Pacific Takes - USC football: Steve Sarkisian era beginsWhere The West Coast Is The Best Coasthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52598/pt_fav.png2014-03-24T09:00:03-07:00http://www.pacifictakes.com/rss/stream/44424452014-03-24T09:00:03-07:002014-03-24T09:00:03-07:00USC football 2014 schedule
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com">Go to Conquest Chronicles</a> for more USC Trojan football coverage.</p> <p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph0"><strong>Pac-12 future schedules</strong></p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/arizona-wildcats-football-future-schedules">Arizona</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/arizona-state-sun-devils-football-future-schedules">ASU</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/california-golden-bears-football-future-schedules">Cal</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/colorado-football-future-schedules">Colorado</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/oregon-football-future-schedules">Oregon</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/oregon-state-football-future-schedules">Oregon State</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/stanford-football-future-schedules">Stanford</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/ucla-football-future-schedules">UCLA</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/usc-football-future-schedules">USC</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/utah-football-future-schedules">Utah</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/washington-football-future-schedules">Washington</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com/pages/wsu-football-future-schedules">Washington State</a></p>
<p>The USC Trojans will be changing things up in year one of the Steve Sarkisian era. No longer will they be happy with eight or nine wins. They're ready to return to greatness and start winning Pac-12 titles again, something they haven't won in six years. Is Sarkisian the man to do it?</p>
<p>USC will have a lot to work with this year. If they can get through a road date with Stanford, they will probably win at least seven to eight of their first nine games and put themselves right in Pac-12 competition. In fact, with no Oregon on the schedule, USC's biggest games will be against traditional rivals Stanford, Notre Dame, and the huge road contest for the Victory Bell. Can USC return to their former glory this season?</p>
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<li>August 30: Fresno State</li>
<li>September 6: at Stanford</li>
<li>September 13: at Boston College</li>
<li>September 20: BYE</li>
<li>September 27: Oregon State</li>
<li>October 4: Arizona State</li>
<li>October 11: at Arizona</li>
<li>October 18: Colorado</li>
<li>October 25: at Utah</li>
<li>November 1: at Washington State</li>
<li>November 8: BYE</li>
<li>November 13 (Thu.): California</li>
<li>November 22: at UCLA</li>
<li>November 29: Notre Dame</li>
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https://www.pacifictakes.com/2014/3/24/5314518/usc-trojans-football-schedule-2014Avinash Kunnath2014-02-27T07:00:04-08:002014-02-27T07:00:04-08:00Is the hurry-up coming to USC this spring?
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<p>The implementation of the hurry-up and a quarterback battle should highlight USC's 2014 spring practices.</p> <p>The Steve Sarkisian era in Los Angeles is about to begin and, at least personally, the biggest questions about the program during the spring will be how well the Trojans adopt the hurry-up offense that he implanted at Washington in 2013 and if he will stick with junior <span>Cody Kessler</span> at quarterback.</p>
<p>The hurry-up has infected almost the entire country, with USC being one of the final hold outs, but that should change starting this spring. The tempo has swept the entire nation, but has been primarily adopted by programs that are on the outside of elite status, so it will be interesting (and potentially frightening for opponents) to see a team with the talent reservoirs of USC instill the system.</p>
<p>The two keys for Sarkisian and the Trojans starting in the spring will be how quickly they can get the system humming and how well the brand new Sarkisian can get his roster to buy into the demanding nature of it. He was able to institute the system successfully at Washington in a spring and fall camp in 2013, but that was with a program filled entirely with players that he had recruited and groomed, so the Trojan bunch might be a little harder to get to buy in. Starting the highly-demanding system can be hard for new coaches at first, for example, Chip Kelly really battled with getting it off the ground at Oregon in 2009 and with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.</p>
<p>The biggest hang-up to the Trojans executing the hurry-up may hinge heavily on that second intriguing development that will take place this spring in the quasi quarterback competition that will at least somewhat take place. Kessler firmly grabbed hold of the reigns of the starting job towards the end of 2013 and his main competitor <span>Max Wittek</span> transferred out of the program, but with a new coach, and a new system, many are speculating that he will have to fight off redshirt freshman <span>Max Browne</span> for the starting job in 2014.</p>
<p>Browne was the top quarterback prospect in the Class of 2013 and redshirted after failing to truly compete with Kessler and Wittek for the starting job in 2013, but many speculate that after a year of practice, he might be ready to compete with Kessler now. Interestingly enough, both quarterbacks were recruited heavily by Sarkisian while he was at Washington, so neither would have an advantage on that level.</p>
<p>I personally think Kessler will hang onto the job, but regardless, both players present a bit of a problem as they are both traditional pro-style passers with limited running abilities and, generally, dual threat quarterbacks are ideal in the system. Mobility isn't an absolute essential (think about Nic Foles in Philadelphia), but it is a big advantage and you have to wonder how the offense will look with a guy like Kessler or Browne at the helm.</p>
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<p>With that in mind, one final thing to keep an eye on at USC this spring will the performance of true freshman and early enrollee quarterback Jalen Greene. Greene is only a mid-level prospect, but will be the only dual-threat option in Sarkisian's cupboard, and he has some serious wheels, so it will be interesting to see how competitive he is in the battle to be the Trojans' quarterback in 2014.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/2014/2/27/5451312/usc-spring-football-will-usc-adopt-the-hurry-up-and-can-cody-kesslerJack Follman2014-02-25T05:00:02-08:002014-02-25T05:00:02-08:00Which Pac-12 coach heads to the NFL next?
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There are plenty of names who could follow Harbaugh, Carroll and Kelly. </p> <p>We recently looked at the coaches that were on the hot seat for the Pac-12. In this post we'll examine which coaches are most likely to be the next ones to make the NFL jump.</p>
<p>Pac-12 coaches have had a long track record of success, and the past few years have seen a mother influx of great coaching talent. Pete Carroll has led the Seattle Seahwaks to three playoff berths, two NFC West titles and a Super Bowl victory this year. Jim Harbaugh has won two NFC West championships, taken his team to three straight NFC championship games, and earned one Super Bowl berth.</p>
<p>Last year, Chip Kelly took over the Philadelphia Eagles and led them to an NFC East berth. Most recently, former Cal coach Jeff Tedford joined the NFL ranks as an offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p>
<p>For those counting, that's four former Pac-12 head coaches making the NFL transition. Who's next up to make the journey?</p>
<p>There are a few viable candidates. But let's rank them from least likely to most likely. <b></b></p>
<p><b>5. Mark Helfrich, Oregon</b></p>
<p>Caveat: This is a very distant 5. Helfrich is far from ready for the NFL ranks, but he does have time to develop himself by learning how to adapt to his personnel. It's too early to say if he's ready for the big time.</p>
<p><b>4. Todd Graham, Arizona State</b></p>
<p>I don't really buy Graham being an NFL-type coach, but if he keeps on replicating his success at Arizona State he might very well get there one day. He has coached and recruited very well his first two years at Tempe. He installed a very friendly system that catered to his personnel. He gets along with his players. And he seems very adaptable to get the most out of his talent. Expect Graham to rise on this list as the years go by. <b></b></p>
<p><b>3. Steve Sarkisian, USC</b></p>
<p>Steve Sarkisian had a pretty successful tenure with limited talent with the Washington Huskies, and now he gets to take the next big steps with the USC Trojans. Sarkisian will be in the mix down the line once he gets his feet wet and if he returns the Trojans to greatness.</p>
<p>Sarkisian probably won't be considering the NFL yet, but if he has a few great years with the Trojans that possibility could become quite viable. Obviously if he starts winning national titles he's sticking with the Trojans, but if he stays at the middle ground and just wins the Pac-12 every now and then, he might consider a jump one day.</p>
<p><b>2. David Shaw, Stanford</b></p>
<p>Shaw has proven that he exists in no shadow of Jim Harbaugh, leading the Cardinal to two straight Pac-12 championships and beating fellow BCS power Oregon two straight years in a row. He runs a very conventional and NFL-friendly offense at Stanford and could probably take over a team.</p>
<p>Two things could hold Shaw back: He loves Stanford and seems content to keep on coaching there, and it remains to be seen what he'll do when he starts having to develop his own recruits rather than Harbaugh's. So far the formula has worked quite well.</p>
<p><b>1. Jim Mora, UCLA </b></p>
<p>Jim Mora has been an NFL lifer, but he does seem to enjoy things in UCLA. That could change the moment Brett Hundley leaves for the NFL Draft, but the Bruins have recruited so well it's hard not to see them being a national threat the next three seasons. The big question post-Hundley is whether he can find a worthy successor.</p>
<p>Also, a lot could depend on what happens the next few years if USC reestablishes themselves as a national threat with Sarkisian. The dynamic there will play a big factor.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/pac-12-football/2014/2/25/5432658/arizona-state-todd-graham-usc-steve-sarkisian-ucla-jim-mora-oregon-mark-helfrich-stanford-david-shawAvinash Kunnath2014-02-05T03:46:01-08:002014-02-05T03:46:01-08:00Who's committing to USC today?
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<figcaption>Viane Talamaivao | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/studentsportsphotos/11358317215/" target="new">Student Sports Flickr</a></figcaption>
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<p><a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com" target="new">Go to Conquest Chronicles</a> for more USC football coverage. </p> <p>Steve Sarkisian has managed to keep the most of his 2014 recruiting class intact since returning to the USC Trojans, and there could be some big commitments coming down later today that could boost Heritage Hall to another top 25 class overall. However, at the moment, USC pretty much knows that the following names should be on their way to Los Angeles as they fax in their letter of intents today.</p>
<p><b>Quarterback</b><br>Jalen Greene, Gardena (Ca.) Junipero Serra quarterback<br><b><br>Offensive lineman</b><br>Jordan Austin, Claremont (Ca.) offensive tackle<br>Chris Brown, Los Angeles (Ca.) Loyola offensive guard<br>Toa Lobendahn, La Habra (Ca.) offensive guard<br>Viane Talamaivao, Corona (Ca.) Centennial offensive guard<br><br><b><br>Wide receiver</b><br>Ajene Harris, Los Angeles (Ca.) Crenshaw wide receiver<br>Rahshead Johnson, Long Beach (Ca.) Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo wide receiver<br><b><br>Tight end</b><br>Bryce Dixon, Ventura (Ca.) St. Bonaventure tight end<br><br><b>Defensive end</b><br>Claudeson Pelon, Mesa (Az.) C.C. defensive end<br>Don Hill, Boise (Id.) Timberline defensive end<br>Malik Dorton, Bellflower (Ca.) St. John Bosco defensive end<br><br><b>Linebacker</b><br>Olajuwon Tucker, Gardena (Ca.) Junipero Serra linebacker<br><br><b>Cornerback</b><br>Jonathan Lockett, Santa Ana (Ca.) Mater Dei cornerback<br>John Plattenburg Jr., Houston (Tx.) Lamar cornerback<br><br><b>Safety</b><br>Uchenna Nwosu, Harbor City (Ca.) Narbonne safety</p>
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https://www.pacifictakes.com/2014/2/5/5381112/usc-trojans-toa-lobendahn-viane-talamaivao-bryce-dixon-jonathan-lockett-rahshead-johnsonAvinash Kunnath2013-12-10T07:00:03-08:002013-12-10T07:00:03-08:00How will Steve Sarkisian do at USC?
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>Early thoughts on Steve Sarkisian at USC? Did the Trojans make the right move?</p> <p>
<style></style><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/jackfollman">Jack Follman</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com">Pacific Takes</a>: Kind of a safe, yet strange play for the Trojans, and one that I honestly didn't see coming. I never thought with their prestige that they would hire a guy who is friends with Lane Kiffin, that had done just an average job at another Pac-12 program. Right now, I just don't think it is the right move. It just doesn't seem like the right move with the level of program USC is, too safe. Sure Sarkisian can recruit LA well, but that's not that hard of a thing to do when you are at USC, and he almost assuredly won't fall flat on his face since he's already proven himself consistent in the Pac-12, but I just don't see him having that spark that can get them back to the level that their fans demand.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Phyltopia">Phil Fraser</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ralphiereport.com">Ralphie Report</a>: For quite a while I've wondered how many appealing options there actually were for USC. There weren't a lot of strong candidates out west, and everyone else wouldn't really know the west coast. I didn't think Orgeron would have been a good choice, or Petersen. So all that said, I think Sarkisian is a solid choice if not necessarily a home run exciting hire.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ConnorPelton28">Connor Pelton</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.buildingthedam.com">Building the Dam</a>: Not a terrible hire, but certainly not the best effort on behalf of Pat Haden. I mean, we are talking about a coach who hadn't won more than five conference games while at Washington being the only one offered one of the top jobs in the nation. Seriously?</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/pachoopsab">Adam Butler</a>,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.pachoops.com"> Pac Hoops</a>: It's hard to say what the RIGHT move was but maybe that's just semantics. They got a coach with a record of moderate success who's familiar with what he's getting himself in to. He can recruit and he has. I'm a big fan of judging with time and Sark's going to need a little bit of that. Perhaps more than some people wanted.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/2013/12/10/5183658/steve-sarkisian-usc-trojansAvinash Kunnath2013-11-24T09:00:01-08:002013-11-24T09:00:01-08:00Should USC remove the interim tag from Ed Orgeron?
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<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Or do the Trojans deserve a better candidate?</p> <p><b>Should USC hire Ed Orgeron as their next head coach? What if he demands it and he leaves (and they lose his excellent ability to recruit?)</b></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jackfollman">Jack Follman</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pacifictakes.com">Pacific Takes</a>: If he beats UCLA then I think they should unless they can legitimately get a home run guy like Kevin Sumlin. If they don't give him the job, and he wants to be a head coach again, I think he is gone. Any school out West with an opening would be crazy not to offer him.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/chrislandon">Chris Landon</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com">UW Dawg Pound</a>: Ed Orgeron should not be hired as the next USC coach. It is easy to look at his limited body of work and say "yes, he's our man". However, what happens when the emotion of moment wears off and Orgeron is confronted with his first slump? What if he gets the job tomorrow and then goes and lays eggs against UCLA? USC has the luxury of hiring just about anybody they like and they should be looking for somebody capable of building a dynasty. Orgeron has a ton of value, but he is not a master architect kind of guy.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/2013/11/24/5132740/usc-football-is-ed-orgeron-the-right-fit-to-be-trojans-head-coachAvinash Kunnath2013-10-31T08:00:08-07:002013-10-31T08:00:08-07:00What's the most impressive unit in the Pac-12?
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<figcaption>Jonathan Ferrey</figcaption>
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<p>The Pac-12 is bursting with talent on numerous teams.</p> <p>
<style></style><b>What's the most impressive unit in the Pac-12? Oregon's offense? Stanford's defense? Something else I'm missing</b>?</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/noahoregon">Noah Smith</a>,<a target="_blank" href="http://addictedtoquack.com/"> Addicted to Quack</a>: </b>Outside of QB at Oregon, I was very impressed by UCLA's linebacking corps last weekend. Stanford's defensive front 7 and Oregon's secondary also stand out.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jackfollman">Jack Follman</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://pacifictakes.com/">Pacific Takes</a>: </b>Oregon's offense is the obvious choice, and probably the right one, but it's time that their defense gets some credit. In their two most challenging games thus far - Washington and UCLA, their offense played well, but it was really their strength on defense that made the difference and prevented teams from getting into shootouts with them. For all the hoopla about time of possession not mattering for Oregon, that's primarily because they have a rock solid defense.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jasonbartel">Jason Bartel</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.azdesertswarm.com/">Arizona Desert Swarm</a>: </b>Oregon's offense. It looks like they can do whatever they want to whoever they want. It's unbelievable to watch sometimes.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/chrislandon">Chris Landon</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.uwdawgpound.com/">UW Dawg Pound</a>: </b>Saying the Ducks' offense is cliche. So, I'll go with the group that has surprised me the most: the USC D has a top 3 FEI ranking and has been every bit as good as the vaunted Stanford D over a similar schedule and under much more difficult circumstances. Let's give Troy some love.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/2013/10/31/5045490/oregon-ducks-ucla-bruins-stanford-cardinal-usc-trojans-football-2013Avinash Kunnath2013-10-18T05:00:08-07:002013-10-18T05:00:08-07:00Grading the new-look USC Trojans
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>We chatted with<a href="http://www.conquestchronicles.com" target="new"> the Conquest Chronicles</a> crew to learn more about how USC football is looking post-Lane Kiffin.</p> <p><b>Midterm time: Grade your players! How is each unit performing based on your level of expectation coming into the season?<br><br><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/BirdsOnBats94">Luke Holthouse</a></b>: I would give the offense as a whole a B- but surely note that it is improving and should be higher by the final semester grade. The defense gets a B, but they're heading in the opposite directions.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/WillLaws">Will Laws</a>:</b> <b>Quarterbacks: B</b>. Kessler has performed about as well as anyone could have hoped. But his two biggest mistakes, interceptions returned for touchdowns by Washington State and Arizona State, were extremely costly.</p>
<p><b>Running backs: A</b>. Undoubtedly the team's strength. It seems like anyone who's plugged in there, from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136351/tre-madden">Tre Madden</a> to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38288/ty-isaac">Ty Isaac</a>, experiences great success. Very nice! <b></b></p>
<p><b>Wide receivers: D</b>. Only because the expectations were sky-high for this group. Lane Kiffin's conservative playcalling obviously hindered the potential for this unit, but Marqise Lee has dropped several deep balls and shown a frustrating tendency to run sideways and backwards to try and break big plays on screen passes when he would just be better off taking a five-yard gain. He only has one receiving touchdown! Agholor finally broke out against Arizona, but that took way longer than expected. <br><b>Offensive line: C</b>. They weren't expected to be that great, and they haven't been, especially in pass protection. But they've done a good job opening up running lanes for Madden, Davis and Co. <br><b>Defensive line: B+</b>. Started off like gangbusters by leading the nation in sacks for a couple weeks and stopping Boston College tailback Andre Williams in his tracks, but they've fallen off a bit. Should've been chomping at the bit to pressure <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135337/b-j-denker">B.J. Denker</a> and force him into mistakes in the passing game, but Denker consistently weaseled his way out of the pocket and found receivers downfield. <br><b>Linebackers: B+</b>. I guess we're counting Devon Kennard (4 sacks, 6 TFL) and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161052/morgan-breslin">Morgan Breslin</a> (4 sacks, 7.5 TFL in four games) as linebackers, and those two have been great. As usual, Hayes Pullard has been a tackling machine and is tied for the team lead (36 tackles) with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161053/leonard-williams">Leonard Williams</a> in that category, but it's a little concerning that he only has 0.5 tackles for loss. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136370/lamar-dawson">Lamar Dawson</a> (29 tackles, 2.5 TFL) has been steady but unspectacular. <br><b>Secondary: D</b>. This grade obviously would have been much better before the last two games, as this unit has been exposed by competent spread offenses. The Trojans haven't picked off a pass since the Washington State game and have blown several assignments leading to costly touchdowns. This is clearly the main area of concern for USC, because it hasn't been just one guy. Everyone - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208213/torin-harris">Torin Harris</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113425/dion-bailey">Dion Bailey</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161048/su-a-cravens">Su'a Cravens</a>, Josh Shaw, etc. - has committed at least one crucial mistake. <br><b>Special teams: F</b>. It's pretty unacceptable to have no memorable kick or punt returns - let alone touchdowns - at this point in the season with all the athletes this team boasts. Just one blocked punt and no blocked field goals. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136368/andre-heidari">Andre Heidari</a> has missed a couple field goals and Kris Albarado has had some real ducks while averaging just 39.8 yards per punt. Wasn't he supposed to have a stronger leg than <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/54115/kyle-negrete">Kyle Negrete</a> (42.7 yards/punt in 2012)?</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/trevor_wong">Trevor Wong</a>: </b>Offense: C+ and improving. Until last week, the offense had just been average. The quarterback play, plus the passing game was just mediocre. The running game boosted this grade, as the USC tailbacks have been the lone consistent weapons all year. Otherwise, it would be much, much lower. <br>Defense: B. The defense arguably won USC a couple games this year while the offense struggled to find any sort of rhythm. That alone merits a good mark, but the last two games haven't been particularly great. Arizona State hung 62 points on the board and B.J. Denker threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns. Not good.</p>
<p><b><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/paragonsc">Jim Wyzard</a>:</b> Too early to tell given the coaching change. We all saw how the team performed under Lane Kiffin. One game under Coach O is not enough of a sample size....adrenaline rush and all that.</p>
<p><b>4. Midterm time: Grade your coaches! How are the position coaches all performing based on your level of expectation coming into the season?<br></b></p>
<p><br><b>Holthouse: </b>Luckily, Kiffin isn't a part of the PM crew. Orgeron gets an A for keeping it loose and fun when he took over.</p>
<p><b>Wong:</b> With Lane Kiffin: D. With Ed Orgeron: A. It was great the players looked more inspired against Arizona, but can they replicate that same performance for the rest of the year? That remains to be seen.</p>
<p><b>Wyzard</b>: Same answer as question #3. Helton had some nice play calls against UA. Seeing the ball aired out was a nice change, but again one game is not a quality sample size.</p>
https://www.pacifictakes.com/2013/10/18/4847442/usc-trojans-football-2013Avinash Kunnath