Clay Helton is keeping Georgia Southern in California for nine days to start the season because his team opens with games at Fresno State and USC. Instead of flying back to Georgia, Helton will keep the team in Southern California the entire week leading up to the USC game. If I had to guess, it wouldn’t surprise me if he practices at El Camino College … Continue reading USC Notes: Clay Helton Makes Extended Stay In Southern California

Former QB Cody Kessler says the fact the Trojans are not ranked in the Top 25 polls shows a lack of respect exists for USC. “It is obvious that no one respects this USC football team and that was evident when these rankings came out,” he said. “We have become accustomed to being disrespected over the last couple of years.” Creating an us vs. them … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Is USC Being Disrespected?

USC holds its first game — actually glorified scrimmage — Saturday against Missouri State. Is anyone excited yet? Hopefully, the weather will cool off by 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday for the 50,000 who actually show up. The following week it’s Georgia Southern. The season really starts Sept. 13 at Purdue. Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Excited Yet?

The Salute to Troy kickoff dinner was last night and, as usual, Lincoln Riley declined to host the event. John Robinson hosted. Pete Carroll hosted. Lane Kiffin hosted. Steve Sarkisian infamously hosted. But never Riley. He doesn’t dirty his hands. The news was freshman defensive end Jahkeem Stewart was walking around the event with a boot on his ankle/foot. Riley’s neglected to mention that this … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: An All-Too Familiar Scene Friday Night

Lincoln Riley has raised expectations for new tailback Eli Sanders. “Eli Sanders has had one of the best training camps of anyone,” Riley said. “He’s probably the most explosive back in the room.” This game was the high-water mark for the ’71 Trojans. They upset No. 6 Notre Dame, 28-14, to snap a three-game losing streak. In the first game, Tom Seaver pitched 10.3 innings, … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

The Big Ten Network visited USC this week. A former USC player who watched the show was aghast at two things: No one asked Lincoln Riley (or anyone else) about the Notre Dame series. And why was the show filmed in a dark room inside the McKay Center? They couldn’t find a fully lit room or go to Howard Jones Field? USC prides itself on … Continue reading Who Made This Decision?