which is different than many recruits. Just think of all the numbers USC has worn by two players because … Continue reading USC Super Bowl Sunday Buzz: A Telling Story On Sam Darnold
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USC Saturday Buzz: Would Lincoln Riley Want A Legend?
There’s been some speculation that USC should hire Ed Orgeron as defensive line coach. This happens whenever USC has an opening for a d-line coach. I don’t see it happening because Orgeron and Lincoln Riley are like oil and water. Orgeron wants to play physical football. Does Riley? Orgeron would want demanding, physical practices? Would Riley? Also: I’m not sure Riley ever got over the … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Would Lincoln Riley Want A Legend?
If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
It’s not something that will be discussed in polite circles, but there are a couple scenarios where Gary Patterson could be leading the USC football program. Let’s say USC’s schedule is a little too difficult for Lincoln Riley, if he got fired who would be the immiediate replacement? Patterson. Or, let’s say Riley’s represenatatives reach out to schools again for open jobs. Like a Florida … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column
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Not Every School Is Dumbing Down Their Schedule
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte has spoken at length on non-conference schedules and his desire for an expanded College Football Playoff. “I prefer to preserve the regular season by playing great games and not dumbing down your schedule and playing nobody with the hopes that you can get in the playoff because you played nobody. If we can strengthen our regular season and keep … Continue reading Not Every School Is Dumbing Down Their Schedule
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USC Morning Buzz: Sprinting, Not Walking, To NFL
Would Eric Henderson have gone to the Washington Commanders if D’Anton Lynn was still the defensive coordinator? Probably. But once USC hired Gary Patterson, Henderson couldn’t get to the NFL fast enough. As a former Patterson colleague told me this week, “Gary’s the type of guy where you could be having dinner with your wife or girl friend and he’ll just walk up to you … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Sprinting, Not Walking, To NFL
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Dawg Work To D.C.
Just when you thought it was safe for USC to keep Eric Henderson, he is going to the Washington Commanders, according to CBS Sports. Henderson will be defensive line coach and run-game coordinator. Imagine being a Commanders fan and hiring a coach the Dallas Cowboys rejected. Let’s see if incoming USC defensive linemen actually care about this. The recruiting junkies will go to DEFCON 1. Continue reading Dawg Work To D.C.
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USC Names Beong-Soo Kim As President
USC’s Board of Trustees selected Beong-Soo Kim to become permanent president. He has been the interim president. The selection of Kim was fairly easy: He’s been a popular figure on campus in contrast to his two predecessors (Max Nikias, Carol Folt) and known as a people person despite inheriting some awful financial predicaments from Folt. He also received a hearty endorsement from Jen Cohen, which … Continue reading USC Names Beong-Soo Kim As President
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USC Morning Buzz: Someone Feels Sick About Season
USC’s Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet today, which means we could have a decision on the next president of the university. “I’m sick to my stomach for donors. I’m sick to my stomach for people that might be unhappy with winning nine games. And they should be unhappy.” This is supposed to be a refreshing comment. But does it address why he is … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Someone Feels Sick About Season
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USC Notes: Lincoln Riley Says Future Is Now; What’s New?
Lincoln Riley reiterated Monday that expectations are high every year at USC. “There’s pressure to win championships here every single year,” Riley said. “You’re in a blue blood program. Even the first year when we didn’t do it, even though we came back and won a bunch more games than they did and probably surpassed a lot of people’s expectations, like, that’s just — you … Continue reading USC Notes: Lincoln Riley Says Future Is Now; What’s New?
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USC Morning Buzz: An Irony In Dallas
So Dawg Work did not get the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line job. Was it a surprise? Only to USC fans. The irony here is that the Cowboys hired Marcus Dixon, who in 2021 was the assistant defensive line coach with the Rams working under . . . Eric Henderson. The Cowboys brought both to Dallas for interviews and went with Dixon. Hmmm. It’s got to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: An Irony In Dallas
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USC Notes: Two Recruits Make McDonald’s Game
Still haven’t heard any word as of now whether the Dallas Cowboys are hiring Dawg Work aka Eric Henderson. Don’t ask Gary Patterson. He’s busy watching film. Continue reading USC Notes: Two Recruits Make McDonald’s Game
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USC Morning Buzz: A One-Year Job On Football Staff?
I’ve heard Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer advised a coach against taking the USC defensive coordinator position. His reasoning? That it might be a one-year job if Lincoln Riley does not make the College Football Playoff. During the 1958 football season, Buford led the Trojans in rushing (306 yards), interceptions, and punt returns. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A One-Year Job On Football Staff?
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Sunday Buzz: One USC Team Not Ducking Competition
USC is one of eight colleges invited to the Fiesta Bowl flag football tournament April 18-19 at Arizona State. Georgia, Florida and Arizona State are among the other teams in the tournament. USC has just started a flag football club team. Some would argue Lincoln Riley’s defenses play flag football the past four seasons. If this is true, Musselman needs to evaluate what he is … Continue reading Sunday Buzz: One USC Team Not Ducking Competition
InsideUSC with Scott Wolf 