How come tailback Woody Marks, who has played just 10 games at USC, can speak more eloquently about the importance of the UCLA and Notre Dame games than Lincoln Riley, who has been coaching here for three seasons? “These games matter to the people and they matter to us, and we’re trying to do it for the people and us and this organization,” Marks said … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Some Understand Being A Trojan, Some Don’t

QUARTERBACK Jayden Maiava made some key plays, including with his legs. He also had a couple ricochet passes that could have been disastrous but went USC’s way. That might just be how it is with him. Grade: C+ RUNNING BACK Where would USC be without Woody Marks? It’s ironic a tailback is singlehandedly giving Lincoln Riley the best part of his offense. Grade: A WIDE … Continue reading USC-Nebraska Report Card

Remember a couple weeks ago at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new football building, I lamented that USC needed to rely on a 91-year-old donor to make the a $50 million donation? Well, I spoke to another donor who was at the ceremony and has made significant contributions in the past. “(Athletic director Jen) Cohen spoke and then while big donors were hanging around talking, … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Needs Fresh Blood

Lincoln Riley did not appear on the Trojans Live radio show Monday Night. It’s also USC-UCLA week. Is that a big game? Did Nick Saban ever blow off his weekly radio show the week of the Iron Bowl (Auburn-Alabama)? Should I research if John McKay passed on his TV show the week of the USC-UCLA game? Does anyone tell Lord Lincoln what to do? Even … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Does Lincoln Riley Know It’s Rivalry Week?

The kickoff options for the USC-Notre Dame game on Nov. 30 are 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m PT. A decision will be made after Saturday’s games. Workers covered Tommy Trojan this morning to protect him from potential vandals during the Crosstown Rivalry week. Frankly, this usually took place before the weekend but the game has so little juice this year there was little need … Continue reading USC Notes: Does Crosstown Rivalry Have Juice?

I’ve got one question this week: Will Lincoln Riley go through the motions on Saturday the way he did in last year’s Crosstown Rivalry? In my mind, it was his worst performance since he arrived at USC. He acted like he didn’t care on the sideline and the team reflected his attitude. I can’t imagine he will want to lay an egg two straight years. … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: This Week’s Burning Question