FOOTBALL

USC-UCLA Live Blog

What is your score prediction?

Here is mine: I would love to embrace the story line of Jaxson Dart inspiring his teammates to a victory in his first career start.

But that requires me to forget Todd Orlando, Donte Williams and the general malaise of the defense is so many games this season, especially at the Coliseum.

I have to include the players too. How can veterans like Isaiah Pola-Mao be worse? Where is Drake Jackson most of the time?

And looking at younger players, how does Korey Foreman justify his season? When will the writers who did puff pieces on Foreman and his “brand” come back and say they should have focused on his on-field effort?

Finally, will there be a crowd to cheer on this team?

Chip Kelly might be a stubborn, past-his-prime, prickly clown with a horrible defensive coordinator but UCLA has to know this is its chance to get a rare victory (lately) against its rival.

I think UCLA has a better sense of purpose, which isn’t saying much between these teams.

So with all that, I’m taking UCLA, 35-28.

Who do you like?

169 thoughts on “USC-UCLA Live Blog”

    1. If we get all lucky bounces (and a few good calls at key times) we can win….otherwise I hope [and expect] to see us put up a great fight & play 4 quarters …
      #SomethingWeDidn’tDoInBlowoutLossesThisYear

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    2. gotta have good coach so u watch game comfutably,i dont let mrs ed sit on the coach cuz she got her own chare and she will brake the coach if she sit on it,

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      1. Ed — What is Mrs. Ed’s email address? I swear I’m not gonna forward any of your comments to her…..
        #….IJustNeedToKnowItForGeneralPurposes

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  2. Agree with 007 – outcome doesn’t really matter to me, far more concerned with hiring of next coach. Chippers just missed having a good year. Sad to say, UCLA 34 USC 23

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    1. Regrettably, I think you are spot on James.
      Great thing about Bruin BB and FB, they always lack heart and you can always expect them to lose some MBB and CFB games “inexplicably.”

      They are better coached on O, and Chip will dial up the W this year and maybe win a few recruits this cycle.

      Between Charbonnet and DTR, the powder blues rush for close to 300 yards today, and DTR throws the ball just enough to not lose the game.
      Orlando has no solution for Chip’s trap blocking run game, the edges are not protected (have not been for a decade), and Harrell is working from behind by the end of Q1.

      Asking Dart to throw for 450 yards and win the game with this WR Corps is praying for a bit too much. If Donte can get the run game (Ingraham mostly) to shine, it could be a close game. Nevertheless, a smart Bruin would stack the line against the run and make Dart win the game with his arm and his wounded knee.

      As a sidebar story, Slovis’ two performances vs the Bruins are likely the two greatest USC QB/(WR) efforts ever in the history of this rivalry.
      On this site, we will be discussing his two games someday.
      Sadly, a huge group of talented WR in our pipeline left during the HC CH era, and now we are paying for it. WRU?

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  3. Game day, SC-sucla day, nothing quite like it, it even beats out SC-ND day for me. Playing sucla is more intimate, more personal. So here I am waking up at Dolly Parton time (she gets up at 3 a.m. to write), and am about to embark out of my Chinatown digs at Kobe time (“Have you ever seen downtown L.A. at 4 a.m.?”– Presumably, he began his workouts at this ungodly hour).

    This will be my first time venturing into a crowd in nearly 2-years, so I am a bit concerned. But I seldom miss a sucla game, whether football or basketball, and I cannot skip out on this one. I like it when SC is an underdog, because when they pull one of these out, it is a head-banger.

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    1. LA at those hours is absolutely gorgeous, JW.
      As a young medical student at Big County, I loved the 2AM to 4AM show.

      Enjoy the game. If you have Vax #1,2, and 3, I bet you’re good.
      If you don’t have a vax. Stay home, my friend.

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      1. Thanks for the good wishes, Bourbon, but I don’t play roulette with my health, if you get my drift, although I could not get a booster until Wednesday.

        BTW, have you tried a sip or two of bourbon to go with beer– 1 or 2 sips is all I can take, once in a while, but with the beer combo it goes down nicely.

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  4. OK, let’s get serious here for a moment– SUCLA coach Doughboy and his suclas need this game worse than SC does. Doughboy has lost
    2-in-a-row to SC, and worse, to Helton.

    No coach likes to lose 3-in-a-row to a rival. And as an aside, Doughboy loses and he can begin planning his cruises.

    SC has a chance. These same SC kids (not quite, but almost) have beaten these same sucla kids 2 years running. Our boys know how to beat this team.

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    2. Agree, John. We just have to avoid jump balls being thrown to 6 feet tall receivers. They can’t duplicate what Drake London gave us. Short crossing patterns. Keep Ingram involved in the passing game. Same with out tight ends [hope they can hang on to the ball better than they did against Arizona State].
      And…. send EVERYBODY after Dorian Thompson-Robinson on his first series. Let him know things are gonna get real rough.

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      1. Yeah, right, scare the quarterback, like sucla did to our guy in the 2009 13-9 weirdo game, right from the get-go.

        Dart’s game is to go long, but best to go for short crossing patterns (where did I get that idea from?). Problem is, the kid lacks quarterbacking experience at this level, so it is unreasonable to believe he will play a mistake-free game which it might take to overcome sucla’s probable 30 or more points.

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      2. Sark said ONE smart thing about playing inexperienced QB’s in big games: “I’d rather have them go for it and make a couple of mistakes than play stiff.”
        I hope Dart plays wide open football…and throws 3 times as many TD’s as he does interceptions…
        #BestWeCanHopeFor…

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  5. 32 – 30 in 3OT to keep the Victory Bell painted in cardinal.

    #Orlando’sDMakesCrucial2Pt.ConversionStopInOTPeriod(Finally!)

    #OrlandoAndHisDStillSucks

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    1. That is so funny. If we didn’t have a defense why would we hire Todd Orlando and pay him a million dollars a year? What would he have to do all season?
      #smdh

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      1. Therein lies the ballgame. IF we load up against the run …and IF we succeed going man to man against their receivers …and IF we make tackles instead of brushing up against runners and their QB….this game is ours.
        This is doable. Not like asking the sky to turn green. Just play smart, tough football for ONE fricking game.

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  8. Harrell taps into McKay’s spirit and runs the ball all day thus running the clock.

    Orlando channels into PC and comes up with a defense that plays the game of it’s life.

    Dart makes clutch throws, takes off on runs to keep drives alive.

    USC wins.

    I can dream, right ?

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    1. If you’re saying that it would be great if dumbfuck Harrell belatedly realized that drives are about first downs —and not throwing the ball 40 yards downfield and letting a tall receiver grab it—- I’d say you weren’t dreaming….
      #You’reBeingSmart

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      1. You said the magic words, Michael, “First downs.”– I recall being in Notre Dame stadium sometime in the early 2000s, and SC was leading something like 20-3. And the ND crowd was crying, begging, and screaming for first downs. First downs. And the Irish responded by getting first down, after first down.

        I’ve never experienced anything quite like it, at least at a football game, but that crowd willed the Irish back into the game who won it at the end, tattooing SC with still another bitter loss in South Bend, Indiana.
        I

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      2. We could beat UCLA, John, if we played disciplined & smart possession football (something we haven’t done ONCE under Harrell). Unfortunately, it’s obvious from his interviews that Harrell is too immature to figure this out. He thinks like a teenager: “They scored, now we have to get it back in 2 plays!”
        #HarrellVersusChipIsOurWorstMatchup

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    2. …you meant to say “Harrell taps into Aranda’s spirit and runs the ball all day.”

      A bit much to ask this O-line to gel in week 11 or 12 and push UCLA around all day, but I’ll take a sip of that Kool-aid Winner Dave.
      I don’t think I’ll be taking a sip of bourbon tonight.

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      1. So, basically… all Trojan fans should be praying our o-line players get personality transplants for game 10?
        #”Coaches’MagicVictoryPacket:InsertSwaggerHere!”
        #It’sBeenDoneBefore

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  9. Gutties run game explodes for 400 yds … they win 45-28 if that close
    Bohn covids the waste of time last game and announces the new hire

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    1. …Add this:
      In waning moments of game Clay Helton, disguised in red devil costume, shows up on sidelines with his arms around Harrell & Orlando to laugh at team he personally destroyed…..
      #….HeIsChasedDown&TrampledByTraveler

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  10. I’m not sure how many of you caught College Game Day, but a lot of the cast mentioned Brian Kelley as a possible candidate for USC. I haven’t heard that name mentioned before, so I don’t know what to think. Maybe they have some inside information or they’re just talking out of their ass.

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      1. And Herbstreit-Wormtongue was giving Shilalaville the same treatment he gave USC over the propriety of keeping Helton, talking about how hard the team has played for Diaz, blah, blah, blah…he, Saban, the SEC…they know that if USC and Miami are run competently, the picnic will be over…

        Liked by 2 people

      3. It’s been obvious all along that he has wanted USC (and now Miami) to do what is in the interest of his beloved Buckeyes and that long subpar conference they long to (minus, of course…ahem, Carol and Mike…while being coached by Urban)…Ohio State crawled out from under its rock only when Haden & progeny self-immolated USC’s program…they and Oklahoma, along with Texas and Michigan, while great, historical programs that I have a lot of respect for…have been frauds during this past decade of ESPN-SEC engineered results…can only hope we get lucky on the coaching hire (everyone here knows all that that statement entails)…

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      4. Along those lines, IF Bohn hires someone like James Franklin I hope there’s an investigation —which includes subpoenas for telephone records and bank accounts….
        #”What?MikeBohnReceivingMillionsFromForeignAdversaries?!”

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  11. Neither team has a decent victory this season – not one. Neither team can defend. It will probably come down to who turns it over more. Always hate to lose to Westwood – but I don’t know if I will feel all that great if USC wins, unless Dart really lights it up and we see a glimpse of what the team could be like next year. Here is to the end of the worst season in recent memory.

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  12. Good thing Sparti shelled out for Mel…pay close attention USC fans…one of the questionable names floated at one stage…gotta get this hire right. Enough on that. Enjoy the game everyone…

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  13. Today, will prove that USC needs to recruit a real dual threat QB. Darian-Thompson Robinson will take off on many plays and pick up alot of 1st downs on 3rd down. I hear Dart can run some today he is going to have to run alot to keep the Trojans in the game.

    Someone mentioned that Brian Kelly is a candidate for the USC job.
    I say he should be in the top 3 with Fickell, Aranda. Kelly, is the best leader of the 3, and might be the perfect pick with his experience of running of big time program.

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    1. Kelly is VERY good. He’s not great.
      He’s never come close to winning it all…. he’s been there and flopped.
      #BigYESOnDualThreatQB….
      #ItShouldBeObviousAtThisPoint…
      #But……Apparently….”It’sNotWhoWeAre”

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  14. Best way to stop the UCLA offense today with our weak defense is?

    Move the chains- long drives- control the time of possession- keep the ball away from the bruin offense-. Run the football with Ingram, and use the tight ends in the short passing game.

    This way we can keep the score close until the 4th qtr.

    Part of the problem at USC now is DUMBO HARRELL who never adjusts the offensive game plan week to week to match up with the opponent. In other words he probably still tells the players no need for a new game plan, we can outscore everyone with this air raid offense which is not the case.

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  15. Kelly can recruit, and has his team in the playoff hunt every year. Sure, he has not won the big one meaning a national championship yet, but who has other than Nick Saban (Knute Rockne) in recent years. Once Saban retires Kelly can get us right there at the top.

    The more I think about it- Brian Kelly is now my No.1 choice if we are really serious about getting back to the top soon. His teams play solid defense, and the offense is well balanced. If he wants to come grab him, and pay him the market value. Fickell, and Aranda might be good so there is a risk…………….Kelly is already a proven head coach with a long track record of success.

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    1. Don’t get me wrong –Kelly is good. But remember this: He went through a serious dry spell at Notre Dame until he got the right coordinators in place…
      #InOtherWords,ChipAin’tGonnaSaveUsAllByHimself…
      [In point of fact, no coach can pull off a turnaround like our program needs by himself —but great coaches are less reliant on their supporting cast than Kelly is]….

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  16. SUCC internet advertisement:

    USC Men’s Hoops
    Tommy Pass
    Every. single. Game.
    One Low price
    $1.29
    Buy now.

    #Cue: Cream Puffs and Cupcakes

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  17. If Kelly came here- USC will go with gold helmets, and just maybe Carol, and Caruso can purchase “Touchdown Jesus”, and the Golden Dome in a package deal. Carol Folt, is all about the environment like all old hippies so bringing some monuments to the USC campus like Kelly, Touchdown Jesus, and the Golden Dome would improve and preserve the environment on campus.

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  18. I tell you who I don’t like. I don’t like Scott Wolf. I understand that it’s your job to be impartial about the state of USC, but you obviously take joy is seeing the program down. Your little black heart bursts with joy when you accurately predict that UCLA will win today. That’s why you don’t deserve to call yourself a Trojan. Go beat write for CSUF.

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  19. Remember no one has more inside information that Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN. He also is very close to Luke Fickell, and his family since they played together at Ohio State.

    If he brought up Brian Kelly as a candidate for the USC job it must be true, and he must be interested. If he did not bring up Luke Fickell he must know that Fickell is not coming to USC.

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    1. I actually hope you’re right —I don’t think Fickell is the guy to turn our demolished program around…
      #AndIThinkBrianKellyWouldTakeOneLookAtFolt&Bolt…
      #[He’sUsedToASaneUniversityPresident]….

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    1. Very, very, very bad news. Harrell is still throwing jump balls —the short game is there but he ‘s doing what he always does…wasting downs on jump balls….
      #HeDeservesThePinkSlipHe’sGettingIn2Weeks

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    1. Bottom line –BOTH teams are shitty…
      #But,AtThisPoint,USCLooksShittier
      #CreditToOurCoaches—TheyLookWorseEachGame
      #CanAnyoneFixThis?

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    1. 28 -10..
      …I was hoping USC wouldn’t give up this early…
      #PlayersAreBarelyMovingOnDefense…
      #…OrOffense….
      #[OnGoodTeamsThisProbablyIsn’tTheWayItWorks]
      P.S.
      Bohn: Why not complete the destruction? Time to take the “Interim” of Donte’s title!

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    1. Helton’s contract clearly states he can only be fired once a year!!
      #Sorry..Didn’tRealizeYouWereBeingSarcasticAgain..

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      1. Todd Orlando coaches LB’s. He also appears to be be packing on the LB’s. 4-5 season forces you to swallow a lot of aggression.

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  34. Dear Todd Orlando: Have you made the decision today to protect the UCLA QB Darian Thompson Robinson. The guy has all the time to throw the ball even OWNS could get open with that pass rush. I will say so far so good on the UCLA running game, but an F grade on the pass rush.

    Good drive to end the half, but can you stop UCLA to start the 2nd half. This 1st UCLA possession is the key to start the half….USC must come out with fire to gain some momentum or I am afraid it’s UCLA game in a route. SHOW ME SOME FIRE TROJANS!

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    2. Well, your prophecy can now play itself out, tommyd.
      #FirstTimeASportingContestHasActuallyMadeMeSick….
      #SomeoneNeedsToFollowTheRestOfDumbBitch’sTweetsToday….
      #…[SoFar:”WhatASpecialDayInLosAngeles”]

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  37. What happened to Playing like All-Stars, Partying like Rock-Stars and F**king like Porn-Stars? That’s what I was about when I was at USC….not so much when I was in prison…

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  38. Genlemen; Just turned on your game after ours and have to comment; Kelly is not coming to USC. Do any of you seriously consider it a step up from ND? (its not!)
    I don’t think the move from Oregon to USC is either at this point in time. You will be lucky to get Aranda. And I see that tackling is still optional. ( ND has allowed 0 TDs in the past 3 games) But Fight On.

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  45. Dart—-had a wide open field on that one why in the world did he throw that ball. He could have easily come close to the goal line.

    Oh well………the offense played well enough to win this one………….but as the announcer said SC has the worst defense in the Pac 12, and the Pac 12 is a very weak conference defensively.

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  46. Now that Chip went for 2 to make it 50 points I’m looking forward to Donte asking for his autograph at the end of the game…
    #ChipProvedHeWasWhoWeThoughtHeWas….
    #NowIt’sUpToDonteToCompleteTheInsult…

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  47. SUCC gets blown out again at the Crumbling Mausoleum.

    #I love it!

    Remember when all the Rah-Rah’s were pissed the SUCC would go 10 – 2 and thereby save Helton job.

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