Former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow spoke at the Pasadena Quarterbacks Club on Friday, the same day the Trojans played Utah. How many people asked him to come back to USC?
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Norm Chow Sighting
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USC Morning Buzz: The Schedule Gets Easier But Is That Good?
USC should be favored for the next four games (Arizona State, Colorado, Arizona, Cal). But in my analysis today, I write about the double-edged sword facing Clay Helton in these games.
Excerpt: “Saturday’s game against Arizona State starts a period of must-win games to salvage the season, make a bowl and ease talk about Helton’s future. Because if USC loses to any underdog, it could get even uglier for Helton, a nice guy who sometimes seems unequipped to deal with the nasty atmosphere that surrounds the program after a loss.”
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Clay Helton v. Pete Carroll
Clay Helton is 7-7. Pete Carroll started his career at USC going 6-6, but five of those losses were by 5 points or less. OK, there goes that comparison.
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USC-Colorado At 1 p.m.
The USC-Colorado game at the Coliseum will kick off at 1 p.m. at the Coliseum and be on the Pac-12 Network. This is what happens when you lose three of your first four games.
But Colorado is suddenly no pushover and this looks like a trap game. Buffs QB Steven Montez, in his first college start, had 468 yards total offense against Oregon on Saturday.
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Clay Helton Is No. 1!
Clay Helton’s rocketed to the top spot on coacheshotseat.com. Does anyone remember USC was picked second in the Pac-12 South in the preseason media poll and received the second-most votes to win the conference title game?
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Ed Orgeron Loves USC, No LSU
At his press conference right now, Ed Orgeron said the LSU job “is the greatest job in America.” Didn’t he say USC was the greatest job in America?
If Orgeron is successful, Pat Haden might have to enter a Witness Protection Program. Or a better one than he is currently enrolled in.
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This Is Why You Don’t Punt
When I objected to Clay Helton’s decision to punt from the Utah 37-yard line in the fourth quarter, this is why: Saturday’s Pac-12 games. Stanford defeated UCLA with 24 seconds left in the game; Colorado interecepted a pass in the end zone with 48 seconds left to defeat Oregon; Washington beat Arizona in OT; Arizona State scored a TD with 48 seconds left; Oh, and Utah scored the winning TD with 16 seconds left.
Pac-12 games tend to go down to the final possession. So don’t assume your defense will make a stop even if Utah has to go 93 yards to score.
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USC Morning Buzz: An Ironic Nomination and Keeping Positive
You want irony: USC nominated tailback Justin Davis for Pac-12 offensive player of the week despite the fact Davis did not get a single carry in the fourth quarter against Utah. Maybe this sums up USC’s season. Why USC needed to play Aca’Cedric Ware a series over Davis makes no sense. The Trojans got a field goal.
Above, JuJu Smith-Schuster remains positive on the rest of the season despite the 1-3 start.
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The Latest Line
USC opened as an 8-point favorite over Arizona State according to Bookmaker.eu.
And now for a stat of the night: USC ranks No. 102 nationally in team sacks. The defensive line is not beating anyone on the pass rush and Clancy Pendergast needs to blitz more if he wants to pressure quarterbacks.
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USC v. Utah Recruiting Rankings
Do recruiting rankings matter? USC’s past five recruiting classes averaged a No. 6-ranking nationally according to 247Sports.com. Utah? The Utes’ past five recruiting classes were ranked No. 47. Keep this chart handy.
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