Clay Helton’s search for a strength coach could be over, especially since he might not be in charge of it. I got a text from a contact at Notre Dame on Tuesday night with this detail about USC’s search for a strength coach. Helton has interviewed Robert Stiner, who is assistant director of football strength and conditioning at Notre Dame. Who does Helton know at Notre Dame? Well, … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Zeros In On Strength Coach

Steve Sarkisian met Bevo. Life is good. Here’s a tip for Texas fans: Don’t speak to him in Armenian. When Sarkisian was an assistant coach at USC, former USC All-American Marlin McKeever wanted to impress him, so he learned an Armenian greeting. McKeever went up to Sarkisian and offered the greeting. Sarkisian stood there confused, unable to understand what McKeever said. A disappointed McKeever walked … Continue reading Pete Carroll And Steve Sarkisian In News

USC is 33/1 to win the national title next year according to BetOnline. That’s generous given how many players have left USC and the fact the Trojans have the ninth-best odds. Full odds are at the bottom: The Alabama-Ohio State game drew 18.7 million viewers. The previous low for a BCS or CFP title game was 21.4 million for the USC-Oklahoma game in 2004. Former … Continue reading USC Notes: Championship Odds Are Generous

Former USC tailback Markese Stepp has announced he will transfer to Nebraska. Stepp probably noticed Nebraska ran nearly 60 percent of the time in its offense. Maybe more importantly, Stepp will be the most experienced tailback on the Nebraska roster. Stepp had 100 carries for 505 yards and six touchdowns in his USC career. Continue reading Markese Stepp To Nebraska

USC was ranked No. 21 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll on Monday night, exactly where the Trojans were ranked in the previous poll. So ducking a bowl game did not benefit USC, at least from a poll position. How funny was it to think of USC playing Alabama to start the season after watching the Crimson Tide beat Ohio State? I joked … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Here’s One Way Alabama Outdoes USC

It’s over. Alabama just too good. Ohio State still in it, for now, 38-24. OK, this is the Alabama dynasty at work. Mac Jones, Najee Harris and DeVonta Smith time. It’s 35-17!!! Ohio State is not bending but stalled in the red zone and got a field goal. It’s 21-17. I should have predicted a higher score. Mac Jones didn’t mope after his turnover. He … Continue reading College Football Playoff Title Game Forum