A college coach offered me an example of how he thought Lincoln Riley’s search for a defensive coordinator should have gone. “The Miami Dolphins hired a young head coach with a background on offense (Mike McDaniel). Did he worry about hiring a defensive coordinator who would challenge him? No. He hired Vic Fangio, who had been a defensive coordinator with five NFL teams. He’s letting … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

To be honest, I’m a bit underwhelmed by some of the tailbacks USC is recruiting in the transfer portal, at least in relation to the past 2 seasons, when Travis Dye and MarShawn Lloyd were the top backs brought in via the portal. Maybe he’s not the receiver USC wants in the backfield but it seems like Darwin Barlow could have been valuable next season … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: An Underwhelming Transfer Portal (So Far)

QB Cam Ward just visited Miami and is going to visit Florida State next. Maybe Will Howard is USC’s best hope in the portal. Washington is going to host Mississippi State QB Will Rogers this weekend. Given the Huskies’ coaching staff’s ability to develop a QB, this should immediately increase Rogers’ stock. Continue reading Notes: Is Will Howard USC’s Best Bet?

Does anyone care if USC wins the Holiday Bowl? This season is a total loss already and won’t be salvaged by a victory over Louisville. The game won’t offer any preview defensively for next season because D’Anton Lynn will not be coaching, which is a wise decision. Some of the coaches for this game probably will be fired afterward. USC is aggresively recruiting quarterbacks in … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Many Reasons The Next Game (Does Not) Matter

A Pac-12 coach was telling me with the right defensive staff hires, USC might be able to go 10-2 next season. That struck me as wildly optimistic given USC’s schedule next year and the current uncertainty over who is the QB. If it is Will Howard or Cam Ward, expectations increase. But USC still plays LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Washington and Notre Dame next season. … Continue reading USC Notes: Is A 10-2 Record Possible Next Season?