USC-ASU Report Card

Hard for the D-line to be effective when they're taken out of the game with quick swing passes and 3-step dropbacks all game. As for coaching, yes, something should've been done to stop that play after the first ten times.
TURNOVERS, however, are not a result of coaching. 4 turnovers will lose you the game 99.9% of the time (Yes, that is an accurate statistic...)

Can you Kiffin worse than an F?

I have some disagreements with Scott's grading...
Why are you giving the receivers a B when most of the passes went to Woods? That should be in the playcalling category!
The offensive line was opening holes for Tyler who was gaining yardage until he fumbled. The rushes on Barkley were due to him taking too long to throw the ball in the plays he got hit. Thye line did its best job of the season! What game were you watching Scott?
Now we can all agree the coaching gets its first F. The coaches were unable to (surprise!) make adjustments at halftime for what ASU was doing and this finally lead to a loss. Kiffin is just not improving in his play calling as his success in the red-zone sucks. He is to blame for this solely.
Don't be surprised if Arizona comes in here and plays the same game plan with the same results. They actually have a better passing game. If the tall receivers keep lining up against the 5'8" DB, for Christs sake Kiffin, get your father to put a taller DB in there. Haden... are you watching this crap?

I know the loss was upsetting. And we are so used to USC rolling the ASUs of the conference. But the criticism towards the coaching staff is way too over the top. Guess Kiffin still is too polarizing for even USC fans. Yes in the end the staff has to take responsibility, but it is unfair to blame the coaches for what was missed tackles on defense, an already weak group of CBs losing a starter, numerous defensive 15-yrd penalties, and FOUR turnovers including Barkley's 4th quarter meltdown, including two turnovers (pick six and a red-zone fumble). I guess Kiffin is to blame for Barkley not lofting the ball to Woods in the back of the endzone when the CB jumped under the route as well?

I fault the coaches for (1) failing to address the repeated swing passes on defense; (2) failing to involve our TEs and RBs into the passing game; and (3) using timeouts so poorly (which didn't really end up hurting us, but still, a time-sucking swinging gate formation on an obvious field goal attempt?).

Complaining about runs on third and long; one of those calls was on our side of the fifty; we downed the punt at the ASU 2 and then got the ball back. The next was called to improve a long field goal attempt from the ASU 30 vs. passing on third and 13. Those were both the right choices given how early in the game it was.

This loss is mainly on Barkley's poor decision making in the fourth. The 4th quarter, 3rd down, & the red-zone is where QB efficiency is paramount and Barkley has yet to show consistent, good judgement under these conditions -- so far.

I think Barkley's fourth quarter proves there is a reason Kiffin was calling at times a conservative game plan. We limit the late 3rd and 4th quarter turnovers and we would have had a chance to win it in the fourth. That is what you want in road game at a difficult venue against a very motivated team with a 11-game losing streak.

I believe it's time to look towards 2012. This season is lost. Bench barkley or at least take him out in the 4th quarter. Play younger guys more..AS at MLB and different people at CB. Try different combinations. See how Wittek or Kessler does at QB. It can't get any worse - we just goted rolled by a mediocre - poor ASU team. Cannot even imagine what is going to happen vs. Oregon.

Step 2 Fire Kiffen sr and jr after this season. Pretty evident the game has passed both of them by.