USC coach Clay Helton said after Saturday’s practice the defense is “way ahead of schedule.”

“When you see those guys and you can probably here them from over here in 7-on-7, anytime we motion, anytime we shift, they’re calling out formations, they’re calling out motions, they’re calling out adjustments and to see that as a Head Coach, it makes you happy,” Helton said.

So that’s a plus for the defense. But remember at last year’s spring practices, Helton said the defensive front seven was “violent.”

Do you recall them being violent last season? Were they violent against Washington State? Utah? Notre Dame? UCLA? Ohio State? I could mention more games.

Remember UCLA’s run-offense was one of the worst in the nation and had one of its best games. And some of you will say the defense did a great job against Ohio State, but the Buckeyes simply wanted to run out the clock in the second half after building a big lead.

The point is, never get too caught in spring analysis. It has a way of not panning out in the fall.