Chris Swanson and I collaborated again for five takeaways from USC's 59-9 victory Saturday at the Coliseum.
1. All eyes on JuJu
The spotlight is growing by the game for JuJu Smith-Schuster. He made it even greater before Saturday, drawing the attention of the entire locker room because of his dust-up with Isaac Whitney. Then he went out and made that a footnote, notching career highs of 10 catches and 192 yards receiving in the first half.
One of the biggest questions concerning USC over the past eight months has been whether JuJu could fill the shoes worn so well by Nelson Agholor. In that time JuJu has shown that his feet are even bigger. Prior to being USC’s top playmaker through the opening two games of the season, he’s been one of the team’s primary leaders for seven months. The 18-year-old sophomore is undaunted by responsibility, expectations excellence. He’s also comfortable being an outspoken spokesman.
After the episode with Isaac Whitney last week in practice, JuJu knew he had to something to prove to his teammates. He had to back up his fury with fire on the field. But he wasn’t worried about it. Watch film from any contest during his nascent 15-game career and you’ll see that he always shows up. Saturday was just another day in his Trojan life.
2. Bounce-forward performance
Two of USC’s biggest minuses in the Arkansas State game, pass protection and run blocking, were two of its biggest positives a week later. It’s been well documented that the offensive line gave up five sacks last week while the Trojans, despite a 200-yard performance, struggled to run the ball consistently.
You wouldn’t have known either was an issue against Idaho. Cody Kessler basically went untouched in the pocket and consequently torched the Vandals secondary. It looked like a 7-on-7 drill without a time limit on when the quarterback had to release the ball. Some of the running lanes USC’s three tailbacks were afforded proved just as comfortable.
USC has playmakers for days, but it all starts with the big boys up front. When they do well, everyone else on offense does well. Some of the linemen we spoke attributed their performance to improved communication and having more than a game under their belts. After working through so many combinations in fall practice, they expect their cohesion to improve with less rotating during the season.
3. Locked in
Kessler was accurate, decisive and effective against Idaho. He showed better timing and, as usual, delivered a very catchable ball.
The only issue with his 410-yard, career-high performance was how much of it revolved around JuJu.
Of Kessler’s 20 completions to receivers, 10 went to his favorite target. Adoree’ Jackson had four completions, all of which coming on plays seemingly designed for him. Four other completions were checkdowns to running backs. That means when Kessler had a decision to make, he rarely chose something other than JuJu.
Granted, JuJu was beyond open on a few of his routes, Kessler made the correct read and got it to him. That’s his job, essentially. (The two were basically playing catch on JuJu’s two long touchdowns.) But there were other times where Kessler didn’t appear comfortable going elsewhere.
It’s a bit puzzling considering all the talent USC has at receiver. Just about every receiver on the roster was a mismatch for the opposing defender. That makes it a slight concern moving forward considering Kessler will have to look elsewhere in Pac-12 play as opponents gameplan to take JuJu away.
Of course, Kessler had a similar tendency with Agholor last year. It begs the question: Will he distribute?
4. Bait and screen
A few of USC's defensive linemen came away from Saturday evening feeling like the line has to generate more pressure. The Trojans haven't gotten to the quarterback much these first two weeks. Part of that was Arkansas State and Idaho getting the ball out quickly, specifically to avoid sacks.
But that’s not to say the USC defense wasn’t aggressive Saturday; it just went overboard at times. Many of the Vandals best plays were screens, especially those designed in the teeth of the USC defense. Idaho often lured the defense into its backfield or away from the primary target and effectually got its athletes in space, where size disparities are less relevant.
USC was much faster than Idaho, only that matters less when the opponent is still able to get the ball in the hands of its playmakers. Every team in college football has some speed and the Vandals' quickest players would still be among the fastest in the Pac-12.
The Trojans' size advantage, though, was much more pronounced and it was neutralized by screens. Those were the “explosive” plays for Idaho, which passed for 240 yards and held a near 10-minute advantage in time of possession. This is something USC has to defend better. Its tackling near the line of scrimmage also left something to be desired.
5. Hello, RoJo
It’s too early to say what the magic number of carries is for Ronald Jones II. But Steve Sarkisian knows he needs to figure it out. His combination of speed, quickness, vision and dexterity make him a unique talent. Sarkisian, in fact, couldn’t think of another running back to compare him to. Some have said Reggie Bush, but Bush didn’t have Jones’ running acumen between the tackles. Perhaps Jones’ best trait, aside from his breakaway speed, is how he can transform his style in an instant. Bush, as breathtaking as he was, was sometimes a one-trick pony. That one trick just happened to be devastating most of the time. But the long-limbed Jones has more range.
“He goes from an explosive, one-cut guy in tight quarters, to open-up-his-stride, almost like a 200-meter runner in the open field,” Sarkisian said of Jones. “He’s unique to me that way.”
Tre Madden and Justin Davis need their carries and will get them. But Jones has quickly shown that he is ready to be more than the third option. He has to be one of three priorities in the backfield. His ceiling is unknown and might be the highest.
1. All eyes on JuJu
The spotlight is growing by the game for JuJu Smith-Schuster. He made it even greater before Saturday, drawing the attention of the entire locker room because of his dust-up with Isaac Whitney. Then he went out and made that a footnote, notching career highs of 10 catches and 192 yards receiving in the first half.
One of the biggest questions concerning USC over the past eight months has been whether JuJu could fill the shoes worn so well by Nelson Agholor. In that time JuJu has shown that his feet are even bigger. Prior to being USC’s top playmaker through the opening two games of the season, he’s been one of the team’s primary leaders for seven months. The 18-year-old sophomore is undaunted by responsibility, expectations excellence. He’s also comfortable being an outspoken spokesman.
After the episode with Isaac Whitney last week in practice, JuJu knew he had to something to prove to his teammates. He had to back up his fury with fire on the field. But he wasn’t worried about it. Watch film from any contest during his nascent 15-game career and you’ll see that he always shows up. Saturday was just another day in his Trojan life.
2. Bounce-forward performance
Two of USC’s biggest minuses in the Arkansas State game, pass protection and run blocking, were two of its biggest positives a week later. It’s been well documented that the offensive line gave up five sacks last week while the Trojans, despite a 200-yard performance, struggled to run the ball consistently.
You wouldn’t have known either was an issue against Idaho. Cody Kessler basically went untouched in the pocket and consequently torched the Vandals secondary. It looked like a 7-on-7 drill without a time limit on when the quarterback had to release the ball. Some of the running lanes USC’s three tailbacks were afforded proved just as comfortable.
USC has playmakers for days, but it all starts with the big boys up front. When they do well, everyone else on offense does well. Some of the linemen we spoke attributed their performance to improved communication and having more than a game under their belts. After working through so many combinations in fall practice, they expect their cohesion to improve with less rotating during the season.
3. Locked in
Kessler was accurate, decisive and effective against Idaho. He showed better timing and, as usual, delivered a very catchable ball.
The only issue with his 410-yard, career-high performance was how much of it revolved around JuJu.
Of Kessler’s 20 completions to receivers, 10 went to his favorite target. Adoree’ Jackson had four completions, all of which coming on plays seemingly designed for him. Four other completions were checkdowns to running backs. That means when Kessler had a decision to make, he rarely chose something other than JuJu.
Granted, JuJu was beyond open on a few of his routes, Kessler made the correct read and got it to him. That’s his job, essentially. (The two were basically playing catch on JuJu’s two long touchdowns.) But there were other times where Kessler didn’t appear comfortable going elsewhere.
It’s a bit puzzling considering all the talent USC has at receiver. Just about every receiver on the roster was a mismatch for the opposing defender. That makes it a slight concern moving forward considering Kessler will have to look elsewhere in Pac-12 play as opponents gameplan to take JuJu away.
Of course, Kessler had a similar tendency with Agholor last year. It begs the question: Will he distribute?
4. Bait and screen
A few of USC's defensive linemen came away from Saturday evening feeling like the line has to generate more pressure. The Trojans haven't gotten to the quarterback much these first two weeks. Part of that was Arkansas State and Idaho getting the ball out quickly, specifically to avoid sacks.
But that’s not to say the USC defense wasn’t aggressive Saturday; it just went overboard at times. Many of the Vandals best plays were screens, especially those designed in the teeth of the USC defense. Idaho often lured the defense into its backfield or away from the primary target and effectually got its athletes in space, where size disparities are less relevant.
USC was much faster than Idaho, only that matters less when the opponent is still able to get the ball in the hands of its playmakers. Every team in college football has some speed and the Vandals' quickest players would still be among the fastest in the Pac-12.
The Trojans' size advantage, though, was much more pronounced and it was neutralized by screens. Those were the “explosive” plays for Idaho, which passed for 240 yards and held a near 10-minute advantage in time of possession. This is something USC has to defend better. Its tackling near the line of scrimmage also left something to be desired.
5. Hello, RoJo
It’s too early to say what the magic number of carries is for Ronald Jones II. But Steve Sarkisian knows he needs to figure it out. His combination of speed, quickness, vision and dexterity make him a unique talent. Sarkisian, in fact, couldn’t think of another running back to compare him to. Some have said Reggie Bush, but Bush didn’t have Jones’ running acumen between the tackles. Perhaps Jones’ best trait, aside from his breakaway speed, is how he can transform his style in an instant. Bush, as breathtaking as he was, was sometimes a one-trick pony. That one trick just happened to be devastating most of the time. But the long-limbed Jones has more range.
“He goes from an explosive, one-cut guy in tight quarters, to open-up-his-stride, almost like a 200-meter runner in the open field,” Sarkisian said of Jones. “He’s unique to me that way.”
Tre Madden and Justin Davis need their carries and will get them. But Jones has quickly shown that he is ready to be more than the third option. He has to be one of three priorities in the backfield. His ceiling is unknown and might be the highest.
