There is a complete difference of opinion about USC between many fans who expect a trip to the expanded College Football Playoff and the oddsmakers, who set the regular-season over/under at 7.5. Who is more likely to be right? It’s a pretty low number (7.5) for USC but the schedule is difficult. The first three games could set the tone with USC playing LSU and … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Who’s Right? The Oddsmakers Or Fans?

It was probably a disappointment for cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace when he was not drafted by an NFL team. But sometimes it still works out. Roland-Wallace got a guaranteed $150,000 deal from the Kansas City Chiefs. That means even if he gets cut, he still gets the money. But if the Chiefs were willing to guarantee $150,000, they probably have plans to keep him. Continue reading USC Notes: Not Getting Drafted Can Still Work Out

USC’s defense is definitely better. It’s offense looks worse. That is the first reaction right now following spring practice, which could change with more transfer portal activity ahead. The question is whether the defense’s improvement offsets the offense’s inexperience/issues? What I like are the Oregon State defensive transfers (Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Akili Arnold) and Mississippi State cornerback transfer (DeCarlos Nicholson). What I don’t like yet is … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: What’s To Like/Dislike After Spring Drills

I’ve been going through USC’s roster and wondering who would be the Trojans’ MVP? It was an easy question the past 2 seasons: Caleb Williams. But now there are multiple candidates, especially with the quarterback position not completely settled. It’s not like there is a marquee tailback, or All-American wide receiver or even a Butkus Award caliber linebacker. One of the better known players, Bear … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Who Is MVP?

Former USC defensive Jamar Sekona is transferring to Hawaii. He’s kept a pretty low profile since leaving USC in November. "We have to go, Carol." 🙄 https://t.co/tvkU1bTQP5 — InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) April 30, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading Former USC Defensive Tackle Picks School

USC defensive tackle Kyon Barrs and cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace will sign free-agent contracts with NFL teams. Barrs will sign with the Titans and Roland-Wallace is going to the Chiefs. In retrospect, both would have been better off going pro a year ago instead of transferring from Arizona to USC. That’s part of the gamble when you transfer. They didn’t raise their draft stock in the … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Sometimes It Pays To Go Pro

Auburn wide receiver Jay Fair has committed to USC. He caught 31 passes last season. Continue reading Sunday Notes: USC Adds Receiver

Are you surprised Brenden Rice slipped to the seventh round before being picked by the Chargers? I’m not. USC lost Jordan Addison and was crying out for a go-to receiver last season but Rice didn’t claim that role and had a pretty standard season despite having Caleb Williams at quarterback. Frankly, Tahj Washington had a better season and he also got selected in the seventh … Continue reading Seven USC Players Taken In NFL Draft

Whatever happened to the Caleb Williams will refuse to go to Chicago crowd? By the end of Thursday night, Williams’ Bears’ jersey had broken the Fanatics record for draft-night sales for any draft pick in any sport. He broke the record set the previous week by Caitlin Clark. Wiliams will wear No. 18 with the Bears. Just like Mike Tomczak. It didn’t matter if Folt … Continue reading USC Saturday Buzz: A Broken Record

Calen Bullock was selected in the third round by the Houston Texans in the NFL Draft. He was the 78th pick overall. Will MarShawn Lloyd go next for USC? UPDATED: And Lloyd goes to Green Bay with the 88th pick in the third round. Continue reading Calen Bullock Goes To Texans

I shudder to give Max Nikias credit for anything but I cannot imagine him canceling USC’s main graduation ceremony. There’s no way he would bow to outside pressure. I think I’ve been pretty fair to Carol Folt during her tenure and there’s no doubt she supports athletics with her commitment to new facilities and unprecedented salaries for Lincoln Riley and Lindsay Gottlieb. But some decisions … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Jayden Maiava looked like the best QB in Saturday’s scrimmage, when he completed 15 of 17 passes for 172 yards with one TD and one interception. I’ve heard some schools have actually put out feelers to see if Maiava would consider transferring from USC but the quarterback has rebuffed any interest. That’s how it works. Schools are always checking given the way players move around … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Players Are Always Being Courted

Penn State wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith, who was being heavily recruited by USC, has committed to Auburn. USC still wants to add a wide receiver. Continue reading USC Wide Receiver Target Transfers To Auburn

Carol Folt has been keeping a low profile but she made a statement about Reggie Bush getting his Heisman Trophy back. “I am so happy for Reggie and the entire Trojan Family. He won our hearts during his illustrious career and deserved to have his well-earned honor restored,” said Folt. “We are looking forward to celebrating with him and his family and are proud we … Continue reading USC Notes: Another Busy Day On Campus

Thankfully, this is a subject we will no longer have to hear about. Reggie Bush has been given his 2005 Heisman Trophy back as the Heisman Trust announced Wednesday the formal “reinstatement” of the trophy. Why now? The Heisman Trust said it was because of “enormous changes in the college football landscape.” “Personally, I’m thrilled to reunite with my fellow Heisman winners and be a … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Reggie Bush Gets Heisman Back

Former USC forward Vince Iwuchukwu has committed to St. John’s. He averaged 5.5 points and 3.8 boards last season. His sister will be a freshman on the USC women’s basketball team in the fall. What are the odds Rick Pitino gets more out of him than Andy Enfield? Will No. 1 overall pick cry? Yes      +700     (7/1) No         -2000   (1/20) Primary color of … Continue reading USC Notes: Some Unusual NFL Draft Bets

I’m told that in post-scrimmage conversations, USC’s coaching staff would like to add 2 defensive tackles; 1-2 offensive linemen; a wide receiver and perhaps even a tight end, if a suitable candidate is available. There even some consideration to adding another linebacker but that was a backburner issue. This certainly sounds like more activity than was projected about 4-5 weeks ago by Lincoln Riley. It’s … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Post-Spring Needs Change

There was a club basketball showcase over the weekend and during a game, you know what a couple coaches said? That a coach of one of top five high school programs in California was already upset from dealing with Eric Musselman. I didn’t take their word for it, so I checked with someone who has known the high school coach for years to check it … Continue reading USC Notes: Coaches Trying Hard For Wide Receiver

USC got a commitment Sunday from Florida State cornerback Greedy Vance. Vance appeared in all 14 games with five starts last season and recorded 18 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups. He was competing to play nickel back at Florida State spring practice. It shows USC’s coaching staff isn’t as confident as some fans regarding the secondary. Wright did not participate in spring practice … Continue reading Morning Buzz: A Lot Going On At USC

I’m trying to remember when a spring game really mattered at USC. The day before the 2003 spring game, Pete Carroll named Matt Leinart the starting quarterback. Leinart then looked average in the spring game. Did it mean anything for the fall? Nope. But with a marquee program like USC, the hype sometimes becomes so overwhelming, a spring game can either confirm or contradict it. … Continue reading USC Sunday Buzz: Some Spring Game Thoughts

Here are the stats for the spring scrimmage. For all the talk about the USC secondary, the quarterbacks completed 37-46 passes for 396 yards and two TD’s. But those 4 interceptions stood out. Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long SackMOSS, Miller 16-21-2 133 1 19 0MAIAVA, Jayden 15-17-1 172 1 27 0JENSEN, Jake 6-8-1 91 0 36 1 Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgPETERSON, … Continue reading USC Freaks And (Stat) Geeks

If you need a spring game takeaway, is the defense’s improvement going to offset the ordinary look of the offense? Miller Moss with a short TD pass. So far, Jayden Maiva has outplayed Miller Moss. Miller Moss throws another interception on tipped pass and Prophet Brown goes 100-yards for TD. Tough day for Moss. Third-string offense scores a TD as running back Bryan Jackson has … Continue reading USC Spring Scrimmage Live

The USC spring scrimmage is today! One last chance for the Pac-12 Network to get you if you are not actually going to the Coliseum. Unlike some, I don’t like to overreact to spring games because the roster is missing players who will be here in the fall, especially in the transfer portal era. I’d say the things to watch today are the overall approach … Continue reading It’s Spring Scrimmage Day!

The way USC players are raving about the defense’s new aggressive philosophy, I expect to see them disrupt Miller Moss and Co. on Saturday at the Coliseum. That’s the expectation, anyways. It would have been a smart move for Eric Musselman to hire Hart but I’m not sure Hart wanted to work for him. And now for some history: But he was widely respected in … Continue reading If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Bear Alexander signed a new NIL deal in late March with the USC collective. Then this announcement came out yesterday. Does it illustrate why Alexander reversed course after he was supposed to enter the transfer portal? You mean it wasn’t playing for Coach “Henny” that swayed him but NIL dollars? I really hope Alexander shows the same desire on the field. I'm excited to join … Continue reading Show Me The Money

Former USC defensive lineman Jay Toia is leaving UCLA and entering the transfer portal. He is expected to get substantial NIL offers, which makes USC a candidate to get him back. Remember, the coaching staff Toia clashed with is gone from when he originally was at USC. Maybe Bronny shouldn’t have gone to the same school as the No. 1 freshman point guard in the … Continue reading USC Notes: Will Jay Toia Get NIL Offer?

Do you think Jon Chu, who directed the film “Crazy Rich Asians” is now thrilled to be the keynote speaker at USC’s commencement on May 10? Chu graduated from USC in 2003. He was probably gratified when USC asked him to speak and announced it on March 7. Today? Well . . . Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: A Double-Edged Honor

When does the Muss Bus get started? USC’s got three players on the roster and two commitments since Eric Musselman was hired. There are a lot offers to transfers so we’ll see when they start committing. #RespectMyDecision 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5FlAz61hUX — Scott Drew (@BUDREW) April 17, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Continue reading USC Notes: Time To Get Bus Rolling