FOOTBALL

Morning Buzz: It’s Bowling Season And USC Fans Aren’t Having It

USC should find out its bowl fate around 1-2 p.m. (PT) today.

It looks like the Trojans will face Iowa in the Holiday Bowl.

I know Iowa travels extremely well. USC has a good reputation for traveling to bowl games but this is a different animal this year. I’ve already had fans tell me they won’t go to the game and they hope USC loses to make the USC administration look more foolish.

“I live in San Diego County and I have zero Interest in the game,” a USC fan wrote me. “Perhaps I will watch it on TV. And I’m predicting 12 penalties for 135 yards because our team is so undisciplined they will taunt and act like they are were in the College Football Playoff.”

  • It’s pretty funny that in covering USC for more than 20 years, I always heard, “we can’t talk about recruiting” from coaches.

One time, Dave Roberts, who was interim athletic director, lectured the media in Heritage Hall and said coaches are only allowed to answer if they are recruiting a prospect. A “yes or no” question that really serves little purpose.

So what does atheltic director Mike Bohn, who values integrity and compliance, do Friday? He violates NCAA rules by saying “We also picked up four commitments that haven’t been announced yet . . . in the last four or five days and so I’m inspired by that.”

Bohn knew that was a (minor) violation but he obviously thought it was worth it to try and get fans off his back.

Good luck, pal! I’m still getting inundated with angry emails, texts and calls from USC fans over the outrageous decision to bring back Helton.

55 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: It’s Bowling Season And USC Fans Aren’t Having It”

    1. So who are these so called fans emailing and calling Scott Wolf?
      Clay Helton is our coach! Mike Bohn is our AD! Our team is our team! Be a true Trojan and support OUR team!
      These people have chosen to represent your University on the gridiron through adversity, pain and insults! I hope that you would support who they are because this kind of commitment deserves your respect and support!

      #FightonTrojans

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. #1USCFan, I don’t necessarily want to validate the petulance of the owner proprietor here, but few of us longtime wonks want to pretend this is OK. Tell us that Urban Meyer just wasn’t doable, and there was no better option out there, and I can live with it. I personally think keeping Helton was probably preferable to paying a bunch of money to someone like James Franklin, who I’m not sure is an upgrade. But don’t ask us to feel great about this. We know what a program that competes for national championships looks like. We saw it every fall Saturday from 2002-2008. This just isn’t it.

        Liked by 6 people

      2. Daniel,
        You’re obviously smart. You know the job of the A. D. is to sell product. Even if it’s a bad product. And even if he’s partly to blame for it’s being a bad product.

        Liked by 3 people

      3. Hey #1 SC fan… I’m one of your deplorable’s that you criticized.
        I played football USC from 1966-70
        4 straight Rose Bowls. 1 National Championship and lost another.
        My team record was 32-2-2.
        I was the Team CoCaptain along with the Great Jimmy Gunn.
        The 1970 Rose Bowl CoCaptain..,
        If you think that by me calling out and criticizing Folt,Bohn,Helton and his inept Staff makes me less of a Trojan..then you’re more of an idiot than I think you are!
        These people were fired by North Carolina and Colorado!
        They are second rate administrators rehiring and promoting a third rate Head Coach !!
        If you believe that USC is on the right track and that championships are in the
        Future, then keep on buying your overpriced season tickets and cheering for a poor football product on the field!
        You’ll probably notice that there’s lots of empty seats all around you in the Coliseum!!
        Keep advocating mediocrity and you’ll get it!!
        Bob Jensen
        #51 LB WildBunch

        Liked by 6 people

      4. Spot on #!! Anyone rooting for us to lose is no Trojan and is acting like an entitled, spoiled child. I’ve posted something similar to what you wrote and have to give credit to Coach Norman Dale. I hope when we get back on track they don’t come back and try to claim they are loyal, diehard Trojans. They’d only be fooling themselves. We know what they really are…fair weather fans, no different than Ruins fans. FIGHT ON!!!

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      5. It’s not too late to fire the coach Belton must go. All fans need to protest .this daily until he’s out.#bring on urben Meyer.its the rite thing to do .trojans.if they don’t no fans go to the bowl game

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    2. Translation: Scott, stop trying to hold the Bohn and Folt accountable for the poor decision to bring back Clay Helton. The sheeple with family don’t mind taking it in the rear. We are used to bending over and doing what we’re told. Our motto is, “Thank you sir, may I have another!”

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. D. B.
        Can you be more specific? “Another” what?
        #I’mPrettySureYou’reOnTheRightTrack…
        #JustWantYouToGoOnTheRecord

        Liked by 1 person

      4. gt — I guess that some folks BLAME Scott for 13 men on the field, players yelling at or dancing in the presence of the officials, Harrell’s play calls being changed in the Red Zone so often that he’s probably decided to quit and our best players not getting a chance to see the field until Clay’s favorites get hurt —– it’s what’s called “misplaced anger.”

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Steve –Wouldn’t it be cool if the “last one” for Baxter was the UCLA game? (I’d say the same thing about Pendergast but I’m not sure “coaching” is the right term for what he did in that game)…..

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Since USC brought back He’ll ton time for you to Put up the $12 TO $20 MILLION for his BUYOUT CAUSED BY LYNN SWANNY USC NEEDS A NEW OFFENSIVE LINE COACH AND DEFENSE COACH time to Fire Pendergrass baxter Drevno

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  3. Iowa is a decent Big 10 team and they will prepare unlike sc ,which will give them their best chance. I believe they are the 6th -7th best team in the Big10,about like Utah in the Pac12,except Utes have a better q/b and r/back . Iowa has a real physical team,will pound the ball over and over.
    Oregon handled Utah as I thought they would and I think they may handle the Rose Bowl opponent , it probably will be Wisconsin, which also is kinda’ like a Utah team,an even greater running back and great lines, but q/b is only fair passer, and will run some. They were really poor in 2nd half vs OSU.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. You’re right about 1 thing: OR will take care of business and be the only team to bring the Pac12 up in public perception. It’s been this way for the past 15 years. Honestly, where would the Pac12 be without OR? We’d be the Mountain West

      And this is where you’re wrong: we were not poor in the 2nd half against OSU. The beavs go hard against us every year in the civil war. We didn’t do too bad against them in the second half this year. And trust me, we’ll take care of business at THE ROSE BOWL, BABY!

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      2. Go Quake some where else. Good for you guys hope you win the Rosebowl. But USC standards is to be in the playoff every year. For a chance to win the natty that’s the goal. 11 time national champs. Not a bunch of chokes like you guys. Been there twice in the last 10 years havent won once. Nike Dollars,Larry Scott bending over for cash, and all the other University ADs with their hands out has helped Oregon’s emergence in the conference. Money corrupts every thing!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. OSU…in the context of my sentence is not a beaver…I was commenting on Wisconsin and the OSU Buckeyes…Oregon has now one of the best Pac 12 coaches…he lives and breathes smash mouth football…which is what he did to sc.
        BTW what happened at Ariz St game? AND better watch those Corvallis guys.

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  4. Poor Bohn – without checking out the blogging landscape at USC, his first act is to piss off Wolf. He now will be ragged on for his entire tenure at USC no matter what he does in the future. He may hire UM next year and USC will have the best recruiting class 10 years in a row but Wolf will be on him like stink on chit. Keeping Helton will be the mistake that keeps on giving for Wolf.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Matthew 7:24-27…….24.Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock:
      25..and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
      26. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
      27. and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was it’s fall….

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    2. You’re living in the past!
      Our current recruiting class is 11th in the PAC12 and were in the 70’s Nationally!
      We are in deep trouble and with these twits in charge, we are on the Titanic heading for that iceberg!
      Scott is Right on point holding these idiots
      Accountable for their disappointing actions!
      If you think SC is on the Right path, then you’ve been watching another USC Team…

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. It’s offensive to hear Bohn’s comments about recruiting, integrity, staff changes, etc., in the press and media. He’s speaking down to the Trojan faithful like we’re idiots, like we don’t know or understand the nuances of CFB and haven’t already heard all this lame hyperbole and more after 4 yrs. of CH’s excuses, lies, empty promises, and hallow predictions as well as shameful politicking and shameless ass-kissing. Bohn needs to shut up now and stay in his lane before he exacerbates the damage he and Folt have already done. His comment about wanting to play in big games like Alabama makes him look like a fool inasmuch as they dropped 52 points on the Trojans just two years ago and he just fully endorsed the coach responsible for this embarrassment. Is he too stupid to realize that he was brought in bring a vision and the changes necessary to improve Trojan Football and instead endorsed the decision of the AD (LSwann) that got dismissed for mismanagement and a lack of vision? Is he that ignorant?

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Here’s where I believe you went off the beam, my friend: “He [Bohn] was brought in to bring a vision and the changes necessary to improve Trojan football…”
      #No,HeWasn’t….
      #That’sOnlyWhatWe,AndMaybeHe,Hoped….
      #[LooksLikeUSCHasOtherIdeas]

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. What Vision?
        Just the same mediocrity!
        And irrelevance in the college Football
        Landscape..
        Usually when you bring in a new AD..
        That means he’ll select his vision for the Football program..
        Apparently Not!
        Somehow he got persuaded by the swamp to keep Helton and didn’t have the backbone/balls to be his own man!!
        Very sad!!

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Helton is the coach for now and a very mediocre one at that and Bohn is the AD no doubt. The administration has spoken loud and clear that they think the alumni, fans, and supporters are dumbasses and expect everyone to show up to games and support a coach who makes excuses every time he gets his ass handed to him either by inferior opponents with less talent. By looking at the schedule next season, I can already see 4 or 5 losses with the retention of Helton. Alabama , Oregon, Washington, Notre Dame, and Utah. If they would have hired a real coach with discipline and actually practiced what he preached and with the kind of talent coming back next year, I could easily see an 11-1 or 10-2 at worst. Why should we continue to support a guy that all he ever says is this team will be special in November after two or three early season losses every year. The goal is a natl title. “We will watch the tape and make corrections” after another 10 penalty 140 yard performance. The kids played like warriors after losing to another 5-7 mid major program. It was time to move on after last season. I would not go to the bowl game if they gave me free tickets and airfare. The real losers are the players in this deal. They will continue to play hard but due to lack of player development, suffer from this decision.

    Liked by 4 people

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  7. I don’t have many friends that are USC fans, but have a few. And I disagree with Wolfy on this one. My buddy Mike and his girlfriend they’re goin. They bleed red and yellow and don’t care who the coach is. And they’re just fans, they didn’t even go to college. So,I don’t know where Wolfy is finding these angry fans, but 33 percent of my USC buddies are traveling no matter what. If 33% of USC fans go, you’ll outnumber Iowa fans 2 to 1. Probably even fill the stadium. I think Wolfy’s math is a little fuzzy on this one

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. I for one am going, as are four of my fellow Trojans, I guess we’re in the minority. Any “fan” that’s rooting for SC to lose can permanently do so & don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

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      2. I agree. But they’ll come back when things are going well and try to claim they’re lifelong USC fans. I’m amused at the ignorant fools who think that because they’ve been members of C&G for 50 years that gives them some sort of pass. WRONG. If you boycott the team or root against them, you’re no Trojan.

        Like

    1. Arturo, you’ve been calling me a racist because I wanted some Mexican food. That would mean that anyone that goes to Chanos on Figueroa and orders food are all racist!
      I hate guys who throw around “Racist” for everything.

      “I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”
      — Malcolm X

      i am just prejudice against people like you who plays the race card all the time. I still want my carne asada fries…

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      Reply

      2. The “racist” accusation has mostly lost meaning if someone can be accused of subtle racism for simply describing an eloquent opponent as “well spoken.” We’re all sick of that stuff. That being said, Arturo’s well within his rights to object to the intentionally crappy shit you post on a regular basis.

        Liked by 3 people

  9. I saw real USC Football in person last week. Went to Seattle Monday Night. 1 Penalty all night (Pass Interference for 30 yards). 200+ yards rushing. Real miss those days.

    Liked by 3 people

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  10. How long before we see the Ed O post about being #1 seed followed by huge mistake for USC? Scott forgets that we remember him writing Ed should be our coach back then as well.

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. I think the way Norman Mailer put it to Jimmy Breslin was “You’ve misremembered more facts than anybody else bothers to know.”
        The difference is the Wolfman does it intentionally.
        #ItWorksBetterForScottThanBreslin….

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Pudly,
        As I told a judge who insisted I start trial before the arresting officer showed up, “ok, but it’s gonna get pretty quiet from the witness stand.”

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Hey Ducky Duck – it’s Cardinal & Gold. Not “red and yellow.”

    And it’s still the standard of the pac12.

    As soon as you win a Natty in football, you can call it “Red and Yellow.” USC has won 11.

    Good to have you on-board, but learn the correct the vernacular.

    Congrats on the big wins.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Cardinal and Gold – tradition is important. That said, Ducky, congrats on winning the Pac-12. This version of the Ducks might be the best one we have seen – much more physical than the Kelly teams of years ago. Hope the Duckers represent the Pac-12 well in your bowl game.

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Nothing like supporting our team and players, huh. I’d be fine if all 15-20 disgruntled “fans” that show up here just went away. So you’re not supporting the team anymore. Good. Go away. We’re better off without you and all of your negativity.

    If Scotty wants to be Inside USC, maybe he should try to be positive once in a while.

    I understand that nothing less than the Rose Bowl and contention for college playoff is acceptable for USC,
    as it is for 10-15 programs throughout the country. Fact of the matter is that currently only 4 teams make it to that level. It’s not our time now but will be very soon.

    See you in San Diego. Fight On!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Only 16-20 fans….
      What SC football games have you been going to? Lots of empty seats .. inflated numbers by
      Counting season ticket holders that didn’t even show up!!
      You must love SC’s stats on most penalties .Least turnovers, Their only wins were over mediocre teams!
      Recruiting stats are embarrassing to our legendary program.
      Please go blindly back to the Coliseum and be happy, but look around..There’s nobody there. Hell, even the Trojan Band leader is leaving town!

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  13. Bohn says he has four silent commits. We already know who those likely recruits might be: gary bryant 4*, bunkley shelton 4*, green-warren4* and Tui Tuipulotui 3*.

    But are any of them local 5*? Justin Flowe, Bryce Young, DJ Ulagaleilei, Kendall Milton, or even local JC player Justin Harrington a 4* safety from Bakersfield? None of the recruiting analysts have any of these players trending USC.

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    1. Look at Bryce Young’s situation. With the rise of Slovis he sees a huge road block for him. I don’t like it but that’s the way it goes.

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  14. Have you been to any games lately??? For dumb asses to say that the Coliseum is only half full is bullshit lies. In 13 years I’ve missed 2 Friday night games. Unfortunately one was Utah this year.
    I’ve sat there watching the dumb ass unsportsmanlike penalties extend drives for the opponents and hate it. They were out of control under Pete but he got it under control for a couple of years but then it started to come back. Armstead getting flagged for flexing. Bullshit. Taylor Mays getting ejected for a bullshit targeting foul. I could go on.
    I’ve seen every one of our opponents’ 3rd or 4th and 20 plays get converted. The secondary has been lacking for a long time, but they usually seem to pull through somehow.
    I’ve seen Adoree’ return kicks for touchdowns, Brian Cushing return an onside kick vs Notre Dame for a touchdown, Kyle Negrete run a fake punt vs Washington – the Wash. DB is still running backward. So blame Baxter for not having another Adoree’.
    I also sat there and watched the OR kickoff return. I agree that there has been a decline in ST play. But you can’t blame Baxter for all of it. And you want to insult the near 80 year old band director with Parkinson’s leaving after 50 years. Nice. How many games have you been to?

    Like

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