Morning Buzz

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USC quarterback Matt Barkley said he was OK with the conservative third-down calls in the first half against Arizona State and Chris Galippo said teams put together game plans just for the Trojans.
“They’ve got their crazy USC package, regardless if people say it’s a down time for USC,” Galippo said.

Photo/Jon Soo Hoo

4 thoughts on “Morning Buzz

  1. Crazy USC package? I guess that means constantly getting your ass kicked on defense and not making the plays you need to make when it counts. This is another example of the Kiffin effect on these players. When something doesn’t go your way, make an excuse, or come up with some half ass philosophy as to why you didn’t get the job done. USC fans need to get used to this mantra, because this is what LOSING organizations do, make excuses. Man up and admit to the fact that you are not getting it done. Get better now!

  2. Was going to disagree with you Jack, but you’re probably right. This team tried to get in the head of Vontaze Burfict leading up to the game, yet ironically, had all the personal foul penalties called against them (although I do believe 2 of the 3 were ridiculous calls), and are now saying teams have better preparation for USC? Yeah… um… DUH!!!!! Down year or not… THIS IS STILL USC!!!!! You think UCLA wouldn’t absolutely love to beat the Trojans? Who wouldn’t? It’s a storied program trying to bounce back. Yet these players keep beating themselves.
    Something encouraging about this team is that Kiffin had them very well prepared after losing to UW last season enough to nearly beat Luck and the Cardinal @ the farm. Despite losing 2 games in a row on last-second FGs, they still obliterated Cal the next week.

  3. If Kiffin told the truth about the ASU game he’d be lambasted for throwing his players under the bus because there is no other explanation for why USC lost. Player’s didn’t execute at key moments esp. the 4th quarter. Period.

    Nonetheless, I think Kiffin may be forever hampered by the circumstances in which he took this position. Following Carroll’s historic success, starting his regime ham-strung with sanctions, starting off with an already depleted defense and offensive line – USC’s signature strengths, a pedigree that is admittedly more impressive than his resume, and the vitriol spewing from other parts of the country adopted by many USC fans.

    His only chance is if the boosters/admin. continue to support him and allow him so leeway for the next two to three years due to the unique challenges which face the program. That is a tough sell to a fan base that doesn’t want to see the program languish again like it did post-McKay/Robinson and an AD who didn’t hire him. Luckily UCLA has been so anemic that USC’s SoCal dominance should remain for some time even with USC’s own issues.

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