FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: Let’s Take A Look At The Schedule

Let’s look at USC’s schedule: Lincoln Riley has massaged it to his liking: Notre Dame out. San Jose State, Louisiana and Fresno State in. USC should start the season 4-0 before it plays the biggest game of the year vs. Oregon at the Coliseum. If the Trojans win, they will be in an excellent position to make the playoff. If they lose, they will need to beat either Ohio State or Indiana while also avoiding any unexpected slip ups.

That is easier said than done because there are some legitimate trap games. USC will host Washington, travel to Penn State and face UCLA at the Rose Bowl. None of those games are considered sure-fire victories. There is also a trip to Wisconsin.

It all means there is a razor-thin margin of error for meeting expectations. If USC has three losses, it will be difficult to make the College Football Playoff.

  • The Big Ten announced QB Jayden Maiava, DT Alex VanSumeren, DT Jide Abasiri and Riley will represent USC at Big Ten media days. VanSumeren is an interesting choice since he is a transfer and has yet to play for the Trojans.
  • USC pitcher Michael Ebner has committed to Oregon. Hawaii pitcher Brody Martin-Grudzielanek has entered the transfer portal. His brother played at USC.
  • USC basketball star Jazzy Davidson attended the NBA Draft last night with her boyfriend, Nate Ament, who was the 13th pick in the first round.

21 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: Let’s Take A Look At The Schedule”

    1. Same here.

      [I would like to see one of Sybil –same lighting, same background music, same lipstick]….

      #…WithALittleBucketToVomitInto….

      Like

      Reply

    2. I like that Jazzy posted the video. She looks, well, Jazzy in it. Sports is a form of entertainment. Women basketball is not going to draw crowds like the men unless they can add a bit of drama to it. The attractiveness of the athletes helps. Sophie Cunningham is an example of that. A handful of others also have modeling gigs in addition to basketball.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Makes her look like a total bimbo.

        As MG alluded to, if (like Insane Gabby) she’s OK with that, so be it. But I’d rather our lady Trojans work towards being considered serious athletes (and students, of course).

        Liked by 1 person

  2. As we have said an infinitum, it all boils down to the O-line. And how well the defense can learn Patterson’s 4-2-5. Apparently, he runs a unique scheme on the read-option that can bust up plays if executed well, but if not…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I like the way Scott points out that we have “a razor thin” chance of making the playoffs cuz our schedule includes Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, Washington and Indiana …. but it would be great if we played Notre Dame too….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Agree MG. You can’t play five top teams over an eight week schedule and then add Notre Dame into the mix to make it six teams with a trap game the following week at UCLA. Nobody is going to go undefeated with that schedule and it is likely that such a team would have two or more losses and miss the playoffs. That is way Nick Saban and others always scheduled bye weeks and/or cupcake games before facing their toughest opponents. Of course, Scott and a few others will say that McKay did it 60 years ago. So what! Nobody does it today. It doesn’t make sense to put you team at such a competitive disadvantage.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 100%! [IF we win ALL our home games —Oregon, Washington, Ohio State —–and beat UCLA at the Rose Bowl —- I don’t give a phuck about the playoffs]….

        #….WeWillBeRespectedAsOneOfTheGreat2026Teams…

        #NobodyElseWillHaveBeatenABetterBunchOfTeams….

        Like

      3. MG, we could also tie one hand behind our backs because winning isn’t everything. Thanks as always for the reality check. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

        Like

  3. After the first 4 games of the season SC football has too many 50-50 or worse games to have a legitimate chance at a Playoff worthy 10-2

    Oregon 50-50 or worse

    Washington 50-50

    at Penn St 50-50 or worse

    Wisconsin —Win

    at Indiana 50-50 or worse

    Ohio St 50-50 or worse

    Maryland– Win

    ucla ?

    Like

    Reply

    1. Oregon—Win

      Washington–Win

      Penn State –Loss

      Wisconsin–Win

      Indiana –Loss

      Ohio State —Win

      Maryland —Win

      UCLA [They better not dare phuck this up for us]!

      Like

      Reply

      1. hey mg im not making any predictions until ucla plays a game but Chesney could have them humming by then they definitely have a better roster

        Liked by 1 person

      2. …they have great players at skill positions, a bright coach, an easier schedule and lots of motivation…

        #…IHateThem

        Like

    1. I should be so lucky as to wind up at the wrong class reunion…

      [Hope my old Saint Monica and USC buddies don’t read this]…..

      Like

      Reply

    1. P. T…

      It’s gonna be hard to call him that if he beats Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and UCLA……

      #NoOtherTeamWillHaveDoneAsMuch

      Like

      Reply

    2. So we potentially play 5 opponents in the top 15 ranking, 3 of them in the top 5 and the schedule is “watered down.” C’mon PT. We play one of the top schedules in the nation.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment