Discuss The `Debacle'

Kiffin should have been referring to himself, he's the one calling the plays and he's the head coach, HE SUCKS AT BOTH !

I don't think we're as pathetic as the intense fans think, and blaming everything on Kiffin is foolish. It's good to be reminded that no team can just trot out five enormous kids and call them an offensive line. The young tight ends were not great, but our line did not distinguish itself.

We had so much trouble running -- and it's a bit hard to look downfield when the QB has (at most) three seconds to throw. Also, we had a very gettable 4th and 1 and the bad snap plus 30-yard loss really changed the momentum.

Everyone will moan about the playcalling, but we were very limited in what we could do. And I hope we can admit the McNeal run call for 27 yards on 2nd and 20 late in the 4th was a GREAT call.

BTW: Anyone wonder if Scott will call for the head of one of his favorites, Mike Riley? Losing at home to Sacramento State would be USC's worst loss in ... maybe ever.

But let's admit it: Today was very disappointing. If we don't play better against Utah, then it's time to panic.

DT-89 has it right. The O line is real problem and our usual offense depends on a dominant line. Some bad penalties including some killer late hits. Kif really chewed them out, but these never seem to go away.

The D was only okay and Minny is not a good test. None of the newbies really stepped up. Didn't see much of Uko or Pullard and on offense, Grimble and Telfar looked pretty shaky. Morgan looked okay, but did not get to flash his speed. Baxter hardly played. Lee does look like a keeper and Ellison seems to be a good answer at fullback.

Overall, it looked too much like last year and I agree Kif has got to fix this soon or he is in real trouble.

All great points masonite, but....

How about just calling a QB sneak on 4th and 1 instead of a pitch? Or scratching the god damn 2 pt conversion for no reason? And this no huddle offense thing...? Doesn't work too well when you don't sub players and give people a rest!

First half was fine, but Kiff not believing in anyone else but the starters is always going to cost us in the second half. Play your bench!!!! Even Woods looked completely gassed by the end of the 3rd.

I agree a few of the play calls were questionable and Kiffin has got to figure out the 4th quarter. We are pathetic in the 4th pretty much every game. We just can't seem to make the big play in the 2nd half on offense.

I think we need to use the bench, but the ones who did play did not inspire confidence.

I agree a few of the play calls were questionable and Kiffin has got to figure out the 4th quarter. We are pathetic in the 4th pretty much every game. We just can't seem to make the big play in the 2nd half on offense.

I think we need to use the bench, but the ones who did play did not inspire confidence. Kiffin is going to be on the hot seat if things don't improve quickly.

One more kiffin blunder: why were we going hurry-up/ no-huddle with about 1:30 left in the 1st half, and inside the 10??? Terrible clock management, gave Minny a chance at a fg.

After reading this evenings commentary, I am surprised that MB7 did not recieve the Praise do him for what I felt was his "I have arrived" performance. If not for 2 crucial dropped passes, one by a wide open but clumsy TE Randall Telfer and the other, on 3rd down, by WR Brandon Carswell, MB7 would have sealed the deal. To me, he was on top of his game, effective from start to finish.

He had all kinds of time to throw deep routs when play action and roll outs were used. If we had a top rate Offensive Coordinator, Barkley and our offense would have covered the spread.

Despite the aforementioned two exceptions, I believe our wideouts played well. And hey, Running Backs coach, why not correct our two scat backs when they began cutting inside between the tackles instead of slanting outside the tackles and tight ends or take it to the sidelines then cut up field ?? I believe our early game rushing success came to and because our backs were poorly coached.

Summary: Matt Barkley held on just long enough to overcome a pathetic Kiffin second half to win the game. Good job, Son !!!

Fight On !!!

Naturally, I like Masonite's take here -- especially about playcalling. As a fan, I think it's one of the toughest aspects of the game to fully understand. It must be true that some good play calls don't work, and vice-versa.

But, I wonder if some of 'SC's issues relate to confidence as well. All those comments from the team about "here we go again" are revealing. They did pull together and win, but let's keep an eye on the fact this team's self-belief is pretty bruised. Perhaps that's Kiffin's real challenge going forward.