Does Lincoln Riley Want Pete Carroll Around?

Lincoln Riley said today that that he would “love to have (Pete Carroll)” around the program. “Coach has been great to me,” Riley said. “He’s been a great resource and a great person to be able to pick his brain. I’m excited he’s going to be here more, and we’d be crazy not to take advantage of having him around.” But I highly doubt Riley … Continue reading Does Lincoln Riley Want Pete Carroll Around?

USC Morning Buzz: Running Back Sorts Itself

It looks like the running back competition has started to take shape: Transfer Woody Marks will start, as expected. Freshman Quenten Joyner is the backup tailback. Two other freshmen — A’Marion Peterson and Bryan Jackson — could also contribute but let’s face it, under Riley, it’s really two tailbacks who get the reps and everyone else takes a back seat. So it will be Marks … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Running Back Sorts Itself

Just Call It Paranoid U.

USC is holding its New Student Convocation on Friday morning at the Coliseum. This is unprecedented. It’s usually held on campus. So why the change? Well, family members like to come to the event so it draws a crowd. And I bet USC wants to control that crowd, still smarting from last spring’s protests and the awful decision to cancel graduation. It doesn’t want any … Continue reading Just Call It Paranoid U.

USC Morning Buzz: Quarterback Overshadows Another Competition

Forget about quarterback, right guard remains a more interesting situation. Lincoln Riley couldn’t even name a starter on Tuesday. In fact, he couldn’t even narrow the competiton down from three players. Alani Noa, Amos Talalele and Gino Quinones are all getting reps at the position. As I said previously, if someone hasn’t emerged yet, it doesn’t speak well for what’s happened in training camp or … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Quarterback Overshadows Another Competition

USC Notes: A Special Teams Coorindator (Sort Of)

Since the NCAA has expanded the number of coaches on staff, some USC staffers have received new titles. Ryan Dougherty, who was senior special teams analyst, is now special teams coordinator. I don’t see this making any difference. Dougherty worked with Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma (2017-21) and then came to USC last season. So it’s not like USC went out and hired a big-time special … Continue reading USC Notes: A Special Teams Coorindator (Sort Of)