FOOTBALL

My Analysis Of The Rutgers Debacle

The disaster that unfolded in Piscataway, N.J., clearly stunned all the fanboys yesterday, who could not believe what happened to the team that shamelessly overhyped for months.

It should not have surprised this blog’s readers because we have discussed the deep-seeded problems that existed within the program for years.

I don’t know why others ignore that Jayden Maiava has poor fundamentals and keeps offering clunkers (Nebraska, Oregon, TCU, Rutgers).

I don’t know why people inflated the offensive line? I don’t know people ignore that USC cannot dominate the line of scrimmage.

Since the spring, I’ve said the linebackers are a problem and the secondary cannot cover anyone. That was clearly apparent at Rutgers.

How is Gary Patterson allowing Rutgers to amass 460 yards in offense? I’ll tell you one thing Patterson will say as an excuse: Riley does not play complementary football. The USC defense was on the field for 33 minutes. There is a case that whatever USC tries to improve the defense it is still saddled with the culture of Riley, which is the real culprit.

That’s not to minimize Patterson is not doing. Remember when he got hired, I quoted someone who worked extensively with Patterson. ““It will be a good hire if they get the old Gary Patterson and not old Gary Patterson,” he said.

Why did Riley fail to kick a field goal when it would have given the Trojans a two-score lead?

Why did USC look so inept when it fumbled the snap at the end of the game?

What is special teams coach Mike Ekeler doing? The special teams made mistakes in the first three games but nothing compared to the fake punt Rutgers pulled off. It was a blunder of epic proportions.

How many times did USC throw a pass on fourth down that was short of the first-down marker?

Charles Nelson Riley makes some shocking decisions as a play caller and that’s supposed to be his strength. He can’t even perform the basics in stressful games.

The joke is all this occurred against winless Rutgers. What happens when the Trojans play real teams?

101 thoughts on “My Analysis Of The Rutgers Debacle”

  1. Take off the cardinal colored glasses my friends, what do you REALISTICALLY think SC will go over the next 6 games ????

    I say 1-5 and 0-6 is not out of the question.

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    1. I’ll optimistically stick with my prediction from a week ago (and beginning of the season) and say 2-4:

      Sat, Sep 26 21 Oregon LOSS

      Sat, Oct 3 Washington WIN

      Sat, Oct 10 @ 14 Penn State LOSS

      Sat, Oct 24 @ Wisconsin WIN

      Sat, Oct 31 6 Ohio State LOSS

      Sat, Nov 14 @ 4 Indiana LOSS

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      1. Ok, that puts him at 6-4 with Maryland and ucla left, if he goes 1-1 ( losing to ucla which to Riley is just another game, like Fresno or San Jose ) for 7-5, is there anyway he survives ?

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  3. I watched the entire game and I found the team’s play to be uninspiring, though there were some solid individual efforts (King Miller, Bowman, Dixon-Wyatt, Prophet Brown).

    Where was the energy and enthusiasm?

    Is it just me, or did the team effort seem totally flat, aside from the coaching miscues?

    And why does the secondary as a whole have such a difficult time covering receivers, particularly over the middle?

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    1. “Where was the energy and enthusiasm?”

      The idiots who came up with “The Juice Box” didn’t do it for you? 😜

      Can’t believe the people in power thought that something so incredibly hokey was a good idea. Our players & fans should be getting charged up from the pounding we inflict upon our opponents.

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  4. Like I said in another post, Patterson is partially to blame, but the one common denominator from Grinch to Lynn to Patterson is ONE guy, LINCOLN RILEY.

    We got the typical Riley road effort yesterday. The same laid back attitude. The same disorganized mess on both sides of the ball. The same lack of toughness on both sides of the ball. The same Maiava who looks like he’s got a shoulder issue but he still plays with his head up his fanny.

    SC was just lucky enough to make enough plays to win against a team that lost to UMASS. They got 346 yards against UMASS, they got FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY against USC, 120 more against USC, that’s pathetic !!!!!!!!!! Rutgers lost to BC, who almost lost to MAINE!!!!!!!!

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  5. Could you imagine sitting next to Wolf watching an SC football game? ‘Come on, what is with that offensive line, and why does Maiava keep unintentionally throwing the ball away. And now the linebackers act as if matadors with the ‘bull passing by. I can’t take it!

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  6. From the NY / California Post

    ” As reporters waited down a narrow corridor from an open USC locker room, they caught glimpses of Lincoln Riley delivering his postgame speech.

    Fragments of the coach’s fiery address could be heard.

    When it ended, a team spokesperson scurried over to the handful of media. Asserting that what Riley had said was private, the spokesperson demanded that reporters not disclose any of it. “

    What Riley said – on the record, thankfully – when he finally met with reporters in a tiny interview room didn’t soothe any concerns.

    He claimed the close call was mostly a result of the fake punt shifting momentum in the second quarter after his team had taken a 10-point lead.

    “It kind of breathes life into them,” Riley said, “where, you know, you flip that scenario and don’t give up the fake punt, get the ball back, we were moving it pretty good at that point – go score, I mean, the air is going to be out of that stadium when you go into halftime.”

    While acknowledging the defensive breakdowns, he spent equal time praising the highlight plays, which included safety Prophet Brown’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.

    “We made some big ones,” Riley said. “Obviously, the pick-six was massive.”

    He defended his decision to go for it on fourth-and-4 at the Rutgers’ 17-yard line early in the fourth quarter. That move backfired when wide receiver Corey Simms caught a pass but was stopped short of the first down.

    “Obviously, you get a chance to use more clock, get a chance to obviously score a touchdown, get it back to a 14-point game, and the field position piece is real there too, right?” Riley said. “And if you don’t convert it, you know, it’s a long ways for them to go and the game is starting to get short there.”

    Most gallingly, Riley referenced prevailing in a half-filled stadium against a crummy team whose coach may not make it to midseason.

    “Listen, we’re not going to take road wins for granted in this league,” Riley said. “They’re all hard.”

    What’s hard is believing that the Trojans might really be different this season.

    Reporters deserve their share of blame for hyping this team amid the usual devouring of cupcakes, but USC’s lack of meaningful practice access prevented them from seeing many of these warts.

    Jayden Maiava has gone from Heisman hopeful to a quarterback who locks in on primary reads and struggles with accuracy.

    Patterson has gone from savior to supervillain.

    Riley has gone from being redeemed to feeling a new level of heat.

    His only saving grace may be that nothing is linear in college football. That means the narrative could wildly shift again Saturday at the Coliseum when the Trojans face equally frustrating Oregon in what’s long been billed as a make-or-break moment for Riley and his team.

    Now this onetime showdown might more accurately be described as the Disappointment Bowl.

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      1. According to reports, Riley’s entire staff is forced to leave the building if he needs to go to the bathroom….

        #”Okay,Everybody –Out!CoachNeedsSomePrivacy!”

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  7. I was there and saw this near disaster first hand. Rutgers outplayed SC. The 99 yard pick saved the day. Can anyone explain the sideline antics on kickoffs? Two players lifting another in the air repeatedly. Another holding a Juice Box prop over his head. Are these future NFL draft picks or middle school children? It was also comical that I paid $155 from USC for a ticket then bought one on the 46 yardlne 15 rows from the USC bench for $50. And forget about where the band had to sit which was as far away as possible at that stadium. SMH

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  8. KAM: Maybe the malaise SC played with in the Rutgers game was partially due to overlooking them and thinking of Oregon

    DON: That won’t be a problem for SC this week. I doubt anybody is overlooking Oregon for Washington

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      2. John, can you imagine that as a resume line:

        “Shoulder Tapper, USC Football. Responsible for tapping the HC on the shoulder as many times as needed for him to realize there are 15-seconds on the snap clock. Developed different cadences and pressures, depending on the situation. Chased the coach up and down the sideline to ensure I would be at his side on every snap.”

        Liked by 4 people

      3. Add: “There are shoulder tappers and there are shoulder tappers…. I’m told my taps feel special! Give me a try… you may not win all your games… but you’ll feel better about losing…. “

        #”DidIMentionIUsedToWorkForPresidentObama?”

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  10. KAM: Suddenly Oregon needs this game worse than SC. With 2 losses already tacked onto the Ducks their Playoff hopes are dashed

    DON: As the jocks say, “We will play one game at a time.” SC certainly has a chance at winning the Oregon game

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  11. KAM: There is hope. The SC offense is pretty good at a 40-point pace even though Maiava was a bit off yesterday

    DON: But I don’t expect SC to get to 40-points with Oregon, maybe 31 or so.

    KAM: So you are hoping SC’s defense keeps the Ducks below 31

    DON: And in fact the gamblers have the game at about a total of 60-points

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  13. The defensive backs and linebacker looked bad, but more as a result of a defensive line that get severely pushed off by the Rutgers offensive line which dominated. The Rutgers QB was average, but had plenty of time to throw, and the running backs had huge holes to run thru.

    Defense all starts on the defensive line. I see poor tackling throughout the entire defense, but think about it how many sacks has the USC defensive line put on the QB’s this season against very inferior opponents… the answer is ZERO.

    Now Oregon comes to town with elite offensive and defensives line, and many skilled athletes including the QB. USC will get blown out in this game, and this could be it for Riley, and his Juice Box program culture. I don’t think this if fixable unless Marv Goux comes out of retirement up in heaven to motivate the defensive line. RIP Marv Goux we miss you.

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    1. Mostly agree, Almost….. except for the fact Oregon isn’t a super team either. [We’ll get plenty of those later].

      #btw, Rutgers’QuarterbackIsn’t”Average”….

      #…He’sTheConsensus”WorstQBInTheBigTen”

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  14. The level of exposure hasn’t even reached it’s apex.The emperor has no clothes and it’s gonna be chilly for his highness in the Coliseum next week. Will Riley still get his quota of pats on the back? Stay tuned……….

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      1. Mike – I’m thinkin’, hey – we stole the gutties’ defensive coordinator so this time we pilfer their head coach. #Outhousetopenthouse……yeah – that’s the ticket.

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  15. Just like during the Gomer Captain Benteen Helton era we are all observing and then analyzing a recurring Titanic sinking … nothing will change until USC’s inept administration again blunders into a McKay/Carrol lucky hire or someone with a modicum of common sense gains control of the decision making. Everything goes back to culture. USC missed the opportunity to make an all-time platinum hire (Urban Renewal) when they instead opted for Charles Nelson Wiley. They got what they deserved.

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      1. Gabby just answered this question above…. and, yeah, it WAS like the Utah game….

        #CalebNeedsToRestrictRunningToGetting2-3YardFirstDowns

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      2. KAM: Looked like he had a sure touchdown and then was struck down…

        DON: That cost the Bears the game. They don’t get the TD to go ahead 10-3 and the field goal to tie the game 6-6 is blocked!

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  17. I hate say it but UCLA’s Chesney seems far more impressive than Riley in interviews. He just has that killer instinct that makes winners. He’s won everywhere he’s been.

    Chesney also has some big defensive problems, but was handed a bag of trash.

    Can’t believe I am worried about the UCLA game against a first year coach. Since this isn’t a playoff team and there is no ND, beating UCLA is all that matters.

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  18. wow, y’all are a bunch of negative Nellie’s. Cross country games are very hard, and this LR squad showed some grit and toughness. This team will not only make the playoffs, they’ll be DANGEROUS.

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      1. Miguelito’s shrewd mock-icisms have entertained us for over a decade …… dating all the way back to his glorious remarks about Helton just needing one more year to lock things down…

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      2. Oh yes I have noted over the years (and have I not been entertained?!) … John McKay would have approved (eg “Ask him if he wants to carry the ball or block” … “The ball isn’t heavy” … “We’ll win if the game is played indoors wearing socks” … “The Rose Bowl has been reclaimed from Radcliffe” … “The I-bone is back” … “Charles Nelson Wiley just needs one or ten more years”) [I might have made that last one up]

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      1. MG feeling Plucky …

        Unfortunately, most likely gonna be another post-Pete game of Duck Hunt (with the Duck laughing at the “Doh!”‘Riley USC dog) …

        Liked by 3 people

  20. I’ll reserve judgment until after the Oregon game. If we blow them out, you will continue to be regarded in polite society as the Hater that you are. If we lose, then you will be justified.

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  21. Riley’s comments about how it takes a long time to get over a successful fake punt make him look like a fruitcake….

    #GoodTeamsComeBackFromMisfortuneImmediately

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    1. As to the naysayers (myself included) when it come to Riley’s ineptitude – remember Henny Youngman – “Who ya gonna believe – me or your lyin’ eyes?”

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    1. Alv — I love USC football —and I sure don’t consider myself a hater for getting disappointed when a head football coach talks about a fake punt taking the air out of his team….something McKay wouldn’t say in a million years…..

      #FightOn

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      1. Just because I knew before the season started that we were likely going to be 8-4 at the end of season does not make me a hater. I’m merely a realist.

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  23. I’ve defended Riley since day 1 but if he fails again to get us into the playoffs it will be time for a change.

    I know most already do – come this Saturday and

    ‘ESPN College Game Day’ is in-bound for the game this Saturday at the Coliseum 4:30 pm kickoff giving them a long long day……it is the best match-up nationally

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  25. DON: Want to win a Heisman Trophy?– Just play against SC’s secondary every week

    KAM: At least SC is aware there is a problem with its pass defenders.

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  26. DON: Oregon fans are down on Ducks’ Coach Lanning because “He can’t win the big one” they complain. Oregon is still without a National Championship after all these years.

    KAM:– And if the Ducks unexpectedly lose the SC game they are effectively out of the Playoffs with their 2 early losses

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  27. KAM: All this long distance travelling by football teams and the resulting ‘jet lag’ is affecting the visiting teams as evidenced by their dismal record

    DON: The won-loss record did improve last year but it was rock bottom the year before

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    2. KAM: But Carol Folt, Bohn-Head and all the rah rahs assured us that jet lag wouldn’t affect all these 21 year old athletes in the prime of life.

      DON: Leaving the Pac 12 was the worst mistake in the history of USC.

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  28. KAM: SC’s quarterback Maiava is good and bad. Here is hoping we get the Good Maiava on Saturday.

    DON: He obviously is the key as is the Oregon quarterback in which the battle for the Heisman might be at stake

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  29. KAM: I’ll bet that every SC football player is thinking “SC Has to win”

    DON: –And every Oregon player is thinking “Oregon Has to win”

    KAM: I know how they both win– don’t keep score

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  30. Imaginary Wiley: ‘So now all the Monday Morning quarterbacks are questioning why I didn’t kick a field goal instead of continuing our possible touchdown march. I figure if we fail Rutgers still has a long way to go

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    1. KAM: Gee why would anyone with an IQ over 5 question such a stupid decision by Wiley Coyote, Genius?

      DON: Even a Pop Warner coach would have known that was dumb.

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  31. KAM: But Coach, you go up by 10-points Rutgers pretty much gives up. This way their spirits are high being only 7-points behind

    DON: The ‘fake punt play’ stopped cold the SC intent to put the game away and instead lit a fire under Rutgers

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      1. As much as I hated that little lisping leprechaun **** … I always assert when discussions come up that he was as good as any college football coach in history (and didn’t he punish USC … over and over …). The CFB equivalent of Bob Knight in CBB. The embodiment of what was said of Bear Bryant (who was great, but not really that great): “He can take his’ns and beat your’ns, or take your’ns and beat his’ns.” Charles Nelson Wiley is as far from the leprechaun as you can get. One can just imagine Wiley’s reaction to the Holtz quote. One can more enjoyably imagine Holtz reaction to Wiley’s worthlessness as a coach and refusal to be accountable.

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      2. Couldn’t agree more. Coaches didn’t like facing Holtz. They knew he’d exploit their weaknesses….and they knew he’d maximize his strengths.

        #AgainstRutgersWeDidTheOpposite

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      3. AB-so-****ing-lutely

        For the unaware, just search or ‘tube 1978 Orange Bowl (Arkansas-Oklahoma), 1986 Notre Dame-USC, 1988 Notre Dame-Miami and Notre Dame-USC, 1989 Notre Dame-USC, 1990 Orange Bowl (Notre Dame-Colorado), 1990 Notre Dame-Miami, 1993 Notre Dame-Florida State …

        Just imagine switching him and Larry Smith in 1988 and 1989

        I referenced Bob Knight – first time it struck he how much better one coaching mind could be than another (and the difference between talent acquisition and x/o’s) – the 1981 NCAA championship when he won his second national title with Isaiah Thomas and some decent role players (Whitman, Kitchel, et al) over f’ing James Worthy, Sam Perkins, Al Woods, Matt Doherty, Jimmy Black, and a Dean Smith-coach Tar Heel team that the next year won the national title themselves (albeit with the addition of Michael Jordan/subtraction of Al Wood).

        Wiley is more akin to contemplating Gomer squandering Sam Darnold, Ronald Jones, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Adoree Jackson.

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  32. KAM: What I like about football games is you never know how it’s going to play out. How you played in previous games is not always a clear indicator of future results

    DON: Turnovers can decide a game. I check out who won the turnover battle and that usually tells me the winner

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    1. The law of the land is not just the Constitution —it’s BOTH the Constitution AND all the Supreme Court decisions authoritatively construing the Constitution. There is a huge body of First Amendment, Due Process, Equal Protection, Contract and Commerce Clause Law …

      …..Government Agencies & Citizens are required to operate within the limits set. Very little is left to the imagination [regardless of what the Far Left believes]……

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  34. KAM: The computers favor Oregon over SC and say that the Ducks have a 54% probability of victory

    DON: For a game loyalists say is a “must win game” for SC, they picked an improbable one

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    1. Line opened at USC -2.5 last week. By end of Saturday it was USC +1.5 and just as I said, now USC +3.0.

      If I were a betting man, I would be all over Oregon and give the points. They will cover that easily.

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    1. We can win. Unlike most of Helton’s teams, Riley’s offense works.

      It would be nice to have a defense….. but some things never change under Riley.

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