We’re now 4-5 with 3 games remaining - vs Nebraska, at UCLA and vs Notre Dame.

Can this team make a bowl game?

If you want to be a good team, you get the next best QB available when you lose your starter in the Draft just how Oregon did with Dillon Gabriel.

Miller Moss just felt like lackluster decision and it's been awful since then.

Just checking…

Told Riley he's allowed to run, and that running can open up the passing game?? Whoever you are, you have my gratitude.

Hi all,

While watching the Trojans this season, my family has noticed there's someone on the sidelines who is constantly coming up behind Lincoln Riley and patting him on his back once or twice. Doesn't seem like they've saying anything or keeping him from going on the field. Does anyone know what's up with that or what they're doing?

EDIT: Got a video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aANipxgg2jAXSNOj3eCjjqQvUVsJAy_P/view?usp=drivesdk

I'll put it as a comment too

Thanks!

So, I’m late to the party, but maybe it’s possible considering we have only have 3 more games left. But is there a chat channel for live reactions during the game?

Game Info

USC Trojans (4-4) @ Washington Huskies (4-4)

Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA

Line: USC -#, O/U: #

TV: BTN / Radio: 790 KABC

Streams: r/CFBStreams

ESPN / FOXSports

USCTrojans:

• Live Stats
• Tune In - Radio
• GameDay Central

I was just looking at SC’s current commits from the ‘25 class and there are only 4 guys I think from California committed and the rest are mostly from the east coast. Makes no sense to me even with Oregon buying many of these guys. Do you think LR has given up on recruiting California players? I’ve heard some reports on a couple different podcasts saying that SC doesn’t recruit the top talent producing school very hard. I’m just very confused as to why???? What are your thoughts on why this seems to be the case and what have you heard?

For those who don’t know, I have a friendly but intense rivalry with u/head from r/fighton—and he's crushing me so far! Congrats to him on yet another win last week, but the season isn’t over! He donated the Fight On Funds to World Central Kitchen, a fantastic organization providing meals worldwide during humanitarian crises. He's also the mastermind behind the contest's calculations, spreadsheet formulas, and rules, so “The Professor” title fits perfectly, and this shall be his new nickname.

The Game

The USC Trojans (4-4) are set to face the Washington Huskies (4-4) on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PT, and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Analysts anticipate a closely contested matchup. Some projections favor USC, citing their offensive capabilities, while others lean towards Washington, emphasizing their home-field advantage.

Key Players:

• USC Trojans:
  • Jo'quavious Marks (Running Back): A pivotal component of USC's ground game, Marks has consistently contributed significant yardage and touchdowns.
  • Makai Lemon (Wide Receiver): A reliable target in the passing game, Lemon has been instrumental in advancing USC's aerial attack.
• Washington Huskies:
  • Denzel Boston (Wide Receiver): A leading figure in Washington's receiving corps, Boston has been crucial in securing key receptions and yardage.
  • Will Rogers (Quarterback): he has completed 172 of 238 pass attempts, achieving a completion rate of 72.3%. He has accumulated 2,022 passing yards, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, with 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 158.3.

Injury Updates:

• USC Trojans:
  • Out for the Season:
    • Anthony Lucas: Junior defensive end Anthony Lucas is sidelined for the season following a lower extremity injury that required surgery.
    • Eric Gentry: Senior linebacker Eric Gentry has opted to redshirt the rest of the season after experiencing multiple concussions.
    • Bear Alexander: Defensive tackle Bear Alexander has chosen to utilize his redshirt year, effectively ending his participation for this season.
• Washington Huskies:
  • Out for the Season:
    • Jayvon Parker (Defensive Tackle): Suffered an Achilles tendon rupture and is out for the remainder of the season.
  • Expected to be Inactive for the USC Game:
    • Kevin Green Jr. (Wide Receiver): Has yet to play this season; the coaching staff anticipates he will be medically cleared next week.
    • Cam Broussard (Safety): Sidelined with a foot injury; has not been cleared to return.
    • Rahim Wright (Safety): Hasn't seen the field since the season opener against Weber State.
    • Maximus McCree (Offensive Tackle): Suffered a dislocated thumb and is still a ways away from returning.
    • Zach Durfee (Edge Rusher): Missed the last two games due to a toe injury; his status remains unclear as he consults a foot specialist.

Season Contest Update:

Some may not know, but there's a season-long contest in this sub to rank the most accurate game predictions. Scoring is based on both placement and accuracy relative to the top prediction. For instance, last week, u/head (the professor) scored 100% for his first-place finish, while u/jimmmydickgun earned 97% in second, and u/smakusdod got 93% for third. A minimum number of games is required to qualify, and non-participation incurs a penalty to keep it fair for consistent participants.

Below are the top 5 predictors of the season and their average percentages:

1. u/HAHAHABirdman is sitting in first with 67%

2. u/jps_15 u/Ebishop813 u/duke_myers and u/nineteennaughty3 are all tied for second with 65%

3. u/SCpusher-1993 and u/SoggyAlbatross2 are tied for 6th at 62%

4. After that there are 4 others that are within 10% points, but everyone is still in arms reach of placing in the top 5 if you participate in more games.

Prediction:

Both teams' performances and current form should make this game competitive.
USC's offensive prowess, led by Marks and Lemon, may provide them with a slight edge.
Washington's home-field advantage and the dynamic play could counterbalance USC's strengths.
Both teams have injury problems so depending on who shows up, the advantage could go both ways.
There is a possible light rain that could affect this game but it should just be partly cloudy and cold.
Given these factors, a narrow victory for USC is anticipated, with a projected score of approximately 27-24.

However, I am saving my own prediction until we get closer to gametime or after u/head makes his prediction -- whichever comes first. :)

WHAT'S YOUR PREDICTION!!!

What are the vibes going in. What do we think of the huskies? They haven’t played very well recently but it’s on the road and we haven’t exactly been road warriors.

2016 has been the best season in my opinion since the Pete Carroll days. It started off rough, we got blown out by Alabama, beat Utah State and then lost to Stanford. That’s when they benched Max Browne and started Sam Darnold. In his first start he lost a close one to Utah but after that we won 8 games straight finished the season 9-3 and got into the rose bowl at #9 in the nation. That Rose Bowl against Penn State was one of the best games I’ve ever seen, we finished 10-3 and #3 in the final AP Poll. What started as a disappointing season turned into an amazing one.

McKay's 3rd year ('62) National title

Robinson's 3rd year ('78) National title

Smith's 3rd year ('89) Rose Bowl win

Robinson's 2nd stint, 3rd year ('95) Rose Bowl win

Carroll's 3rd year ('03) National title

Helton's 3rd year ('17) Pac-12 title

Riley's 3rd year ('24) ??????

Not all coaches fit the pattern. Tollner went 6-6 in '85, Kiffin went 7-6 in '12.

But it makes sense, since by that time, a coach has all his recruits, the players know the system, it's just a matter of executing.

At Oklahoma, in his 3rd year Riley went 12-2, ending with a loss in the Peach Bowl.

Game Info

USC Trojans (3-2) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-2)

Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Line: USC -#, O/U: #

TV: FOX / Radio: 790 KABC

Streams: r/CFBStreams

ESPN / FOXSports

Notes:

Programs Comparison

Match Up History

USCTrojans:

• Live Stats
• Tune In - Radio
• GameDay Central

I've been a fan since I was 8 and as a child I didn't know any better and growing up in the pete Carrol era you couldnt touch us. I have a hoodie I bought from the coliseum when I was 12 hanging on my wall retired two years ago after 20 years. This is the first week I have ever said anything bad about my team as a whole. Sure we've had bad coach's and we've had problems with special teams OR offence OR defense. Never in my life have we had a team that looks like it did last week.

That being said. While I'm slowly recovering from the feeling of being cheated on or broken up with from last week I've settle into my favorite sweater once again to realize why I'm a fan. It's the heart and soul that's carried our team it's in the lyrics and hearts to FIGHT ON! It's in our being to be better tomorrow, no matter what happens today we will fight on and always be the best we can.

According to USC the longest losing streak we have ever had was 6 games between 1918 and 1925-26. I couldn't find much information about that specific statistic but we also had a season in I think 57 that we went 1-9. Either way the point is the house didn't burn down either time. Obviously I don't like Lincoln Riley today. I think he needs to give up play calling and recruitment/gm. Dudes a good coach but he is overwhelmed and making us fall behind. We obviously can't afford to fire his ass but there needs to be a real change in his philosophy or he needs to find a way to delegate tasks more successfully. He is a grown man being paid big bucks for a so far mediocre performance and he needs to act like it and eat his crow.

Im here for the long haul and gonna just keep fighting on with them week by week and gripe about the good ol days that I can't believe I got to live through!

Selling two student section Rutger vs. USC football tickets for 10/25

Starting Price: $50 (open to negotiation)

Usually I park at Atlantic station and train over. This game is on Friday and would rather park closer. But given how the tickets to the game are going for like 20 bucks I assume the game will likely be empty. Where can I park near campus on a game no one wants to watch? I’d rather not pay 40 to park on campus. Any other options?

Congrats to u/nineteennaughty3 on your second win last week! The Fight On Funds went to World Care Foundation!

The Game is Tomorrow!! FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

USC vs. Rutgers is set for Friday, October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM PT at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

Odds:

• Spread: USC is favored by 13.5 points.
• Over/Under: Set at 51.5 points​

Key Players to Watch:

• USC Trojans:
  • Miller Moss (or maybe Jayden Maiava): Moss has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards this season, including 336 yards and 3 touchdowns in their last game against Maryland.
  • Jo’quavious Marks: A powerful presence in the run game, Marks posted 82 yards and a touchdown last week.
  • Makai Lemon: USC’s top receiver in the Maryland game with 89 yards; he’ll look to make an impact again​
• Rutgers Scarlet Knights:
  • Kyle Monangai: The running back had a standout performance against UCLA with 106 yards and 3 touchdowns. He'll be key for Rutgers' offensive attack.
  • Athan Kaliakmanis: Rutgers’ QB will look to improve after throwing for 287 yards in their last game, though turnovers could be a concern​

Injury Report:

• I will update this soon.

Prediction:

USC enters the game on a three-game losing streak, but they're back at home, where they’ve historically performed well against unranked teams. While Rutgers started strong this season, they’ve lost three of their last four. This is a short week so factor that in! I still expect USC’s high-powered passing attack to create problems for Rutgers’ defense. Though USC’s form has been inconsistent, I predict they’ll bounce back with a 34-20 victory, covering the spread and building some momentum at home

What's your prediction!!

Gentry is such a difference maker on defense I can’t help but wonder how many losses could have been avoided if he had stayed healthy. We have lost all 3 games that he’s missed since the injury and they all went down to the wire. I feel like we would have won at least 2 of those and might be 5-2 right now. Am I crazy?

Coming up for the Nebraska game and looking for any info on the parking situation. Any easy or reliable options welcome…thanks!

Let’s get it all out on the table. Below is everything I have heard from this sub, some of my own thoughts, and what I have read. A lot of you folks echo the same sentiments I have, and I figured we might need a mega thread to vent our frustrations.

Full transparency, I get most of my information and opinions from this sub and the On3 site articles written by Chris Arledge. Arledge is an incredible source for objectivity about this team and I highly recommend subscribing to his stuff. Some of the below is either paraphrasing or blatant plagiarizing him but that is the highest form of flattery, right?

Miller Moss

His throws were fluttering. Not even close to tight spirals. This season is done. Four losses, probably two more coming. 6-6 season on deck. Time to start thinking about next year. So why not give Maiava a start next game?

Big problem: Miller Moss and the read option. He won’t or can’t keep the ball, and that screws the running game. That back-side edge is supposed to be "blocked" by the threat of the QB run—without that, nothing is threatening these defensive lines. And Moss isn’t helping with the deep ball either. He consistently underthrows, which is why we’re one of the worst teams in the country at throwing downfield — let that sink in.

Do we have better options behind Moss? No clue. We don’t see practices or QB meetings. I don’t know what Maiava’s situation is, but I do know the status quo is unbearable.

What’s killing us? The picks. Moss throws the kind of interceptions that just destroy you.

Lincoln Riley

USC football is in shambles. Blowing a fourth-quarter lead for the fourth time in five games... second time this season we’ve collapsed on the road against a team that had no business even being in the game.

But here’s the thing—it’s Riley’s fault we look like a Paul Hackett team against bad competition, and it’s his fault his reputation is tanking. If there’s any magic left in his bag, now would be the time to show it. Otherwise, he’s headed down Jimbo-Fisher-lane, just without the national title.

As Arledge said in one of his articles: hiring Riley for $100M was like cutting the wire on a ticking bomb—you either win or it’s game over. There’s no Plan B. 👌

Since December 2022: we are 11-11. We are talking year 3 of the program, and it’s getting worse. But, yeah, Riley’s not going anywhere. USC doesn’t have the A&M booster money to pay $100M buyouts. So, Riley’s our guy for the foreseeable future.

Edit: USC has held a fourth quarter lead in all seven of their games this season and has a losing record. Over the last 20 seasons, over 200 teams have had a 4th quarter lead in all seven games. Only one other team has ever had a losing record

The Miscellaneous Matters

Special teams? A circus, aside from Eddie Czaplicki (who’s a stud). Seriously, we could run the special teams out of a clown car and it’d look the same—Zachariah Branch fair catching punts with 15 yards of space pretty much sums it up.

On defense: I still appreciate the improvement. We’re giving up 22 points a game—last year it was 67. But aside from a couple disastrous offensive turnovers, that number would be 20. It’s not a talented group, especially now, but they fight. The problem is they can’t get a stop when it matters.

If you watched Georgia-Texas last Saturday, you get it. This USC roster isn’t on that level. Sure, we can beat LSU, hang with Michigan or Penn State, but we’re not talented enough to handle Minnesota or Maryland away. The offense laid an egg. No separation. And yeah, time to throw in backup QB JM—why not? But we all know LR is stubborn. 🤷‍♀️

The Future of this Program and NIL

And don’t get me started on USC’s NIL game. The fact we didn’t take NIL seriously for two years left massive holes in the roster. If we don’t start pulling in top 10 recruiting classes, we’re toast in the Big 10.

Here’s something I don’t think anyone’s really grasping, although it is entirely my opinion and an opinion colored with the bias of a terrible loss: this is a LONG-term problem. It’s not getting fixed in the next couple of years. This might take 5-10 years to turn around if the culture doesn’t adapt to the culture of NCAA football as it stands currently. And USC’s culture isn’t what it was 20 years ago. The administration, the board, and the department heads are more likely to hamstring the program.

It’s pay-for-play now. NIL? Forget it. We have to outspend Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, Bama, Texas, and a bunch of others, but it’s not gonna happen. The USC culture and alumni just don’t have the same appetite for it. Things aren’t like they were 20-30 years ago, especially after shelling out a fortune for Riley.

The Conclusion: Recruits and Fandom

Look, we might be a 7-5 or 8-4 team in the Big 10, but forget about the 12-team playoff. We aren’t getting there anytime soon.

Being a USC football fan is pain. The school has been sabotaging the program for years. It's like Wile E. Coyote blowing himself up. You can’t hire Pat Haden or Lynn Swann to run your athletic department. You can’t keep Clay Helton as coach forever (or at least it felt like it). And you can’t hire the top young coach in the game, then refuse to play the NIL game like everyone else.

And here’s the brutal truth: choking games away is like living in your mom’s basement when it comes to recruiting. It’s hard to close the deal when recruits know about it. Sure, the pitches are great, fancy dinners at Riley’s house are cool, and Heisman Trophies are awesome, but at some point, you have to WIN.

Right now, USC can’t stop losing.

HOWEVER, check this video out and tell me it isn’t possible for a miracle. Because it is possible, however unlikely it may be, SC has been here before and if Pete Carroll left any magical baton on our field, I pray to the gods’ of football that they allow Lincoln Riley to receive that handoff in stride.

This year’s team has been in every game to the end, and we should have won all of them and it’s really frustrating seeing the same stuff come up again and again. It’s a young team, but we’ve shown life on defense compared to the last 4-5 years. Recruiting is improving, 17th in 2024, 10th in 2025 and top 3 in 2026 (hope they don’t fall apart). I just worry we’re too impatient, and taking a program that has been pretty stagnant since Carroll, out of the gutters, has been hard for a lot of coaches. This season has been gut wrenching and there are a lot of problems but I want to have a little hope for the future.

USC started 11 - 1, with only a loss to Utah.

Since then, including the post-season and the first seven games of this season, USC has gone 11 - 11. The definition of mediocrity.

The Trojans won 11 of their first 12 games under Riley, and then 11 of their next 22.

Ever hear the phrase “big time players make big time plays”? Well, we don’t have any big time players, and that’s why we keep losing these close games. We had the opportunity to close out and win each of these 4 losses, but no one has stepped up to slam the door shut. We’ve seen how competitive these losses are, and the kind of impact a player like Mason Graham can have. Just another sack or QB pressure in each game and we might only have 1-2 losses instead of 4.

We are extremely average athletically at just about every position but wide receiver. We have literally ZERO pass rush cause of it. I can’t think of a single player on the team who I can confidently say will be drafted earlier than the fifth round in either of the next two drafts. It’s not a surprise when our classes are loaded with 3-star recruits.

While reading about HS recruiting a couple days ago, I read a stat that blew my mind. Kirby Smart is aiming for his NINTH straight Top-3 recruiting class. Georgia’s success starts there. Their speed and strength on defense has been astonishing at times over the last 5 years. Their D-line just kicked the shit out of the top ranked Texas O-line. Dan Lanning has been a madman on the recruiting trail. He learned his ropes from Saban and Kirby, and knows what it takes. Look how Oregon has been overwhelming all their opponents with superior talent.

Better clock management, being more “clutch”, better play calling - all places we need to improve in. But it starts and ends with the guys on the field, and that work happens during the offseason.

Lastly, better team talent breeds competition and less complacency too. Our best recruits have been very underwhelming, perhaps cause their playing time is handed to them for their natural talent. That doesn’t happen at Georgia when the entire team is 4 and 5 stars.

he can’t fix Bama’s offense til we fire him

The cowboys are horrible this year and Jerry jones supposedly likes riley we need to pray for some wins and that the cowboys keep losing I hope they free usc from the worst contract in school history (yes worse than Helton).