A member of the USC coaching staff said Sunday night after watching films of the UCLA-Arizona game there are subtle differences in the defense from a month ago. “There are some things different (on the film) from when (defensive coordinator) Bill McGovern was calling the games,” the coach said. “We obviously would like to know if he is returning. Is Clancy Pendergast or Ken Norton … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC Sees Subtle Difference In UCLA

Did you watch that Vikings-Bills game? Whew! USC opened a 1.5-point favorite over UCLA at BetOnline. Caesars Sportsbook has USC a 2.5-point favorite. Remember the blockhead who tweeted how USC is ranked ahead of Alabama in the CFP rankings? Alabama just played road games at Tennessee, LSU and Mississippi in a four-week span. Tell me where USC has a comparable schedule? USC’s seven Pac-12 wins … Continue reading Here’s An Alabama-USC Comparison For You

We have our first overconfident quote of the Crosstown Rivalry week. UCLA safety Mo Osling III, asked late last night about replicating last season's 62-33 win over USC at the Rose Bowl: "We know we’re gonna replicate it next week, so we’re gonna have a little bit of a fire underneath our butts. Go out there and just put it on display." — Ben Bolch … Continue reading USC Notes: Crosstown Rivalry Boasts Begin Early

The most-hyped USC-UCLA game since 1988 is no more after the Bruins lost to Arizona, 34-28. But the start time is known: It will be at 5 p.m. and on Fox Network. The game won’t be hyped for College Football Playoff implications. USC is the only team left in the Pac-12 with a chance because the Trojans have only one loss, unlike Oregon, Utah and … Continue reading A Less-Hyped USC-UCLA Game Kicks Off At 5 p.m.

Why did USC go for 2 points last night with a 32-10 lead vs. lowly Colorado? The reason was simple: The Trojans wanted to put something else on film for UCLA to worry about before next week’s game. That’s why the play was run last night and not in another game. It’s part of the gamesmanship that happens. There is actually a precedent too. In … Continue reading USC Saturday Notes: Lincoln Riley Imitates Pete Carroll

The big question this morning is how will USC replace Travis Dye? If I try to think like Lincoln Riley, the answer might be what Riley wants anyways: Pass the ball even more. Let’s look at Dye’s replacements: 1.) Austin Jones Does everything fine and nothing special. 2.) Raleek Brown Capable of making a big play but inconsistent and pass-blocking needs work. 3.) Darwin Barlow … Continue reading Morning Buzz: How USC Replaces Travis Dye