FOOTBALL

Let’s See How The Genius Is Doing

This post is for everyone who said before the season they were completely confident Graham Harrell would transform USC and succeed. Here is where USC ranks in some offensive categories:

No. 84 in passing yards per completion

No. 92 in red-zone offense

No. 95 in time of possession

No. 100 in rushing offense

No. 125 in passes had intercepted

What bothers me more, of course, is that USC scored only 3 points after the first quarter yesterday.

28 thoughts on “Let’s See How The Genius Is Doing”

    1. It’s wrong to expect more, Alv — as Harrell pointed out, “our players were gassed as a result of over-achieving in first quarter.”
      #IsItPossibleForUSCToGetPac12ApprovalToPlayOneQuarterIn2020?

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  4. An alternative view of the situation might explain it a bit. A college football drinking game includes downing a beer every time your team scores. So after being introduced to this tradition, Harrell has had enough after one quarter. Over the headset comes “Shrow it to Shrombody” and then Helton takes over.

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    1. Sorry it’s really me but the log in went wrong. Somewhere out on the web an unknown person will receive an email saying you liked his post and go…wha???

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    2. Nice, Rialto —-Another great Season Ticket Holder Bumper Sticker: “Shrow it to Schrombody!”
      #TooBadHarrellWon’tBeAroundLongEnoughToSeeThem

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  5. The offense is much better. End of story. Last year I could barely watch them play. I do think JT would of been much better this year, but I’m thinking he should look transfer. He could pull a Joe Burros somewhere.

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    1. I agree that JT is talented….but I’m not sure you’ve seen him lately. He’s not exactly mending real fast. JT might not be playing anywhere for awhile.

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  6. While I am no fan of the latest iteration of USC offensive (pardon the double entendre) football, the facts are not as bleak as some portray.
    With 311 ypg passing and 133 ypg rushing, the offense has generally been vastly improved over 2018, and comparable to the gumbo O of 2017 which was blessed with Sam and RoJo. That 2017 offense was deplorable against two good defenses (ND, OSU).

    The worry that the run game would be abandoned has not been borne out: 38 pass att/g to 31 rush att/g. (Obv, the injuries at RB have altered play calling lately)

    Interestingly, at the 10 game mark, this year’s O has competed against 4 of the top 18 rated defenses (by FPI)
    Utah (#5)
    ND (#7)
    Oregon (#14)
    UW (#18)
    This week they get to compete against the #21 FPI defense at Cal.
    What a great opportunity!

    Generally, the O players and their position coaches have done quite nicely. Drevno’s O-line is vastly improved, despite a dearth of 4-5 star O linemen. In 2017, there was a stat going around that RoJo was hit in the backfield >50% of his carries–and yet he still gained 1300+ yards! To my eye, our RB’s are NOT being hit beyond the LOS like back in 2016/17.
    A fair percentage of the 19 sacks have come from QB’s holding onto the ball too long. Jinks has the RB’s hitting the hole hard, protecting the rock, and fighting for the extra YAC. Colbert has the WR’s performing at a high level. All three also seem to be developing the younger players.
    Drake London? A nice surprise. Christon and Stepps? HELL YEAH!

    Finally, JT and Slovis have both performed admirably for two 18 year olds competing against 4 top 18 defenses with experienced, smart, defensively minded coaches. (Yes Matt Fink guided against Utah)

    Given injury, inexperience, and calibre of competition, this offense has been reasonably proficient.

    Error prone? Yes. Prone to stupid penalty? Yes. Unable to cash in on short starting field position? Yep. Erratic in the RZ? Yep.

    On this site over the past 4-5 years, several posters have noted three concepts which would help the short yardage/GL/RZ:
    1. QB under center.
    2. FB/HB in the backfield for blocking or
    3. Involve the TE in the pass game.
    While none of this has happened, the has seemed to be a collective awakening since the Utah game that some POWER in the backfield could be advantageous. I think this would have been a part of our ongoing GL/RZ offense had Stepps and Vavae not been injured.

    With ongoing improvements by Drevno, Jinks, Colbert, and–yes–Harrell, this offense will continue to improve and be fun to watch. Whomever may be the USC HC, he will have a talented corps with which to work.
    Then, hopefully, I will be able to return to my Saturday night shot of small batch bourbon and not the rotgut swill I’ve been sipping these last 10 FB seasons.

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  7. Harrell obviously hasn’t been the savior, but the worse performers are Pendergast and Baxter.

    The defense’s performance has been really weak, particularly against Fresno State, BYU, Colorado, ASU and Oregon after first quarter, Notre Dame, the list goes on.

    Interestingly, something Meyer has done really well is surround himself with top quality assistant coaches.

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    1. 67 — Dude correctly pointed out that Harrell has us averaging 4 more points a game —the problem is that Harrell promised 10 more points a game all spring and fall. 10 more points would have won the BYU and Notre Dame games.
      In fairness to Helton, he DID try to get Kingsbury as his O.C. —unfortunately, the $199.99 buyout Swann not so shrewdly negotiated wound up leaving us with Harrell (who is gonna be good someday —- when he’s gained some experience at this level).

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      2. He’s probably playing right outside my house on Maui right now, 67. I’ll go look.
        #Yep,That’sHim…

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    2. Oh yeah, 67. Moderator was asking about how the O “genius was doing?”
      Might get a few replies if the same were asked regarding defense and ST.
      I’m not sure the D has had a good game yet this season.

      (That said, I think the DB’s have improved over last two seasons, and while BKU could have been a fine D-line coach, Chad K has the interior line playing very well.)

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  8. Harrell said our guys were gassed because of the first quarter— What a bunch of B/S.
    That shows they are not in condition. Like he said about Stepp– being tired after 10 carries.
    If according to Harrell, I guess we should forfeit our last 2 games because we are gassed after the first quarter, and can only score 3pts the rest of the game.
    As I recall nobody wanted to play us in the 4th quarter when McKay & Carroll ( in his first 3/4 yrs) were coaches.
    Helton & Staff NEEDS TO GO- ASAP!!

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  9. So much for Helton cleaning house to help secure his job. Helton and his staff are so inept on so many levels. I just finished watching LSU vs Alabama and it’s is obvious that our coaching staff is not anywhere near theirs in caliber of coaching. We wouldn’t stand a chance against either one of these teams. Look how far USC national prominence has slipped under Helton. He’s has to go.

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  10. Remember,

    according to the Sarkiffian coaching tree, of which Helton is a particularly weak branch, halftime adjustments and in-game adjustments are a myth. Both Sark and Kiff said that during interviews. They may indeed be a “myth” if you are not worth a schitt at what you do, but that’s a different matter.

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  11. I’ve been watching them for 35 years. My favorite combo of oc, dc and hc was Carroll & Chow. They would normally be close at the half then usually pull away. And usually dominate the clock. Norm had a certain vision and analytical mind that would put together a beautiful plan based on the matchups for the second half. I’m sure he plays chess. And where is our monster fullback to open up holes for the tailback???Carroll was genius at hc & dc. He also trained the hell out of the team and it is no surprise since he’s in great shape. He’d have them run in LA Crest at 4-5,000’. Including the offensive line. And they had fewer injuries as I recall. Special teams is embarrassing I’m sorry. There’s something to be learned from past experience. They’ll be back. I feel like conditioning and matchup strategies is what we need. And we need that strategic prowess for second half play.

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