FOOTBALL

My USC-LSU Analysis

Here are some of my thoughts on USC’s victory over LSU:

The defensive front 7 did a pretty good job against LSU’s vaunted offensive line. They were more disciplined than last season and although they didn’t force turnovers, they did what D’Anton Lynn wanted: Limit explosive plays.

I can’t say the same about the secondary. They played soft coverage to limit big plays but they were aided more by LSU’s conservative offense, with QB Garrett Nussmeier making his first start.

There were many times the LSU receivers were open but Brian Kelly didn’t trust Nussmeier to make higher-risk throws. The secondary’s weakness might not matter in a few weeks against Michigan, given the Wolverines’ offensive woes against Fresno State. But it will against a good offense.

The USC offense probably played as expected. Miller Moss secured his grip on the QB position, especially with that game-winning drive. I do feel like Moss has a pick-six in him at times, and there were a couple plays where LSU came close to pulling one off. Moss won’t be a problem, however, over the course of the season.

  • USC still doesn’t get enough touches for Zacariah Branch. He caught four passes but was only targeted five times. Ja’Kobi Lane had a pretty quiet game, overshadowed by Kyron Hudson, who made the catch of the season but also dropped a couple droppable passes.

The running game was adequate at best. This was despite Lincoln Riley saying he wanted to run the ball.

  • Riley was actually the weak link Sunday night. He let a lot of seconds needlessly tick off the clock before calling a timeout in the final minute of the first half. That forced USC to kick a field goal because it didn’t have time to take a couple shots at the end zone.

The field goal was missed and that looked like a critical moment of the game until the late-heroics by Moss and Co.

Riley also burned two timeouts in the second half that almost proved costly. This also gets forgotten because of the late comeback, which was helped by LSU’s inability to convert in some key situations that drew the ire of Kelly after the game.

  • Bear Alexander had one tackle. Gavin Meyer, who actually started, had three tackles. Makes you wonder why USC coaches and the media have constantly hyped Alexander over the guy who actually made more plays.

Meyer and another transfer, Nate Clifton, were the actual interior stars last night.

  • One other thing: What Disney pulled Sunday was inexcusable. Their channels went dark on DirecTV just minutes before the USC-LSU game. This was done to commit maximum displeasure to customers. If they had gone dark Sunday morning, people had time to make other arrangements. If they had a heart, they would have gone dark late Sunday night/Monday morning.
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56 thoughts on “My USC-LSU Analysis”

  1. Disney’s contract with DirecTV was up September 1st. They didn’t do anything they haven’t one in the past when they couldn’t come to a deal with DirecTV.

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    1. karma: “They didn’t do anything they haven’t one in the past when they couldn’t come to a deal with DirecTV.”

      please translate?

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      2. Plow Horse

        August 31, 2024 AT 9:42PM

        I thought Gabby said a few days back that he was going to the USC marching band pep rally today at the Palms at 2:00 and wanted to “meet up” with Scott. Instead, he spent the day trolling the blog. Once again a threat followed by a no show. That’s our Cowardly Gabby. All talk, no walk.

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      4. Where are all these people you claim were lurking and would show up on game day…..seems you are never right about anything….. especially election prediction

        sit down, and quit being a pesssst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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      7. The sicko loves hanging out in places she’s not wanted. Can imagine she’s worn out her welcome everywhere else she’s been in the real world. That’s why she loves to talk shyte here. Hilarious, the excuses she makes for it. But it’s pretty obvious to the entire blog.

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      8. …even Scott feels sorry for her…..I think he realizes he/she/it has problems and he wants to be kind and shield her from the world….

        Liked by 1 person

  3. You sick morons are discussing Direct TV and USC made the biggest statement since Pete Carroll. Wolf, its called the first game of the year. LSU were worried about the Trojans length in the secondary. They were shocked that USC were able to produce some pressure on Nussmeier. Avoiding turnovrers and negative plays is the primary objective for the first game. Give the damn team some credit, Wolf. Give Riley some credit, it won’t hurt.

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      2. San Francisco is not safe for NFL football players much less a tourist from Kansas City. Startups have left, retailers are gone, and residents are moving. Democrat Party rule from Newsom killed the city.

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  4. I think the D line situation is because new D-line coach Henderson is having an impact.

    I think he’s trying to coach up Bear Alexander but they might not be there yet with him being consistent all the time. Coach Henderson did a good job putting in players there to stop the run and it worked for the most part. If he can get Bear going, then the D-line can be a real solid group throughout the year.

    #BearHasATonOfTalent,HeJustHasToPutItAllTogether

    #BearRemindsMeOfDarrellRussell;CanBeTheMostDominantPLayerOnTheFieldButTendsToTakePlaysOffHereAndThere

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  5. We have to be better on the o line. Some good runs and even some touchdowns through the middle but Moss was getting a lot of pressure on most throws. It was the first game. Maybe LSU is better than expected or maybe we aren’t very good. The blitz packages seemed to confuse Murphy.

    Kamari Ramsey is a gamer.

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    1. Moss is slow-footed and cannot sense pressure and buy time. Caleb was the master at it. One would think Moss would have learned from watching Caleb. Bring in Maiava!

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      1. I was afraid of that, 67. I guess I have to add the Big Ten Channel to my already ridiculous bill….

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  8. Perhaps USC’s best victory in many years. If this was last year’s team, LSU wins by 21. Left side of O-line was very good, particularly Page. Right side, not so good, particularly Mason Murphy. Front 7 were excellent versus run game other than the one 40-yard carry.  Need more QB pressure from the D-line. Bear was doubled whenever he was in. His dad is dealing with some health issues, so Bear may not be 100% in the game. Miller was outstanding (75% completion, 378 yards, no picks, his team loves him), his throws to Jakobi, Duce, and McRee were beautiful. He needs to become more pocket aware. Marks is really quick, he needs a few more holes to break some big gaines.

    Great game to watch as a fan!

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    1. 1967: He needs to become more pocket aware. 

      Exactly, like moving away from pressure……I think he had negative rushing yards for the night……Riley QBs never have negative yard nights……bring in Maiava!

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      1. You can’t make this up: Hamas has said “no” to all ceasefire proposals, including the ones by the US, has just murdered six American and Israeli hostages, and Cowardly Gabby’s Dictator Senile Joe is blaming Israel

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  9. Wolf is worse than Finebaum. Admit your criticism was wrong and give Riley credit for this win and change in culture. USC has been poor in the line of scrimmage because of mismanagement. Riley ate his humble pie and beat Brian Kelly, who still hasn’t learned.

    They just beat the best team on their schedule in the most difficult game. Best Oline in the country against an improved defense with a top 20 draft pick on defense. Check the penalties and see which team played with better discipline. Both staffs still suck at game management but at least USC didn’t crap away a chance to seize victory. Made LSU quit at the end.

    Old school victory. Great work, Trojans and Fight On. Even Wolf was proud.

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    1. Agree with Pigskin that LSU in Vegas may have been the most difficult game on their schedule. Penn State looked good but we get them at home. Also agree that Riley and the new coaches seemed to have changed the culture. The team played hard. Tackling was much better.

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      1. LIKED!!!!……..Riley and the new coaches seemed to have changed the culture. The team played hard. Tackling was much better.

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      2. Absolutely a night and day difference in the defense, particularly tackling. Last year, USC gave up on average 6-7 plays of greater than 20 yards per game. Last night, I believe there was just one play greater than 20 yards, the 40 yard run. Take out that run, and LSU ran the ball 25 times for 76 yards, 3 yards per carry.

        Miller time – 2 starts thus far, both against top 15 teams. Averaging 375 yards, 73% completion, 7 TD, and one pick.

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    2. Well said Pigskin specific to Wolfe’s constant damning commentary about the program. One intriguing aspect is Pete Carroll’s presence – with this victory this raises Riley’s standing – this is a great opportunity of ‘parity’ when and if they interact.

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  11. What’s missing by all per reminiscing about the past…..Claytonska Chevrolet. This is a sea change in 5 years from all knowing ‘…another loss and another humiliation…’ on ntl’ TV…..this was a solid victory and separates USC from those attempting to have relevance. Bohn made a solid hit with Riley’s hire and yes it’s taken 3 years butr what a far cry from what was reality under that goofy grinning clown.

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    1. Yes, national TV audience saw which team delivered down the stretch, which team dominated the LOS in the last two minutes, and which team ran out of gas and couldn’t get a stop. Just one game in, but Lynn might be the D coordinator he was advertised to be.

      Two years in, and Clay has become the Georgia Southern village idiot, sub .500 both the last two seasons. OMG, how did Haden ever hire him, and how did Swann choose to extend him?

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  15. wow…a decent eval…bet that hurt

    the Bear did not get a tackle but he sure caused lots of double teams to prevent them,allowing others access.

    Ttrue the lincoln wasted that end of half scoring a td…but he called a good game, beating a team that is going to have a good record this year.

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  16. Hmmm, Trojan1967, Rusoviet, Marvienna, Steve49, Tim Leftwich, Rushmore, (ibraney Liked a comment), probably one or two others I’m missing.

    But for the most part, they have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the season to start before really chiming in…JUST AS I STATED! LOL!!

    The Village Idiot/Blog Dunce/Cowardly Gabby/Skunk At The Picnic/Let’s Meet Up/etc. etc. thought she had run everyone off. Not even close. As the season moves on, others will chime in. Real Trojans are stronger than she can ever hope to be.

    BEAT THE AGGIES!!

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    1. SoCal I tired of the incessant disgusting insults laced with awful foul language. This is what matters – out school – our team – Troy.

      OT – way off still 13 weeks from this past Saturday

      That photo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig taken in 1927 says is all as I and I believe most of us sense it’ll come down to 30th November – yes I know this time there is the 12 team playoff but this clash epitomizes national college football – The Princess aka Notre Dame – is the team for NYC and has been since Rockne and is USC for LA.

      The Princess has a sweet ride til then and LSU probably is the toughest USC will face until 30th Nov but Miller Moss is only going to get better and I don’t think Conner Weigman come anywhere close to matching him.

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  17. Perfect defense for an unknown offense, bend and stop the run. Moss is the perfect QB for the Riley offense and he appears to know it very well. Things look really good right now.

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