Now that Tee Martin has been stripped of play-calling duties, at least we know who to blame if the offense struggles during the final four games. But what was Clay Helton’s reasoning for making the move? Did the offense perform worse this season? Yes. What did Helton expect with three first-year quarterbacks and no Ronald Jones? I’m not defending Martin but I don’t get why … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Just Call It Sideways U.

USC sent out a press release (below) announcing that Clay Helton would call plays the rest of the season and offensive line coach Neil Callaway was fired. Callaway was doing a horrible job and clashed for offensive tackle Chuma Edoga, among others. But the timing is crazy. The offensive line stunk for several years and Helton suddenly makes a change with four games left? This … Continue reading Clay Helton Fires Neil Callaway, Takes Over Playcalling

USC nominated Jack Sears to be Pac-12 offensive player of the week. Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton was the winner but here is why I find it notable USC felt compelled to nominate Sears: He is good enough to possibly be Pac-12 offensive player of the week but not good enough to start against Oregon State if JT Daniels is healthy? Clay Helton values the … Continue reading USC Likes Jack Sears But Not Enough To Start Him

If you need another reminder of the Pac-12’s disdain for its fans, here is another example: The kickoff time for the USC-Cal game on Nov. 10 will not be determined until Nov. 5. This is Homecoming. It is the only game of the year some fans want to go to because of on-campus activities. And here is the litany of potential kickoff times: 12:30 p.m., … Continue reading USC Homecoming In Pac-12 Limbo

Clay Helton is nothing if not predictable. He said Sunday night that JT Daniels will meet with doctors on Tuesday and if cleared he will start Saturday against Oregon State. Typical Helton. Jack Sears has an impressive opening performance and Helton wants to immediately return him to the bench. Why rob your team of a surprising mid-season spark? Because it is always the star system that … Continue reading Sunday Night With Clay Helton

After what I saw yesterday, there is no question in my mind Jack Sears should start. He energized the team and his arm/running/toughness gave USC something it was missing. Did he make mistakes? Yes. But he made his first start in two years and hadn’t even practiced with the offense most of this season. USC has little to play for the rest of the season … Continue reading Jack Sears Should Start