I’m hearing from players that a topic being discussed among team members is whether they improve at USC? They know the answer but the fact this is being discussed tells you that they aren’t buying the 5-1 record as a sign of success. For years, a knock under Clay Helton is whether he makes players better. I’ve written it myself many times. Ask yourself if … Continue reading A Sign Of Potential Discontent At USC

QUARTERBACK Kedon Slovis started off with 2 interceptions then spent the rest of the game running for his life from Kayvon Thibodeaux . . . and then got hurt on the last play. He’s either been hurt since the Holiday Bowl or gotten worse under Graham Harrell. Grade: F RUNNING BACKS It must be hard to be a tailback for a team that hates to … Continue reading USC-Oregon Report Card

Kedon Slovis injured the same shoulder vs. Oregon that he hurt in the Holiday Bowl last season. That means he hurt it in the final game of the past two seasons. But what is USC doing about it? I heard more information from USC about Matt Leinart’s arm injury that kept him out of the NFL draft than whatever was done medically to treat with … Continue reading All Mum On Kedon Slovis

I’ve reached out to some players and asked what they wanted to do regarding a bowl game? So far, none has said they wanted to skip a bowl game. They also said none of the teammates they spoke to wanted to skip a bowl game. USC has said it was near the minimum number of players available to play a game. How can that be … Continue reading USC Players Not Thrilled With Bowl Decision

USC has literally made every move except the obvious one to save the program. It replaced its offensive coordinator two years ago. It replaced its entire defensive staff last year. It hired more support staff. It created a hype-video division. It hired a new athletic director! And still in 2020, USC was sloppy, soft and couldn’t beat a good team. Not that it even played … Continue reading Morning Buzz: What Chess Moves Left For USC?

Petros Papadakis and Matt Smith led off both the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. hours of their show with USC today. Some excerpts from Papadakis: “They had a massive talent advantage in every game yet they trailed by double digits in half the games they played. “They trailed in final 2 minutes of four of their games. “USC is the highest-ranked team to skip a … Continue reading Petros Papadakis Rips USC