FOOTBALL

Morning Buzz: Is USC Stronger Than Ever?

Remember in the spring and during the summer when we got the usual breathless reports on the improved strength and conditioning of the players?

So after three games, does USC look like it is a lot stronger than the non-Power 4 schools it played?

Has USC dominated the line of scrimmage this season? Does it look significantly different than a year ago? Does the veteran offensive line push the pile on a consistent basis?

Now, let’s be clear: This is not a criticism of the strength coach.

The point here is that every year, USC and the media overhype the impact of the strength coaches. It’s been going on for years. And people still buy it. Two years ago, USC famously claimed it added 1,400 pounds of muscle. The currrent strength claimed last year the team added 800 pounds of muscle in his first two months. There were even higher expectations going into this season.

The bottom line is a lot of schools have good strength coaches now. It’s why they get paid so much money.

So why big claims that raise false hopes?

41 thoughts on “Morning Buzz: Is USC Stronger Than Ever?”

  1. The Wolfman is center mass of the target yet again … despite CNW’s attempt to deflect and evade, the performance from the lines has been anything but impressive. Not seeing any Mike Patterson, Leonard Williams, Tyron Smith, or Sam Bakers (let alone Anthony Munoz or Gary Peters) out there. The defensive line has had flashes and shows promise, but the offensive line has been underwhelming against laughingstock opposition. Will hear the same old song and dance from CNW (Charles Nelson Wiley) until the losses start piling up (and probably including familiar physical beatdowns against the Ohio State and like programs), and then it will be the prima donna drama queen sneer and be dismissive routine until he keys on the gold nugget salvation excuse (injuries, we need another year to recruit, the schedule, travel … dog ate my homework …).

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      5. Michael,

        As SC fans, we do we have a case in which we can sue the Pencil Neck Geek Riley for not performing up to being a head coach along with his performance and expectations? We coudl use use as the lead attorney, Sweet James, and Brian Panish can help.

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      6. I am printing up this lovely page and taping it to the wall…..

        …[I need to see these sentiments 24/7 to keep from committing suicide over the tens of thousands of dollars of water damage to the house….given the dumb deductible I chose]…

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    3. Yeah sorta like they talked about how “good” of a player Lunchmeat is. He is a competent mid major quarterback not someone who should be dicing a school like SC up and down the field at will with his arm and legs. However that kills two birds with one stone. Doesn’t dis his players and compliments the other team in case you need to give them another paycheck later down the road.

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    1. Hello from Maui —where poor Michael and Susan have been temporarily driven from their home due to the phucked up combination of plastic pipes and very corrosive water. Our stay at Mama’s Inn proved rather expensive —but the food was great.

      As for USC, I am very nervous about how are defense is gonna react to a first rate, mobile QB [we looked very strong against a first time starter].

      Looks like it’s all up to our skill players on offense [with possible help from a D-Line that will only get better].

      Nice to be back! Love to all!

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  5. KAM: NOT TO SUGGEST ANYTHING DREADFUL HAS HAPPENED TO MG, BUT WITH THE DISAPPEARANCE OF CAL75 AND JUST OWNS YOU JUST NEVER KNOW

    DON: WE ALL SHOULD HAVE IN OUR WILL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE WOLF POSTERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF ANY DEATH IN THE “FAMILY” SO WE CAN SAY OUR RESPECTUFUL BON VOYAGES

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      2. Well, not yet…..but I do have a little sore throat…..

        [Remember the SNL skit where they did “a summarization” of “Love Story”? Him: I love you. Her: Cough, cough]…..

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  7. I think it’s prudent to let the next 4 games unfold and then know where the program is at. Rutgers, OR, WA & PA St…..Riley knows he’s likely to be sacked if things roll as some have stated (multiple losses).
    Imagine being OR today – promoting from within for both OC and DC after the previous left for head coaching positions – OR is in big trouble far worse than USC.
    OH St. is facing a graphic inability to ‘close the deal’…..and OK is looking at a complete collapse a mere 2 weeks into the season.

    Let’s see what happens this week – save for LSU @ MS and HOU @ TX Tech the week’s games look weak lots of mismatches.

    Let’s be patient

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    1. Hi again, Alv!

      Great analysis.

      Can you imagine the beatdown Lanning is giving his new coordinators? It sure would be terrible if it broke the team’s spirit and they went into a death spiral….and the football program had to be axed altogether, wouldn’t it?

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  8. Passer Domesticus – you will see them doing exactly that a mere week from this Saturday….OR’s OC Stein now head coach for KY and DC Lupoi is the same for Cal…what is surprising is that the replacements came from ‘within’ rather than from outside…..

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  9. Welcome back MG, you were missed. Hopefully, the Rutger’s game will be two steps forward for the defense, instead of the one step back that we saw in the Louisiana game. Second and third teams need lots of coaching. Fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

    P.A. Both Lanning and Day need to learn to cope with loss.

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  11. UCLA CEO and athletic director Tim Harris is making all regular-season home football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games complimentary for Bruins students.

    “Our students are the heartbeat of UCLA,” Harris said in a statement. “Their passion, energy and pride create an atmosphere that makes a difference for our student-athletes and coaches.

    “We want as many students as possible experiencing UCLA Athletics, supporting their fellow Bruins and helping us build one of the best home environments in college sports. We need our students to show up, be loud, and make a difference.”

    Students can also purchase up to eight guest tickets for each home football game, with the exception of the rivalry game against USC on Nov. 28. Details regarding the ticket process for the USC game will be announced at a later date.

    Give them away and they will come ?

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  12. KAM: According to some sources Oregon is paying its players $50-million whereas at Connecticut they are paying less than $2-million

    DON: Some Connecticut wag said of his team’s less than $2-million roster– How do you think we are able to bring in so many 2-Star players”

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