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USC Morning Buzz: What A Pac-12 Product

Did we all just watch a game with 27 penalties?

It really reminded more of last year’s victory over Washington State, when JT Daniels was throwing jump balls to wide receivers against the Cougars’ hapless cornerbacks.

Utah’s frailties were on full display. Bad secondary. No defensive adjustments. Bad offensive line. Insistence on running the ball up the middle despite little success.

USC won despite showing the same sideways tendencies. How outrageous is it that USC is putting the game away in the Victory Formation and requires Matt Fink to make a great one-handed catch of the snap.

One reader told me: “Don’t expect quarterbacks to line up under center at the end because they don’t practice it.” Then practice it!

It’s happened twice in four games.

Clay Helton waits until the fourth quarter to play Markese Stepp? Really? Is this season about winning or not?

USC victories under Helton are always more about individuals than any type of adherence to philosphy. Was that the Air Raid? There wasn’t much tempo for most of the game.

111 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: What A Pac-12 Product”

  1. The victory format needs formatting lol…please, maybe just do as Scott asks on this one…it looks kinda ridiculous lol…but, thanks for the win! This season is a gut check every week…….we got some horses 🐴!

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    1. Hey Griff! Hope you’re ok! I’m a big fan of you and Mr. Steele! Thanks to the safeties! Thank you, big men! Thank you, thank you, thank you! ✌️

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  2. MATT had basically zero practice reps after being in hellton prison…and Jack none…imagine if Matt had at least 2nd string reps …like slovis did behind helltons other love child…glad Matt was able to prove they were DEAD WRONG about him…they won’t admit it ,just like with stepp…

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    2. So Tim, you saw a guy who has been in college for what…3 or 4 years? When you saw Fink play last night, did you see a guy with NFL talent? It’s just a question and you don’t have to get all excited or flustered or whatever it is you do.

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    4. Tim, why didn’t all the coaches you really respect offer Fink when he was in high school? Were they all just wrong? Why was he USC’s 5th choice out of HS? Urban Meyer could’ve offered Fink out of HS, why do you think he didn’t?

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  3. It appears that the further the team goes into the Helton QB depth chart, we see more talented QBs…but this has been happening since Gomer got to SC, beginning with the Max Browne/Sam Darnold display of incompetence by Helton.

    Last night looked like the players persevered based on pure talent, overcoming coaching that is inept, has no intensity, no discipline, no creativity,…IT IS EMBARRASSING.

    FIRE HELTON!!!!!

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  4. Remind me once again, why was Matt Fink was buried on the bench ? USC should thank the cornerback who was covering Michael Pittman, because if he had any kind of talent, the Trojans would’ve lost . Overall, Utah is overrated, they’re big and tough, but have nothing else.

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    1. You asked to be reminded again so I’m just reminding you: you have no earthly idea what you’re looking at. BTW, you called me a “Fuck Boy” on the other thread and I’m sure I should be insulted, but what exactly is that??

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      1. Clay — The people who are in pain —and I mean P-A-I-N—-over this win are telling us a lot today. We’ve both been critical of Helton when he blows a game —but to go absolutely ballistic when he WINS a game [that they ALL said we’d get crushed in]?!
        #…That’sAWholeNewThing

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      2. MG, they’ve gone too far to turn back now. If they agree with anything you’re saying, they have years worth of crow to be eating. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

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  5. Kudos to Fink, he came through for USC last night.

    The DL played very well, the OL was crap in the running game.

    Why was Stepp basically benched until the 4th quarter ?

    Why not do, say, 10 snaps in practice under center at the end of practice ?

    Once again Wittingham proved he puckers up when it counts, he may pucker worse than Gomer.

    What I saw was 2 teams that are average, zero self control on the field, it was just an ugly sloppy game

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    1. I saw a Pac 12 crew that characteristically called a bad game. They never miss an opportunity to do that. There were a lot of BS calls on both sides because they were trying to keep control of a very physical game that was getting really chippy. Guys were out there woofin’ and both teams were trying to back it up, but only one team could. That was a beautiful game last night and you shouldn’t blame the refs’ bad performance on those two teams. You guys finally get a tough, smashmouth performance out of USC and you didn’t like it. I think you just won’t be pleased until Helton is gone no matter what the team does and you’ll continue throwing BS out there whenever something good happens.

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  6. Hey Scott, nice “related” stories above!!! All contain some good reads….lol…atta boy! You’re putting it all together! Piece by piece…

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      2. Shut up, Judas! You’re a weak cowardly man…who’d rather pick Utah than USC, then come here and act up lol!

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      4. Says HERE! BUDAPEST PICKED: UTAH 38 USC 23….,.,right here on pick the score! AND, JAMES VOTED FOR THE TRAITOR! Good grief, lol!….on your knees BUDAPEST AND BEG FORGIVENESS!

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      5. And, James, you need to pick better friends….I don’t have much patience for the dumb club, sorry…

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  7. SC the last several yrs has been led by a guy who thinks ‘love’ is a 4 letter word to be thrown around . Love is ‘action’ love is ‘walking the talk’ …talk is cheap unless backed up by the walk…love is keeping your word your promises your commitments…it isn’t just a four letter word thrown around by someone who uses it to cover his ineptness.

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  8. That is why Helton needs to go. He is a [poor appraiser of how to use his best player. Stephan Carr is only effective when the others runners have softened the other team.
    A head coach has to know his talent and use it wisely. Every win is an accident under Helton.

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      1. That’s true a lot of times —but not last night, karma.
        #BeatingRankedPac12SouthChampDoesn’tFeelLikeLoss…
        #FeelsMoreLikeWin
        #EnjoyIt

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      2. If you think this team is good then that’s your prerogative, and if you think last night’s win was great, good for you. I saw the same thing I see damn near every week with this team and coaching staff, it’s just some weeks the other teams are coached worse or have less talent. Heaving and hoping into double coverage, not playing your best back until the 4th quarter and then only using him on 3 carries & numerous stupid penalties isn’t a great win for me.

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      4. There’s no way I see that win last night as a loss. USC just took control of the Southern Division and a loss would’ve given that control to Utah, probably for keeps. That was the biggest win that team has had in years and if it feels like a loss to you…IDK…seems like a loser’s mentality to me.

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      5. Heaving and hoping? Shows you just don’t understand what you are looking at. It is football 101. When they played man with single high safety, we run two verticals. When the played cover 2, we ran 3 verticals. A few balls were under thrown which made it look closer than need be, but it was a clear game plan. We should have done the same last week.

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      6. Clay — Yeah, it’s hard to see where some folks (who predicted a loss) are coming from today. [While at USC I was in a class with a supposedly very bright student who, over the course of the semester, called Alexander the Great “a loser epileptic”, Moses “a traitor to his people”, and King Hammurabi “an insane tyrant”]……
        #…IGuessItMadeHimFeelBetterAboutHisLife

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    3. What Helton did last night has to be shown appreciation. Not just by Reggie and Urban —but by the people on this site. And he did it without Sam or Adoree. And without two of his current best players —Slovis and Rector.
      He has a very hard road ahead —but this talented team believes in him. And that means a lot. I think we might just have to recognize that —for last night at least —we weren’t smarter than Helton. Helton was smarter than us.
      P.S.
      Good to see you back, Pudly. As “M” asked James Bond at the end of Skyfall –“Are you ready to get back to work?”

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      1. OMFG, I just threw up all over my keyboard, do you write for Hallmark with that syrupy shit ? And do you really believe this team believes in Gomer ? Hit the Maui Wowie early today or did you have a stroke ?

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      2. What were you watching? They won the game but looked horrible. Do you like throwing balls up for grabs? They got away with it last night but it will catch up with them.

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      3. You’re another idiot TRAITOR LOW LIFE! SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE AND LEAVE PUDLY ALONE, PJM? You’re another UTAH fan lol…you’re few degees from ole SC are embarrassing!

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      2. I know… You lose your starter in the first half of the first game, you overcome 3 freshman mistakes to take a decent team to overtime, you then lose your 2nd string QB in the first qtr of the biggest game of the year and you beat the #10 team in the country with a guy who was really the 4th best QB on your roster when the year started. Somebody has to be doing SOMETHING right for that to happen.

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      3. I do believe that the utes had the fourth best ranked defensive line in the country coming into the game and our offensive line managed to keep them out of our pocket most of the night.
        Good win vs a solid team. Good enough..

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      5. That was the question I asked after stanfurd. Earlier this season kal beat the huskies in Seattle, it was petersen’s second home loss to a pac12 team…only other team to beat him was when Helton took them three yrs ago. Defense they say travels, hope they’re right.

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      6. Yeah, the Huskies looked pretty good today against BYU and there’s no time to rest on laurels. Love the thought about defense traveling and hope to see it next week. I’m glad the team has an extra day of rest after last night.

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      9. Pudly —Phil Steele had Utah’s defense ranked top 5 in the country. USC kicked their ass after a devastating setback on the 2nd play. To pretend that isn’t an achievement is silly in the extreme…..

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      1. Leave Pudly alone….you don’t have that kinda juice…..stop making disrespectful comments about his family etc etc etc,…it’s over…let it go….

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    7. Pudly-
      Whatever, you can be a myopic cheerleader if that’s your thing. But this is not a case of SC being a great team and you telling us so. The jump ball offense is living on borrowed time. Now take off that ice cream man costume and go report to your probation officer.

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    8. Pudly –

      You’re a Helton sycophant cheerleader. By all means, have at it. But USC is not in control of the south, Arizona State is.

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      2. But, I’m a huge Jayden Daniels fan…begged people here to drop what they were doing, watch and recruit the young man….this is one qb that got away…..San Bernardino Cajon….

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    9. and no one ever thought we might get a q/b that can run,pass and pass on the run either…kinda’ like Sam did to offset a weak ‘O’ line…when a 340 lb tackle is coming you get out of the way ‘jt’ can’t and I guess slovis can’t or gets deer in the headlight syndrome …but Matt and Jack can scramble and could have last yr but the asshole in chrg had his love child…

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      1. Again, not only do you show your lack of football knowledge…I’m not sure you watched the play where Slovis was hit because he didn’t just have a “deer in the headlights” look, he stood in there and took the hit while delivering a perfect pass. You’re a dope, check the bama and lsu stats for yesterday’s games, they BOTH set passing records running spread offenses but you continue to act like it’s 1963…if saban and coach O can see the future maybe you should take another look…or a nap.

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  10. I know I sound like a broken record about Stepp, but:

    Stepp had 3 carries yesterday. One was for a TD. The other two were for first downs on third down conversions.

    He carries people with him. It is easy to see his acceleration past the LOS. He is too valuable to leave sitting on the bench.

    Meanwhile, Carr had 6 carries for -16 yards, and lost a fumble.

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    1. Stepp hasn’t put in his time
      Stepp has to wait for his time
      Stepp is still learning the offense
      Stepp’s time will come

      Just use one of these typically lame Gomer excuses as to why SC’s best back doesn’t play and don’t forget that Gomer ” Love’s Stepp, he’s just a great kid and blaaaaaaaaaaaaah blaaaaaaaaaaaaah blaaaaaaaaaaaah “

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      1. I have gotta say this once somewhere. Stepp didn’t commit an excessive celebration penalty last night. He never left the end zone. Everyone has been saying the refs sucked. I believe they were under orders to keep the game close. They called things against USC that were duplicated by Utah but not called. They were setting up a chance for Utah to catch up by calling unsportsmanlike conduct. They even aided Utah with long spots and extra time on the clock. The PAC 12 officiating is as bad as pop Warner where the dad’s call the game.

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      1. Michael, Carr seems so tentative running the ball in the last two games. He is very elusive and quick, but he it seems so obvious that he is the wrong back for this offense and this o-line, which struggles to open holes.

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      2. 67 –Carr can’t stay in the lineup just because he’s worked hard at rehab and in practice. Because our o-line can’t run block Stepp needs to get us those 3rd and 4’s.

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    3. I think he doesn’t play because of what the commentators were saying: he has fumbled, he doesn’t block well and my guess is he doesn’t catch well either. You gotta be able to do more than just run in this offense and his time will come when he does the work to get to where he needs to be.

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      1. I know that MUST be the thinking, Clay. And Helton and Graham see him run at all those closed practices —so there must be something to what you’re saying. It’s just that his competition for playing time is not God —-It’s Carr. All I’m saying here is we may have reached the point where it’s really worth weighing whether Stepp’s limited capacity as a multi-purpose back PLUS his superior average gain —- gives us a better chance to rack up 1st downs than Carr’s experience, greater skill set and meager yards per carry……

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      2. I can’t really argue with any of that, MG. However, the little things matter and he has to make them his. I’d like to see him get more carries as well. With that said, I agree that Carr is leaving a lot to be desired when taking a handoff, but he’s great catching the ball out of the backfield. We used to have a saying, “no hands, no future” and Stepp needs to make that a part of his game. The way the RB is played has changed and guys who still adhere to the “3 yards and a cloud of dust” mentality are living in the past.

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    4. 67, we go back and forth on Carr and Stepp. I really like Stepp and believe he is tailor made for this offense. However, Carr’s stats are misleading and he is #3 in the nation in breaking/avoiding tackles. That one run he had where he refused to go down is what he is capable of. Honestly, the running schemes don’t seem suited for a player of his talents.

      #Icheerforallbackstodowell,amigo

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  11. I don’t know why I keep hearing that this was an ugly game. It was a great college game. Very entertaining game. Lots of great plays on both sides. What college football game doesn’t have sloppy or bad plays? They all do! That’s what makes college football so great! USC played hard from start to finish. They played physical! The defense was on the field most of the game, but they made the plays when they needed to make them and that is why they won the game. It was a great game to watch from start to finish!

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    1. Really ? Watch a game that one of the military academies play and tell me you see sloppy undisciplined football. And no way Bama, Clemson, OSU or any other well coached college team plays like SC did last night

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      1. Who wants to watch the military academies play? For all their discipline and what not, they will probably lose. That’s why they don’t really schedule any of the other teams you listed or USC.

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      2. ya’but…those teams are not typical of college ball, only when they play each other do you see it…the pressure of competition brings it out…why practice needs to the same ,intense and fast and hard hitting, like a game vs those teams you mention…

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  12. Just shut up Scott. That was a great team win that, while the stats say we probably shouldnt have gotten, they did. Players stepped up on both offense and defense to make plays. Give Helton some credit for recruiting these guys, rather than criticizing him for when his playmakers do what they are supposed to.

    The schtick is tiring. When USC wins it is “oh the opponent played terrible and gave away the game”. When usc loses its “fire all the coaches for everything”.

    I feel even if USC wins a game 50-0 you would criticize it. In fact, I’d love to go back and see your thoughts on that memorable win over UCLA years back and see what you wrote. I’m sure it wasnt complimentary.

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  13. No, SW, no.

    Utah’s DBs looked bad because Trojan WR made’em look that way. They are highly regarded and experienced and were also in position to make plays. However, Michael Pittman MADE PLAYS..

    The Utes also were changing it up on D on almost every down.

    Stepp is a power back, but this team can’t afford turnovers and in this regard, he is a liability.

    As far as Utah running it up the middle, it is a good game plan to wear out the defense. Whittingham and staff not only underestimated Tufele and Tuiopolotu’s ability to control the LOS, but also players like Tremblay and Figueroa rotating in and doing a good job. The Utes ran the ball, just look at the stats, but their loudmouth Moss couldn’t back up his words and left dinged up.

    Awesome Victory. Keep on nitpicking, Whiny SW.

    #Threeandonefeelsprettygoodrightnow

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    1. Arturo —Scott and karma and fanny boy are doing what they do best —-keeping the conversation lively. There is NO other explanation for their “reviews” of the game.
      [They are right about ONE thing, though —- we need more than the long ball to Pittman if we’re gonna get as far as we want to this year. I think with Slovis back soon —hopefully —- we’ll be able to diversify a bit more]…
      #…ButThenWe’reGonnaMissFink’sEnergy&Leadership….

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      1. MG
        Know you are excited and you are an optimist…but last night was exactly what you should fear the most…I’m breaking to just monitor here for a couple of weeks…we’ll see if what they did last night works in the next two games…refuse to not stay cordial with those i disagree with…but hope those of you on that side of the ledger at least picked up on Helton’s invocation, not once, but multiple times in the same stream of conscience, about how special this team is and how special they’re going to be at the end of the year…

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      2. James — I DO fear an offense that relies on jump balls to Pittman. Especially now —after everybody saw what happened to Utah. I’m hoping we don’t stick with Fink for that reason (although you really have to love that young man —he played to the top of his ability and won a game that could have turned into a disaster). Hopefully Slovis is ready to go next week —he has an extra day to heal up or get past concussion protocol, whichever it is.
        I like it when everybody gets engaged on this site —but the over the top name calling is what we always see when the Helton/USC critics don’t get the result they yearn for & have nothing else to throw at us. I’d respect them more if they could just say “tip of the hat” once in a while. But I guess that’s never going to happen.
        I sure hope you’ll reconsider staying out of the conversation. This site needs every voice of reason it can get.

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    2. Arturo, nice post. One note about Stepp. Granted he did put the ball on the ground the previous week. But we have seen so little of him it is hard to know if he is more prone to fumbling than VM or Carr, who fumbled yesterday.

      He doesn’t have the usual tell-tale signs of a fumbler – carrying the ball outside his body, shifting the ball between hands. He did have three hard runs yesterday and he made the most of them, with one TD and two third-down conversions, and on each one of those, he carried guys with him who were trying to strip the ball.

      The problem with using him a handful of times per game is that we will be telegraphing the play to the opposing team.

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      1. 67 — Agreed. [And I think it’s true that we’re telegraphing every time Stepp comes in —but I also think it’s okay to telegraph what we’re doing with him].
        #WhetherTheyKnowOrNot,It’sHardToStopSteppShortOf4yardsPerCarry
        #SoLet’sDoIt15-20TimesAGame…..
        #InFact,Let’sUseSteppAsMuchAsCarrollUsedLynchInSeattle

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      2. 67,
        Stepp is a Beast. Right now, Carr hasn’t been Ferrari that he can be, but I do think that he will break out against someone like the AZ schools or CO. I hope he, and Carr and Vavae, break out against the Domers and Udub.

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      3. Arturo, well said. I do think there are 3 high quality running backs and I could see them all doing well, depending on the opponent. My sense is that what is happening now is that the o-line is not opening holes, Carr sees there is no hole, and pauses, looking for an alternative. By that time the defenders are on top of him.

        So it all comes down to the o-line. They really need to get better. I liked what Jalen McKenzie was doing last night, but the other guys on the line didn’t deliver as well.

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  14. In a world where everybody goes different places, this one stayed for his family,” Helton said. “Waiting for his moment, waiting for his memory, and what a memory it was tonight. He’s one of the more special people I’ve ever been around. When his number was called, he made the most of it tonight.”

    Our boy Clay has still got it!

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  15. Great win – Helton is a nice guy but he has been using USC as his ‘training school’ to learn how to be a full-time coach. His first 2 years were all his relatives and close friends he hand picked. Then he lucked out wiith Darnold for the next 2 years. 2018 was all his esp. tabbing that goof Tee Martin as his OC – so bad Helton shelved him and took over offensive plays himself. Martin now is doing the same to the TN Volunteers. Fprced to hire decent assistants – 1st Kingsbury who booked to the AZ Cardinals and then Harrell from No. TX….good picks both and the latter has panned out.

    Helton has no clue on how to ‘select’ starters esp. ‘qb’ …. had Daniels not gotten injured this team would be 1 – 3.

    This is all great but as another posted if all assume victories will be forthcoming by airing the ball out and compliment that with 16 total yds. rushing good luck. Watch Helton put Slovis back in rather than give it to Fink who Urban Meyer bluntly stated – post-game – deserves it the rest of the year.

    Nothing changes until Helton is gone.

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    1. Alv — Helton has a tough choice to make. Slovis can make throws that Fink can’t. He’s just a better thrower than Fink. But the players love Fink’s leadership and ‘want to.’ Everybody played inspired football when he got into the game. You can’t buy that kind of enthusiasm at Macy’s.

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      3. I get what you’re saying Mike – you know I don’t think anyone felt that way towards Daniels….better get some kind of running game – won’t matter who starts.

        Screw Helton – he makes $3-4 million a year – the sole ‘tough choice’ is whose parents get ticked off. Meyer was pretty pointed about Fink being named the starter.

        Nothing changes until Helton is gone

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      4. Yeah —I heard that, too. I’m surprised Urban would go out on a limb like that, Alv. I wonder a little about Urban’s credibility on this one —-since he went ape-shit over Slovis after the Stanford game…
        #IsUrbanPlayingADoubleGame..?

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      8. Arturo —We Maui Folks are more of a popsicle than Kool Aid culture —here is our breakdown of island flavors —Green = Lime,
        Red= Cherry, Purple = Grape …..and Yellow = Banana (or UCLA).
        #KidsHereDon’tBuyYellowPopsickles…
        #They’reAfraid

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  17. If it’s Saturday, it’s time for another cautionary tale from Pudly…

    Helton: “l think I’ll continue to bury Stepp on the bench.”

    Pudly: “You’re right, Clay.”

    Helton: “Pudly, I need you to keep up the propoganda.”

    Pudly: “You’re right, Clay.”

    Helton: “Pudly, you look good tonight, come over here.”

    Pudly: “Clay, I’m really a man.”

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  18. Mike – that’s what he (Myer) said on the post-game wrap up last night…the panel was long getting back to him with Quinn and Bush doing a lot of talking when it swung back to him – out it came.

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  19. Our center is pretty good. But he needs to put on some weight. He doesn’t handle big 325 pound nose guards very well. Tonga, from BYU, dominated him.

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