Why did Lynn Swann become the third straight USC athletic director to be forced out after Mike Garrett and Pat Haden? And why did it happen after a 45-20 victory over Stanford? People within the university tell me this is just USC president Carol Folt’s systemic housecleaning of upper management. Folt has hired a new provost; a new vice president of student affairs and created … Continue reading Analysis On Lynn Swann’s Firing

Lynn Swann is out as USC athletic director. USC president Carol Folt made the announcement today (below). No way Swann made this decision. And Folt is actually going to have a proper search committee. This is bad news for Clay Helton because new athletic directors like to hire their own coaches. Here is the statement from Folt: Dear Trojan Community,  I am writing to share … Continue reading BREAKING: Lynn Swann “Resigns”

USC’s odds to win the national title are now 50-1 according to BetOnline. Last week, the Trojans were 80-1. Like I heard from so many giddy fans on Saturday night, “We’re baaack.” Fill in your own punchline. Kedon Slovis did not make the Heisman odds, which are also posted at the bottom. Here are the full odds: 2020 NCAA Championship – Odds to Win                                     … Continue reading USC National Title Odds Improve

Stanford coach David Shaw defended USC coach Clay Helton after the Cardinal lost, 45-20, on Saturday night. “Clay Helton has heard a lot of crap from a lot of people for a lot of things,” Shaw said. “He’s one heck of football coach, and he’s got a really good football team.” But Shaw did a bigger favor for Helton during the game when you consider … Continue reading Morning Buzz: How Will Teams Defend USC Now?

Clay Helton was typical Clay Helton tonight. “As much success as Kedon (Slovis) had, a lot of it came from JT (Daniels). I give him as much credit as Kedon” Helton said USC was not worried when it trailed Stanford in the first half. “A whole team pulling for each other and pushing each other. Even when things weren’t going exactly right. I must have … Continue reading Sunday Night With Clay Helton

Was Stanford a far too accomodating opponent for USC last night? “Stanford didn’t shift or run anyone in motion or misdirecton plays,” a Pac-12 defensive coach told me. “They ran one reverse early in game and it worked but then they didn’t do anything else. They were extremely passive. “They didn’t do anything to keep USC’s defense off balance.” Continue reading Stanford Goes Passive