FOOTBALL

Morning Buzz: USC Back Into Top 25

USC is ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 after its victory over Utah.

How about Cal? The Golden Bears are ranked No. 15. Oregon is No. 13. Washington is No. 17. Utah is No. 19.

USC is ranked No. 25 in the Coaches’ poll. The Trojans had 130 points while No. 26 Memphis had 109.

AP poll below:

1Clemson (4-0)1ACC1,543
2Alabama (4-0)2SEC1,485
3Georgia (4-0)3SEC1,400
4LSU (4-0)4SEC1,344
5Ohio State (4-0)6Big Ten1,288
6Oklahoma (3-0)5Big 121,283
7Auburn (4-0)8SEC1,169
8Wisconsin (3-0)13Big Ten1,071
9Florida (4-0)9SEC1,022
10Notre Dame (2-1)7IA Independents989
11Texas (3-1)12Big 12968
12Penn State (3-0)13Big Ten848
13Oregon (3-1)16Pac-12839
14Iowa (3-0)18Big Ten714
15California (4-0)23Pac-12547
16Boise State (4-0)20Mountain West524
17Washington (3-1)22Pac-12498
18Virginia (4-0)21ACC430
19Utah (3-1)10Pac-12426
20Michigan (2-1)11Big Ten287
21USC (3-1)Pac-12257
22UCF (3-1)15American Athletic252
23Texas A&M (2-2)17SEC233
24Kansas State (3-0)Big 12230
25Michigan State (3-1)Big Ten104

Others receiving votes:Wake Forest 73, Oklahoma State 57, Southern Methodist 55, Army 46, Memphis 42, Iowa State 31, Appalachian State 24, Washington State 21, Missouri 14, Mississippi State 14, Pittsburgh 6, Arizona State 5, Minnesota 5, Colorado 5, Tulane 1

64 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: USC Back Into Top 25”

  2. Liked by 2 people

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      2. Nah, he should come to sc and have all these guys hiding behind fake identities call him names and other such things as to enrich his college experience.

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  3. Whatever happened to the knucklehead who said that asu had the lead in the race to the pac12 championship?? What a dumbass. There’s only 1 team with 2 pac12 wins and they don’t reside in the desert.
    Another puts troll who pretends to be a Trojan…

    Hey 1-fer, what is it we call people who wished they had attended their favorite school??? Oh yeah!!

    stupid wannabe trolls

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    2. Says the person who went MIA for a week after a physical manhandling at the hands of BYU (and another at the hands of Utah, redeemed only by playing 50/50 jump ball and counting on the other teams failures)…who will go MIA again for two weeks after similar physical beatdowns in Seattle and South Bend…but who will then return if Clay wins any other insignificant games to compete for the coveted Pac 12 South…title? belt? whatever?…as his team becomes “special” again in November…who still has a losing record over the past 17 games and in games quarterbacked by anyone other than Sam Darnold…

      You also trotted out your ridiculous Helton spread…air raid…run and shoot…what is it now?…throw and pray offense and tried again to unsuccesfully conflate that with programs/coaches that are successful…Helton has still lost 9 of the last 17…Saban hasn’t lost 9 games at Bama going back how many years? Swinney at Clemson the same…and now Coach O at LSU over the past two plus years…

      Since you seem to only want to revel in the moment when you’re not hiding from the reality of what an embarrassing failure Helton is, let’s examine some rushing stats from this week:

      Facts:

      Alabma: 35-176
      Clemson: 39-235
      Ohio State: 42-227
      LSU: 36-181

      USC: 22-13

      The passing success of these programs isn’t a repudiation of the importance of running and physical play, it’s merely a reflection that they are properly coached to punish teams that overload the box to stop the run, which defenses have to do against them, and they’re capable of adjusting…like any good team, they can beat you however you want to play it…

      USC under Helton? Negative yardage until the final drive? Can’t execute a simple direct snap? Won’t let the effective runner carry the ball?

      And you were dead wrong about Slovis getting injured – he did get hurt because he simply runs the plays robotically and doesn’t see the 330 DT who got to him in 2 seconds…second play of the game…starter out for the season already…best QB for the system already bailed…

      You were damn lucky that Fink came back from the portal, or otherwise your genius of a head coach would have been trotting the equivalent of Adam Sandler in Waterboy out there…

      See you in three weeks…Troll (anyone who supports Helton and what he has done…or Sark…or Swann…or Haden…is the real Troll).

      PS…Arizona State lost on the last play by 3 to a team that has the best wide receiver in the conference…and after trailing by 14…we’ll see how much infantile gloating you engage in after the trip to Tempe…to play a team that beat you last year in the Coliseum.

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      1. Oops, hit a nerve every time they win huh? You keep worrying about the help. I’ll just enjoy the team. And you’re still a knucklehead if you believe one receiver is reason enough to lose to the buffs, can only imagine what the “party line” would be if that was the Trojans losing to them. Must’ve been a real moral victory for them devils…And you’re clearly wrong that Slovis never saw him coming and he made a lucky play. Come up with new material and maybe I’d stick around. Bawaaaa! They won, bawaaaa..!

        I’ll enjoy my Trojans and let the smart guys like you worry about the rest.. hahahahaha

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      2. Stats, shmats, SC won with heart, timely defense, and an opportunistic offense. Like Lou Holtz used to say, “You don’t have to be the best team in the country every game, you just have to be the best team in the stadium that day.” The little gremlin knew his stuff.

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      3. BTW I am on the record as one who does not support the HC at the University of Southern California, however, 3 and 1 looks pretty good right now. He might be the bath water, but the baby is doing pretty well and that is all I care about.

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      6. I’m sorry that a good win and a fan enjoying it is so maddening to you. Look, there is good and bad about this team just like any other, we all see the same thing and form our own opinions. Some of us see more positive, some of us see more negative and that’s just how opinions work. However, as you’re rooting for Washington and Notre Dame in the weeks to come, understand that when USC wins it becomes less about an opinion and more about a choice. Your choice has already been made and that choice is clear. I think I saw you mention that you would be taking a couple of weeks off yesterday and I can’t help but wonder if what you saw Friday night has you planning your own little escape. I’d tell you to enjoy your time away, but I don’t see it happening.

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      8. Since you have been defended by some as being attacked (despite your repeated insistence on using the same sort of banal tactics), yet want to insist on using derogatory terms such as “knuclehead”…and btw, sensitive? hardly – I, unlike you, don’t disappear when the weekly results don’t support my views…I will address you as “Hugly” (Hugs+Pudly), a rather appropriate conflation (since you also repeatedly engage in that horrid intellectual practice)…

        Hugly – facts can’t be avoided – Helton is still south of .500 in his past 17 outings…and well south of .500 in games not started by Sam Darnold going back to the start of the 2016 season (you recall, the one inaugurated with that coaching masterpiece in Dallas…oh, to avoid confusion, not the following season ended with another coaching masterpiece in Dallas)….

        So, until we see you again in three weeks…or longer…I will leave you with this: at least an ostrich only buries its head in the sand…when trying to comprehend why the air you are breathing is so foul, ponder that…

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      10. You keep talking about the help. Show me where I defended Clay? You can’t do it. Because I don’t do it. I do correct facts when their misstated as people do mine. But your a knucklehead, so there!

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    4. You’re right, Pudly. Nobody whom actually went to SC would actually dare criticize Helton or the program. FYI, according to the Center for Disease Control, habitual sodomy reduces a persons’ life span by an average of 20 years. Who’s the dumbass now?

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      1. PJM-

        I actually hate getting into it like this – much preferred enjoying from the sideline (and largely sticking to enjoying sports “by way of” with MG and many of the others, who I think are fantastic)…at a certain point, and of course when singled out as a knucklehead (fact of the matter is, if he knew me, I wouldn’t have a problem with that characterization, because he wouldn’t be alone in holding it), that one individual’s blind following sycophancy (which is essentially what you or Buddha called it as I recall – propaganda) become too much and makes this like the “MSM” equivalent sites..

        I just can’t fathom how anyone would even begin to defend this…I mean some critical historians have propounded substantial evidence that the captain of the Lusitania was not responsible for that disaster…but this is the Titanic, where it is incompetence and negligence and there are no excuses for it…

        It even takes the fun out of following NFL games, unless partaking in a game of “Where’s Cla(nc)y?” Is he in Phoenix? Christian McCaffrey is having a picnic today, so maybe…Is he in Pittsburgh (Smith-Schuster was at 2 catches for 5 yards…but that just went out the window with a 76 yard touchdown catch – score one for the opposition!)? Is he in Tampa (Ronald Jones averaging 6 yards a pop but only 6 touches)? Was he in Boston (Sam Darnold not playing – yeah, I know, but to the point)?

        If only he wasn’t going to be in Seattle next Saturday…

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      2. James –
        Admittedly, my posts can be harsh and crude. But like you, I’m incredulous.

        Let’s recap…

        According to Pudly, an individual is a troll, dolt, knucklehead or bruin if they demand a certain level of competency from a head coach making four million dollars a year with a fifteen million dollar buyout. The truth is Helton is at best, a Conference USA assistant coach. He got a shot at his dream job and has failed, miserably. The longer his tenure lasts, the longer it will take to rebuild SC to a national power. Assuming that’s what we all want? Seems to me Pudly is happy running the Western Kentucky offense in pursuit of mythological PAC-12 south titles (wich do not exist). Lastly, the air raid system was designed for teams that did not have the size, strength or talent to compete. SC should have never stopped running the pro style offense. I’ve never understood the “everyone else is running it” logic.

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      3. Agree 100%. On all counts. We’re talking about USC, not some lesser program.

        It’s been like an exercise in trying to be the “Cygnus” character in Rush’s Hemispheres (sorry for aged reference – but still a good one I think) for me on the site – I agree with you and Buddha, and largely think you agree with a group of folks like MG and ’67 (and some of the fun fellow travelers there like Owns and Cal) on most matters…

        So I have always tried to stick to the analysis/criticism of the coach/staff/program…and as most of us I think would agree, no productive point is served in trying to justify (apologize) for the sad state of affairs…so just can’t fathom why someone would defend it…the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

        Absolutely agree that the current players deserve better, and deserve our support, and I wish them the best (so while I am aggravated when largely all but pure luck bails out Helton at any time, since that’s what allows his type to survive, I am willing to be complimentary to the players who overcome the coaching staff and do great things)…

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      4. James —I, too, don’t get the name calling. Well, mostly I don’t get it. Some folks write such ridiculous bullshit, they seem to be begging for it —- but you are CLEARLY not among them. I know there’s no use trying to ask everybody to respect each other on this site —- but it would be a step in the right direction if we responded to smart posts with similarly smart posts (not cheap shots or easy gay jokes or epithets —I mean, wtf?)…….
        Hope you remain part of the dialog —it would be a shame to lose somebody with your smarts from the conversation…..

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      5. MG
        You know I’m with you…and I don’t intend to change or withdraw (I may not have the most to offer, but I enjoy the interplay with all of you way too much to voluntarily forego it)…you’re right of course…hopefully today I have vented without going to far…and we’ll move on from the moment…and get back to seeing what’s next?! Happy sunsets out in paradise my friend, and thank you…

        Liked by 1 person

      6. James —
        Final thought on this subject. I can NOT remember any of the attorneys I tried cases against ever resorting to calling me a name—whether in open court or in chambers. And I never did it to them either. It just wasn’t done. We were paid to disagree with each other (which is why I always thought it was funny when reporters would ask us about the case —I’d say prosecution had a strong case, defense would say prosecution had a weak case —what a surprise!), but we weren’t paid to insult each other …and we didn’t.
        #BetterWayToGo

        Liked by 1 person

  4. CAL #15. Now that’s funny. Not ha-ha funny. The son of a 49er NFL HOFer has the 2* lads playing pretty well but not #15 well.
    21 LB’s on the roster & only 3 weren’t on IR. A freshman redshirt TE had to flip across the line to start as a DE.

    #(((MedicUp)))

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      2. If you have a reasonable, well thought out prayer from your heart, I will pray for it this Sabbath….speak, of forever hold your peace…

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  6. Just take care of business each week and win: Win ugly, win big, win with Helton making bozo decisions, win with Clancy and Baxter chaotically running things, whatever, just win. Do that and all these polls will matter very little. Do that and the CFP poll won’t deny the Men of Troy (Top 3 hardest schedule in the country will carry a lot of weight).

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    1. Arturo —Helton will be given a very, very low grade intelligence test tonight —when he addresses the question of Kedon’s readiness for the Washington trip. In order to pass the test, all he needs to SAY —-even if Slovis is already running laps and lifting weights and throwing footballs through tires this afternoon— is that he just CAN’T SAY. “It’s gonna be another game time decision.” Lets at least have 10 point favorite Washington preparing for a mobile quarterback –even if they’re not actually going to have to face him……
      #…ShouldCauseThemToWasteSomeDownsInPractice

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      2. gt —Who knows what a leader like Fink can do if he practices with the one’s?! [He does need to work on accuracy cuz Washington’s above average defensive backs are gonna be waiting for him]….
        #AtLeastWeKnowWeHaveREALBackup….
        #[ICan’tSeeAFroshQBMakingItThruSeason]…..

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      3. Speaking of Fink,gt and MG, it would go a long in rebuilding confidence in Graham if his game plan included some runs/bootlegs from Fink, no? Pull out all stops to win in Seattle.

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      4. Arturo —Yes! No fear of taking SMART chances on offense will win the game.
        #AlongWithZERODumbMistakes
        [When Steffi Graf was asked if she was gonna play aggressively or patiently against Monica Seles in the U. S. Open she responded “I’m going to be patiently aggressive”]…..

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      1. When all is said and done, I was wrong to post the Pix. In the future, I promise to maintain a sense of semi-polite decorum

        However, in my defense, the image does not promote an unequivocal POV. The image allows the viewer to form their own opinion about the content displayed.

        To the offended, I apologize.

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  8. So, I know everyone is waiting for the injury report to find out if we go into the game with 2 QBs, but I’m wondering where we stand at CB. Teams seem to like to go at #2 and I think that before too long they are going to get enough of that. I understand he went out early, but I’m really impressed with what I’m seeing from this kid. I think he has a chance to really be a good one and play the run AND pass at a really high level. There’s such a difference in his proximity to his man when compared to Greg Johnson. As always, no offense to any player, but I see why GJ got beat out for a starting corner spot. There always seems to be too much daylight between #9 and his man and it’s fairly concerning to me if we don’t get the starting corners back. Again, my criticism is always meant to be constructive even if it isn’t always so. So, to further criticize the young man, I would complain about the fumble recovery. I know this may seem picky or petty, but it’s a real thing. If I’m a playmaker and I’m recovering that fumble, I’m not putting my knee down on the ground to do it. This isn’t something that I even have to think about because it’s second nature to me. Why? Because I’m a playmaker. If I have time to put my knee down and pop up and celebrate, then I have time to pick the ball up, NOT put my knee down and pop up and return a damn fumble for 7. I’m not competing with anyone for that ball and there’s nothing but 97 yards of beautiful green grass between me and a TD. This is the easiest way possible for me to score on defense. Does it get any easier than picking up an unclaimed and unattended ball with no defense between me and a TD? That’s how a ball-centric, ball hawking, PLAYMAKER is looking at that ball laying there alone on the ground. He doesn’t even have to think about not putting his knee down because he’s a playmaker and he LIVES for those kinds of opportunities. He’s not just happy to have his hands on a ball, he wants to do something with it.

    Honestly, we’re 4 games into the season and have yet to win the turnover battle in any of the 4 games. You’re playing with fire in this offense if you aren’t getting some takeaways on defense and I’m not seeing the mindset for that AT ALL. It’s strange that in the first game it seemed that I was seeing some of that spirit, but it has disappeared. I understand that you’re more willing to look for the ball when you feel like you’re a much better player than the man you’re guarding, and maybe that explains the difference with Fresno St. IDK, but I know that one of two things is true: either your offensive players are worse at protecting the ball than your competition or your defense isn’t as good at taking it away as your competition. You have yet to win this battle and something needs to change.

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      1. Can’t say, but I really like the DB group. I think the receiver group, the DB group and the D-line group are all special. I feel like the linebacker group SHOULD be special, but it’s not really showing up on the field.

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    1. Leaving my friends 67, Pudly & Owns out of it —I can only observe that it probably gets lonely for bruin graduates in the Green Zone.
      [I would like to send a poster size version of this photo to my next door neighbor —a retired army captain & bruin fan —who I have a feeling would cherish it for the rest of his days]……

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      1. P. S.
        Thanks a lot, Arturo. Now, I’m feeling bad about my post. Are you planning to bring all of us bad boys —kicking and screaming —into the 21st century?

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  11. Seems to me I distinctly remember James saying he was going to take a couple week break. Ft Benning jump school HALO requalification or something along those lines.

    #MaybeEyeDidn’tHereWrite

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