FOOTBALL

Saturday Buzz: USC-Louisville Report Card

QUARTERBACK

I definitely see the danger of judging a quarterback on one performance but Miller Moss deserves the chance to start next season. Loyal QBs don’t grow in the transfer portal and Moss paid his dues, a lot like the quarterbacks of the Pete Carroll era, who used to wait a couple years before they could start.

Grade: A-

RUNNING BACKS

Where is the running game? Where is the run blocking? Where is a tailback to excite anyone for next season? I don’t see any (including incoming transfers). Does Lincoln Riley realize USC will not become a big-time program until it has a running game to match its passing game? Tailback U. ran a Wildcat with a rarely used QB on 4th and 1 in the Holiday Bowl. Ponder that.

Grade: D-

WIDE RECEIVERS

Tahj Washington showed the benefits of playing in a bowl game after you declared for the NFL Draft. An NFL team will like his competitive spirit. If you thought the young receivers looked good, ask yourself this: Why didn’t Riley play them during the season? It wasn’t like the veterans were tearing it up.

Grade: A-

OFFENSIVE LINE

The good news: Louisville did not get a sack. The bad news: Can they run block? I’ll say the same thing about Elijah Paige as the young receivers. Why couldn’t he play during the regular season? Too young, you say? So why did true freshman offensive lineman Alani Noa start the San Jose State game?

Grade: C

DEFENSIVE LINE

Louisville rushed for 220 yards and a big reason was at the line of scrimmage, which might surprise some people given the hype around some USC linemen. What happens with all the transfers? Are they coming back? I notice Anthony Lucas didn’t play in the Holiday Bowl. Hard-working Solomon Byrd had four tackles in his final game.

Grade: C-

LINEBACKERS

People were worried about the depth but Mason Cobb, Eric Gentry and Jalil Muhammad were solid. Is there any chance Gentry goes back to the transfer portal? He was mishandled because the coaches were too busy forcing Tackett Curtis into the lineup most of the season.

Grade: C+

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Jaylin Smith had a game-high 12 tackles and was defensive MVP. There were some other solid performances but a couple things to remember: Louisville had a vanilla offense; USC is already bringing in two safeties and two corners in the transfer portal. So how much will these guys play besides Smith?

Grade: B-

SPECIAL TEAMS

On one hand, Denis Lynch missed a 38-yard field goal. On the other hand, Kyron Hudson blocked a punt. That sort of sums of special teams this season. You can find good and bad every game.

Grade: C+

COACHING

I’ll give Lincoln Riley some credit because the Trojans were energetic and ready to play. But why weren’t they that way against UCLA (a real game, not a bowl exhibition)? Or Notre Dame? Or Arizona? Or Utah?

Maybe this game demonstrated that Riley needs to be less wedded to playing his favorites. Where has wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane been all season? Buried behind non-performers, that’s where. If this season accomplished anything, maybe it humbled Riley (a little bit).

Grade: C

108 thoughts on “Saturday Buzz: USC-Louisville Report Card”

  1. A pretty reasoned analysis Scott – not your usual smarmy condescending sarcastic ramblings but good specific noting of ‘…where Scotty was right and where Scotty was wrong…’ Well done!

    The one missing piece was the impact of not having the anointed one ‘in situ’ – no more need to show obeisance.

    I wish Caleb Williams well and am glad he is gone. His absence gave life to the rest of this team to play hard and show what they had rather than ‘understand’ what ‘HRH’ ‘needed’ because that seemed to be the entire script since his arrival and especially this year.

    The team played great – they played with heart and with a purpose – victory for all and not just for ‘the one’.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Agreed. As talented as he was, I won’t miss Caleb’s running around until he got sacked or weird ass interviews.
      Sometimes a team just needs a mentally healthy QB.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. And for all of Celeb’s antics he is now the No. 5 rated quarterback according to one publication, so he can say goodbye to
        a $50-million contract (and have to “settle” for a $25-mil one)

        Liked by 3 people

      2. He’ll make his share of $$$ —but unless he undergoes a personality transplant the NFL is not gonna be the fabulous landing point he & his agent thinks it is….

        Liked by 2 people

      3. btw, One publication has actually come out with this headline and sub-headline: “Problem wasn’t Caleb: O-line didn’t block for him & receivers didn’t get open for him.”
        #Yeah,IfTeamDoesn’tWantToPlayHardWhenYou’reAtQB……
        #….It’sAProblem

        Liked by 2 people

      4. John, there ya go. One (1) publication has him at 5. How many publications are out there, if you can count them all. Every pub says something different, all the time, or else nobody would look at them and their #5 ratings.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Kiffin > Riley

        Dart made the best decision of his college career, entering the portal and hooking up with Kiffin. Was that the first 11-win season in the history of the program?

        I can see Kiffin getting the Alabama job when Saban retires

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Lincoln Riley grade [without reference to past failing grades or Alex Grinch failures, which isn’t fair grading]: A+++++
      I stopped at 5 pluses to avoid being labeled a red hot fan boy.
      [I actually set my alarm clock for 3 am — so I could live up to the indefatigable Gabby’s vision of me —but I fell asleep again –I hope 4am will do]…..

      Liked by 6 people

      Reply

      3. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young doesn’t arise after a night of drinking sterno until the trash truck comes around 8AM and disturbs her beauty sleep in the dumpster on 6th and Grand in LA’s Skid Row.

        Liked by 3 people

      6. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young, convicts herself again:

        Gabby
        DECEMBER 29, 2023 AT 11:33 PM

        Frank Young
        DECEMBER 29, 2023 AT 11:03 PM

        You are so obvious, you psychotic .You only appear when Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young appears, you support her leftist kook agenda in lockstep and you completely ignore her disgusting vulgar obscene posts. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young fills the blog with impersonators and made up posters … just like you!

        Guilty as charged like the Senile Joe Crime Family

        Like

      7. Only a freak suffering from OCD would set their alarm to wake up in the middle of the night(3:00am) to post some lame-ass comments on a third-rate blog. Do friends and relatives know about this compulsive behavior…..I see why Sola sleeps in a different room.

        FREAK!

        Like

      8. Only a freak like Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young would live in a dumpster on 6th and Grand in LA’s Skid Row and drink sterno until she passes out every night after a busy day spamming this site for the last 20 years. You are another malignant waste of life like Senile Joe and Hunter Biden.

        Like

  3. This is a very astute comment:

    “If this season accomplished anything, maybe it humbled Riley (a little bit).”

    Surprised to see a few As on this report card! Who would have expected Scott to actually give credit where it’s due (for once)?

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

      2. Listen up, members! I called a truce and politely asked grabbbyy to stop with the “cowardly Gabby/ Frank comments and stalking me but he refused to do it…..So it’s back to me shitting in the blog and slapping the limp dicks around. Blame you boi grabbbyy. Once he goes away the shitting will go away.

        Like

      3. Where was this truce you speak of? You tried to go cold turkey last summer and couldn’t stay on the wagon and became even more malignant when you stopped taking your Thorazine and doxxed our favorite poster here. Shame on you, Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young you vile freak!

        Like

      4. You’re the expert at locating all my posts…..go find it….It was a recent reply to MG.

        We both need to stop the bullshit. I am willing, and you must be also. Stop with lame cowardly gabby crap and posting all the stale biden opinions. Go back to being gotroy22, we will not think any less of you if you do.

        We all have the same goal, the success of USC football and all things related to it. Let’s nurture that goal and stop attacking others. I offer a handshake on it…

        I am sure So Cal and I will occasionally butt-heads, it adds a little spice to the blog, and a few members kind of enjoy it.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. The terms are you be a big girl and ignore any perceived slights by MG, SoCal, Plow Horse, trojan 1967 or any other nice poster here. No Don Rickles insults of other posters. We just discuss USC sports.

        Liked by 2 people

      8. Speaking of Scott’s…….looks like he pulled out too quick and left icicles on your chin……gross!

        I know, you just getting your daily protein!

        Like

      9. Speaking of Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young, she is so stupid she keeps convicting herself:

        Frank Young
        JUNE 20, 2023 AT 2:11 PM

        Gabby
        JUNE 20, 2023 AT 2:26 PM\

        You are so obvious, you psychotic loon .You only appear when Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young appears, you support her leftist kook agenda in lockstep and you completely ignore her disgusting vulgar obscene posts. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young fills the blog with impersonators and made up posters … just like you!

        Guilty as charged!

        Like

      11. Fuck you coconut head….. your leg -humper, grabbbyy, talks shit all day and you go along with it……you’re part of the fucking problem also…….it’s pathetic how you call balls and strikes.

        Sola told me you’re a cock-less old man…..who obsesses over a thrid-rate clown show blog…..SHE’S RIGHT!

        Like

      12. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young hates getting visited by The Ghost Of Christmas Past who shows how vile and disgusting she is:

        Gabby
        JUNE 20, 2023 AT 3:14 PM
        If and when I need any shit out of you I’ll squeeze your head, dipshit. Looks like it’s been months since you posted anything related to USC foot. You truly are the village idiot, blog dunce and #1 troll. FEEL PROUD!…. Now wipe the drool and do something productive. The singlewide is falling apart.

        Like

      14. The manner in which she tries to play the victim is so pathetic: “I offered to stop, but Grabbbyy’s posts give me no choice but to act like a child.” LMAO

        Liked by 3 people

      15. Ha! –even your hilariously dismissive paraphrase doesn’t read as pathetic as the original…. I mean what the fuck is wrong with this guy?

        Liked by 3 people

      17. He is suspected of being the mysterious big bucks patron who sponsors Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young’s 20 year spamathon to destroy Scott Wolf’s blog for daring to criticize the incompetence in the athletic department since Pete fired Naamie Chow and replaced him with his basketball buddies Lame Kiffin and Drunk Sark.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. ” Moss paid his dues, a lot like the quarterbacks of the Pete Carroll era, who used to wait a couple years before they could start. ”

    If the portal had been around during PC’s era they wouldn’t have stayed either Wolfie

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

      1. STFU……go get a hobby……you fucking live in this blog…….3am to 12am daily. I see why Sola has a toy!

        Like

      2. Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young, what is USC “foot”, the new Podiatry School?

        Liked by 1 person

      1. The “Not Unusual” part is the ‘poor little me” passenger….
        #”IfIActHurtEveryoneIsSupposedToJump”
        #”ICanFeelTearsSwelling”

        Liked by 4 people

      2. It must have been a rare Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young sighting!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. This was Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young rudeness.

        Like

      1. Stop acting like it’s so scary awful to get punched in a fight, jerkoff.
        Anybody who fights for REAL knows it doesn’t even hurt [maybe the next day].
        And anybody who knows how to fight knows the punch that knocks you out is the punch you don’t see. And you wouldn’t see it.
        [Why am I wasting my time with this? I protect my home by way of 357 magnum]….

        Liked by 2 people

      2. SAYS THE PUSSY BOY WHO HAD A HEAVY BAG KNOCK HIS ASS OUT ……AND TWISTED A NUT……I can’t even imagine how that all played out……or did Sola just give you a good ass whipping for acting like a dick 24/7

        Like

      3. The hysterical ranting Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young shows a lack of remorse for posts like this:

        Gabby (original)
        JUNE 22, 2023 AT 9:22 PM
        horse plow wants to use his wife’s black dildo to enter the peenus sword fight tourney. The guy is hung like a pimple… I promised we wouldn’t laugh

        Just like the lack of remorse by her Dictator Senile Joe:

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Why are you yelling and making more baseless threats, Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young? Everyone knows you are The Coward of the County!

        Plow Horse
        JUNE 22, 2023 AT 10:23 PM
        Gabby is the biggest pussy on this blog.

        Still waiting for dates, Mr. keyboard tough guy.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Undefeated Florida St a 3 touchdown underdog to once-defeated Georgia with a truckload of opt-outs and Portal transfers.
    This won’t happen again with the 12-team playoffs

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Money shot…..just for my bitch Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young:

      Like

      Reply

  10. My son and I attended the game, I’m glad we picked this one to go to. It was like a home game, almost all cardinal and gold, the crowd was into the holiday season and was really fired up. Moss had a Cinderella game. He threw just one bad pass, the one pick (he telegraphed the throw). Otherwise, he was superb. He throws a beautiful ball, super tight spiral, he gets rid of the ball incredibly fast, the touch TD throw to Jakobi and the long pass to Duce were things of beauty. He sees the field exceptionally well. The Caleb scramble machine was nowhere to be seen, other than the TD pass Miller threw to Jakobi in the first half. Miller was much quicker and more mobile than I expected.

    We went with my nephew, who plays college WR, and his best friend, who is an Ivy-league QB, and their off-season trainer, ex-NFL LB. I asked all three what they thought of Miller and they just smiled. The QB says “There are only a handful of guys in college football who could make some of those throws.”

    QB grade is A, A+ if not for the pick.

    The RBs had only two holes all day, and on both of those Austin made the most of it. He had 51 yards on 10 carries, he never stopped grinding. The run game failure was totally on the O-line.

    Pass protection was quite good, Moss threw the ball away 3 times to avoid a sack.

    Bear is doubled on almost every play. The D-line needs serious help.

    Secondary had its best game of the year IMO. It was a pleasure to see the CBs playing the WRs tight. Lots of short passes were just that – short pass then immediate tackle. Those same short passes would have gone for 30 earlier this season.

    No missed tackles in the first half, maybe 2 in the second half, that was a big improvement.

    I saw plenty to build on for ’24. The guys who played were hungry, they played together, and the team completely was behind Miller.

    #MillerTimeIn2024

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

      1. DECEMBER 5, 2023 AT 5:17 PM
        Michael Guarino
        AUGUST 9, 2023 AT 4:58 PM
        Yep. Had no home — but showed up in Judge Obera’s court to do an E.R.I.S.A. preemption motion on a wage theft case Monday morning …

        MG can’t remember the year his house burnt to the ground but recalls exactly what he was doing in court the Monday after the fire…..While his so-called family sits homeless

        THE GUY IN FULL OF SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..

        Like

  11. Michael Guarino
    DECEMBER 2, 2023 AT 2:53 AM
    Post your area code right now so I know it’s you…then call and I’ll pick up.
    I’ll tell you all about how it’s possible to have more than one home, a feminist wife who kept her maiden name, forget your anniversary [and other stuff when you lead a busy life], fly back and forth between L. A. and Oakland and Maui on machines called airplanes….all kinds of stuff.
    Call me. I’ll be so nice it’ll make you puke.

    His so-called wife won’t even take his last name…..massive disrespect and honor……OR she just never married the coconut head, aka MG…….he’s trapped in another lie…..HAHA!….

    Like

    Reply

      1. …and—may I add — I’m not a liar….
        #GabbyKeepsAdding2&2&Getting5[WhatElseIsNew]?
        #[I’dBeHappyToExplainItAllToHimIfHeCalledThe#OnBarSite…
        #…ButHe’dHaveToPublishHisAreaCodeHereFirst]….

        Liked by 2 people

    3. Poor Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young has no way to erase all the shameful obscene vulgarities and lies and
      threats she has made on this blog.

      Here’s a masterpiece entry by Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young:

      Gabby (original)
      JUNE 23, 2023 AT 3:23 AM
      horse plow said he can use his wife’s black dildo for the peenus sword fight

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. LETS GET Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young TRIGGERED…..

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Fascinating Final-4 this Season, with one publication picking the Washington Huskies to win it all, which Las Vegas probably has them as the 4th choice behind Texas and the Alabama-Michigan winner
    (in a toss-up game really for the National Championship)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. it will be great when grabbbyy goes away and stops accusing people of being imposters and then mocks them for speaking the truth about their identity. MG is part of the problem, he enjoys the conflicts……his empty life is this blog…….

      Like

      Reply

      1. I will accept your truce if you ignore and not attack MG, SoCal, Plow Horse, trojan1967 and any other nice poster, Cowardly Gabby aka TebowObama aka The Guy who posts as So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young

        Liked by 1 person

      3. “It’ll be great when Gabby goes away.”

        Yes, it will. Virtually every person on this board has said that at one time or another.

        Like

      4. I am going to stick around because I know it claps your ass.

        Tell Mrs. so cal, Gabby said Happy New Year…….with a hug!

        Like

  16. The Wolf Blog’s “conflicts” aren’t real, how can a man truly be “offended” when he has heard the same insults over and over.
    It’s really a joke that has been carried out too far

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. LJ, you have always been respectful, and we all can appreciate that. At times, you have been the glue that has held the pieces together. Your wisdom and knowledge do not go unnoticed, thanks for what you bring to the blog.

      Back to the topic at hand, I will add a third word, “ego”.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. “Your wisdom and knowledge do not go unnoticed…”
        Oh, God — now Gabby thinks he’s King Arthur knighting Sir Perceval…
        #[AndISayThatAsOneWho100%AppreciatesLawyerJohn]

        Liked by 2 people

      3. I pretended to be insane because it triggers you and gets under your skin…..it’s all a big game I play with you limp dicks….. this blog is a clown show arena….. you take the bait every fucking time………fucking dumb-ass

        Like

      4. Ha!
        “What would a sane, even tempered person say at this juncture? Oh, I know! I’ll quote quote King Arthur from Morte Darthur”…..
        #Yeah,That’sTheTicket!
        #Something Grand-Eloquent!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Defensive backs: A grade. Max Williams last game, Anthony Beavers came alive, Prophet Brown defended very well, not to mention Jaylin Smith and his 12 unassisted tackles. Wolf’s sorry ass bias is showing again.

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    1. Tackling was by far the biggest overall improvement. Cobb is still the biggest liability on defense. Too many missed tackles by a guy entering his 5th year.

      Like

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  18. Ohio State beat by Missouri. Penn State beat by Ole Miss. I sense that once the Rose Bowl is over that the Wolf’s perception of the “Big Bad Big Ten” will come back to reality and he’ll realize what many including I already suspect…that the Pac 12 teams going there will own that conference.

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  19. Scott shows a basic misunderstanding of how to manage a roster. Yes, some of the freshmen are looking better than the seniors they replaced, but that doesnt mean you should be playing the freshmen all year long. For one thing, the freshmen were getting better during the year and learning the system, so they might not have been better earlier in the year. You also need to play your seniors so they have a chance to get into the NFL. If you throw aside the seniors quickly, players will realize that your school doesnt put players in the NFL. That hurts recruiting.

    More than anything, this game proved that there is a core problem with transfer portal one and done players. It is a steady stream of mercenaries that might or might not actually perform, but you have made an implicit promise to play them. So it damages the culture and makes younger players less willing to stick in your program and wait their turn. When senior transfer players dont pan out, it hurts the program.

    My grades

    Miller Moss B+ Miller played great, but there are some areas where he can really develop. His receivers bailed him out on numerous throws that could have been dropped or intercepted. MM can easily be coached up to an A.

    Receivers A – The receivers were incredible and are going to be incredible next year. Branch was actually the only disappointment. Duce, Jakobi, Lemon, Hudson and Taj were exactly what they need to be. They need to get Branch unleashed and if Singer is staying, they need to get him the ball more. Dont bring in more one and done receivers that are going to need to play above the great receivers on the roster.

    O-line – Two grades, Pass C+, Run D. The offensive line benefitted from MM getting the ball out fast and even so, MM got hit a couple times right as he released the ball and was flushed out of the pocket quite a bit. The run blocking was horrible, until the very end. The only upside is that Paige did a decent job for his first start.

    D-line D – Really porous and couldnt stop the run game, despite the fact that it really contained no surprises.

    Linebackers D – The linebackers couldnt fill the gaps in the run game and I didnt see them tackling effectively. Cobb is around the ball alot, but I dont see them as making a difference in this game. Maybe I didnt watch closely enough. Did Gentry make big plays?

    Secondary B+ – The main improvement in the defense was the secondary. Tackling in space was so much better than ever before. Lead tackler was Jaylin Smith, not a linebacker (linebackers should be the top tacklers if they are doing a good job). A few problems with setting the edge. Prophet, Jaylin and Beavers were standouts.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. LIKED!……..Lead tackler was Jaylin Smith, not a linebacker (linebackers should be the top tacklers if they are doing a good job).

      EXACTLY!…..I think someone from the secondary leading in tackles game after game was a common occurrence. good write-up!

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  20. I really don’t trust our placekicker. I would go to the portal and find an upgrade.

    Wolf criticizes Riley for not playing Paige and the young receivers earlier. I don’t think that is really fair. Freshman improve dramatically from the beginning of the year to the end especially on the offensive line. You don’t want to gamble your Heisman trophy winning quarterback’s health on a freshman left tackle and that is why you rarely see freshman starting at left tackle.

    Looking forward to Henson working with the young offensive lineman. Hope Monheim and Murphy return. If things go well, we could have a good unit next year and if that occurs watch out of the offensive side of the ball. Lane, Robinson, Branch, and Lemon will be very difficult to defend and with a running game, oh boy.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. plow: Freshman improve dramatically from the beginning of the year to the end especially on the offensive line

      How can you tell if they “improve dramatically” when you have little to no sample size to base a before and after. Tell me how you came to this conclusion.

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  22. If Caleb is leaving, why hasn’t he declared yet? What is he waiting for?
    Is he waiting to see what Riley does regarding the defense-and the players coming in for the defense? It was weird seeing him the sidelines of the Holiday Bowl with his jersey half on. BTW, glad to see Miller Moss did so well. I texted the other members of our USC family alumni-and they all said the same thing, “Finally a game to be engaged with-we were sure that SC wouldn’t bother to show up.

    Could Caleb go into the portal and play for another team? (Oregon, LOL)

    If/when he declares for the draft-he will go to a crappy team anyways. That’s how it works. Does he think he’s John Elway, Eli Manning, Kobe Bryant or Jim Kelly?

    Happy New Year all-enjoy the bowl games tomorrow.

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  23. Scooter,

    Tackling was much better than the regular season. Moss played in the system. The system works. Williams ad libs too much and the system breaks down under him. Moss is the starter. Bring in a JC kicker.

    Like

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