One play I highlighted from the scrimmage was when JT Daniels got sacked by a defensive player Saturday and then was credited with a TD pass. The referee walked directly to Clay Helton and signalled it was a sack but Helton waved him off and counted the touchdown. Harmless, you say? But what message does it send to the defense, which made the play and … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Do Defensive Players Matter?

For some reason, Clay Helton and Graham Harrell needed to look at the scrimmage video today before making any decisions on the quarterback derby, including cutting down reps to just two QB’s. Everyone thinks JT Daniels will be named the starter. The interesting thing is Tuesday is when Helton starts barring the media from practices. So there won’t be any independent confirmation of what he … Continue reading Clay Helton Doesn’t Want You To Know Anything

Jim Hardy, the MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl, died on Friday. He was 96. Hardy led USC to two Rose Bowl victories, played with the Rams and later became general manager of the Coliseum. But maybe the most amazing part is that even in his 90’s he would drive two hours from La Quinta to USC once a week to watch practice and he … Continue reading USC Legend Jim Hardy Dies At 96

What does it say when you are in your fourth full season as head coach and you are not in the AP Preseason Top 25 poll? The preseasons polls can obviously be wrong. USC was ranked No. 1 in 2012, after all. But it at least tells you something about where a program if it cannot be listed among the top 25 teams. Especially when … Continue reading Afternoon Notes: Which Direction Is USC Going?

USC received one vote in the preseason AP Top 25 poll, which meant it tied Arizona for 45th. It is the first time the Trojans were not ranked in the AP preseason poll since 2001. Fresno State got 8 votes and is a double-digit underdog to USC. UPDATED: This is the first time neither USC nor UCLA is in the poll since 1964. What a … Continue reading USC Not Ranked In AP Preseason Poll For First Time Since 2001

I heard again at Saturday’s scrimmage that Clay Helton would like to make freshman Kedon Slovis the backup QB. But actually doing it is another matter. If JT Daniels gets hurt, would Helton have the guts to insert a freshman over two quarterbacks who have actual game experience? Here is what an assistant coach told me the depth chart would be if the season started … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What Would QB Depth Be Today?