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Morning Buzz: Some Questionable Decisions By USC

I envision USC as a perennial Top 10 program.

But it’s hard to imagine it based on some of the things I heard and saw Wednesday.

  • Was anyone else uncomfortable that Lincoln Riley doesn’t want a QB from the transfer portal who can potentially start next season?

“We’re really going to be probably looking at somebody that would come in and provide some depth,” Riley said.

The goal is supposed to be to win now. I like Jayden Maiava but doesn’t he need some competition? Why not swing for the fences to see if you can get a really good quarterback?

Husan Longstreet is a top prospect but he will be a true freshman. USC goes to Oregon, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Illinois next season. Not ideal destinations for a true freshman.

  • Riley said there are no other expected changes to the coaching staff following Matt Entz’s departure to Fresno State. So no new special teams coach or offensive line coach? Got it. This is about winning, right?
  • USC had 10 players from ESPN’s 300 top prospects decommit. That’s an incredible churn rate and shows the risk of his Southern Strategy. Four of the 13 players who decommitted were from Georgia; four were from Florida and two were from Alabama.
  • Much was made of the fact Alabama signed more players from California (7) than USC (5). The Crimson Tide class was ranked No. 2 by On3 and No. 4 by Rivals.
  • Just to repeat, it is unacceptable for USC to have a “Top 15” recruiting class. That is a down year for recruiting.

19 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: Some Questionable Decisions By USC”

  1. On yesterday’s PMS Show. Petros Papadakis stated that it will cost USC around $90 million to buy out CLR and his staff, and he cannot see that happening in the near future. Basically, USC is stuck with this clown for the next three to four years unless someone else hires him away.

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    2. Look at SC’s 2026 schedule

      @ Indiana, Rutgers, ucla, Wisconsin, Penn State

      Home against Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Washington, Fresno St, Maryland

      You see many easy games there ?

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      1. Budda,

        If we had great coaching and have kept the players from California, I think Oregon would be the only tough one. However, with the coach that SC has now most of those games will be tough.

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  4. If Riley stated he was looking to the Portal for a starter, Maiava would immediately hit the portal himself. He really can’t say anything different. And I am finding myself defending Riley…what a sick twisted world we live in.

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  5. In 2024, QBs in the same situation as Maiava, would transfer if the team went out and snagged a “starting QB” in the portal. Today, you cannot stockpile “Starting QBs”. You have a starter, a future starter, and a clipboard holder. That’s it.

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  6. USC has become the training ground for young egotistical and insecure coaches. Sark, Kiffin, Hackett and now Riley have not been mature enough as head coaches to lead USC. Sark and Kiffin trained under Saban and matured, Riley needs to do the same. Helton was just a weak coach. Pete Carroll, John Robinson, John McKay and Howard Jones were mature coaches. Entz had the experience to be a good coach.

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  8. I see JM’s strongest points as being able to stay in the pocket under pressure, get the ball out, and he sometimes make exceptionally good throws. He seems streaky, so I hope he can improve consistency and decision-making. Still seems like USC is looking at 6-6 or 7-5 next year.

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  10. Pingback: My Las Vegas Bowl Analysis: Astounding Decisions Overshadow Everything – InsideUSC with Scott Wolf

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