USC coach Lincoln Riley said all the injured players (Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, Andrew Vorhees, Eric Gentry) participated in Tuesday morning’s practice but some did not go the entire practice. “My gut feel is that we’ll get a few back,” Riley said. Look, it’s Cal this week. Should anyone be too stressed if everyone plays? Especially with Colorado the following week. “Ask all my friends … Continue reading USC Notes: Don’t Ask Lincoln Riley About CFP Rankings

QUARTERBACK Caleb Williams didn’t need Jordan Addison or Mario Williams. He kept making throw-after-throw and it didn’t help that Arizona had an anemic pass rush. But let’s be clear. Williams again was why USC won the game. Grade: A- RUNNING BACK Travis Dye just produced another workmanlike 100-yard performance. For all the talk of rotating backs at the beginning of the season, Austin Jones hardly … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC-Arizona Report Card

Here’s a play that typifies the Pac-12. A lot to take in on USC's first touchdown that came on a 3rd down play. First, UA's LB's aren't ready at the snap. Manu ends up being a step late in his man coverage on the RB. Second, both the LG and the RB (who catches the TD pass) false start on this play. pic.twitter.com/O1SWQSqfRC — Blair … Continue reading Pac-12 Football At Its Finest

Arizona did something Saturday that I can’t believe other teams haven’t done more often against USC: It targeted cornerback Ceyair Wright ahead of Mekhi Blackmon. Blackmon always covers the top receiver but teams have been pretty consistent in not letting that bother them. Blackmon had six tackles vs. Rice; six vs. Stanford; seven vs. Washington State and six vs. Arizona State. It was the Oregon … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Arizona Tried Something No One Else Did

I’m ready to fast forward the season past Cal and Colorado and go straight to the UCLA game. It might be 63-62. I think that’s USC’s philisophy. Outscore them. Because it won’t stop people. At least not consistently. One thing the Pac-12 does is create a lack of perspective. Arizona’s defense is so bad that it makes USC’s defense look passable. But USC’s defense cannot … Continue reading USC Notes: How About A 63-62 Final Score In Battle Of L.A.?

The Pac-12 announced its remaining kick off times this morning for next weekend and it creates an interesting conflict. USC and UCLA will both play at 7:30 p.m. The Trojans host Cal on ESPN while the Bruins play Arizona State on Fox Sports 1. You have 2 of the Pac-12’s Big 4 playing at the same time? Both L.A. teams kick off at the same … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Pac-12 Creates Crosstown Conflict