Texas survived in double OT as we finally got a great College Football Playoff game. I can’t say Steve Sarkisian helped his reputation even with the victory after he blew a 24-8 lead and got a horrible no-targeting call from the replay official at the end of regulation. Plus he obviously had a more talented roster. At least the South Bay Mafia will be happy. … Continue reading Sark Almost Blew Another One

From the Rose Bowl: “(Sports writer) Art Spander is not present today due to health reasons, ending a streak of 70 consecutive times he has attended the Rose Bowl. His first was in 1954; he began as a vendor and a spectator.” Spander reportedly has an eyesight issue. He should just be like the USC fan who pretends his consecutive game streak exists even though … Continue reading USC New Year’s Buzz: A Memorable Streak Ends

Is it lost on anyone that Oregon and Ohio State play in Pasadena tomorrow? Two Big Ten programs that many USC fans thought the Trojans would compete with when Lincoln Riley got hired. Well, Riley ain’t competing with them. He’s fallen further behind them. Riley is so lucky the Big Ten didn’t make him play either team this season (and he still couldn’t go .500 … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Someone Tell Riley That Real Teams Are Here

Wide receiver Rod Sherman, who made one of the greatest catches in USC history, died in February. He was 79. Sherman will forever be known for one moment. In 1964, No. 1-ranked Notre Dame led USC, 17-0, at halftime. It was 17-7 entering the fourth quarter. USC trailed 17-13 with 1:33 left and had a fourth-and-eight at the Irish 15-yard line. Quarterback Craig Fertig dropped back and found Sherman … Continue reading Remembering Rod Sherman

Wayne Moses, who was the running backs coach on Pete Carroll’s first coaching staff at USC, died March. He was 69. Moses also coached at UCLA from 1990-95 and 2008-11. During a 45-year coaching career, he coached at Pac-12 schools like Cal, Stanford and Washington along with a 2-year stint with the St. Louis Rams (2007-08). He played football at San Dimas High School and was a … Continue reading Remembering Wayne Moses

Last week I mentioned a Big Ten coach questioned whether Lincoln Riley runs the ball enough. Here’s some observations from the same coach: “The way they look when they play, they don’t look tough. I equate them to a boxer who did minimal sparring before a fight. “They don’t look like they are physical. I would ask how hard do they practice? It doesn’t look … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Does Play Reflect Practice?