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USC Morning Buzz: The Expectations Changed Fast Once You Enter Power 4 Territory

It took one game — againsr Rutgers of all people – to bring all the typical weaknesses of a Lincoln Riley team back to the forefront.

It’s worth pointing out that it is Year 5 of the Riley Era. And the diehards keep saying USC turned a corner against non-Power 4 Conference competition.

I heard two excuses after the game: That Jayden Maiava is playing hurt and Rutgers circled the game on its schedule all season.

If Maiava is hurt, whose fault is that? Riley had him running the ball on a QB keeper with a big lead in meaningless game. Only a delusional USC would think Rutgers circled the game. Is it 2004? Rutgers plays Indiana. That game is far more likely to be circled on a calendar.

Let’s also remember that on Sept. 4, Robert Griffin III said USC is a national championship contender. Simply amazing.

  • The USC-Washington game on Oct. 3 will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and be televised on NBC.

16 thoughts on “USC Morning Buzz: The Expectations Changed Fast Once You Enter Power 4 Territory”

  1. Great point by the Wolfmizer as usual. Wiley leaving Maiava in is no mystery. Wiley is poster child material for Gen L(oser/azy/ogic challenged). He probably thinks that under his watch that USC’s offensive stats are far more important than winning, since racking up stats in that mindset – a la gaming – is winning, not outplaying and outscoring quality opposition. Similarly, he probably thinks it is useful for recruiting to have a QB and WRs rack up stats. Just contrast with Pete’s tenure, where Reggie Bush didn’t rack up huge stats until his final season (and even then they could have been far more substantial) due to winning coming first (ie making proper use of Lendale White, and lest anyone forget Herschel Dennis … along with the plethora of receiving weapons). The 2008 team many in the nation had no idea how good Johnson, McKnight, Gable and Co. were because winning came first. There were times Pete catered to keep a mouth fed that otherwise would be whining. But mostly it was all about winning. Not stats.

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  3. Nothing we have seen in the first 4 games conveys any confidence that LR and his juicebox towel wavers are a complete team and a CFP contender. This Saturday may be a crude wakeup call for anyone who has any doubts. Still, it is in the Coliseum, where the 12th man will be present, and USC always plays differently there. It could be a very close game. Or it could be a blowout, and not in a good way.

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  4. Scooter,

    The oline coach gets an F-. You see the oline standing up as if they are going to pass block. However, they run the ball and the oline has no leverage on blocking. They are belly dancing iwth the dlinemen.

    The Pencil Neck Geek, Riley get an F. First, why did they bring those juice boxes with them? Then to have potential players for the nfl hold thm up is a joke. I did see uglies entire team jump and down during kickoffs. I guess wore on them. Then SC’s team looks substandard. SC needs physical dlinmen and a coach that will coach iwth fire on his breath. SC dosent have those coaches

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  5. A friend of mine who also grew up with Trojan football at the Coliseum made a good point to me the other.

    USC no longer has a home field advantage other than the Horse which use to fire the fans up running around the track at the Coliseum. The brand called USC was destroyed during the Clay Helton era, and truely fan interest in the team is also declining due to the credibility of the coaching staff, and entire athletic department. The lack of fan interest and, and very load Coliseum atmosphere of the 60’s thru 2010 is now replaced by DJ’s, fireworks, and a football program which no longer creates fear in opponents when they visit the Coliseum.f

    The Ducks are coming to town. I am fired up but I do think most of the fans are, and sadly the team due to poor coaching leadership. Saturday may very be Lincoln’s Riley’s last stand at USC. Sorry folks I don’t think he can win a big one so the 12 million dollar annual salary is a joke!

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    1. As someone who had season tickets from 1967 to 1990, crowds were never huge unless ND or ucla was playing SC. The biggest crowds were when PC was there.

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  6. Nothing is like it use to be— remember in those days their were very few night games mostly day games. There was great excitement for the big games not like now because we have coaches who should be in the funeral home business rather than trying to teach, and motivate young people

    Face it Trojan fans we have a so-so running game to move the chains and keep the ball away from the Oregon Offense, and we have no defense to stop that Duck very skilled offense.

    DUCKS 54

    USC 28

    Anyone remember this commercial: Hi I am Earl Scheib I will paint any car, and I mean any car for $29.99 no ups no extras.

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    2. I don’t know about 26. But they’ll beat us by at least 10.

      Although I hope we’re both wrong and they surprise the hell out of us!

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  7. KAM: I know it’s early, but Saturday with Oregon will either be Christmas or Halloween for Wiley

    DON: Either way it won’t much change most SC fans’ perception of Wiles

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