Here's the news from Wednesday's practice:
Cam Smith was relegated to working on the side with trainers early on. Palaie Gaoteote was again limited to individuals and non-contact. The pair took in the rest of practice standing alongside each and took mental reps.
Clay Helton said both still need to be cleared. When I asked if he was more or less optimistic about their status he said Thursday is pivotal and he'll know in the next 48 hours.
"Both are close," he said.
My feeling right now is Smith won't play. I think if he were going to he would have been a light participant by this point. It's rare that we see guys not practice at all for more than half the week and then play. Helton mentioned yesterday the reason Smith didn't play versus Colorado was because he could miss up to four months if he further damages his hamstring. I'm getting the vibe that Smith still isn't feeling great, or else he would have been much more active this week. Smith was not made available to the media today.
On the contrary, I'm guessing EA will be cleared. He was allowed to talk to us and said he's feeling great. He's just awaiting the latest results from the concussion protocol. If he's limited again Thursday, I could see him not starting. But I get the impression that he'll be cleared and will be on the field Saturday in some capacity.
If both were definitely out, you'd think John Houston would get some of the reps at MLB and maybe be paired with Levi Jones. But Reuben Peters again claimed all of the first-team reps at MLB today.
A lot of names have been discussed as potential replacements for Porter Gustin at Predator, including Christian Rector, Jordan Iosefa, Kana'i Mauga, Hunter Echols, Connor Murphy and Jacob Lichtenstein. I think it's a bit of a smokescreen. Don't be surprised if USC features just one outside linebacker a lot of the time, with Rector and Iosefa taking the bulk of those snaps and Mauga rotating in behind them.
DT Brandon Pili (shoulder) increased his workload after being limited Tuesday. Linebacker Raymond Scott (hand) was out.
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I forgot to mention this yesterday but Aca'Cedric Ware called Rice-Eccles Stadium one of the three toughest venues to play in among Pac-12 schools, along with Washington and Oregon.
Ware also noted how Utah likes to send a lot of pressure, and those teams have typically been able to take away USC's run game. I asked Helton if he's been bothered by the lack of productivity running the ball, even during this three-game winning streak. He essentially said USC is taking what the defense gives it.
"Hopefully we can do both this week," he said, alluding to running and passing efficiently.
I think the Trojans have to have a semblance of a running attack to beat Utah. The key for USC's offense could be whether the Utes are able to contain the run without being in one-high coverage and loading the box. That would enable Utah to defend the downfield passing game too, and I don't know that the Trojans have a Plan C offensively.
We have video interviews with EA, DC Clancy Pendergast and DE/OLB Christian Rector.
Cam Smith was relegated to working on the side with trainers early on. Palaie Gaoteote was again limited to individuals and non-contact. The pair took in the rest of practice standing alongside each and took mental reps.
Clay Helton said both still need to be cleared. When I asked if he was more or less optimistic about their status he said Thursday is pivotal and he'll know in the next 48 hours.
"Both are close," he said.
My feeling right now is Smith won't play. I think if he were going to he would have been a light participant by this point. It's rare that we see guys not practice at all for more than half the week and then play. Helton mentioned yesterday the reason Smith didn't play versus Colorado was because he could miss up to four months if he further damages his hamstring. I'm getting the vibe that Smith still isn't feeling great, or else he would have been much more active this week. Smith was not made available to the media today.
On the contrary, I'm guessing EA will be cleared. He was allowed to talk to us and said he's feeling great. He's just awaiting the latest results from the concussion protocol. If he's limited again Thursday, I could see him not starting. But I get the impression that he'll be cleared and will be on the field Saturday in some capacity.
If both were definitely out, you'd think John Houston would get some of the reps at MLB and maybe be paired with Levi Jones. But Reuben Peters again claimed all of the first-team reps at MLB today.
A lot of names have been discussed as potential replacements for Porter Gustin at Predator, including Christian Rector, Jordan Iosefa, Kana'i Mauga, Hunter Echols, Connor Murphy and Jacob Lichtenstein. I think it's a bit of a smokescreen. Don't be surprised if USC features just one outside linebacker a lot of the time, with Rector and Iosefa taking the bulk of those snaps and Mauga rotating in behind them.
DT Brandon Pili (shoulder) increased his workload after being limited Tuesday. Linebacker Raymond Scott (hand) was out.
***
I forgot to mention this yesterday but Aca'Cedric Ware called Rice-Eccles Stadium one of the three toughest venues to play in among Pac-12 schools, along with Washington and Oregon.
Ware also noted how Utah likes to send a lot of pressure, and those teams have typically been able to take away USC's run game. I asked Helton if he's been bothered by the lack of productivity running the ball, even during this three-game winning streak. He essentially said USC is taking what the defense gives it.
"Hopefully we can do both this week," he said, alluding to running and passing efficiently.
I think the Trojans have to have a semblance of a running attack to beat Utah. The key for USC's offense could be whether the Utes are able to contain the run without being in one-high coverage and loading the box. That would enable Utah to defend the downfield passing game too, and I don't know that the Trojans have a Plan C offensively.
We have video interviews with EA, DC Clancy Pendergast and DE/OLB Christian Rector.
