There are at least 20 players on the USC injury list today. Maybe 2-3 will return this week but last year’s strength coach, Ivan Lewis, must be laughing at the criticism he received from me and others. I warned the night Aaron Ausmus was hired that it was “retread hire” and listed issues during the Lane Kiffin era but the know-nothing pundits praised him the … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Has How Many Players On Injury List?

Clay Helton said tonight Markese Stepp will undergo surgery for a torn ligament in his ankle and be out 3-5 weeks. Helton said Drake Jackson (ankle) is not medically cleared and Talanoa Hufanga dislocated his shoulder. Jackson wore a boot on his left ankle. Stephen Carr has a pulled hamstring and did not practice. Dominic Davis has been moved to tailback (again). Greg Johnson and … Continue reading Markese Stepp Out 3-5 Weeks

Wide receiver Munir McClain suffered a torn ACL after making a catch during the Arizona game, according to the L.A. Times. He tore the ACL in his other knee during his junior year at JSerra. He cannot redshirt because he played five games. Meanwhile, his brother, Abdul-Malik McClain, discolated his shoulder. Defensive end Drake Jackson suffered a high-ankle sprain. Clay Helton should address that tonight. … Continue reading USC Loses Receiver For Season

Does this look like 53,826 people at the USC-Arizona game? Those red seats really do a great job making the stadium look fuller than it is. Meanwhile, former food executive Michelle Janavs plead guilty Monday for her participation in the college admissions scandal. She is accused of paying $525,000 to have her daughter admitted to USC as a beach volleyball recruit and of fixing her … Continue reading USC Notes: How’s The Attendance Doing?

Why did USC suffer more injuries than Arizona? You want to blame the Coliseum field? Arizona didn’t suffer all those sprained ankles and other assorted injuries like USC did. The funniest explanation I heard on twitter was USC was so much more athletic than Arizona, it suffered more injuries. Isn’t the opposite true? Here’s when you know you are dealing with a homer: They won’t … Continue reading There Is A Logical Reason For USC Injury Woes

Pete Carroll used to say “always compete.” And he could be ruthless. He tried to get Jeff Tedford the Nebraska job just to try and get him out of the Pac-10 after Cal upset USC in 2003. Clay Helton‘s motto is “never compete.” You can be wrong about who you pick to start. That is OK. But you don’t have to be permanently wrong. This … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Welcome To The No-Compete Era