FOOTBALL

USC Morning Buzz: An Elite Ranking For The Offensive Line (Apparently)

Football analyst Phil Steele has ranked USC’s offensive line as the fifth-best in the nation.

I’ve already expressed my concerns about the offensive line but this is a good time to again show there is great optimism about the offensive line.

The main reason for this is because all five starters return, although it is possible someone else might end up starting, for at least at one position.

So this is going to be a litmus test. I’m not sure the offensive line is elite. Others seem sure it is.

But I didn’t think it was great last season and there are people who loved it. This is an argument I’ve had for the entire Riley Era with media people.

Just as a reminder, here is the offensive line depth chart. Does it excite you?

LT/Elijah Paige/Sr./Keenyi Pepe, Fr.

LG/Tobias Raymond/Jr.//Kaylon Miller, So.

C/Kilian O’Connor/Jr./Tobias Raymond, Sr.

RG/Alani Noa/Sr./Breck Kolojay, Fr.

RT/Justin Tauanuu/So./Elijah Vaikona, Fr.

28 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: An Elite Ranking For The Offensive Line (Apparently)”

  1. Combine that (i) the starters are back, (ii) USC finished 12th in sacks allowed last year, and something like 16th in rushing yards per carry last year, and voila, number 5. They didn’t seem like a top 20 O-line in the losses last year.

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  2. Scott, the answer is YES the offensive line does excite me. You state that the returning starters were not great last year, but you seem to forget that the starting center and left tackle were injured for part of the year and depth was lacking. Now we have the starters from last year healthy and most importantly, we have much better depth due to great recruiting. You have always preached that USC lacked five star talent, well, now we have five star talent at key line positions. So, yes, there is great reason for optimism. By the way, I hope that you enjoy your day with the team and LR at the beach. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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  3. KAM: SC’s offensive line had pretty good statistics in 2025 but the offensive line could not get the run started in any of their 4 losses

    DON: That is why I don’t completely trust stats

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  4. So they back peddle good, they can’t run block for squat but that doesn’t matter because Riley doesn’t like to run. SC is a 4 loss or more team this year, period. Will that get Riley fired ? One can only hope.

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  5. DON: A publication listed SC’s chances at the Title as involving 4 IFs, as in if Maiava has pass catchers, if Gary Patterson still has it, and if an incredible Freshman class can produce

    KAM: Let me guess the 4th If, if the coliseum crowd can bring a home field advantage to the Trojans, and with Oregon, Washington and Ohio St coming to town that should not be a problem

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  6. KAM: A lot of SC fans are looking at the September 26 Oregon game as one the Trojans must win

    DON: Hate to disappoint but Oregon opened as a 5 1/2 point favorite for the Los Angeles game, although they would have been 11 1/2 point favorites at their home

    KAM: The experts are looking at the last generation of games since 2009 favoring the Ducks 8-2 over Troy

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      1. P. S.

        Sanchez mighta lost the game with that last minute interception…. but years later he recognized the d-back who stole his pass ….and gave him some street justice in a dark alley….

        #HopeTheJuryLetsHimOff…

        #ItWasACaseOfBelatedSelfDefense

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    2. Oregon is clearly better on paper than USC —and their coach really gets them jacked up for the Trojans….

      #WeGottaBeatThemAnyway

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      3. Good for you, Michael. You were able to comprehend that its context in the movie was not relevant. I was applying the sentiment being expressed towards your optimism about our chances against Oregon.

        Someone else wasn’t as perceptive. LOL!

        There should be absolutely zero doubt that it is not the real Sparrrow.

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      4. So Cal — I guess I’m the dumber in “dumb & dumber” cuz I don’t know who is who 50% of the time…

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  7. To place this in context, DUMBER is trying to pick up a beautiful girl–

    DUMBER: What are the chances of you going out with me?

    GIRL: About 1 in a million

    DUMBER: So you’re telling me there is a chance

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    1. Even those of us who haven’t seen the movie knew that.

      I sure hope you never come down on Wolf nor anyone else for pointing out the obvious.

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  8. IMAGINARY WILEY: I lost to Utah, Notre Dame and Oregon, but I got rid of 2 of the teams with only 1 to go

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  9. Killian O’Connor the center is too small to play against the physical Big 10 defenses. Against average or lower level teams he will be ok.

    Back up left guard Kaylon Miller is also very small although he did play pretty well last year as a backup.

    Bottom line I don’t think will be much more than average against Big 10 opponents, but might dominate against the lower level teams like Fresno State, and San Jose State.

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    1. You gotta love O’Connor’s work ethic, arriving as a walk-on and is now a starter. Hard to believe that 295 lbs is too small as a center, (he arrived at 270). The transfer portal guy he beat out, J’Onre Reed (6’3″, 320 lbs, transferred from Syracuse) said that he admired O’Connor because “the guy does everything right.”

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    1. A strong line is a lot more than just big, strong linemen who are physical and play with a nasty attitude……

      #It’sAlsoAbout…. About….

      #…IGuessIt’sJustAboutBig,StrongLinemenWhoPlayWithAttitude

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  11. That’s an elite group and they will dominate their opponents. I love this OL. A great OL will give lots of opportunities for this great backfield to make plays.

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