The first week of training camp usually favors the defense. So it’s not surprising a USC coach told me this weekend two standouts were linebackers Mason Cobb and Eric Gentry. “They can both give problems to an offensive line,” the coach said. “That will help our defense this fall.” This is a position of strength for USC with Shane Lee, who started last year, also … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Couple Camp Standouts

Back in the early 1960’s, the Pac-12 survived with just a small second-floor office on Geary St. in San Francisco that consisted of the commissioner (Tom Hamilton), the public-relations representative (Tom Hansen) and a secretary. It was low overhead. In those days, the Pac-12 was known as the Athletic Association of Western Universities and consisted of USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford and Washington. Washington State joined … Continue reading History Repeats Itself

Nate Frazier, the No. 1-ranked all-purpose running back in the nation per Rivals, committed to Georgia. Why is this relevant? Because he goes to Mater Dei High School. I’m not sure how hard USC really recruited Frazier but there’s definitely something amiss in that USC-Mater Dei pipeline these days. Cornerback Zabien Brown recently committed to Alabama and offensive lineman Brandon Baker is supposed to commit … Continue reading The USC-Mater Dei Pipeline Has A Leak

The Pac-12 implodes and the U.S. Women’s soccer team loses for the first time in the Round of 16 at the World Cup. Imagine predicting those two events would happen on the same weekend? If you weren’t awake, this was the margin of victory for Sweden in penalty kicks. Carol Folt didn’t do that a year ago. She just put out a canned statement. She’s … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: A Most Improbable Weekend

Is it newsworthy USC offensive line coach Josh Henson criticized the offensive line after a practice this week? It’s still early in camp so from that standpoint, no. But it was noteworthy if you go by media reports that continually said the offensive line was going to be much better. Of course, they said the same thing last season for unknown reasons. I found the … Continue reading Meanwhile At USC Training Camp

Some of these schools celebrating their new conference moves should be careful what they wish for. Does Oregon have a chance to win a Big Ten title? Do you think Arizona playing basketball in the Big 12 will experience more success than in the Pac-12? What is Arizona State going to do in either sport in the Big 12? This is where things get silly. … Continue reading USC Notes: Careful What You Wish For