#fighton — Public Fediverse posts

Saturday Buzz: USC About To Add A QB?

Quarterback Trey Wright of Frisco, Texas, is going to announce his college choice today and USC is the favorite.

He is a three-star QB. He is 5-foot-11. He is also considering Oregon, Kentucky, SMU, and Arizona.

What doesn’t compute here? I don’t really think it’s that important in many ways because quarterbacks are now easily available in the transfer portal.

But given the way USC acts like it is so selective when it comes to taking recruits, this is an interesting case.

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

How puzzling does this sound? The USC Alumni Assn. is only going to have a membership tent for three home games this season: San Jose State, Washington and Ohio State.

Shouldn’t an alumni assn. have a tent at every home game? They used to in years past. And why San Jose State over Oregon? Which game will draw more fans? Alums have complained about the association for several years. No surprise.

• The Pasadena Quarterbacks Club is back this fall but will be called The Rose Bowl Quarterbacks Club and take place in the South End Zone Field Club at the Rose Bowl.

The lunches have moved to Thursdays from its traditional Friday time. The first one is Sept. 17th and will have Linda Cohn and Neil Everett, former ESPN hosts and anchors, as guest speakers.

• Let’s hope this gets fixed in Exposition Park before USC’s season-opener vs. San Jose State. This is an extremely crowded route from campus to the Coliseum on game days.

• USC is eyeing a bid to operate NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, according to LA Material. The lab is famously run by Caltech.
• And now for some history:

CELEBRITY FILES

• Now here is a scene that would be nice to find on video or a picture.

In the late 1950’s, Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio attended a USC game with his former wife, world-famous actress Marilyn Monroe. The pair sat in a VIP section of the Coliseum. At halftime, ABC-TV wanted to interview DiMaggio so he came into the pressbox and went to the broadcast booth. He was not joined by Monroe, who stayed in the stands.

• There was a celebrity near-miss in 1938, where actors Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor missed the 1938 USC-Notre Dame game because she had to shoot scenes on a Saturday for the film, “Union Pacific.” No. 8-ranked USC upset No. 1-ranked Notre Dame, 13-0, at the Coliseum.

• One of the first USC organizations to start supporting athletics was “the Trojan club,” which started in 1923 and created the “Monday Morning Quarterback” lunches where the football coach would review the previous game.

The Trojan club was also a star-studded group in the late 1940’s. Actors Clark Gable, Robert Taylor and Edward Arnold were members in “good standing.” Los Angeles mayor Fletcher Bowron was also a member.

Gable and Taylor were huge movie stars during this time.

• Everyone remembers USC beat Notre Dame, 55-24, in 1974.

But no one remembers some of the post-game spin from the Irish.

• Notre Dame defensive back Reggie Barrett said after the game that Michigan State was better than USC. Notre Dame beat Michigan State, 19-14.
• Irish coach Ara Parseghian said it was too cold in South Bend to prepare for the game and then too warm in Los Angeles.

“We had a week of preparation and it was very difficult for us.” said Parseghian. “We had to work indoors under limited conditions. It snowed. There was ice outside. We wound up working out in 20- and 30-degree temperatures. The blood thickens.

“We have never played a good second half out here. Look what happened to Minnesota here last week against the Rams. It looked like Minnesota was dominating the football game and in the fourth period the same damn thing happened.”

If Parseghian were Lincoln Riley, he would have dropped the rivalry right then and there.

GREAT NEAR-MISSES FOR USC BASEBALL

• Darrell Evans, who hit 414 home runs in the major leagues, had a locker with his name plate at USC but didn’t have the grades to enter school. So he went to Pasadena City College for a year to get his grades up.

Evans played on the PCC basketball team, coached by Jerry Tarkanian. PCC won the state championship and then Evans led the baseball team to the state title. None of that helped his grades, however, and he never went to USC.

• George Brett was close to going to USC but signed with the Kansas City Royals for $75,000 after being taken in the second round. Brett was a late signee, which made USC think it might get him.
• Ken Brett was considered by some to be a better prospect (as an outfielder) than his brother, George, and was headed to USC before he signed with the Boston Red Sox as the No. 4 overall pick in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft. The Red Sox made Ken Brett a pitcher instead.
• Tim Foli was also headed to USC but became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1968 baseball draft.
• Bobby Valentine and Bill Buckner were friends and supposed to go to USC but the Dodgers signed both. Valentine was selected No. 5 in the first round in 1968 and Buckner was picked in the second round. They actually attended classes at USC.
• Robin Yount thought about going to USC but told the coaches he didn’t like the uniforms. He ended being the No. 3 pick overall in the 1973 draft.
• Lloyd Allen was a pitcher expected to go to USC but then was the No. 12 overall pick in the draft and went pro.
• Ozzie Smith went to Locke High School, seven miles from USC, but the Trojans’ coaches didn’t even know who he was and Smith went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on an academic scholarship.

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Alexandra Bastedo

Peggy Dow

USC Morning Buzz: A Training Camp Highlight Or Lowlight?

USC scrimmaged yesterday and a highlight was this long TD play by freshman wide receiver Boobie Feaster.

Even USC wanted the public to see a glimpse of Feaster’s explosiveness and put rhe clip on social media..

But here is something else to consider: Who was on the defense? Among the players chasing Feaster were Taylor Johnson, Jadyn Ramos, Joshua Holland, Talanoa Ili, Trestin Castro, Isaiah Rubin and Brandon Lockhart.

Most of these guys are first-or-second year players. That explains a lot.. It’s not the first-team defense. I’m providing some context because nobody else will.

Here’s the other thing: What does Gary Patterson think of the play?

https://twitter.com/uscfb/status/2087710067328180260?s=20

USC Morning Buzz: A Training Camp Highlight Or Lowlight?

USC scrimmaged yesterday and a highlight was this long TD play by freshman wide receiver Boobie Feaster.

Even USC wanted the public to see a glimpse of Feaster’s explosiveness and put rhe clip on social media..

But here is something else to consider: Who was on the defense? Among the players chasing Feaster were Taylor Johnson, Jadyn Ramos, Joshua Holland, Talanoa Ili, Trestin Castro, Isaiah Rubin and Brandon Lockhart.

Most of these guys are first-or-second year players. That explains a lot.. It’s not the first-team defense. I’m providing some context because nobody else will.

Here’s the other thing: What does Gary Patterson think of the play?

https://twitter.com/uscfb/status/2087710067328180260?s=20

USC Needs To Up Its Shirt Game

School is about to start but the USC Bookstore has some uninspiring shirts for sale. Not exactly upping its game for the fall.

USC Needs To Up Its Shirt Game

School is about to start but the USC Bookstore has some uninspiring shirts for sale. Not exactly upping its game for the fall.

USC Morning Buzz: Can You Make A Case For The Offensive Line?

I’ve gone against the grain and identified the offensive line as an area of concern throughout the offseason.

Many listed it as a strength and one reason was the return of all five starters.

With Tobias Raymond switching to center, one option is that Hayden Treter will start at left guard. So now we have an inexperienced center and a left guard who did not start a game until the Alamo Bowl last season. In fact, he was mostly used on special teams last year.

And right tackle is also not secured as Justin Tauanuu and Elijah Vikona are battling at the spot.

The good news for USC is a pathetic first three games (San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana) that are glorified exhibition games. So that will give the offensive linemen time to get experience if necessary.

But there will be questions about how good they are, especially when Oregon and Co. show up on the schedule. I would argue that any concerns I had in the spring and even more amplified today.

• The Lakers were sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for more than $12 billion. Of course, Iger is the husband of Willow Bay, who is the dean of the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.

USC Morning Buzz: Can You Make A Case For The Offensive Line?

I’ve gone against the grain and identified the offensive line as an area of concern throughout the offseason.

Many listed it as a strength and one reason was the return of all five starters.

With Tobias Raymond switching to center, one option is that Hayden Treter will start at left guard. So now we have an inexperienced center and a left guard who did not start a game until the Alamo Bowl last season. In fact, he was mostly used on special teams last year.

And right tackle is also not secured as Justin Tauanuu and Elijah Vikona are battling at the spot.

The good news for USC is a pathetic first three games (San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana) that are glorified exhibition games. So that will give the offensive linemen time to get experience if necessary.

But there will be questions about how good they are, especially when Oregon and Co. show up on the schedule. I would argue that any concerns I had in the spring and even more amplified today.

• The Lakers were sold to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for more than $12 billion. Of course, Iger is the husband of Willow Bay, who is the dean of the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.

Notes: Here’s A Power 4 Opponent With Openings To Play USC

Now that USC has spurned Texas Tech, and it has no Power 4 nonconference games until 2030, it’s worth pointing out that the Trojans and Notre Dame currently have openings on their schedules in 2028 and 2029.

The openings are early in the season, which meets Lincoln Riley’s strict rules of engagement. Notre Dame has games available for September 2nd, 2028 and September 8th, 2029.

Let’s see if common sense prevails. It usually does not.

• Here are the odds at Bet MGM for some teams to win the national championship:

8/1—Oregon

35/1—USC
80/1—Utah

80/1—BYU

150/1—ASU

150/1—Washington

250/1—Boise St

400/1—Arizona

500/1—Colorado

Notes: Here’s A Power 4 Opponent With Openings To Play USC

Now that USC has spurned Texas Tech, and it has no Power 4 nonconference games until 2030, it’s worth pointing out that the Trojans and Notre Dame currently have openings on their schedules in 2028 and 2029.

The openings are early in the season, which meets Lincoln Riley’s strict rules of engagement. Notre Dame has games available for September 2nd, 2028 and September 8th, 2029.

Let’s see if common sense prevails. It usually does not.

• Here are the odds at Bet MGM for some teams to win the national championship:

8/1—Oregon

35/1—USC
80/1—Utah

80/1—BYU

150/1—ASU

150/1—Washington

250/1—Boise St

400/1—Arizona

500/1—Colorado

USC Morning Buzz: Another Tradition Under Risk

The new football building is open for business and the official grand opening was yesterday.

It’s wild how some of the fanboy media are acting like they are part of the team when describing the sparking facility. Does it benefit the media? Do they play in the games?

One concern from yesterday. The Heisman Trophies of past USC winners are on display in the new building after being in the Heritage Hall lobby for more than 40 years.

Why does it matter? Because if the new building is not open to the public, USC fans will no longer be able to see the Heismans.

Now maybe the new building will allow public access but consider the McKay Center, where football previously resided, has been off limits to the public since 2012. And I cannot imagine Lincoln Riley wants any part of allowing fans into his inner sanctum.

Hopefully, I’m wrong. Otherwise, the fans will no longer be able to see the Heisman Trophies. Some people hate it when I stick up for the fans, whether it’s ticket prices, continuing the Notre Dame rivalry or being able to view the Heismans.

But the fans are really the backbone of USC football so they should be considered.

USC Morning Buzz: Another Tradition Under Risk

The new football building is open for business and the official grand opening was yesterday.

It’s wild how some of the fanboy media are acting like they are part of the team when describing the sparking facility. Does it benefit the media? Do they play in the games?

One concern from yesterday. The Heisman Trophies of past USC winners are on display in the new building after being in the Heritage Hall lobby for more than 40 years.

Why does it matter? Because if the new building is not open to the public, USC fans will no longer be able to see the Heismans.

Now maybe the new building will allow public access but consider the McKay Center, where football previously resided, has been off limits to the public since 2012. And I cannot imagine Lincoln Riley wants any part of allowing fans into his inner sanctum.

Hopefully, I’m wrong. Otherwise, the fans will no longer be able to see the Heisman Trophies. Some people hate it when I stick up for the fans, whether it’s ticket prices, continuing the Notre Dame rivalry or being able to view the Heismans.

But the fans are really the backbone of USC football so they should be considered.

USC Notes: The Big Day Arrived!

The new football building has its grand opening ceremony today. USC has closed the street in front of the building from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fourteen hours? For what? So that no donors are inconvenienced when they get chaffeured in a golf cart to the ceremony?

Fortunately for the students, fall classes have not started yet. But summer classses are still in session.

• USC and Wichita State will play a basketball game at South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8 per Jon Rothstein. So, Eric Musselman isn’t going to upgrade the schedule, apparently.

• Season-ticket holders got this loud-and-clear message this week. Your tickets have arrived! Now get ready for San Jose State!

USC Notes: The Big Day Arrived!

The new football building has its grand opening ceremony today. USC has closed the street in front of the building from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Fourteen hours? For what? So that no donors are inconvenienced when they get chaffeured in a golf cart to the ceremony?

Fortunately for the students, fall classes have not started yet. But summer classses are still in session.

• USC and Wichita State will play a basketball game at South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8 per Jon Rothstein. So, Eric Musselman isn’t going to upgrade the schedule, apparently.

• Season-ticket holders got this loud-and-clear message this week. Your tickets have arrived! Now get ready for San Jose State!

USC Sunday Buzz: Transaction Time

Lincoln Riley held his press conference yesterday in the new football building. But USC is not allowing any visual documentation of the inside of the building yet, so it was probably the first press conference in years that didn’t include video from local media.

• Josh Goossen-Brown, the director of player development for USC baseball, has been hired as an assistant coach at Santa Clara.
• Former USC wide receiver Jay Fair is seeking a fifth-year of eligibility following Friday’s legal ruling that made all Class of 2022 athletes’ eligible. Whether USC is interested remains to be seen.
• Former USC women’s basketball player Rayah Marshall has signed a 7-day contract with the Connecticut Sun.

USC Sunday Buzz: Transaction Time

Lincoln Riley held his press conference yesterday in the new football building. But USC is not allowing any visual documentation of the inside of the building yet, so it was probably the first press conference in years that didn’t include video from local media.

• Josh Goossen-Brown, the director of player development for USC baseball, has been hired as an assistant coach at Santa Clara.
• Former USC wide receiver Jay Fair is seeking a fifth-year of eligibility following Friday’s legal ruling that made all Class of 2022 athletes’ eligible. Whether USC is interested remains to be seen.
• Former USC women’s basketball player Rayah Marshall has signed a 7-day contract with the Connecticut Sun.

Saturday Buzz: USC Quietly Opens Camp

I hit a nerve Friday when I mentioned freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley was 20 years old. So is freshman safety Madden Riordan. And freshman quarterback Jonas Williams.

One interesting aspect of this is that under the NCAA’s new “five for five” eligibility plan, the five-year window starts upon full-time college enrollment or the year after turning 19.

For a quarterback, that might become an issue. This is also what happens when athletes are held back in high school or start high school late.

• If you are looking for practice reports from Friday, Lincoln Riley is not allowing the media to attend until Tuesday and even then it will be limited to viewing stretching and light drills.

Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley Measures The Standard For USC

Here was a quote from Lincoln Riley yesterday that wasn’t earth-shattering but still telling.

“The standard is championships every year… it’s USC,” Riley said.

What Riley said it’s true. It’s also similar to what he said at his introductory press conference in 2021.

But maybe Riley should spend more time explaining why he hasn’t upheld the standard? What’s he done wrong the past four years? How much is his fault? Does he take any accountability? In the past four years, it’s not really his style to take blame for his wrongdoings.

By the way, what’s his signature accomplishment so far at USC? Destroying the nation’s greatest intersectional rivalry. Congrats to Mr. Muleshoe!

• Remember last weekend, when I said USC officials refused to confirm when training camp opened? They finally said it will open Friday (July 31). Not July 30 as some around here erroneously insisted.

Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley Measures The Standard For USC

Here was a quote from Lincoln Riley yesterday that wasn’t earth-shattering but still telling.

“The standard is championships every year… it’s USC,” Riley said.

What Riley said it’s true. It’s also similar to what he said at his introductory press conference in 2021.

But maybe Riley should spend more time explaining why he hasn’t upheld the standard? What’s he done wrong the past four years? How much is his fault? Does he take any accountability? In the past four years, it’s not really his style to take blame for his wrongdoings.

By the way, what’s his signature accomplishment so far at USC? Destroying the nation’s greatest intersectional rivalry. Congrats to Mr. Muleshoe!

• Remember last weekend, when I said USC officials refused to confirm when training camp opened? They finally said it will open Friday (July 31). Not July 30 as some around here erroneously insisted.

Lincoln Riley Big Ten Media Day Highlights (Lowlights)

Lincoln Riley spoke at Big Ten media day and — big surprise — Notre Dame was a prime topic.

“Nothing’s changed from my vantage point. We want to play the game. I want to play the game. We would be playing the game had some things come true that were said. And so hopefully we get to that point.”

So Riley’s lips are moving but nothing’s happening. The earliest the rivalry will resume is 2030.

• Riley said USC moved into the new football building 10 days ago.

• On making the College Football Playoff: “I do believe we’re more equipped than at any point in the previous few years. That’s not a hope or a wish, there’s a lot of facts to back that up.”
• On Gary Patterson: “You can’t put a price tag on this guy’s experience. I mean, there’s just not much that this guy hasn’t seen.”
• On Jayden Maiava: “Of all the guys that I’ve been fortunate enough to coach, I don’t know that I’ve had anyone that has improved from day one to this point as much as Jayden has.”

USC Pitcher Grant Govel Returns For Junior Season

USC pitcher Grant Govel has decided to return for his junior season after being drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I didn’t expect Govel to turn pro but if he had, USC would have been in a dire position. As it is, the Trojans have still suffered severe losses in the transfer portal and still might not be good next season.

With his return, at least USC knows it has its No. 1 pitcher and can count on him every Friday night during the season. Govel was 10-3 last season with a 2.87 ERA.

USC Pitcher Grant Govel Returns For Junior Season

USC pitcher Grant Govel has decided to return for his junior season after being drafted in the 16th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I didn’t expect Govel to turn pro but if he had, USC would have been in a dire position. As it is, the Trojans have still suffered severe losses in the transfer portal and still might not be good next season.

With his return, at least USC knows it has its No. 1 pitcher and can count on him every Friday night during the season. Govel was 10-3 last season with a 2.87 ERA.

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

USC baseball assistant coach Travis Jewett has resigned to take a position with Vanderbilt. It means USC has lost its top two assistant coaches since the season ended.

He will be replaced by Bill Mosiello, who has been a candidate in the past for the USC head-coaching job and was a Trojan assistant in 2007.

• The lawsuit filed by Brian Kennedy highlights another problem with USC. There are very few Trojans working in the athletic dept. and they don’t fully appreciate the people who donated for decades.

In the past, the athletic dept. had long-time employees with USC ties that knew how to keep boosters invested in the university and would regularly meet with them. It was smart business because you could go to those donors for repeat donations.

That hasn’t been the case lately. No one knows who anyone is anumore. This lawsuit also never would have happened under Pete Carroll. But you-know-who doesn’t like to mingle with the public.

• One of my favorite Kennedy stories happened a few years after a USC-UCLA game at the Galen Center. Kennedy had courtside seats right next to the USC bench. USC lost to UCLA, and as Andy Enfield walked off the court, Kennedy told him, “You got outcoached!”

• And now for some history:

• Brice Taylor is one of the most amazing stories in USC history, the first All-American (1925) and first African-American player in school history. He also played football despite having only one hand.

The puzzling thing is USC did not have an African-American player for another 27 years after Taylor graduated. This was obviously deliberate but the question is why after Taylor’s success?

Well, here’s another weird twist to the Taylor-USC legacy. During most or all of this 27-year period when USC did not have any African-American players, it also omitted Taylor from its official list of All-Americans.

A campaign was started by Brad Pye, Jr., sports editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel and Deke Houlgate, Sr., a USC graduate who created his own college football rankings system, to get Taylor officially listed as an All-American.

I spoke to Pye about it once and he said he and Houlgate were forced to push hard with USC officials for Taylor’s inclusion. If you read anything on Taylor, he was a beloved figure wherever he went, so his omission is even more disgraceful.

Let’s remember USC also did not have an African-American basketball players during this period and Coach Forrest Twogood waited until 1959 to integrate the team. Another disgraceful period in the athletic dept.’s history.

As crazy as all this sounds, Taylor did attend the 1950 USC “men’s football banquet” that featured 18 members of the 1925 team.

And in 1957, he had his footprints placed in cement at halftime of a USC game, which was an honor given to every USC All-American in those days. By 1957, Pye and Houlgate had successfully had Taylor reinstated to the official list.

Those footprints are still on display at the McKay Center (but not for public viewing).

Taylor became the football coach at Southern University in 1928 and started the Bayou Classic with Grambling. He eventually became a teacher and football coach at Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, where he would open the gym on Saturdays and hosted Sports Nights during the week for neighborhood children.

He was the Teacher of the Year in Los Angeles in 1969 and was also appointed to positions by Gov. Ronald Reagan and Mayor Sam Yorty.

A DIFFERENT WORLD

Imagine a 600-student food fight. It happened at USC in 1975. Wonder what John Hubbard thought about it?

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Anne Wiazemsky

Edy Williams

USC Morning Buzz: Was It Really Worth Alienating A Booster?

Did USC really need to alienate booster Brian Kennedy to the point of Kennedy filing a lawsuit?

Let’s review: For more than 25 years, USC has had two football practice fields. Howard Jones Field and Brian Kennedy Field.

After the construction of the new football building and expansion, it still has two football fields. One is still called Howard Jones Field. So why isn’t the other one still called Brian Kennedy Field?

Did USC want to charge Kennedy twice for the same practice field? Or does it think it could find another donor to pay for his name on the field?

The athletics project — including the new Dedeaux Field — still needs to raise another $25 million for completion. No one is banging the door down for their name on a football field. Or the baseball stadium clubhouse or dugout (which are for sale).

So why alienate a booster who already paid and would probably keep donating, if you treat him right?

I can say this: Kennedy had USC written in his will. I highly doubt that remains the case given the rancor caused by all of this.

Since the death of Wayne Hughes, USC doesn’t really have a super booster any more. So it doesn’t make sense to alienate one.

• USC held its Beach Blanket Bingo in Hermosa Beach yesterday. Did you go? You know who I didn’t see there? Lincoln Riley.

To paraphrase Claude Rains in Casablanca, “I’m shocked! Shocked to find that Lincoln Riley was not there.”

USC Morning Buzz: Was It Really Worth Alienating A Booster?

Did USC really need to alienate booster Brian Kennedy to the point of Kennedy filing a lawsuit?

Let’s review: For more than 25 years, USC has had two football practice fields. Howard Jones Field and Brian Kennedy Field.

After the construction of the new football building and expansion, it still has two football fields. One is still called Howard Jones Field. So why isn’t the other one still called Brian Kennedy Field?

Did USC want to charge Kennedy twice for the same practice field? Or does it think it could find another donor to pay for his name on the field?

The athletics project — including the new Dedeaux Field — still needs to raise another $25 million for completion. No one is banging the door down for their name on a football field. Or the baseball stadium clubhouse or dugout (which are for sale).

So why alienate a booster who already paid and would probably keep donating, if you treat him right?

I can say this: Kennedy had USC written in his will. I highly doubt that remains the case given the rancor caused by all of this.

Since the death of Wayne Hughes, USC doesn’t really have a super booster any more. So it doesn’t make sense to alienate one.

• USC held its Beach Blanket Bingo in Hermosa Beach yesterday. Did you go? You know who I didn’t see there? Lincoln Riley.

To paraphrase Claude Rains in Casablanca, “I’m shocked! Shocked to find that Lincoln Riley was not there.”

Fresno State Readies For USC

Fresno State coach Matt Entz, who used to be an assistant at USC, spoke today about playing the Trojans on Sept. 4.

“Playing USC is probably like playing the Avengers, they’re pretty talented. they’re pretty gifted,” Entz said.

“Where can we create mini victories within a game? That can help us stay close and keep it tight. Being a complemetary team can help us in a game like this.”

At first I thought Entz was referring to the old L.A. Avengers of the Arena Football League but that’s me.

I did find his comment about playing complementary football interesting. He saw how Lincoln Riley coaches first-hand a couple seasons ago.

Riley has gotten a little better at playing complementary football but I’m eagerly waiting to see how Gary Patterson handles that during the season.

Fresno State Readies For USC

Fresno State coach Matt Entz, who used to be an assistant at USC, spoke today about playing the Trojans on Sept. 4.

“Playing USC is probably like playing the Avengers, they’re pretty talented. they’re pretty gifted,” Entz said.

“Where can we create mini victories within a game? That can help us stay close and keep it tight. Being a complemetary team can help us in a game like this.”

At first I thought Entz was referring to the old L.A. Avengers of the Arena Football League but that’s me.

I did find his comment about playing complementary football interesting. He saw how Lincoln Riley coaches first-hand a couple seasons ago.

Riley has gotten a little better at playing complementary football but I’m eagerly waiting to see how Gary Patterson handles that during the season.

Sunday Buzz: World Cup Gaffes Of The Day

It’s a great World Cup final when John Strong of Fox thinks Matt Damon is Brad Pitt.

https://twitter.com/TheOnlyCritic/status/2078924990372589639?s=20

And over on the BBC, Guy Mowbray is having just as rough a day.

https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/2078927420007109076?s=20

Sunday Buzz: World Cup Gaffes Of The Day

It’s a great World Cup final when John Strong of Fox thinks Matt Damon is Brad Pitt.

https://twitter.com/TheOnlyCritic/status/2078924990372589639?s=20

And over on the BBC, Guy Mowbray is having just as rough a day.

https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/2078927420007109076?s=20

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

USC football is having a “Beach Day” on Tuesday in Hermosa Beach from 8-10 a.m. between 9th and 10th street. The players will work out, play dodgeball, sign autographs and pose for photos.

• LeBron James spoke at the Time magazine 100 gala last night after the magazine named him athlete of the century and took a moment to thank USC.

“Obviously, if it wasn’t for the coaching staff and the medical team, everybody at USC being there in a timely fashion, we would possibly be sitting here without our son.”

• And now for some history:

• Below is a great photo of a March, 1952 spring practice that showed the depth of USC’s backfield. From left, Al “Hoagy” Carmichael, Jim Sears and Addison Hawthorne under the watch of Frank Gifford (far right), who two months earlier was the 11th pick in the NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

• It always fascinates me how people can pretty much dedicate their lives to someplace like USC and then within a short time, they are forgotten.

Here is an example: Charlie Graves was USC gymnastics coach and a P.E. professor from 1928-57. He won a national title in 1938 and is in the USA Gymastics Hall of Fame.

• Johnny Carson hosted the first noon rally of the football season at Bovard Auditorium the day before USC hosted Pitt at the Coliseum on Sept. 25, 1954. At the time, no one knew Carson would go on to become America’s best-known late-night talk show host with his 30-year reign on The Tonight Show (1962-92).

Carson was a writer-performer for CBS when he hosted the rally.

• When the recently retired USC track coach Dean Cromwell celebrated his 75th birthday in 1954, the Football Writers of Los Angeles had a birthday cake for Cromwell at their luncheon. The only problem was they forgot to invite Cromwell.

• Has USC ever not had an attendance problem with basketball?

In 1954-1955, the average attendance was 1,642. The previous year, when USC won its conference title, it averaged 3,173 per game.

But those figures were attributed to the fact USC games were played at unsuitable venues like the Shrine Auditorium, Olympic Auditorium and Pan-Pacific Auditorium.

Here’s what an alumni publication wrote in 1956:

“Within the next year — perhaps in time for the 1956-1957 basketball season — the new 17,000-seat Coliseum arena will be completed. Both public and student interest in basketball should soar, particularly with the arena being situated right next door to the Trojan campus. Let us hope so.”

The Sports Arena was completed in 1959. Once it became unfashionable, the theory was attendance problems would be solved once USC built an on-campus arena (the Galen Center). See how history repeats itself!

• Maybe things would be different if the “Howard Jones Memoral Fieldhouse” had ever been built. It would seat 10,000 and cost $1,000,000 and the athletic dept. tried to raise the money in 1947.

The fieldhouse was to be located where the George Lucas School of Cinematic Arts and McKay Center currently reside. But only $38,000 was raised and the rendering below is all that got produced.

• On a lighter note, do you remember in 1991 when Traveler bumped a Stanford Dollie cheerleader during the USC-Stanford game at the Coliseum?

Traveler was running down the then-existing track and his shoulder hit Debbie Bain, who was performing a dance move, knocking her to the ground in the third quarter. Bain was not injured and rejoined the Dollies in the fourth quarter.

A member of the Trojan Knights responsible for clearing the track said there were at least three other incidents that night where Traveler almost hit someone.

“I would like to see (Traveler) slowed down a bit,” said Scott Seidenverg, who was a Trojan Knight.

The best quote came from Richard Saukko, who owned Traveler and dressed as Tommy Trojan for decades.

“The girl was told to be off the track and she insisted on still kicking,” Saukko said.

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Ingrid Boulting

Astrid Heeren

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

USC football is having a “Beach Day” on Tuesday in Hermosa Beach from 8-10 a.m. between 9th and 10th street. The players will work out, play dodgeball, sign autographs and pose for photos.

• LeBron James spoke at the Time magazine 100 gala last night after the magazine named him athlete of the century and took a moment to thank USC.

“Obviously, if it wasn’t for the coaching staff and the medical team, everybody at USC being there in a timely fashion, we would possibly be sitting here without our son.”

• And now for some history:

• Below is a great photo of a March, 1952 spring practice that showed the depth of USC’s backfield. From left, Al “Hoagy” Carmichael, Jim Sears and Addison Hawthorne under the watch of Frank Gifford (far right), who two months earlier was the 11th pick in the NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

• It always fascinates me how people can pretty much dedicate their lives to someplace like USC and then within a short time, they are forgotten.

Here is an example: Charlie Graves was USC gymnastics coach and a P.E. professor from 1928-57. He won a national title in 1938 and is in the USA Gymastics Hall of Fame.

• Johnny Carson hosted the first noon rally of the football season at Bovard Auditorium the day before USC hosted Pitt at the Coliseum on Sept. 25, 1954. At the time, no one knew Carson would go on to become America’s best-known late-night talk show host with his 30-year reign on The Tonight Show (1962-92).

Carson was a writer-performer for CBS when he hosted the rally.

• When the recently retired USC track coach Dean Cromwell celebrated his 75th birthday in 1954, the Football Writers of Los Angeles had a birthday cake for Cromwell at their luncheon. The only problem was they forgot to invite Cromwell.

• Has USC ever not had an attendance problem with basketball?

In 1954-1955, the average attendance was 1,642. The previous year, when USC won its conference title, it averaged 3,173 per game.

But those figures were attributed to the fact USC games were played at unsuitable venues like the Shrine Auditorium, Olympic Auditorium and Pan-Pacific Auditorium.

Here’s what an alumni publication wrote in 1956:

“Within the next year — perhaps in time for the 1956-1957 basketball season — the new 17,000-seat Coliseum arena will be completed. Both public and student interest in basketball should soar, particularly with the arena being situated right next door to the Trojan campus. Let us hope so.”

The Sports Arena was completed in 1959. Once it became unfashionable, the theory was attendance problems would be solved once USC built an on-campus arena (the Galen Center). See how history repeats itself!

• Maybe things would be different if the “Howard Jones Memoral Fieldhouse” had ever been built. It would seat 10,000 and cost $1,000,000 and the athletic dept. tried to raise the money in 1947.

The fieldhouse was to be located where the George Lucas School of Cinematic Arts and McKay Center currently reside. But only $38,000 was raised and the rendering below is all that got produced.

• On a lighter note, do you remember in 1991 when Traveler bumped a Stanford Dollie cheerleader during the USC-Stanford game at the Coliseum?

Traveler was running down the then-existing track and his shoulder hit Debbie Bain, who was performing a dance move, knocking her to the ground in the third quarter. Bain was not injured and rejoined the Dollies in the fourth quarter.

A member of the Trojan Knights responsible for clearing the track said there were at least three other incidents that night where Traveler almost hit someone.

“I would like to see (Traveler) slowed down a bit,” said Scott Seidenverg, who was a Trojan Knight.

The best quote came from Richard Saukko, who owned Traveler and dressed as Tommy Trojan for decades.

“The girl was told to be off the track and she insisted on still kicking,” Saukko said.

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Ingrid Boulting

Astrid Heeren

USC Morning Buzz: A Bullish Season Prediction

Like Joel Klatt and a host of others, J.D. Pickell tends to be a USC homer.

Here he predicts USC goes 10-2 this season.

The only losses are to Oregon and Ohio State. So he’s bullish on USC.

But let’s review his record of opinions on USC.

https://twitter.com/jdpickell/status/2077561514135781820?s=20

Here he is downplaying the disappointing 2023 season (which was followed by a worse 2024), by the way. But he will never remind you of this.

https://twitter.com/jdpickell/status/1726693979226517961?s=20

USC Morning Buzz: A Bullish Season Prediction

Like Joel Klatt and a host of others, J.D. Pickell tends to be a USC homer.

Here he predicts USC goes 10-2 this season.

The only losses are to Oregon and Ohio State. So he’s bullish on USC.

But let’s review his record of opinions on USC.

https://twitter.com/jdpickell/status/2077561514135781820?s=20

Here he is downplaying the disappointing 2023 season (which was followed by a worse 2024), by the way. But he will never remind you of this.

https://twitter.com/jdpickell/status/1726693979226517961?s=20

Sir Lincoln Of Riley Doesn’t Face This Scrutiny

England fans and their media are demanding Thomas Tuchel be fired after losing to Argentina, 2-1, today at the World Cup.

Imagine if Sir Lincoln of Riley faced this scrutiny instead of four-plus years of indifference from the USC supporters. He wouldn’t have made it past Year 2.

https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/2077509757053620496?s=20

Sir Lincoln Of Riley Doesn’t Face This Scrutiny

England fans and their media are demanding Thomas Tuchel be fired after losing to Argentina, 2-1, today at the World Cup. They didn’t like strategy or substitutions.

Imagine if Sir Lincoln of Riley faced this scrutiny instead of four-plus years of indifference from the USC supporters. He wouldn’t have made it past Year 2.

https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/2077509757053620496?s=20

Is USC’s Offensive Line A Strength Or Not?

USC’s entire offensive line returns intact led by left tackle Elijah Paige, who is a three-year starter.

That has led some to say the offensive line is a USC strength.

But they didn’t always shine last season and I have doubts about the unit despite its experience, especially since the offensive line has been an Achilles’ heel for the Trojans during the entire Riley Era.

I’ve been at odds with some pundits for several years about this as they always claim the line is better and will be excellent, but for some reason it doesn’t happen.

They have had moments but have never been dominating over the course of the season. Some believe there might be 1-2 new starters, which suggests the returning five is not as good as some people think.

This is all part of the same issue with the secondary and linebackers. We will see how good they are during the season. Right now, it’s just guesswork.

Is USC’s Offensive Line A Strength Or Not?

USC’s entire offensive line returns intact led by left tackle Elijah Paige, who is a three-year starter.

That has led some to say the offensive line is a USC strength.

But they didn’t always shine last season and I have doubts about the unit despite its experience, especially since the offensive line has been an Achilles’ heel for the Trojans during the entire Riley Era.

I’ve been at odds with some pundits for several years about this as they always claim the line is better and will be excellent, but for some reason it doesn’t happen.

They have had moments but have never been dominating over the course of the season. Some believe there might be 1-2 new starters, which suggests the returning five is not as good as some people think.

This is all part of the same issue with the secondary and linebackers. We will see how good they are during the season. Right now, it’s just guesswork.

If It’s Friday, It’s Time For A USC Notes Column

Former USC basketball player Chad Baker-Mazara has joined the Gigantes de Carolina-Canóvanas team of Puerto Rico’s BSN, the team announced.

• Former USC football player Uchenna Nwosu’s foundation donated $10,000 to St. Pius X-St. Matthias High School this week.
• Former USC women’s basketball player Kiki Iriafen has been named a WNBA All -Star for the second straight season.

• And now for some history:
• With the Major League All-Star Game approaching, here’s a good piece of trivia: USC has had three players selected twice. In 1979, Steve Kemp, Fred Lynn and Roy Smalley on the American League. In 2003, Aaron Boone, Mark Prior and Geoff Jenkins on the National League.

• There are simply not enough good pictures of one of the greatest Trojans of all time, Gus Williams. But here is one of Williams in 1975 vs. UCLA and forward Richard Washington. Williams averaged 21.2 points and 5.4 assists this season (without a 3-point line). UCLA won this game, 89-84.

 The above 1953 picture shows USC running back Addison Hawthorne (23), who joined the team in 1952. Hawthorne was the first African-American to play at USC since All-American Brice Taylor in 1925. But few discuss him today.

He was a well-known player at Pasadena City College and one wonders what he endured if there was a 27-year absence of African-American players at USC. And what changed after Taylor that no African-Americans were on the team for such a long time?

If you think it was all just a sign of the times, remember stars like Kenny Washington, Jackie Robinson and Woody Strode played at UCLA in 1939. So let’s appreciate Hawthorne, who is a historical figure with USC football.

A DIFFERENT WORLD

The USC campus isn’t exactly a hub of activity during Christmas break. And getting people to show up two days after Christmas would be a chore.

But that wasn’t the case in 1945. USC was playing Alabama in the Rose Bowl and a huge, star-studded rally before a packed audience on Dec. 27, 1945 at Bovard Auditorium.

Who showed up? Movie stars like John Wayne, Gail Russell, Barbara Hale and Diana Lynn along with Coach Jeff Cravath and the USC football team. Band leader Alvino Rey provided the musical entertainment. Even some Alabama students showed up.

Wayne and Russell were set to shoot the classic Western, “Angel and the Badman” in a four months, which probably explained why Russell attended the rally. Hale later became best known as a regular cast member on “Perry Mason” while Lynn was only 19 at the time of the rally but was well known and ended up with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• Does anyone remember Johnny Wilson’s Ready Room? It was a popular restautant located on Restaurant Row on La Cienega Blvd.

It opened in 1943 and didn’t close until 1989. But did you know who Johnny Wilson was? He went to USC and was the NCAA champion in the high jump in 1939 and tied for the title in the event at the 1940 NCAA championships. He cleared 6-feet, 6-inches both years and this was 30 years before the Fosbury Flop was invented.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Gloria Guida

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Actress Joanna Pettet died this week, so I’m replaying a video from one of her best-known films, “Casino Royale.”

https://youtu.be/M2KXYEjtuXY?si=Hy-FEWOUSsnvXcEl

USC Morning Buzz: Key Questions For Defense

There are things I am going to emphasize as the season draws closer that will need to be answered during the season for USC to be a playoff contender.

For example: The defense’s back seven has questions, where one linebacker spot and the entire secondary have question marks. Is there a go-to cornerback? A standout at safety? Does USC have two linebackers who can disrupt a game?

Feel free to answer these questions.

USC Morning Buzz: Key Questions For Defense

There are things I am going to emphasize as the season draws closer that will need to be answered during the season for USC to be a playoff contender.

For example: The defense’s back seven has questions, where one linebacker spot and the entire secondary have question marks. Is there a go-to cornerback? A standout at safety? Does USC have two linebackers who can disrupt a game?

Feel free to answer these questions.

USC Sunday Buzz: A Trojan Legacy Commits

I almost got fooled yesterday when I saw that USC landed Texas Tech transfer Connor Shouse, who hit .353 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI.

Turned out he had committed to South Carolina. USC can’t land a transfer like this, apparently.

• Paisios Polamalu, the son of former USC safety Troy Polamalu, has committed to Stanford. He is a safety at St. Augustine High School in San Diego.

USC Sunday Buzz: A Trojan Legacy Commits

I almost got fooled yesterday when I saw that USC landed Texas Tech transfer Connor Shouse, who hit .353 with 10 home runs and 66 RBI.

Turned out he had committed to South Carolina. USC can’t land a transfer like this, apparently.

• Paisios Polamalu, the son of former USC safety Troy Polamalu, has committed to Stanford. He is a safety at St. Augustine High School in San Diego.

www.rawstory.com/ivana-trump-...
Of course she did. She WAS his wife.
Just like Mel’s involved.
Face it America!

Birthday?
💔🇺🇸💔 The shame of it.
We’re governed by pedophiles & their protectors. Fűck a birthday.
#NotMyPresident #FightOn #Epstein

Ivana Trump accused of helping...

www.rawstory.com/ivana-trump-...
Of course she did. She WAS his wife.
Just like Mel’s involved.
Face it America!

Birthday?
💔🇺🇸💔 The shame of it.
We’re governed by pedophiles & their protectors. Fűck a birthday.
#NotMyPresident #FightOn #Epstein

Ivana Trump accused of helping...

Yeah, sure 🇺🇸💔🇺🇸
#FightOn #Epstein #EpsteinFiles
#Midterms WILL be useless unless it’s an Obamama type turnout in an off year non-Presidential election!
AMERICANS do not show up. NOT for HER! 2Xs!
Better bring friends or they’ll cheat again.
100M+ 🗳️
Do not hate the messenger.
Wake the fűck up! ❤️🤍💙

Yeah, sure 🇺🇸💔🇺🇸
#FightOn #Epstein #EpsteinFiles
#Midterms WILL be useless unless it’s an Obamama type turnout in an off year non-Presidential election!
AMERICANS do not show up. NOT for HER! 2Xs!
Better bring friends or they’ll cheat again.
100M+ 🗳️
Do not hate the messenger.
Wake the fűck up! ❤️🤍💙

USC Morning Buzz: Let’s Analyze The Schedule

OK, here is my analysis of USC schedule:

Lincoln Riley has massaged the schedule to his liking: Notre Dame out. San Jose State, Louisiana and Fresno State in. USC should start the season 4-0 before it plays the biggest game of the year vs. Oregon at the Coliseum. If the Trojans win, they will be in an excellent position to make the playoff. If they lose, they will need to beat either Ohio State or Indiana while also avoiding any unexpected slip ups.

That is easier said than done because there are some legitimate trap games. USC will host Washington, travel to Penn State and face UCLA at the Rose Bowl. None of those games are considered sure-fire victories. There is also a trip to Wisconsin.

It all means there is a razor-thin margin of error for meeting expectations. Three losses doesn’t get you into the playoffs.

• Dartmouth pitcher Nate Kugler has committed to USC. He was 2-4 last season with a 3.35 ERA.

USC Morning Buzz: Let’s Analyze The Schedule

OK, here is my analysis of USC schedule:

Lincoln Riley has massaged the schedule to his liking: Notre Dame out. San Jose State, Louisiana and Fresno State in. USC should start the season 4-0 before it plays the biggest game of the year vs. Oregon at the Coliseum. If the Trojans win, they will be in an excellent position to make the playoff. If they lose, they will need to beat either Ohio State or Indiana while also avoiding any unexpected slip ups.

That is easier said than done because there are some legitimate trap games. USC will host Washington, travel to Penn State and face UCLA at the Rose Bowl. None of those games are considered sure-fire victories. There is also a trip to Wisconsin.

It all means there is a razor-thin margin of error for meeting expectations. Three losses doesn’t get you into the playoffs.

• Dartmouth pitcher Nate Kugler has committed to USC. He was 2-4 last season with a 3.35 ERA.

A Less-Than-Stellar Manning Camp Report

When I wrote this morning about Jayden Maiava’s inconsistency, which USC-media types seem to ignore, I didn’t even know there was a critical report of his performance at the recent Manning Passing Academy.

From CBS Sports: “(Maiava) left something to be desired from a pure arm-strength standpoint.

“Somewhat of a mechanical thrower, the ball doesn’t jump out of his hand — especially when surrounded by peers — and he can struggle to generate consistent velocity into the intermediate and deep parts of the field.”

A Less-Than-Stellar Manning Camp Report

When I wrote this morning about Jayden Maiava’s inconsistency, which USC-media types seem to ignore, I didn’t even know there was a critical report of his performance at the recent Manning Passing Academy.

From CBS Sports: “(Maiava) left something to be desired from a pure arm-strength standpoint.

“Somewhat of a mechanical thrower, the ball doesn’t jump out of his hand — especially when surrounded by peers — and he can struggle to generate consistent velocity into the intermediate and deep parts of the field.”

USC Morning Buzz: Most Valuable Player Must Also Be Most Consistent

Jayden Maiava is USC’s most important player this season and a Heisman Tropjhy candidate.

He is expected to have a big season. But here’s the question: Will he still have games like he did vs. Nebraska, Oregon and TCU? Those were wildly inconsistent performances, to say the least.

Does it matter USC lost Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane or are wide receivers simply a spot where you plug in players easily?

A lot of people don’t even mention Maiava’s consistency when analyzing this season. They think Maiava is going to be so much better, it won’t happen anymore. We’ll see. Especially with Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana on the schedule.

USC Morning Buzz: Most Valuable Player Must Also Be Most Consistent

Jayden Maiava is USC’s most important player this season and a Heisman Tropjhy candidate.

He is expected to have a big season. But here’s the question: Will he still have games like he did vs. Nebraska, Oregon and TCU? Those were wildly inconsistent performances, to say the least.

Does it matter USC lost Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane or are wide receivers simply a spot where you plug in players easily?

A lot of people don’t even mention Maiava’s consistency when analyzing this season. They think Maiava is going to be so much better, it won’t happen anymore. We’ll see. Especially with Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana on the schedule.

USC Morning Buzz: The Good/Bad Of Football And Another Key Baseball Defection

Let’s look at the potential strengths and weaknesses of the USC football team:

PRIMARY STRENGTHS: The offense features a Heisman Trophy contender and the usual array of star prospects at the skill prospects. The offensive line returns all five starters and has size and depth. In a reversal for recent USC teams, the defense will be led by its defensive line, which could solve last year’s problem of stopping the run. There are a handful of big-time recruits expected to make an immediate impact. 

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Quarterback Jayden Maiava was inconsistent in some of last year’s biggest games and lost his top two receivers from last year. There is a certain amount of risk expecting so many true freshmen to step in and contribute right away. The defense has some real questions at linebacker and especially in the secondary, which will likely determine whether USC finally reaches the College Football Playoff.

• USC first baseman Adrian Lopez is the latest Trojan in the transfer portal. He finished last season with a .304 average, 13 home runs and 47 RBI.

It was almost worse, as Abbrie Covarrubias also entered the portal but then changed his mind.

Safe to say, this team will not resemble last year’s squad with the defections. Why are they leaving? They think they can get better NIL offers at other schools. USC does not place baseball in the same conversation as football, men’s and women’s basketball with NIL.

Sunday Buzz: A Player Worth Remembering

It’s 62 days before football season. Who cares, right? But some publications do countdowns where they mention a player who wore the jersey number to signify the days before the season. The problem is they often pick the wrong player.

Here’s a No. 62 worth mentioning: Chris Foote.

He was the starting center on USC’s 1979 team, which went 11-0-1 and beat undefeated Ohio State, 17-10, in the Rose Bowl.

“It was like so many other games this year, it was like at LSU, at Cal, at Washington  — there’s just that confidence we’ll do it, no matter the situation,” Foote said. “Our offense is good at wearing people down. You can actually feel it over the course of a game. The linebacker’s not stepping up as hard, or the lineman’s not charging as hard…. We just wear them down.”

When does USC wear teams down any more?

Foote also spent 10 seasons in the NFL and two in the USFL That’s a pretty good career.

Saturday Buzz: Will USC Play On Natural Grass In 2028?

With the World Cup in full swing, it’s a reminder that USC is probably going to have play the 2028 season somewhere besides the Coliseum, which will need to have a running track removed after hosting track events at the Coliseum.

SoFi Stadium is expected to be the favored site. Maybe USC should insist SoFi install a grass field like it currently has for the World Cup in 2028. I doubt USC will insist anything, it’s not its style, but it would be a good idea to play on natural grass.

WORLD CUP VIDEO OF THE DAY

Have you seen this Channel 7 (Los Angeles) video, which has gone viral?

https://twitter.com/BosniaNTBall/status/2070749411240779933?s=20

Ro ro, fight da power

#FightOn #mtg #MagicTheGathering

Lincoln Riley Says He Is A Better Coach At USC Than At Oklahoma

I didn’t see this quote that Lincoln Riley gave to CBS during his offseason rehab tour.

“I’m a lot better coach than at any point at Oklahoma,” he said.

So he is better coach, it’s just the wins and losses that are worse. Winning and losing is the least important part of coaching, apparently.

And if he such a better coach, why doesn’t he want to play Notre Dame anymore?

This is a statement that even his most ardent supporters can justfy. But I’m sure they will try.

USC Morning Buzz: Don’t Believe Scholarship Figure Is Set In Stone

USC says it will sign 16 recruits for the Class of 2027 and already has 14 commitments.

Do you really think if a five-star defensive tackle wants to commit after the Trojans get 16 commitments, they will tell the recruit no thanks because their class is full?

Now I don’t doubt they want to sign a small class, I just don’t think the number is set in stone. No way Lincoln Riley and Charmin Bowden say no to a recruit if they are too good to pass up.

And let’s see how the attitude changes if some of the 35 incoming freshmen decide to transfer out of USC in December. Look how many true freshman transferred out after only a semester this year.

So like everything else in recruiting — commitments, scholarships awarded, etc., — is a fluid business despite whatever gets said.

USC Morning Buzz: It’s Always Good When Former Players Speak Out

Most former USC players are not happy with the cancellation of the Notre Dame series.

Among those who have spoken out is radio host Sean Salisbury: “Both universities should be ashamed of themselves. I don’t care whose fault it is. I’m not cutting my university any slack on this. We should never have been to this point.”

That’s a much stronger take than another former USC QB (Matt Leinart).

• The Sparks announced they will honor former USC basketball player Lisa Leslie with a statue outside Crypto.com arena It will be unveiled Sept. 20.

• Here is the rest of my offensive depth chart. There could still be some movement in training camp or flipping of positions but these are the core players.

And I still think the offensive line is a question mark although most media view it favorably.

LT/Elijah Paige/Sr../Keenyi Pepe, Fr.

LG/Tobias Raymond/Jr./Kaylon Miller, So.

C/Kilian O’Connor/Jr./Tobias Raymond, Sr.

RG/Alani Noa/Sr./Breck Kolojay, Fr.

RT/Justin Tauanuu/So./Elijah Vaikona, Fr.

PK/Ryon Sayeri/So./Caden Chittenden, So. 

P/Lachlan Carrigan, So./ William Weisberg, Fr. 

USC Morning Buzz: Skill Positions Depth Chart Unveiled

Here is my USC depth chart for the skill positions on offense.

The key here will be how the freshmen receivers develop along with North Carolina-transfer Terrell Anderson. And will freshman tight end Mark Bowman live up to the hype?

QB/Jayden Maiava/Sr../Jonas Williams, Fr.

RB/King Miller/So./Waymond Jordan, Sr.

WR/Tanook Hines/So./Corey Simms, So.

WR/Trent Mosley/Fr../Zacharyus Williams, So.

WR/Terrell Anderson/Jr./Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Fr.

TE/Mark Bowman/Fr./ Tucker Ashcraft, Jr.