It’s almost astounding that USC is preventing recruits from visiting other schools. This is hardly an unprecedented policy. Schools have tried it in the past. But we are in an era where commitments are not just worthless, signing a letter of intent is worthless. Showing up and enrolling at a school means nothing. Signing an NIL contract means nothing. This semester, players have transferred to … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Policy That Could Backfire

USC has lost five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin, the top-rated recruit in its vaunted recruiting class. Why did he decommit? Because USC apparently has a no-visit policy and Griffin has lined up visits to Ohio State, Alabama, Texas and Florida State. This sounds like the gung-ho policy of general manager Chad Bowden. We only want recruits who want to come to USC! But in this day … Continue reading USC Loses 5-Star Recruit Thanks To Foolish Policy

You know what the main talking point was with USC in the 1970’s? Winning. When Pete Carroll was riding high, there were entertaining things going on around the program but the main talking point? Winning. And now? People brag about the No. 1-ranked recruiting class. We talk about the general manager, who talks about toilet paper. A new strength coach or assistant coaches. A new … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Football Focus Is On Everything But Championships

It wasn’t too surprising when I wrote Lincoln Riley apparently never visited Pete Carroll’s class at USC. But here is something else to consider: Jen Cohen was in Seattle for 25 years before she came to USC. Pete Carroll was in Seattle from 2010-2023. They obviously got to know each other (probably through Steve Sarkisian). One thing Carroll has always been good at is inserting … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: It Helps To Have Influential Friends

Taylor Johnson, a three-star linebacker from Cajon High School in San Bernardino, committed to USC. He chose the Trojans over Arizona and Oregon State. He is the second linebacker to commit to USC in two days. It’s interesting that USC currently has the No. 1 recruiting class but is taking prospects with Arizona and Oregon State as the other top schools. Continue reading USC Adds Another Linebacker

NBC will televise the USC-Notre Dame game on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT). It’s a shame that it’s become standard operating procedure to play this game at night in South Bend. It used to add to the classic atmosphere of the contest when it was played at 1:30 p.m. ET. The bigger question now is whether this will be the last … Continue reading USC-Notre Dame A Night Game (Of Course)