Brett McMurphy of Stadium projects USC will play Virginia Tech in the Sun Bowl. Although USC never wants to play in the Sun Bowl, I suspect Clay Helton (and Lynn Swann) might take this deal today. Helton probably thinks he can keep his job with eight wins and Swann might be able to ignore his growing chorus of critics with a trip to El Paso. … Continue reading USC Bowl Projection

I’ve written a few stories lately about Calabasas five-star wide receiver Johnny Wilson and four-star wide receiver Jermaine Burton, who are not really considering USC. So I checked in this week with a long-time recruiting analyst to find out exactly what is going on with these guys and USC? “USC is not going at them hard and everyone else is,” the analyst said. “They are late on … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

I got a call from a former USC coach of a non-revenue sport today because Lynn Swann said graduating players and compliant behavior were his priorities for football. The coach pointed out USC women’s volleyball Mick Haley, who won two NCAA titles, had a student-graduation rate of 91 percent in 2016. He was fired in 2017. Women’s rowing had a student-graduation rate of 94 percent … Continue reading Let’s Look At Some Grad Rates For Fired Coaches

I hope some of you know where this alternate universe exists that Lynn Swann inhabits. When Swann says USC will be more physical on the offensive and defensive lines next season, what does he base that on? There is not even a strength coach at the moment so there will be a dramatic improvement? When Swann says Clay Helton will be less involved with the … Continue reading The USC Alternate Universe Exists

Lynn Swann bragged about the winter workouts last night. But I’ve heard from players that workouts are a problem because there is so much unfamiliarity at the moment. Strength coach Ivan Lewis took two assistants with him to Seattle so the dept. is shorhanded. And I imagine interim coach Keith Belton is not thrilled because he was told he will not succeed Lewis. Clay Helton … Continue reading USC Strength Issues Remain