FOOTBALL

There Was So Much Going On Saturday Night/Sunday Morning

Did you see Stanford coach David Shaw resigned? Anyone have Chris Petersen’s number? Does he want to deal with the non-NIL, few transfers-on-roster Stanford?

Wait, I digress. So it’s USC vs. Utah on Friday in the Pac-12 championship game at Las Vegas. Bet the rematch isn’t as good.

All those fears about USC and the College Football Playoff disappeared Saturday night. The Trojans are in with one more victory.

I decided to sit in the stands at the Coliseum on Saturday night and a lot of people were thinking about playing Georgia, which is not ideal. But if TCU stumbles next weekend in the Big 12 title game, USC could sneak into the other semifinal and play Michigan. That’s more palatable. We’ll have to wait until next weekend to see what happens.

  • What about Saturday night?

This wasn’t exactly a classic USC-Notre Dame game, unless you looked at a stat sheet. If you told me Irish QB Drew Pyne was 23-26 for 318 yards or go 15 for 15 entering the fourth quarter, I’d think the Irish pulled off a huge upset. And that Alex Grinch would again be under the microscope along with the secondary.

But Caleb Williams is the human eraser, who can make everything else irrelevant. His ability to make something out of nothing and overcome the Trojans’ other shortcomings is the hallmark of the season. The USC secondary needs to thank Williams for saving their careers.

“I’ve never seen nothing like it,” USC wide receiver Tahj Washington said. “The things he does on a consistent basis … he deserves it. He got the crown, you know what I mean?”

Williams leaves other teams with a razor-thin margin for error. When Notre Dame fumbled a handoff, it was throwing the game away because you must match the Trojans TD for TD.

“He’s freaky athletic, and it shows,” Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand said.

Notre Dame did not physically punish USC like it was capable of doing. That made the game more of a skills show and the Irish were never going to win that battle. The USC defense is still vulnerable but not enough to keep the Trojans from heading to Las Vegas and on the brink of a CFP appearance.

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105 thoughts on “There Was So Much Going On Saturday Night/Sunday Morning”

    1. Oh, Scott. No wonder you liked Game of Thrones. Not only would you have fit right in, you probably would have found a way of deposing Circe.
      Let’s credit an amazing O-line and Austin Jones along with our elite QB and his speedy receivers.
      And let’s see how Utah does against us on a neutral field.

      Liked by 7 people

      Reply

      2. Utah bring us down? It’s possible —but I sure wouldn’t bet on it. They had the benefit of a huge home crowd, the emotion of playing for tragically lost players ….and [in my opinion] two terrible calls.
        This time it’s gonna be different.

        Liked by 7 people

      6. For those of us who understand Wolf speak, and I know you do MG, this write up from Scotty is the glowing equivalent of Paul Finebaum hyping up Alabama.

        Liked by 3 people

      7. Very astute, Scott. [btw, “The Worst of Paul Finebaum” —funniest sports book title yet—I want Scott’s to beat it out with “Not Just The Best Of Scott Wolf”]…

        Liked by 2 people

      8. Scotty is full of shyt on this one. He just wants something to complain about. He picked Notre Dame 31-30 over his alma mater. No wonder he’s not wanted at practice or on the sidelines at games.. He should be trolled hard today, for being a fucin traitor. I said it! Fuc you Scotty!
        USC defense and offense compliment each other but your ass is so lost in the Heinz 57 sauce of negativity. You can’t even figure it out!

        Like

      10. Utah’s leading rusher, Tavion Thomas, is out of the championship game. So it boils down to impeding Cameron Rising, who threw for over 400 yards and ran for 60.

        Liked by 1 person

      11. 67,
        Now that Tavion has decided to “rededicate himself to himself” —we will be dealing with Micah Bernard [who ain’t chopped liver].
        Bright side: We have gotten WAY better at covering big tight ends…
        #AskUCLA …
        #…AndNotreDame

        Liked by 1 person

      13. SC’s O-line is really good and their D-Line is much better than they have given credit for all year long. SC’s defense is also much more physical than than they have been credited for. I think that the front 7 is starting to see themselves as a force.

        Like

    2. For whatever reaaon the Irish took a dive.

      I mean hell, the Irish could have at least tried to give the appearance that they wanted to win that game last night.

      Never thought I would see that from the Irish, they just didn’t want to be there at the Coliseum. They didn’t give two shits if they won the game or not.

      But the Ladies of Troy fanboys will take it and try and pass it off as some great win last night when in actuality the Irish handed that game to USC on a platter.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. “Whatever reason”?!
        The reason should be obvious! It was a misdirection play —the Irish were desperately trying to draw attention from their involvement in the Moon Landing hoax….
        #WhoCanBlameThem?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Inner Teblowobama: Please excuse me I have been out the country helping my good bud SBF find remote living accomodations. I put him in touch with Elvis and Bigfoot who I have also helped out in the past.

        Anyway, now that I am back, I moving on to my next expose–this one is a bombshell- I have rock solid evidence that the invisible Leprechauns (I have special detecting equipment to spot them) turned on ND football last night which led to their loss. At this point the story gets complicated but bear with me. It turns out that the Leprechauns were the real drivers behind the fake moon landing–the Leprecauns and Martha Stewart to be more precise. Theand was planning on revealing their role in this nefarious scheme. In retaliation the Leprecauns sabotaged the football team last night. I have documents and videos to confirm all of this—it will rock the world when I release my book. In the meantime, I have to get back to my Little Lulu comic books.

        Like

      4. teeeeeeeeeeeebo,

        nd knew that they had to play td for td. They could not, nor are they built to play speed ball. It was the dinosuar against speed racer. SC boat raced them to death. They also were out physicalling tthem by giving up only 90 yrds funning. Once again, SC forced their opponent to have the qb win the game.

        Teeeeeeeeeeeeebo,

        what is your prodection for the utah game? I hope you are taking utah.

        Like

      6. Dude you are so full of sh1t. You know very little about football. ND has probably 7 or 8 NFL guys of there starters vs. USC maybe 4 or 5. They gave nothing to the Trojans, they fought to the end. Just out classed.

        Like

  2. Sad about Shaw quitting Stanford, he was a gentleman and probably figured he didn’t need all that criticism anymore…

    If TCU loses to Kansas St and the other favorites win then it could look like this–
    Georgia
    Michigan
    SC
    Alabama or Ohio St (Buckeyes, whatever that is, weren’t worth peanuts yesterday)

    Other sides of ‘Celeb’–horsing around with children, signing autographs, laughing and talking it up with whoever is around, giving a post-game interview as if he were auditioning to become a U.S. Senator…

    Jonesie, ‘where art thou love?’ And who were those imposter SC defense linemen earning some Notre Dame respect…

    You were warned that this Fighting Irish kid quarterback Pyne was probably pretty good as ND is no slack when it comes to quarterbacking

    As the song goes,”What a feeling, deep inside of you,” take your SC passion and make it happen!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

    1. Yes, John. And here’s another song for USC this Friday: “Let’s Get Physical” by Olivia Newton John…..
      #….OrWeCouldJustGoWithThe”ConanTheBarbarian”Score

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. btw —you and I had a feeling Notre Dame wouldn’t give up. We’ll need all hands on deck next year in South Bend…..
        #…AndAFewMoreStarsOnDefenseViaThePortal

        Liked by 4 people

      2. This defense thinks of themselves as much more physical than they did at the start of the season. I think that they now see themselves as a physical defense whereas at the start of the season they saw themselves as a finesse defense.

        Like

    2. ….not gonna dwell on Shaw, but he was a class act.
      He thrived during a time where the Pac 12 was declining in value and USC was dealing with the death sentenance.

      Irrespective, he DID produce 5 Heisman Trophy runners up in a 9 year span (while USC was in the doldrums). With the exception of maybe Lincoln Riley and Nick Saban, no other coach has such a claim.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      3. It’s a mystery to me as to what happened to him. For a number of years after he took over for Harbaugh, he continued the smash mouth running football and then all of a sudden they lost their running game. McCaffrey should have won the Heisman twice.

        Like

  3. Bet $5 and won $435 on a 7-pick parlay including USC -5.5. Bet Oregon State on a moneyline bet plus won three other point bets. Picked USC 35-27 here. Scott Wolf please send me a set of steak knives.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    3. …I’m off to Vegas on Thursday, but not gonna bet a single dime anywhere. Dealing with a stellar Ute team will be enough of a challenge for this old guy.

      Good job on the parlays, Charles. I really thought Oregon would come through. I guess Kenny Dillingham was spending more time thinking about buying a home in Scottsdale and spending money than developing a game plan versus the Beavers?

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

  5. You said, “Notre Dame did not physically punish USC like it was capable of doing.” So, are you saying that the Domers held off from what they are capable of? What, did they show USC mercy? If they were capable of something but didn’t do it does that mean they decided to go easy on the Trojans? I think that is a bunch of horse crap. They gave what they had and it wasn’t enough.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

      1. John,
        Notre Dame was still throwing long at the end of the game. Their lack of sportsmanship led to many years of well deserved payback by McKay & Robinson.

        Liked by 3 people

    2. Thank you Ken Hart, I like this blog but the blogger is full of shyt sometimes. With his lame ass excuses; trying to justify why he picked Notre Dame and makes excuses for them.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      2. 67,
        The holding that was going on was “taught.” Notre Dame o-linemen were protecting on pass plays by putting both arms around our linemen & safeties …and then closing their hands on their jerseys for a full second to slow them down.
        They do this every year —and it’s bullshit. They deserved to lose.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. It was like Fay Wray watching the celebration of herself being offered to King Kong……
        #EveryoneButOnePersonWasHavingAGoodTime

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Michael, you, George, Tim, et. al. need to be on Scottie’s payroll. The problem is that if you guys were, then “Inside USC” would be in receivership.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. We should maybe tolerate [but never give in to] political correctness—most people just desperately want to be part of the crowd…..
        #WhenThePendulumShiftsThey’llShiftWithIt….
        #[AreYouReadingThisCarol]?

        Like

  8. ND could not out physical SC that is why they did not. 90 yds rushing total when they have been avg about 250/game…SC line pounded ND vaunted d line. SC d line made ND pass to keep up,…the SC defense intercepted and recovered a fumble…they beat the irish…period

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply

      1. well, it has been 7 actual decades since my 1st games…and I have actually spent much time evaluating and discerning…I welcome thoughtful improvement ’cause at 79 I am sure I missed something…thank you for the comment.

        Liked by 5 people

  9. It sure was nice to see USC have 2nd and 2 instead of 2nd and 10. Austin Jones put the USC offense on his back and carried it for 154 net yards, enabling Caleb to put on an historic show on a prime time telecast. In the end we have to give it up for that O line that we have mistreated for so many years. They delivered. That D line dug in and made some great stops even after ND adjusted. Gentry led the team in tackles, glad he is back. Now we move on and get really serious, USC is now playing for championships. Thanks Coach Riley, what an incredible job you have done.

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply

  10. 11-1, and one play away from 12-0, after 4-8 last year. Congrats to a tremendous team, and thanks for bringing joy back to Mudville. Well done Trojans!

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply

  11. Apparently ‘Celeb’ never heard Bill Cosby’s warning when he played a little football at his school Temple–

    When we are on television and if you get kicked in your privates, do not touch your junk hold your head instead

    ‘Celeb’ the ‘What me Worry’ people-lover wasn’t holding his head

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Bill Cosby actually said one of the wisest things I ever heard — when his uncle promised him a bike but later said “cuz you broke that window you’ll never get that bike”, Cosby said “what a person does to you in the end is what they were planning to do all along.”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  12. The 4 levels of Caleb Williams:
    “Wow! That was a great play!”
    “Oh Wow! That was a really great play!”
    “Oh Ho Wow! That was one of the most incredible plays I’ve ever seen!”
    … And…
    “Are you frickin’ kidding me????! Again!!!”

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

  13. “If you told me Irish QB Drew Pyne was 23-26 for 318 yards or go 15 for 15 entering the fourth quarter, I’d think the Irish pulled off a huge upset.”
    USC was a 4.5 point favorite. I’m not sure it would be a huge upset when some betting sites said ND plus the points was the better bet.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. Final say and back to work but isn’t this fun wallowing-about with Trojan pride as if a tribe of pigs in mud

    I didn’t notice any fans jumping off the ‘Celeb’ band wagon but persons reacted differently with opinions ranging from the slang “I’ve never seen nothing like it” to a ‘still trying to catch him’ ND linebacker, “He’s freaky athletic, and it shows”

    And when Wiley was asked his opinion of the electrifying ‘Celeb he enthusiastically replied, “I see it every day”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. btw ,where are all those ‘bigmouth’ trolls that are always going ‘dingy’ and succky’ and adding all their drivel making have to pass through their diatribes and tripe to get to meaningful posts???

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  15. …so, with the exception of a few “Gloomy Gus Henderson’s” around here, I think all can quit with the whining.

    The Trojans were MORE PHYSICAL than ND.
    1. Did you see how ND kept blitzing and how this oft-maligned O-line performed exceptionally? Caleb was about 5 for 7 with massive yardage vs the Blitz.
    2. ND gave up on the run game–not because they were far behind but because it wasn’t working. This front 7 has improved tremendously over the season. Tuli with another sack. Taleni. Solomon Byrd with another sack. Admittedly, I think ND lacks speed in the backfield. I like this trend on their part.
    3. Our O-line GASHED the ND front 7 in the run game.

    The Trojans out-coached ND (and UCLA last week).
    1. Grinch called a great game–two weeks in a row.
    2. Riley? What about the play calling in the first quarter? Wow.
    Then, he beat ND with their own game–ball control.
    Riles is probably the smartest CFB coach in the game.
    Saban is more experienced and has a better system, but
    Riles is a CFB genius.

    QB play, right Gabby?
    At least 8 fantastic Pac 12 QB’s, and 3 Pac 12 transfers (Slovis, JT, Jaden Daniels) leading their teams in the Power 5.

    In the NFL, it’s all about your QB. So it goes in the Pac 12 also.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Bourbon,
      I’m happy that some talented big guys on our team have gotten the chance to REALLY improve their draft stock —- this year has probably meant millions for our maligned linemen.
      You know what’s really weird? The Pac 12 is getting respectable at the very moment we’re leaving it. If that dopey Pac 12 Commissioner could figure out a way of bringing Texas and Oklahoma in we’d be better off staying.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. Pac 12–per usual–conference of top-flight QB’s. That was the lead…

        No other conference has the QB play that the Pac has.

        Like

    4. LR is a really great coach. He covers everything when preparing for a game. I was afraid ND was going to block some of our punts. They are great at that and our special teams are poor. But he just had Caleb pooch kick it. Like I said he covers all details in preparing for a game.

      Like

      Reply

  16. Mr. Wolf, your contrarian act is shallow. You pretend to shame USC and find faults when you yourself predicted the results of this season. “Outscore everyone because this team can’t defend” so congrats on the prediction prophet Wolf. Now your afraid of Georgia? Begging for the Wolverines? No, I’d stay away from Michigan, that team is the best in college football. Ignore your disdain of Harbaugh and look at the facts.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. Looking forward to seeing USC play Utah. Just need the refs to stay out of this game and call a clean game.

    Is USC proving to offensive and defensive line recruits that they are the best coaching staff at developing line talent? They started with poor rosters and have delivered really strong performances on both sides of the ball.

    I think USC will have a different plan for every team they face from here.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

  18. I watched all of Notre Dame games this season. That was the most thorough beating this side of the NFL. Look how many times they struggled to get even one yard. Not even Ohio State dominated them like that. Plus, ACC ref crew (which we all know USC was more tthan happy to agree with) did the game. That means they are more familiar with the Irish than USC. That win against Notre Dame makes this team a validated CFP participant. Don’t believe me? Watch on Tuesday because that opinion on the Trojans has changed dramatically.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. You’re never gonna get all the calls you want…but…I kept thinking one thought while watching the ACC crew do their thing: “Professional.”
      #I’veNEVERHadThatThoughtWatchingAPac12Crew

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  20. Michael I agree with you 100%, Utah had three things going for them. That was the biggest home crowd ever, It was homecoming, they had the memorial for the two players that were murdered And it took the referees to get involved for them to win the game in the last minute. There is no way Utah can stop that Lincoln Riley offense on a neutral field.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Raul,

      Refs can win the game for utah. We saw that in the first game. But I am wondering if the PAC 12 will cut off its nose just to punish SC? If SC goes to the playoffs, then there will be alot more money for the conference..

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  21. Utah cannot stop SC, is that a fact because the odds have set
    the Trojans as only a 2-point favorite partly because the Utes will come in with a boatload of passion with a chance at a second straight Rose Bowl

    A commentary today said the present college playoff system is gravely flawed because the Top-4 Teams of Georgia, Michigan, TCU and USC have to play an extra 13th game to get “in” while Ohio St and Alabama sit idly by having only played 12-games rooting for one of the Top-4 to lose its 13th game

    The suggestion which will never be implemented was that the Top-4 should now be declared in the ‘Final-4’ with the outcome of their Conference Championship games only be used for seeding purposes

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Brant Kuithe is out for the year–did not play against us anyway.

      This Guy named Yassmin made an incredibly athletic TD reception versus CU yesterday–watch the highlight.*

      But HERE IS THE INSIDE SCOOP* FOR ALL THE followers here.
      Dalton Kincaide, the TE who shredded USC last month, came down hard on his helmet onto a cold/hard field in Boulder yesterday after a TD reception. He was dazed for awhile and laid still for quite a few minutes, and the crew took him STRAIGHT TO THE on-site medical facility at Folsom Field. Gotta think he is in concussion protocol.

      *I was at Folsom Field yesterday scouting the Utes.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I’m trying to be objective here —any Utah player who took even ONE play off after a hard hit in the Colorado game shouldn’t be allowed to compete in the Pac 12 Championship game ….I know that sounds harsh & capricious & arbitrary —but I’m VERY extra- cautious when it comes to the health of Utah players….
        #It’sJustSOMuchBetterToBeSafeThanSorry,Right?

        Like

  23. Conference Call this morning between Missy Conboy, Greg Sankey and the NCAA. Topic is “What the hell can we do about these guys this time?

    Like

    Reply

  24. Scooter,

    Twice in a Row, SC has stopped the vaunted run game for ugly and nutre dome. Chardnoney got 95 and nd got 90 yards rushing. This reminds me of Don Linsey’s defense when they woud not give up mmore than 100 yards rushing. He has improved the defense with what he has. I believe he will have the same thing going for the utah game and forcing the qb for the third time in a row to win the game. Stop the run and you can pin your ears back and go after the qb. Dtackles and dends love this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Last 2 quarterbacks we faced —both of whom are quite good — turned the ball over on big drives and, generally, got fucked over several times during the game….

      Like

      Reply

  25. Drew Pine is a good QB but I have no reason to believe he is better than good. He looked great against SC because SC choose to stop the run thinking that if they stop ND’s run, ND will not beat them no matter how well Pine did. And they were right.

    Like

    Reply

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