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USC Morning Buzz: A “Reality” Check For The Boss

I’m disappointed USC did not have Gary Patterson available to speak to the media this week. He’s the one guy worth talking to, especially since Lincoln Riley was so clear about the defense playing well the first three quarters and falling apart in the fourth.

“I know he’s pissed right now about the fourth quarter, as you can imagine, because the guy’s standards are so high,” Riley said about Patterson.

  • Does anyone ever check what Lincoln Riley says for accuracy?

“Reality is that during my years here, attendance has gone up every year,” Riley said this week

Well, let’s check out that statement:

USC in 2024: 71,571 fans per game
USC in 2025: 67,783 fans per game

Does that look like USC’s attendance has gone up? So why did Riley say it? Because he’s always spinning..

  • USC’s new depth chart includes defensive end Braylan Shelby, defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart and safety Kendarius Reddick, which means they should be available to play vs. Fresno State.

47 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: A “Reality” Check For The Boss”

    1. KAM: Super Baby Update: . Cole Leinart (Matt Leinart’s son) is a true freshman QB at SMU in 2026 and is not expected to start.Cole, a three-star Class of 2026 prospect out of Redondo Union High School (California), committed to SMU in November 2024, signed in December 2025, and enrolled early. He is listed on the 2026 roster as a freshman QB.

      The clear starter is Kevin Jennings, the veteran who has been SMU’s primary QB the past two seasons. He returned for his final year of eligibility in 2026. Recent previews and depth charts (including a Sporting News rundown of Power 4 starting QBs published September 2, 2026) list Jennings as the starter. He has significant production and experience in the program.

      Matt Leinart himself described Cole in late August 2026 as “raw” and “young” with a high ceiling, noting he needs time to get bigger/stronger, learn the offense, and then take advantage of opportunities when they come—consistent with a developmental freshman role behind an established starter.

      DON: In short, Cole is on the roster and part of the QB room, but Jennings is the starter for 2026.

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  3. 2024 attendance was riding the Caleb feel good years. I am surprised 2025 was as high as it was (to the extent that the attendance numbers are accurate; after all, the gutties claim that their 2025 attendance was 37K).

    The frosh on this team are exciting. Gary P., work your magic with the secondary and LBs.

    I know I am jumping the gun, but here is my (most likely very flawed) prediction:

    Trojans: 38

    Bulldogs: 17

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    2. 100%! USC [Riley specifically] thought they could glide through the 4th quarter against San Jose with reserves— whereas San Jose’s whole game plan was to take advantage of USC’s 4th quarter substitutions.

      It ain’t gonna be like that against Fresno State.

      “This time it’s personal.”

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  5. Imaginary Wiley: Sorry I was off about the attendance increasing each year. I wasn’t aware there was a 4000 drop from 2024’s high of 71,000 to 2025

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    1. The atmosphere for the Michigan game last year was the best in a long time.

      Bet we have similar fan experiences for Oregon and Washington [and Ohio State …if we beat one of the other two]….

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    2. KAM: You and Riley Coyote need Dumb Dumb Remedial Math.

      DON: You were off hundreds of years and he was off thousands of spectators

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      4. Her senility is so bad, she doesn’t remember that CARL is Ed G’s pet name for her. (One of his best!) So sad.

        Maybe the docs at Atascadero will increase her meds.

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      5. She claims she never reads Ed’s stuff, even though she often replies to it!

        Yet she has the nerve to claim I look stupid. LMAO!

        Always accusing others of what SHE is guilty. But she’ll lie about this as she lies about EVERYTHING in 3, 2, 1…

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      6. You’re right, slo pa-troll, I read one of Ed’s word-salad comments about four years ago. I lied.

        Hope you feel better that I came clean about it

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    2. Nothing definitive happens until September 26th. We [me included] probably need to hold off on playoff predictions, one way or the other, until we see how our lines hold up against Oregon [which sure looks better on paper].

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  8. Scott. Attendance jas increased since LR arrived with a down tick last year, but the year was still better than the years prior to his arrival. Winning cures all. Fight on, Dan, Class of 12962

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      2. While at Vanderbilt, Seals started 21 games with over 700 pass attempts.

        So, what’s the point you’re trying to make.

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      3. Fresno is gonna try to run it down our throats …[and throw a pass every once in awhile to keep us honest].

        I, dear friends, will be away for a week. Hope things go well for us at the Coliseum!

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  14. KAM: Between Wiley and Helton I’d take Wiles; there has been some improvement

    DON: Starting with what I call the ‘Football House’ because only football personnel are allowed to use

    KAM: SC finally joined the 21st century with that building. It’s a great drawing card

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  15. KAM: Friday night football takes me back to high school days when a football game got the weekend started early, especially for girls

    DON: Players in my day couldn’t make today’s teams. It’s like ‘Sorry kid, you are too small for line play at 250’

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  16. KAM: Anyway, we have SC-Fresno St in a serious game. Serious for SC if they lose

    DON: Not likely. SC has some new Trojan stallions ready for the kill

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  17. DON: Taking into account everything about SC-Fresno St, I say the Trojans slaughter them, showing no mercy as the 1st string carries on to the finish

    KAM: I wish I shared your optimism

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