What has happened to a segment of USC fans? They are softer than the defense looked against Illinois. Right on schedule, they are saying a three-loss season shows progress and is an acceptable rate of return in Year 4 of the Riley Era. I guess I was raised in a different era because three losses was never considered “good enough” for USC. I used to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What Is A Good Season?

There is no shame in losing at Autzen Stadium, especially when you are as much as a 10.5-point underdog. So why was Saturday’s loss to Oregon sickening to watch? Because of the lack of preparedness and leadership that USC arrived in Eugene with for the biggest game in years. Let’s look at some miscues: How do you hit a punt returner who signaled for a … Continue reading My Analysis Of What Happened At USC-Oregon Game

Did I expect USC to beat Oregon at Autzen Stadium? Of course not. Lincoln Riley is now 6-13 against ranked teams at USC. But here is what I did not expect: USC to average 1.9 yards per rush. Ja’Kobi Lane to chase an Oregon player to a wall behind the Oregon sideline for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Desman Stephens to hurdle the line on a … Continue reading A Quick Thought On USC-Oregon

Defense. Running the ball. Special teams. USC goes 0 for 3 against the good teams. The go-to play has been to just chuck it deep and hope for a penalty or great catch College Football Playoff bid on line and USC lets Oregon eat up six minutes and go 79 yards for a touchdown. Yards rushing: Oregon 137, USC 42. Oregon finds the USC weak … Continue reading USC-Oregon Live Blog

I spent enough time around Lane Kiffin to know he is being as calculated as possible before deciding his future. He knows what he is going to do but is just waiting for the right time to announce it . . . and he loves the attention. Kiffin’s got some grand theory inside his head and he’ll reveal it at his convenience. There are reports … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

It takes no insight to gather that USC-Oregon is a huge game. But a segment of USC followers seem to be laying the groundwork for saying if the Trojans lose, the season is still a success. I’m not sure I’ve come across this defeatist mentality before. USC fans always believed they could win every game, whether they should or not. They didn’t enter a game … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Excuses Already Before The Game?