Think back to Nov. 26. USC defeated Notre Dame and was riding high. Caleb Williams clinched the Heisman and almost everyone believed the Trojans would beat Utah in the Pac-12 title game. I remember the analysts praising the USC defense immediately after the game for their physical play in stopping the Irish’s running game. Somehow, everything turned to ashes after that high point, and if … Continue reading USC Late-Season Collapse Leaves Bitter Taste

I asked a Pac-12 coach who watched the Cotton Bowl why USC is so bad at tackling? “You can practice it all you want but if guys don’t have the heart to do it, it doesn’t matter,” the coach said. “What you saw (against Tulane) looked like some guys who were trying to protect their futures. They saw what was coming at them and didn’t … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Why Can’t USC Tackle?

No surprise as USC defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu announced tonight he would declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. He finished the season with an FBS-leading 13.5 sacks. Continue reading Tuli Tuipulotu Announces He Will Enter NFL Draft

USC lost the Cotton Bowl because of its defense but it still rankles me that Jordan Addison sat out the game. He basically spent a semester at USC wearing a retired number and couldn’t be bothered to play in the bowl game. Who developed? Ceyair Wright, who was benched at the end of the season? Jacobe Covington, who barely played until the end of the … Continue reading So Many Questions The Day After Cotton Bowl

Four-star cornerback Jett White of Orange High School has decommitted from USC. Frankly, I never expected him to stick with USC. He committed early, before Lincoln Riley got hired and things always seemed tenuous the past 12 months. Another Donte Williams coup. Continue reading Notes: Four-Star Cornerback Decommits From USC

Lincoln Riley has a tough decision ahead. He can fire Alex Grinch. Or he can tell Grinch to fire some defensive assistant coaches. Either way, some type of change seems likely for the USC coaching staff. Firing some assistants won’t be easy for Riley since it would probably mean some guys who followed him from Oklahoma get sacked. But it’s going to be hard to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Decisions Loom For Lincoln Riley