We have our first overconfident quote of the Crosstown Rivalry week. UCLA safety Mo Osling III, asked late last night about replicating last season's 62-33 win over USC at the Rose Bowl: "We know we’re gonna replicate it next week, so we’re gonna have a little bit of a fire underneath our butts. Go out there and just put it on display." — Ben Bolch … Continue reading USC Notes: Crosstown Rivalry Boasts Begin Early

The most-hyped USC-UCLA game since 1988 is no more after the Bruins lost to Arizona, 34-28. But the start time is known: It will be at 5 p.m. and on Fox Network. The game won’t be hyped for College Football Playoff implications. USC is the only team left in the Pac-12 with a chance because the Trojans have only one loss, unlike Oregon, Utah and … Continue reading A Less-Hyped USC-UCLA Game Kicks Off At 5 p.m.

Why did USC go for 2 points last night with a 32-10 lead vs. lowly Colorado? The reason was simple: The Trojans wanted to put something else on film for UCLA to worry about before next week’s game. That’s why the play was run last night and not in another game. It’s part of the gamesmanship that happens. There is actually a precedent too. In … Continue reading USC Saturday Notes: Lincoln Riley Imitates Pete Carroll

The big question this morning is how will USC replace Travis Dye? If I try to think like Lincoln Riley, the answer might be what Riley wants anyways: Pass the ball even more. Let’s look at Dye’s replacements: 1.) Austin Jones Does everything fine and nothing special. 2.) Raleek Brown Capable of making a big play but inconsistent and pass-blocking needs work. 3.) Darwin Barlow … Continue reading Morning Buzz: How USC Replaces Travis Dye

The first takeaway is how rough the injury to tailback Travis Dye impacts USC. The fact it happened against a 1-8 team is even worse. USC will miss his leadership, his running and just as crucially, his pass blocking. Well, it’s now officially time to focus on UCLA. UPDATED: Lincoln Riley on Travis Dye: “Don’t expect he’ll play again this year. Don’t expect it to … Continue reading Discuss The USC-Colorado Game

So how do you feel going into the UCLA game now? This game is over but it’s not the crisp, tune-up you want going into the UCLA game. Travis Dye carted off field. It’s a huge loss because he is the Trojans’ emotional leader. USC is going to win but will anyone feel better about the team the way it’s played so far? This is … Continue reading USC-Colorado Live Blog