Think back a week ago when the USC radio broadcast was emphasizing that the football program was in a better place than a year ago. Meanwhile, Arizona State is headed to the College Football Playoff. Arizona State! Lincoln Riley just went 6-6 in Year 3. Does Arizona State have any NIL? That’s usually the first excuse of the fanboys about USC’s shortcomings. It took two … Continue reading Saturday Buzz: Who Had ASU In College Football Playoff Before USC?

Did you see the ESPN report that Oklahoma State wants Coach Mike Gundy to take a restructured contract and pay cut and have discussed firing him for cause if he doesn’t agree to the new contract? Can USC do something similar with Lincoln Riley? Would they even have the guts to try it if they could? This is going to be one of Carol Folt’s … Continue reading The USC Friday Column Supplement

I’m slightly surprised by the amount of grumbling I heard this week from within some upper levels of the athletic dept. regarding Lincoln Riley. It’s not unusual to hear one or two people criticize a coach after a 6-6 season but this seems a little more pervasive and organized, like it’s also being heard from above. When the news broke earlier in the week that … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

UCLA fired offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and is expected to hire Indiana QB coach Tino Sunseri. I’m mentioning this because as far back as the season-opener against Hawaii I’d heard that Bieniemy’s playbook was way too big and a problem for the team. It’s good for the rivalry that DeShaun Foster is not messing around. He has hired one-time USC assistant Demetrice Martin to coach … Continue reading Busy Day For Coaching Transactions

I envision USC as a perennial Top 10 program. But it’s hard to imagine it based on some of the things I heard and saw Wednesday. “We’re really going to be probably looking at somebody that would come in and provide some depth,” Riley said. The goal is supposed to be to win now. I like Jayden Maiava but doesn’t he need some competition? Why … Continue reading Morning Buzz: Some Questionable Decisions By USC

Lincoln Riley responded to the Athletic report that Central Florida made an inquiry to see if he was interested in the job. He called it a “non-starter.” “I’m a Trojan,” Riley said. “I’m home.” A Trojan? It’s 50-50 he even knows how to find Tommy Trojan on campus. A Trojan doesn’t want to end the Notre Dame series. He is not a Trojan. He is … Continue reading Lincoln Riley Shoots Down UCF Link