Maybe Clay Helton is walking around the McKay Center like he beat Notre Dame because he knows he is playing Arizona.

USC still has things it must fix. But it’s a lot easier to do when you are back in the sanctuary of the Pac-12.

1.) Get Michael Pittman more touches

USC’s best receiver had only four receptions vs. Notre Dame and Graham Harrell said it was because the Irish had 2 defensive backs on him. That sounds like the excuse Tee Martin used when JuJu Smith-Schuster was contained by Alabama.

Martin got criticized for that remark and so should Harrell. If Harrell cannot figure out what to do when eight defenders drop back, he should call Mike Leach because USC needs to get the ball to Pittman.

2.) Contain the edge

I’m tired of hearing excuses about why USC cannot defend the edge. The latest one Clay Helton used vs. Notre Dame was that Christian Rector had a sore ankle. Then put a healthy player in the game.

3.) Get the subs in faster

At least twice against Notre Dame, the defense had 12 men on the field because the Irish snapped the ball while USC was trying to figure out who should be in the field. Thanks, Pendergast!

Give your best tailback more carries

This has to be the week Markese Stepp breaks 15 carries, right? With Vavae Malepeai out, Graham Harrell has no choice. But never underestimate Eb Dawson.

4.) Get better play from its safeties

This is supposed to be the strength of the secondary but Talanoa Hufanga had perhaps his worst game of the season vs. Notre Dame. Maybe it was because he missed the Washington game. Or maybe it was because Notre Dame was the best team USC’s played. I already mentioned Isaiah Pola-Mao’s decision to let Ian Book score a TD without hitting him at the goal line.

5.) Life more weights

Fortunately for the Trojans, they play Arizona and not another physical team. Seven starters did not practice Wednesday. This is similar to last year’s game against Utah.

Remember when USC used to inflict its will on an opponent? Now the Trojans need a bye week AFTER they play a physical opponent.

6.) Practice downing punts

Talanoa Hufanga thought he was playing volleyball on the goal line trying to spike the ball away from the goal line.

It’s also true that even with his newfound freedom punter Ben Griffiths is not living up to the breathless hype from training camp.

7.) Where’s the culture change?

Remember how everything had changed and Clay Helton was a tough guy? Has any player mentioned at any time this season that Helton called out someone or the team? His post-game comments are still insufferable and good times are just around the corner.

8.) Diversify the offense

Remember when Helton thanked Velus Jones for taking his name out of the NCAA transfer portal? Jones has not caught a pass this season. Someone will say the top 3 receivers are too good for anyone else to play.

I’m not saying he needs to play a lot but maybe run a reverse or trick play for Jones once in awhile.

9.) Play Kenan Christon

With Malepeai hurt, now is a perfect time for USC’s fastest back to get on the field. He can play in four of the final six games without burning his redshirt. Frankly, if Helton is trying to save his job, who cares about the redshirt year? And let’s face it, Stephen Carr is not looking like he did he two years ago.

10.) Play more zone defense

With three true freshmen starting at cornerback (Chris Steele, Max Williams, Dorian Hewett), Clancy Pendergast needs to protect them by not playing man-to-man the whole game.