This has to be the worst possible timing for SC with a major recruit weekend and the news that some major coaches are rumored to be leaving. Tee, not liked by all of us but one of SCs best recruiters. DMC, one of our best....gone. BKU, die hard alumni, great coach and recruiter and he isn’t even in his prime. Pretty sure this hurts us with no word of replacements except in-house promotions.

Ok folks, time to set some expectations for next season. My prediction for next year is that the Pac-12 will NOT represent the Final 4 CFP - I know, I know, duh.

Below is the pool of teams that WILL/MAY make the Final 4 - Four of these 10 teams (only) will be in Final 4 CFP (no Pac-12 teams will qualify per final committee):

1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin
6. Miami
7. Oklahoma
8. Penn State
9. Auburn
10. Notre Dame

A few realities you must keep in mind:

1. The Conference Championship game is practically irrelevant - A precedent has been set by the Committee - for some reason, many on this board like this method/system. Sigh.
2. The Pac-12 does not have the Offensive Line & Defensive Lines to compete for Final 4. Pac-12 skill players can play with anybody in the nation but skill players are dime-a-dozen. West Coast lines are not CFP worthy....Hey, "Upperr" why do you think this is the case?
3. There is both an objective and subjective bias against Pac-12 due to the Big 3 Teams (USC, Stanford, UDUB) failing to represent in the 2017 bowl games. In fact, another UCF type team has the potential to leap frog a Pac-12 champion.

I am just helping folks get to the place of "acceptance" in the 7 stages of grief. Just helping you out.

every time they lose a coach they get another coach even better than the one that left. And for the most part when they leave it’s to coach their own team.

... you'd be concerned about the hiring of a GA to mentor your son as his QB coach? A son by the way who was recruited by nearly every top program/university in the country? Programs that have well-established coaches in place that are 10, 15, 20 years removed from being a GA.

Personally, I believe I'd have to get on the hotline with coach Helton and discuss this coaching move and express the obvious concerns. With three daughters I'll never have this opportunity, but I think it's fair for a parent to seek answers in such a scenario.

Today is the start of the contact period. We reached out to every unsigned target (who's not on an official visit to USC) to see if they've had contact with the Trojans.

San Bernardino Cajon HS DE Jeremiah Martin is the first to respond. He says he "talked to (Johnny) Nansen earlier today." He added that he also "saw one of the coaches at school today."

Login to view embedded media

Just a heads up!

We will be performing forum maintenance starting January 12 at 9 PM PST.

During this time, all forums will be offline and users will be directed to our maintenance page.

the Jets. Crossing my fingers that they’re fools

Just a heads up. Tomorrow, we'll contact every USC target and try to get as many updates as we can about the latest between them and the Trojans.

Seriously. I don’t want to see it happen, but if your goal is to make it to the NFL, why would you choose to go to a more crowded depth chart and what will likely be an inferior offensive system?

Here’s what UCLA has over SC

-A proven winner at HC with NFL experience
-An offensive system that turned Mariota into a Heisman winner (should have been 2 - Dennis Dixon)
-Experienced assistant coaches and not a bunch of rookies
-An easier path to starting on day 1
-An offensive system that has produced better OLs than Callaway is sure to produce

FootballScoop broke the news that Bryan Ellis, who was a grad assistant this past season at USC and the interim quarterbacks coach for the bowl game, has been promoted to QBs coach.

Login to view embedded media Helton said a few weeks back that Ellis was “definitely” a candidate. I’d gotten the impression he already had the job, especially given Tee Martin’s odd response when asked about becoming the QBs coach.

Here’s an interview with Ellis leading up to the Cotton Bowl. He reminds that while playing quarterback for UAB, his head coach was Neil Callaway, his offensive coordinator was Kim Helton and his quarterbacks coach was Tyson Helton. (The trifecta!)

USC won’t confirm the hire until it sends out a release. We’ll keep you updated.

Do you think Mr. Swann is getting involved? CH was supposed to bring stability to the program. It seems like the coachest we all love are the ones with potential to leave. It just seems like there has been a lot of behind the scenes turmoil. Sam calling out the coaches over play calling after a game. I think Sam is not the kind of guy to say that in public un less it's real bad.
Are there rumblings of unhappiness that are starting surface?
Thanks you guys rock

nooooooooooooooo

He's often overmatched in the middle but has potential to use his quickness/athleticism to come off the edge

There was a report out today that the Kansas City Chiefs would interview Deland McCullough for the role of tailbacks coach. We've been told that McCullough has been offered the job and will accept it.

Login to view embedded media

I'm afraid my support for Clay Helton is beginning to slip away. As Jack53 can attest I have been a solid supporter of Clay Helton the past 2 seasons.

Why am I on the fence now?

1. Alabama 2016
2. Notre Dame 2017
3. Ohio State 2017
4. Watching College Football Playoff teams this year
5. 2017 Pac-12 Big 3 Teams (USC, Stanford, UDUB) have zero business being in the conversation for future national title next year. Crickets. Everybody needs to set expectations.

I just have a gut feeling 2018 (my gut batting average is .833) will be Clay's final year. I'm afraid under Clay Helton we are years away from being in the National Title conversation. Improvement will be at a snails pace under Clay Helton I'm afraid. I think Lynn Swann knows this as well.

So I'm now going to put Clay Helton on the coaching hot seat for me. He will have to demonstrate something really special and unexpected in 2018. I don't have a good feeling. It seems to me Clay Helton will have to make the Final 4 CFP in 2018 to keep his job. The odds are not good. The odds are not in his favor. Pac-12 Titles without a CFP game is not good enough.

I'm on the fence. It will be game by game next year.

USC and the Buffs played a physical game, whose war went beyond the court. After beating Arizona state and Arizona , Buffs coach Tad Boyle was delighted in beating Arizona who had good talent and was one of two schools connected to the FBI's probe into corruption and bribery. The other implied team of course was USC. Coach Enfield responded in part "…We are disappointed with Tad Boyle's comments and what they imply. Not only is it unfair for someone to comment who doesn’t have all the facts, but those comments are unfair to those of us involved in USC's men's basketball program, most importantly to our student-athletes and their family.

So would that carry onto the court…..apparently it did, with the teams playing physical while the refs backed off a little. USC induced 19 turnovers off Colorado, and Metu who struggled shooting wise had 6 strong blocks and a hammer dunk near the end of the game. He played while taking what Coach Enfield called…. "He got pushed in the back three times with two hands" ..when in full speed.

At the end of the game, up by 12 and 21 second left USC with the ball called time out. The announcers thought it was to get reserves in…uh uh…they figured out there was a point to be made. Metu dribbled it alone and then attacked the basket. Coach Boyle responded after the game….." That was a very strategic time out from Andy Enfield and I'm not going to forget about it , and neither will our players".

We have a rivalry….as to the game it was close with the Buffs coming back after USC spurts but ultimately USCs athleticism and defense maintained it at a dozen points or so. Low scoring games by Benny (3) and most of Metu's points (8 of 14) came for the FT line. The guards were strong here with guards McLaughlin (2), Thornton (8) and Mathews (9). We play them at Colorado again on Feb. 21. Must see TV?

Heisman Trophy winner. Why? Offensive Line.

Until we get an SEC Offensive Line & SEC Defensive Line we won’t be in CFP. Or have another Heisman Trophy. Reality.

to Mater Dei????

We are gonna need this thread so we don’t spiral down into a black hole of only negativity. (Yes I’m aware of my role in that)

So let’s counterballast.

I will start.

Our defense next year will be exciting. We lose Nwosu but the returners are going to add to the already exciting turnover and sack producing squad from 2017. Can’t wait to see the DL with Pili a year older and fitter with Marlon, hopefully healthy, and the others.

To anybody who watched last night, Oprah Winfrey- WOW!

Very powerful.

Maybe running away that is...

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article194288554.html

Jesus Christ

Login to view embedded media

Nm

https://usc.rivals.com/news/pac-12-spotlight-storylines-to-follow-to-national-signing-day

Thanks Gorney!