USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week

No winners this week.

LOSERS

Coach Bohn

Did he really think if you just change/add all the pieces around Clay Helton, USC would get fixed?

Donte Williams

The turnaround lasted one game. Being a head coach isn’t so easy after all.

Graham Harrell

How predictable does the Air Raid look these days? Harrell’s refusal to establish the run is laughable.

Todd Orlando

Give him credit for producing a defense that looks just like Clancy Pendergast’s. And Orlando can’t even win at the line of scrimmage vs. Oregon State.

The media

Got way too high after Washington State victory, especially after the Stanford shellacking. USC is a mess and people need to get past trying to make more of the Trojans, which is a hobby for some media.

Strength program

Anyone feel USC is getting its money’s worth?

K.D. Nixon

He should transfer back to Colorado for all the use he gets.

128 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Winners And Losers Of The Week

  1. Grahams offense really hasn’t looked very well this year. Most of it came(against OSU and Stanford) after they were way behind and the defense went into a prevent defense and the opposing offense was running the ball up the middle on every play to run down the clock.
    The best offense is the kind of offense that OSU has and Stanford usually has(although not this year). It actually helps your defense. It’s a ball control offense where you have a balanced attack the hangs onto the ball and goes down and scores in long drive and eats up time of possession. It helps your defense because if your offense has the ball, that means that their offense doesn’t and that gives you defense a lot of rest. That type of offense is also good down in the red zone.
    The OSU’s offense is a classic case of that type of offense. David Shaw teams are usually that way too, although year they have no running game. There’s an old saying….”if you want to win football games, you need to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense”.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. These coach Martin and Coach Harrell and these individuals have made a choice to work, a choice to sacrifice, to put themselves on the line 8 games for the next 3 months, to represent you, this school. That kind of commitment and effort deserves and demands your respect. This is your team.

      #suppprtthetrojans #improudofus #missingcoachhelton

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Carol, it would have been nice if you, too, supported the team. All you had to do was fire Helton when you came in. The team, fans, AD, university and city would’ve thanked you.
        But you fell victim to the charlatan’s charm. Who know that the secret to your heart was to give you a game ball and make you “Coach Folt”?
        And to think that you are “responsible” for the education of the fine students at SC. You certainly haven’t taught them about your cornerstone philosophy “Integrity”. You have very little of it. I would say none but I don’t know you personally, so I can only go by what you say and do.
        So Carol, stop calling the kettle black. While it becomes you, it doesn’t look good.

        Like

    2. Where’s that loser pudly? That idiot said this Helton team was going to win 10 games this season.

      pudly was all over Orlando’s nuts, saying how great he was and how the defense was going to be the best in years. Those girls Foreman and Jackson were going to be All-Americans.

      LMFAO!

      THAT DUMB FUCK PUDLY IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. THAT CLOWN PUDLY HYPED THOSE SHIT COACHES AND PLAYERS AND NOW THAT THEY GOT EXPOSED AS THE CRAP THEY ARE THE IDIOT GOES INTO HIDING

      LOL!

      OH MY SIDE HURTS FROM LAUGHING SO MUCH!

      AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. WINNERS

    Clay Helton

    Still getting paid by USC to do nothing, despite having created this mess.

    Carol Folt

    Her position and her privileged lifestyle at her USC-paid $8 million Santa Monica home continues unabated despite USC’s football program being run into the ground for two years on her watch.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. New Rule: Save up all the crowing for November 20th and let it all out at once….
      In the meantime have the grace to let us dream of the Pete Carroll days.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. MG, did not UCLA FB defeat Stanford FB, covering the spread, at Palo Alto? That fact makes UCLA one of this week’s beeg winners.

        I’d be happy to call SUCC FB a winner this week but, well, no can do.

        #”Facts matter” ~ Dear Pisley

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Gomer didn’t do anything while he was coaching … no coach called off practice more than that fat lazy slob. The dead beat made that notorious lazy ass Suckisian look like a workaholic.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. It wasn’t laziness…exactly. Clay offered this explanation for why he didn’t use all his allotted practices before the Holiday Bowl matchup with Wisconsin (which he lost): “Sometimes it’s better to let everybody rest so they can play fast on gameday.”
      What a fricking idiot.
      #ClayDidn’tUnderstandFootballFromTheStart…
      #[..AndHeNeverLearnedFromHisMistakes]….

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Feckless folt and her minion mike should both be fired for aiding and abetting the continuing destruction of USC football. The man hugs between helton and bohn are disgusting, the game balls to the two administrative losers, folt and bohn. from their chosen lying fraud of a coach shows their character. BTW where is all this integrity they preached? What type of integrity enables a coach to destroy the dreams of young men by not developing them for their future. I guess SC picks its administration same as its administration picks its coaches. Who will bohn hire to complete the destruction of our heritage and traditions. All the videos in the world won’t cover up losses, look at sports news, SC is a joke now. We need wins, not videos. Put the time and money into creating a good product on the field and stop false hype.

    Liked by 6 people

  5. Well, Gomer ran the program into the ground, but most here knew that.

    The OL is awful

    The DL is awful

    The current QB has regressed, Daniels doesn’t know how lucky he is.

    The DB’s are poorly coached.

    The team speed is average.

    SC has talented players but not a talented team.

    The OC is clueless.

    The DC stands on the sidelines looking tough while his team gets steamrolled.

    I saw a USC player make a tackle after an 8 yard gain and he was jumping all over like he’d done something spectacular.

    I saw a WR, #8, line up for two plays with his mouthpiece not in is mouth, both plays were runs, maybe a coach should tell him not to do that ?

    The next coach has got his work cut out for him, this is going to take 2-3 years to fix.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Clay Helton was the hardest working coach in the PAC 12, just ask him . He told the media that he spends the night in his office three days a week😂
      I almost spit out my beer 🍺 when I heard that, because the only thing I could picture him doing was jerking off to Pat Haden’s picture 😂

      Liked by 8 people

    2. How about linebackers still talking to each other (and not watching the snap) when Oregon State speeds up the play calling?
      #LittleHardToStopAPlayThat’sStartedWithoutYou..

      Liked by 3 people

      1. And painful as it might be, just watch a couple of these truly historic images captured for posterity…1960 to 2021…just look at the stand up surrender pad level and leverage run around blocks mentality abomination…coaching…as Scott put it perfectly, not only was Clay munching with that Pat picture while watching the game and saying “hey, I was doing that!” but almost as bad is Clancy somewhere looking at what Orlando has done, saying “I did that…routinely!” Just awful. A few years back Lendale didn’t make any friends with these charlatans, but he sure was right when he called out linemen for playing as if they were in a powder-puff league.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Seriously, watch those clips…D linemen stand straight up and reach out for a hug or try to run around the blocks instead of playing through to control the point of attack…absolutely no physicality…

        Like

  6. I’m still laughing at the media hype that surrounded Keadon Slovis, isn’t he projected to be a first round draft pick ? 😂 Who planted that ridiculous story, Graham Harrell?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Slovis’ BIG problem is not his mechanics — it’s his obvious lack of leadership. He doesn’t have the personality to pump his offense up. He plays wide-eyed and nervous. Dart is a ball of energy (but I’m not sure I want to see him wasted behind this line).
      #MaybeSaveDartForACoachWhoKnowsNowsHowToProtectHim

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Slovis throws off his back foot and the ball sails too high.

    Whoever SC hires will be not totally accepted by the fans. However, he better have the will of Patton and determination of Patton to win. He needs to bring in an offense that will be power run football. Defense will be a 4-3 package. Get back to SC’s dna.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. If we could get the two best tackles in the country to come in 2022 to protect Dart we’d immediately be back in the mix….
        #Let’sGetTheCoachWhoCanPullThatOff….

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Mrs. Helton informed Clay’s agent he will no longer be needed: “Clay has his work cut out for him as my houseboy—- and I’d appreciate it if, from now on, you’d refer to Clay by his new name, Dingus.”

      Liked by 3 people

      1. The Arizona audit (which only took 8 or 9 months) fell a little tiny bit short of expectations….
        #WhyDidTheseIdiotsStartWithArizonaInsteadOfGeorgia?

        Like

  8. Gomer, you should be arrested for arson because you burned SC football to the ground. You fat fuck, give back all of the money that you stole.

    You’re a charlatan, nothing more.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Winner: Gomer

    Gomer is sitting in Lunada Bay daydreaming about the effect that he had on “his kids.” The c-sucker is oblivious or doesn’t care that he has more blood on his hands than the night stalker and the hillside strangler combined.

    FU, Gomer!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I wish that were hyperbole —— but, when you think of the number of athletes and families of athletes taken in by this huckster over the years, you have to admit he’s a major criminal…..
      #”HappyTuesday,Everybody!”

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Gomer should be institutionalized for his stupidity alone. Why the bleep would that prick think or be allowed to install the air raid? Did any of you ever see the video of Gomer walking through the stretching lines at practice? He was marching back and forth barking out the following… “This is a special place” And, “Everyone wants to be us.”

    FU, Gomer, as far as I’m concerned, what you refer to as a special place is actually a crime scene.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. The overpursuit and the blown coverages are due to serious coaching mistakes — but the missed tackles in the Oregon State game were the result of a serious lack of ‘want to’….. not that I want to see this but nobody gets royally creamed by our defenders. Carrol’s safeties hit people so hard they had to leave the game.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. A federal arrest warrant should be issued for Gomer on the grounds of wire fraud alone. By my estimation, he’s absconded with over 25 million dollars from USC’s endowment. I’d love to see Gomer dragged out of his home at 5:00 am during an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. And on Clay’s way down, he would hear the marshall say “And next time, if you ever get hired again, put somebody in who can long snap!”

        Liked by 1 person

  12. My question is why did Clay Helton convert the usc offense to the air raid when he knew none of the successful teams in college football ran this offense other than Oklahoma which runs more of an partial air raid with a running game?

    With that conversion to the air raid he hired assistant coaches who were familiar with this unsuccessful offense including Graham Harrell who really really did not have experience with a top program, and then allowed him to completely change the USC football culture with no supervision.

    How you practice is how you play in the games!!!!! Our practices are completely built on daily finesse work on the passing game, and boy does it show it in games. Our defense practices daily against a finesse pass offense so how can we expect them to play a physical game against a running team on Saturday’s. Essentially, if your defense does not practice against the run it is very difficult to be prepared for a strong running game.

    Basically, by converting to the air raid Helton changed the entire culture at USC, and he did not need to do that. The USC defense has become a finesse defense up front because they are not challenged by a physicall offense on a daily basis in practice so the games must be quite a shock since most teams do not play the air raid style of offense.

    To stop the embarrasment, and the current USC non-physical football culture Donte needs to tell the players and coaches we are going to take the air out of the ball for the next two weeks so we can get prepared physically against Notre Dame. 95% of practice time will be based on running the football and offensive and defensive line battles in the trenches. If you can’t block, and you can’t tackle you are not going to play period. We are not going to beat Notre Dame or anyone else until this air raid “finesse” football culture” comes to an end, and the time to make the change is now win or lose as it’s time to rebuild the right way. Instead of doing it our way each week, we need to adjust to our opponents style of play because our way is not working, and yes I am talking to you Graham Harrell.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I agree. Get us physically and mentally prepared to play big boy football in the time we have before South Bend. Our problem? Donte is TRYING to do that. But we regressed in between games since he’s been coach…..

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Only so much one guy can do in one week. That said, last Saturday’s game was awful (particularly on the defensive end). Still seeing considerable lack of discipline.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Donte wants to be physical but the OL isn’t capable of doing it and the OC won’t do it.

        Maybe it’s best that the next USC hire isn’t a former QB, Sark, Gomer, Haden, I see a trend here.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Good point. NO coach could turn Helton’s ship around in a few days.
        #PoorDonte….
        #FairOrNot,ThisIsGoingToHurtHisCareer…
        #[Unless,Miracuously,HeBeatsUCLA&NotreDame]….

        Liked by 1 person

      4. USC does not have the personnell to play big boy football. They have been groomed to play panzie ass football, just like the ugly ruins do each and every year. SC will get blown out. Final score:
        ND 55 – SC 10.

        Liked by 1 person

      1. Hilarious! I’m being twice “moderated” (a first!) for asking how low on the food chain Harrell is going. I can’t say more —for fear of triple “moderating” —which I think is serious.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Michael, no one has ever entered triple secret probation here on “Inside USC”. We’ll send out a posse if we haven’t heard back from you by tonight.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Donte= Needs to tell Graham Harrell your Air Raid is not working. We need to prepare for some physical opponents coming up on schedule including ND. Kendon Slovis is not going to win football games for us by himself. In the past we have prepared each week by try to defeat teams solely with the passing game now we are going to prepare to match up with them physically whether we have the talent or not we need to create a street fight culture, and go right at our passing instead of running away from them with the pass.

    You cannot change the playbook in 1 week, but you can begin to change the culture, and it all starts with how you practice, and that means more reps for the running game, and physical battles in the trenches whether Graham Harrell likes it or not.

    Harrell, thinks the air raid is unstoppable that is the problem. Our opponents are prepared to stop it on Saturday. We are not creating an element of surprise by running the same plays each and every week. Our defense defends the finesse air raid each week practice, and when Saturday comes they are not physically prepared to match up in the trenches.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yep. New mindset needed. You can see our players wilt when other team plays physical football (Oregon State went beyond physical –they held and interfered on ever pass play –knowing Pac 12 refs would be embarrassed to call more than 50% of it). We have to be ready to do what’s needed the next time that happens (which will be this Saturday —everybody is gonna do it now). In boxing when you get hit you can’t say “I can’t take much more of this.” You have to say “I wonder what the other guy is gonna think when I hit him even harder.”
      #WelcomeToTheWorldOfKillOrBeKilled,USC

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Breaking News:
    “Former Coach Clay Helton arrested while hiding under towels in Trojan shower room —cries out “I just can’t quit ’em!” as he’s led off.”
    #”ThisIsHeartbreaking”,CommentsHisOldCoach,CarolFolt…
    #”….HePromisedMe3MoreGameBallsThisSeason”

    Liked by 2 people

  15. It is obvious the offense is not working for Slovis. He holds the ball way, way too long…and it has been this way since last season. As long as Slovis is starting, Harrell needs to modify the offense so that it is a better fit for Slovis.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. James –I hesitate to bring this up …but are we gonna coax Trapper into pulling the collapsing tent trick on Carol (Hot Lips) Folt…?
        #IRealizeThisCommentShouldBeModerated….
        #HopeTheCensorsSaveMeFromMyself[LikeLastTime]….

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Oh MG, the bridge too far! Folt certainly embodies the wrong-headed thinking of Chief Nurse at the outset…but Hot Lips got it turned around by the closing scenes, and that doesn’t seem to be in the offing with Folt (but sure wish we could get drive her out the way they did to Frank)…

        Liked by 1 person

    1. ’67 – He’s not Kessler slow, but yeah, you would think a supposed offensive genius would realize that the brick wall is winning, and the kid is being abused in the process. Modify the play-calling accordingly. It will at least provide some chance while playing out the string…

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Kedon’s not being asked to throw the ball over 30 yards anymore. He used to have a nice touch on the long stuff –I can only assume he’s lost so much strength in his right arm that he now throws longer balls left handed …but can’t keep them in the field of play —they keep going in the stands —like the last one he threw against Oregon when he was still playing right handed)…..
        #….WeHaveAProblemonOur”Hands”

        Liked by 2 people

  16. Watch our offensive lineman- they stand straight up the same way whether they pass or run block. The real problem is Harrell never has the offense work on running in practice so our lineman never carry out their blocks as the play develops. We have been through too many offensive line coaches, and the have all failed because of this silly air raid offense.

    In 3 years under Harrell I have not seen more than 3 or 4 basic running plays – one to the left, one to the right and a reverse.

    Harrell is a passing game coordinator, and that is it. Helton, gave him the entire offense, and he just does not know or understand the running game.

    My recommendation, and what should have been done before the season is they need a running game consultant this season to keep Harrell in check on the play calling. John Robinson should be hired or someone with credentials should be brought in as an offensive running game consultant for the rest of the season. JR, loves to teach, and he is not too old to come in as a consultant like he is at LSU.

    The next two weeks should be classified as a “Return to Training Camp”
    and install the new culture based on a running and passing game balance. We will struggle the rest of the season with too many changes, but we are going to have a long season anyway so why not begin now.

    We need to give Ingram some carries- at least 20 a game, and begin to build the offense around him rather than just Slovis, and the wide receivers.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Only problem: How many times can Ingram run the ball without blockers before he gets hurt?
      #SameForDart:HowManyTimesCanHePassW/OGettingHurt?
      [Helton cared so little about “his family” that he didn’t notice his o-line couldn’t protect shit — Helton didn’t notice all spring and all fall practice that his o-line coach was MIA— what does that say about Bohn]?

      Liked by 2 people

  17. I made a point somewhere on a blog of import, that Slovis is suffering from PTSD (passer tackled, stupid defense) But many have postulated that he is gun shy, and may actually be quivering in his cleats behind that line of Jello. (it’s not really Jello, but a knock off brand because stuff bounces off Jello)
    This is still not my dad’s USC football. I saw the last time The beavers ripped through the Trojan’s line ( an old condom joke) at the coliseum, my dad was not happy that day either.
    Who is riding traveler? What is going on with the band? Why is the clarinet player from the third row trying out for an Offensive line position? He was only a two star in high school. Why did Oregon State have more sacks than the Alpha Beta market?
    No wonder I’m not hanging around there’s so much wrong I don’t have time to make fun of it.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. If you don’t begin to create a running game culture then the opposing teams will tee off on the QB’S . My prediction is Miller Moss will see quite a bit of action before the season is over.

    The running backs need the work—–As John Mckay use to say the ball is not heavy. Once Dart comes back I would add more option plays. Our playbook is too thin, and simple.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. IF we’re going to throw close to 50 times every game…and IF the other Pac 12 teams are allowed to hold, facemask and interfere —we’re gonna lose a lot of games unless we tell our receivers “push off all ya want –let’s see if we can give our QB all the ‘green grass’ Harrell is always talking about.”
      #FightFireWithFire…StartingThisSaturday…
      #[ResultsCan’tBeWorseThanLastSaturday]

      Liked by 1 person

      1. P. S.
        I’m not kidding. If Colorado copies Oregon State’s ‘grab hold of the receivers” defense AND the refs don’t call it every time, Donte needs to tell our guys ‘”all bets are off —shove their guys to the ground right before you make the catch.”

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Did you see USC is 72 out of 130 in USA Today’s Division 1 rankings.
    Ouch!!

    Here are my grades for the OSU game: F! Nothing else needed to say.
    A pathetic performance by team still in love with Helton.
    It’s time to clean house.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Actually Dart came out of the locker room at Half and was on the sidelines with the team for the 2nd Half. He was high fiving fans as he made his way to the team bench. The team looked happy to see him. He walked with a limp but did not have crutches or a cane. Honestly, I hoping he just had surgery for a minor tear so maybe we will see him back after the ND game. No way would I play him in S Bend with our average at best Oline. I think the 10/30 AZ game would be a great game to put him in.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Oh sht. The combination of faux liberal search for a “minority candidate no matter who it is” and the booster desire for a person that they are comfortable with has yielded Anthony Lynn as a candidate according to media reports. Also ran in college (Texas Tech) and the NFL (was a reserve/special teams guy) and no real experience beyond being a RB coach and coffee getter, gets handed a HC position and gets one good year (his second) before things to downhill, finishes last and second to last and gets fired– perfect fit for USC huh? Never coached in college btw if you’re wondering.

    LAC 2017 9 7 0 .563 2nd in AFC West — — — —
    LAC 2018 12 4 0 .750 2nd in AFC West 1 1 .500
    LAC 2019 5 11 0 .313 Last in AFC West — — — —
    LAC 2020 7 9 0 .438 2nd to Last in AFC West — — — —
    Head Coaching total 33 32 0 .516

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You could smell non-meritorious hire (nothing to do with race – if they were interested I’d hire Willie McGinnest or Ronnie Lott just on general principles) in the air all along, and it won’t come as a surprise except to the asstrich crowd. Lynn was an NFL version of Helton, but his players liked him and generally played hard…but he never demonstrated anything remarkable as a head coach. If they’re going to hire a former NFL head coach, on merit it could only be JDR…but that aint happening…so we’ll see…they could do worse than Lynn, but they should do so much better.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Did you ever hit the nail on the head –Lynn is a another gentleman (although this time it would be for real) coach. Another very nice “player’s coach.” I’m sure the team would love him. But he’s not what they need.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Exactly my thoughts MG (and I’m a lifelong Chargers fan…he was a nice change for a couple of years, but at base, he was a classic Tellesco move, and Tellesco is the only person in southern California who comes close to the buffoonery in USC’s administration).

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Brilliant– either would be terrific hires if (and they easily could and likely would) find great coordinators. I could see McGinest ruling the recruiting circuit, being gold with student athletes, fans, boosters and media. It’s too good and easy of a choice, thus it won’t happen at today’s USC. The mediocrity of Lynn is exactly the sort of thing SC would do.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. PS the boosters have already reached out to Lynn supposedly and he’ll take the job, considering his offense is shaping up to be one of the worst in the league, which means he’ll want to jump ship– if only he can keep Detroit’s offense from imploding to the point that even SC admins will change their minds.

        Liked by 2 people

      5. Colin Cowherd: “Is USC football a thing of the past?”
        #TakeAGoodLookAtFolt&BohnInTheirMiniDresses&YouTellMe
        P.S.
        Pudly, Come back! All is lost. We don’t have to defend the program anymore. In a way, we’re invulnerable!
        #AllIsSafe

        Liked by 1 person

      6. I’ve always thought McGinnest had a lot of ingredients to be an outstanding head coach and agree with your assessment he would have no problems putting together a high caliber staff (provided, since we’re talking about behind-the-times USC, they resourced it) and could dominate recruiting (at base, to me, it’s all about selling what has always been USC’s calling card: NFL future, and with Willie…it’s not just USC, HOFer…it’s Belichick and the Pats, even if the media is trying to bury him now). Lynn could be a complete disaster or just mediocre – I’m thinking John Blake-Garry Gibbs range at Oklahoma, or Ty Willingham-Charlie Weiss at Notre Dame). And less than nine months ago, they had the magic lamp in their hands and told the Genie to go away…

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Great line: Told the Genie to go away.
        I was friends with all wiseguys in high school and when a teacher once asked my best buddy what he’d wish for if a genie appeared, he said “I’d ask the genie to saw off his legs.”
        Ladies & gentleman, that, in effect, is what USC did.

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Oh, don’t worry, global —Folt & Bohn won’t changer their minds —Lynn is exactly the kind of a gentleman coach they want to deal with.

        Like

      9. If you were going to hire a former coach, Lynn does not compare favorably to JDR or Bill O’Brien…again, I don’t think he would be a disaster, but think it would look a lot like what is going on (at least on the field) at Azoo with Herm…some organizational improvements, better atmosphere and players happy…probably not the best staff…lots of little mistakes from poor position coaching leading to (eg the loss to USC last year) too many crumbs being left on the table…lots of hype and unfulfilled expectations (ie 7-win Sark at UDub would be 8-win Lynnie at USC…and haven’t we already had our fill of unfilled expectations with a Lynn recently?).

        Like

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