Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) in talks with USC for possible post-Senate job according to the Detroit News. Peters, 67, has entered talks with USC to negotiate and arrange prospective employment. Can he coach football? I like Simmons and think he is an adult in the room on the staff. But . . . developing receivers is not his forte. Just remember Zacariah Branch, Mario Williams, … Continue reading USC Notes: A Word About Player Development

I hear one of USC’s prized freshmen men’s basketball players recently suffered an injury and could be sidelined 6-8 weeks. This follows foot surgery for center Eric Reibe. What is the deal with basketball injuries? Less clear is who starts at left guard, where a host of candidates exist, including Kaylon Miller, Hayden Treter, Breck Kolojay and even some tackles who could move inside. Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: The Offensive Plugs A Gap, Which Opens Another One

USC is ranked No. 14 in the Football Writers Assn. of America Top 16 preseason poll. Look at all the voters who left USC off their ballots completely: Zach Barnett of FootballScoop, Chip Brown of Horns247, Ryan Fowler of Tide 100.9 FM, Ron Higgins of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal, former Michigan player Mark Messner, Max Olson of ESPN, Connor O’Neill of Deacons Illustrated, Scott Springer of … Continue reading Look Who Left USC Off Their Preseason Ballots

We are in full training camp mode right now with football, but Saturday night I spoke to a high-ranking USC official who is knowledgeable about the Trojans’ baseball program. The program has been decimated this offseason as players left via the transfer portal. “We can’t keep players because we don’t pay anything and the alumni aren’t donating money to keep them,” the official said. “If … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Back To Square One For Baseball

We are going to see what develops with USC at the center position following the season-ending injury to Kilian O’Connor but one thing I learned long ago is you cannot assume how it will affect the team. Way back in 2001, USC suffered a blow in the fifth game of the season when defensive tackle Bernard Riley tore his ACL. It was viewed as a devastating … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: Don’t Predict How Injury Affects Team

When USC dropped out of playing Texas Tech this week, it was obviously bigger news in Lubbock, Texas, than Los Angeles. It even caused USC senior associate AD Cody Worsham to issue a statement to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “Texas Tech is one of many schools we have had conversations with regarding future non-conference scheduling opportunities. We will continue to play competitive matchups that align with … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column