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Between you and us

I know there are a lot of questions about what’s going on on the coaching front. I’m here to tell you answers might be on the way. A source tells me there’s been reconciliation between CP and BKU — thanks to CCH — and the latter is expected to remain on staff. Also, it’s looking more and more like a certain assistant on the defensive side of the ball will be moving on and possibly replaced by a former coach from across town. That’s all I have for now.

The 2018 O-Line??

Good news and bad news...

First, the good news...The O-Line in 2018 will be very experienced with only 1 starter graduating.

Then, the bad news...essentially the O-Line in 2018 will be the same as last year - good enough to win PAC-12 but not good enough to break into the Final 4 or even the Top 10 of FBS.

The current O-Line has been pressure tested and proven to be a notch below the top-tier programs. I just have a hard time believing that next year will see dramatic improvement. My gut (batting average of .833) tells me the current cast of characters are 97% fully baked (they are who they are) and 1 more year is not gonna result in any discernible difference. I am skeptical.

Again, winning the P-12 remains an expectation of mine. But we all know the P-12 will not be represented in the Final 4 CFP. There's a huge drop off and the committee has already been vindicated that Conference Championships are meaningless & irrelevant when it comes to CFP. And the Big 3 teams (USC, Stanford, UDUB) proved to be flops in the bowl games. P-12 is not a respected conference and therefore SOS is questionable.

I guess our best hope is that Notre Dame, @Texas, and @Stanford is in a similar predicament or possibly worse off than we are.

More good news...I think we should know the truth by end of day September 15, 2018. Better to know sooner rather than later.
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USC stopped by...

... Mater Dei HS on Friday. Friday was the start of the contact period. The powerhouse school in Santa Ana is home to two unsigned USC commits in Amon-Ra St. Brown and JT Daniels. Solomon Tuliaupupu is also there along with a host of underclassmen that the Trojans have targeted such as Bru McCoy, Bryce Young, Mase Funa, Jeremiah Criddell, Sean Dollars and probably a few more that I forgot to mention.

Tee Martin was the coach representing USC.

A sweep at home….

…Versus Colorado (who then beat UCLA) and Utah. Lots of late arrivers and the Galen Center was about 1/2 full. On one event a student missed out on getting prizes so AD Lynn Swan shot FTs for him (1st try rimmed out) and then another that was perfect. Lynn looks good but has that beginning boiler that all us older guys seem to harvest. USC needs a sports shirt with heavier elastic below to push some of that extra pounds up towards the chest level. LOL. Helton was also at the game. As was D'Anthony Melton, a great kid that became one of the NCAAs (and FBI's) victims IMO in college politics.

USC looked great ,particularly in the first half, raining 3 pointers and creating turnovers (17 leading to 17 points off turnovers). USCs defense the last 2 games has been the best of all year and seemed to be dedicated to Melton. USC had a 24 point lead at the half. Conversely the big guys were pretty much shut down after drawing defenders away from the periphery. Total of Metu, Boatwright and Racocevic was 4 points. The trio hit 20 points in 2H. McLaughlin is really one of the most overlooked talents in USC BB history. Always there to make the right shot or pass.

USC survived a better second half by Utah where they did cut the lead to 16, but never were a real threat. as shown by only one lead change in the game (coming after a 6-0 start for Utah). The 84-67 score broke a Utah 8 game win streak over USC. And a big deal…..Utah missed 2 free throws in a row so everyone got a free chic Fil-a sandwich bringing out the biggest roar from the student section.

On to Oregon State and Oregon. The latter has been a tough venue for opponents for a long time. USC is 13-6 and 4-2 in league play, 1/2 game behind Arizona and Stanford (that 50 foot basket last week…ugh).

Latest intel on Trojans and NFL draft

Here's the latest intel on the 10 Trojans who are considering turning pro:

SAM DARNOLD
What we know: plans to consult with Helton, Swann, family, NFL players, former Trojans in the following days; hasn’t met with agents all year
What we’re hearing: leaning toward the draft and could make a decision in the next week
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 3.

RONALD JONES
What we know: is awaiting draft eval and that grade will play a big factor
What we’re hearing: heavily leaning toward leaving
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 5

DEONTAY BURNETT
What we know: hasn’t strongly considered possibility until recently; doesn’t plan to decide immediately; would be playing with a new quarterback
What we’re hearing: was alarmed by lack of involvement in Pac-12 title game; emergence of Vaughns, Pittman has spurred him to give NFL serious thought; stock is rising; would like another year of production on his resume in case he doesn’t stand out at combine
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 8

TOA LOBENDAHN
What we know: isn’t in a rush to decide but has been thinking about it for some time
What we’re hearing: is torn because a) it isn’t clear whether he’ll be drafted at all right now, b) his most likely pro position is center but has limited film there, and c) has battled injuries the past three years, so he sees coming back as a big health risk
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10

CHUMA EDOGA
What we know: said he’ll return immediately following Cotton Bowl
What we’re hearing: members of program expect him to come back but also find him unpredictable
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.

RASHEEM GREEN
What we know: said he’s still deciding; Kenechi Udeze advising him to return
What we’re hearing: having a strong season despite playing through injuries most of the year has him strongly leaning toward the NFL; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Declared for draft Jan. 13

CAM SMITH
What we know: said he’s still deciding
What we’re hearing: has been weighing it all year; close friend and roommate Darnold leaving is a factor; knows he will be drafted but is aware of struggles in space and wants to improve there; told teammates he was returning before the bowl game
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 10

PORTER GUSTIN
What we know: said he’s likely returning
What we’re hearing: wanted to turn pro but incomplete season interfered with that plan
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 5

BIGGIE MARSHALL
What we know: plans to announce soon
What we’re hearing: wants to turn pro (and planned to) but uneven season called for further examination; isn’t overly swayed by purported struggles; confident he’ll be drafted because of premium placed on corners; has not registered for spring semester classes
Projection: turns pro
UPDATED: Confirmed he’s returning Jan. 12

MARVELL TELL
What we know: has not formally stated his intentions
What we’re hearing: currently plans to come back
Projection: returns
UPDATED: Did not declare for draft by Jan. 15 deadline.

USC is at 81 scholarships for 2018.
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