Tailback U 2.0?

[@halfbreed7208]

The tailback commit is a very intellectual and intelligent young man with a bright future besides football 🏈 he chose USC mostly because of its education ‼️ after football 🏈 that touched my heart ♥️ unbelievable , because this university that you love ❤️ so much, sir Mr. Kulkin✌🏽 is my alumni 👨🏽‍🎓 and although , playing football 🏈 there was enjoyable . my education is taking me further than anything ‼️ else because football 🏈 doesn’t last forever ♾️ just one injury 🤕 like what happened to me can end your whole career 😢 and I didn’t even play a whole season at Southern California but my education ‼️ is a mother baby so Fight On ✌🏽 and thank you 🙏🏽 USC 🗡️✌🏽💪🏽😤 for my education and thank you 🙏🏽 young man for choosing soon to be. You’re , alumni 👨🏽‍🎓 too WeAreSC Fight On 🗡️✌🏽💪🏽😤 FTFO 🗡️✌🏽💪🏽😤

[@Jaime-u5m]

" like what happened to me can end your whole career 😢" The game we love can be so brutal, you chose well brother, tip my hat to U Half.

[@WaldoSilas]

Miami paid 4 million for the Georgia QB. When players get to the NFL, they can now literally say, "I took a pay cut to come to this league."

[@rickreese5794]

💯👍😎👌✌🏻✌🏻

[@fredtheveteran4623]

I know Brock Purdy made $935k this year this shit is Crazy✌️$3 million dollars less than The New Miami QB!

[@gendaminoru3195]

LoL

[@SportsTalkWithTroy]

I really want to be optimistic about seeing all these running backs commit to USC, but unless there's a plan to revamp the offense, I feel they are being recruited under false pretenses. 8-5 & 7-6 are not reflections of the talent.

[@TheMasculineIntellectual]

IF LR doesn't hit ten wins in 2025 - He's gone. 4 years is enough time for anyone.

[@terencehunt4770]

Riley not recruiting Southern California really hurt him bad, and keeping Grinch too long

[@LockedOnUSC]

I agree with the latter more so than the former. Not saying Southern California recruiting was good, however, the Grinch factor played a much bigger role which probably led to the recruits in Southern California going elsewhere. It’s a vicious circle. 

[@ainsworthpools6539]

I’d say bringing back grinch and missing on Malachi Nelson set us back

[@patrickwelch1010]

You think?

[@KennethBurgess]

“Is he lightening the load in the WR room?” 🤔 Hope so! Great observations, great episode! ✌🏽

[@TheMasculineIntellectual]

What's up Kenny? How are you?

[@LockedOnUSC]

✌❣

[@stevenross3600]

Thanks again Marc, more focus on the running game....I hope so but will believe when I see it. I remain very concerned with Maiava, how careless he is with the football and have lost faith in Riley at this juncture.

[@bigtee4690]

Marc I believe LR just hit USC at a real tough time. I think following Helton/Williams and that staff was a much steeper climb than most USC fans want to admit. The recruiting lines to California kids deteriorated under Helton and recruiting is a relationship that often times take 3 to 4 years to build or repair. Helton won a Rose Bowl and LR won 11 games and had a shot at a playoff spot but the talent has not been there to go on a run since the NCAA took a hammer to the USC program and PC left. The three coaches before PC coached USC to a combined 89 and 63 record the five coaches post PC (not including LR) coached USC to a combined 95 and 54 record - PC at 97 and 19 was a beast. With NIL, The Transfer Portal, following the Helton gang and moving into a much bigger and more physical BIG10 Conference I am willing to give LR five years to get USC back on top. With all of that said I do expect a playoff spot in 2025. FIGHT ON ✌✌✌✌✌

[@LockedOnUSC]

Really nice response. I appreciate it. I think I’m going to use this one and some others that I’ve read so far on the next episode and respond to them accordingly. Listen for your shout out big tee!✌🏼😎

[@gendaminoru3195]

He has caused the rough time. None of this changes the fact that he doesn't like to run the ball. He has wasted talent before and will again.

[@bigtee4690]

@gendaminoru3195 LOL Sounds like Sooner fan.

[@ohrick8707]

Tailbacks line up on the tail of the fullback. Those days appear to be over for most-for now. However, the legendary tailback memories continue. ✌️

[@halfbreed7208]

Great 😊 Show Fight On ✌🏽

[@billremmel7167]

Marc, another interesting take on Lincoln Riley. How does he relate to his coaches and players. I don’t know him, but he seems oloof at times. He is no Pete Carroll on charisma. He is as you pointed out… stubborn. Not sure he can ever get SC back to our hey day. Just my thoughts.

[@ckfromthebay]

Thanks for the daily show, Marc. Much love for all that you do. As far as why USC is taking longer than expected to turn around, I'm going to say it's trenches, defense and strength of schedule. Both Washington and Notre Dame have been recruiting and developing the lines well for years, and in UW's case Chris Petersen should get some credit. Of the 10 Huskies selected in the 2024 draft, 9 were brought in by CP. Notre Dame has been doing well for years and the team that Freeman inherited was 11-1. USC did well in 2022 because they had an OL that was laden with upperclassmen but you couldn't say the same about the DL. Say what you want about Alex Grinch (and I'm no fan of his) but he fielded two of OU's three best statistical defenses between 2010 and 2022 but that having been said he was a big time disappointment here that I have no explanation for. DeBoer and Freeman also inherited better defenses than Riley did. This was the 2021 defensive stats for all 3 teams: ND: #13 scoring (19.7 ppg), #37 rush (136.2 ypg), #64 pass (224.2 ypg) UW: #37 scoring (22.7 ppg), #108 rush (193.7 ypg), #1 pass (143.3 ypg) USC: #103 scoring (31.8 ppg), #88 rush (168.3 ypg), #89 pass (241.8 mpg) Going to also drop this here as far as USC’s SOS goes: 2022: #39 2023: #9 2024: #4 2025 is a pivotal year for the program but there’s been a lot of progress, especially if one looks beneath the surface. Here's to continued improvement on both sides of the ball.

[@rickreese5794]

GR8 post ✌🏻✌🏻😎👌

[@rickreese5794]

Fight On,Marc, ✌🏻✌🏻

[@chimi_chongo]

I think I’ve said this in a previous video too. The wide receiver numbers are lower than Lincoln has ever had it but if you look at the tight end room, those numbers are higher than he’s usually ever had it as well with the higher number of running backs and tight ends. I’m saying they’re gonna run a lot more too tight end sets and run the ball 30 to 35 times a game next year.

[@Jaime-u5m]

Olsen is basically a receiver, a bigger version of Duce with better hands and probably better speed, still.

[@ckfromthebay]

This. People complain about a lack of rushes but against most teams the run was effective only when the defense was playing the pass. I encourage everyone to go back and watch some games snap by snap and see where the linebackers were when we actually got good gains on the ground. Don't look at the box score YPC and instead see what the down and distance was and how the defenses were aligned. We were playing 2 freshmen and a guy who had never played center before at the college level so you often saw the OL struggling in both pass pro and run blocking for much of the year. Tight ends take time to develop, and history has shown that when Riley has a good line and TE's, his offenses do look different.

[@ckfromthebay]

@@Jaime-u5m I'm excited to see how Joey does in year two but Duce is a mystery--at times he didn't play like the physical freak that he is.

[@Jaime-u5m]

@@ckfromthebay Duce was a Baseball player trying to transition into Foosball. There is a ruggedness that goes along with the football mind, few can flip that switch. Pete Rose, Daren Erstad of the angels could activate that button. Today's youth are designed with carefulness in mind. IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!

[@chimi_chongo]

@@Jaime-u5m I would not say better speed. But it doesn’t matter how fast you run if you don’t catch the ball consistently.

[@HerkamerT]

Your so smart, a blind man can tell you. No OL greats, no DL greats. Can’t run or throw when on your back. You can’t tackle going backwards. Get great OL and DL things will change.

[@patrickwelch1010]

I'm an expert . At least I think I am or thought I was until I realized none of us are right more than 50%. So I'm thinking we should just flip a coin on whether we think we are right . But I do love all the experts.

[@Thankyou423.3]

Alston is super explosive he doesn’t even get tackled the first few minutes of his highlights

[@walterclarke382]

Morning Marc, CLR could be going back to what he did in his first six seasons when he ran the ball more than pass it. Reed will be the center don't let his run game PFF fool you, Syracuse was a pass heavy team. Also you need to start playing these olinemen you have recruited the past 3yrs to see if you do have depth in the room.

[@Jaime-u5m]

True, got to see what Banuelos, Taomi,, can do. Can't see what a slimdown Taomi can bring to the plate. Skip plate!

[@ckfromthebay]

Biggest difference between OU and USC was OL talent and depth but even the best hit bumps in the road. Look how much OU struggled this year even with Bedenbaugh as the OL coach.

[@LockedOnUSC]

From your lips to God's ears!!!!

[@WillsWay808]

Would be interesting to see some I and strong I formations mixed with the pass game. How about more RPO or PA passing???

[@johnavalos4097]

Until College Football institutes tougher standards on these NIlL contracts, I do not believe any of these recruits!

[@Timbuzz2005]

As a ducks fan. I’m hoping it’s tosh lupoi

[@patrickwelch1010]

I've been wrong many times . I'm very familiar with him. He has been with several west coast schools. I just don't know he's not young anymore . Help.

[@LockedOnUSC]

No! Once you dance with the devil, you keep dancing.😂

[@fredtheveteran4623]

I think we have enough RB's✌️i think we need to be balanced on offense

[@comtonalex]

Marc should we be worried about coach Lynn leaving SC for penn st DC that just open????

[@LockedOnUSC]

They'll be interested for sure.

[@comtonalex]

🤢

[@fischook1238]

The answer is in the recruiting and for now how much money USC can raise to pay the players. When Pete Carroll was coach USC had the # 1 recruiting classes. So the corrupt NCAA changed the number of days a coach could be on the road recruiting. And at the same time the NCAA allowed schools in the SEC and in particular Alabama to secretly bribe players with cash under the table to play there. They cheated and were never punished because the NCAA is dirty. It is easy to win when you have the best players. And you cheat and are never punished. The game is won in the trenches Marc. Our defensive line has been fixed with talent and depth. We could still use another edge rusher maybe ? But definitely linebacker and our secondary could use more depth. Offensive line I would add atleast one more depth piece an upperclassman hybrid guard/tackle player. We are young and lack depth there. I think USC's play calling was effected by the personnel LIncoln had to work with. If we can develop our young guys especially on the offensive line we have the potential to be a very good football team this year. USC needs to get all their linemen into the gym right now. We need to get bigger and stronger and faster. Get those lineman into the gym now. We should make the playoffs next year. How far USC can go will all depend on our linemen. The answer is the linemen. Great show by way Marc. Thanks.

[@LockedOnUSC]

Good stuff!

[@chimi_chongo]

I think it’s gonna be Navarro Bowman. If you look at the silence between when the job opened until now, thanks USCJ, the Chargers lose their playoff game and now we have a coach ready to sign. I think it’s gonna be him the timing lines up too well.

[@LockedOnUSC]

Why are you thanking him on this? I was the first person to drop that name publicly😂

[@Topguy209]

Nope it was USC Jay

[@chimi_chongo]

@@LockedOnUSC he hasn’t said specifically who it is (doesn’t want to give away his leads), but he actually knows that they’ve signed a coach. That’s why I’m thanking him because unless a higher paying job or actual defensive coordinator position opens up for whoever is signing right now we have our linebacker coach locked up.

[@chimi_chongo]

@ he may have said Navarro Bowman’s name, but he doesn’t actually know who they got signing right now that’s the difference

[@LockedOnUSC]

@@Topguy209 www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/news/yay-or-nay-uscs-offseason-needs-are-being-met/

[@stu20]

“What’s wrong”…. Them soft practices… you seen these playoffs teams… their physicality at the point of attack is pops off the screen…SC hasn’t looked like that since 08’

[@jamesquan702]

Pound the rock. The ball weighs only 16oz.

[@B22STGR]

Marc, are you guys done with Inside The Trojans Huddle, until next season ?

[@ohrick8707]

Eighty-one thousand are playing college football. .04 percent will make an opening-day NFL roster. For most, college is the most money they will ever make. This, too, will change!

[@Jaime-u5m]

"What's the deal"??? Giving California/western states the middle finger with the skipping of Mater Dei vs Bosco game. The mindless act was like tinder to an already burning situation. Stay safe Marc, the normal of our Golden State seems to be doing its thing AGAIN!! YYYYYYYYY the California CCC isn't/wasn't being used to prevent/reduce our problems of every 4 years, is always beyond me. The greatest idea born out of California was the CCC, Mento has wasted this possible savior of our state. Mento, my idol, lol,,, bloody shame. Oh, Mento put our lightly incarcerated to work cleaning brush areas, give our Traffic violators so many hours freeing our parks of danger zones,,

[@43pace]

USCJ already broke the news last night. We have our man, er...LB coach. Should be announced today (Monday) or may tomorrow.

[@LockedOnUSC]

You’re a fool I mentioned his name over a week ago twice. What do you think that guy gets his information for the people who actually work in the industry? 

[@Topguy209]

@mark, you sound like a hater.

[@treygibson957]

​@LockedOnUSC lol calm down Marc

[@LockedOnUSC]

@@Topguy209 I don’t need a bunch of fan boys running over here acting and giving somebody else credit so if the slipper fits…

[@ernestogalvan-ib7bt]

Marc, your the best. I don’t need a podcaster buttering up every move we make. Everyone is a dog to him. He piggy backs other experts. It’s so obvious but let them think it’s him.

[@bobspringer3372]

It all comes down to the bare trench cupboard left by Helton. He was left with a program that had an experienced OLine starting unit in 2022, but NO depth. That’s the primary reason why SC went 11-3 along with Caleb Williams and being able to use the portal to get skill guys. They had an experienced starting O Line but nobody behind them. Look at how young both O and D lines are even now, BUT they are building depth the right way on the foundational points of the program. 25 linemen recruited in the 5 years previous to Riley’s hiring. Riley has signed 28 in the past 3 years. He is building a foundation that can survive a year without a star QB. I think it will pay off very soon.

[@LockedOnUSC]

Who is the star QB this season or is this year 2 of survival mode?

[@bobspringer3372]

@@LockedOnUSC It’s not really survival mode. The trenches will be a lot better this season which will make it easier to have a QB who is more of a game manager. I think it is possible to win with Maiava or Longstreet. We are going to need to run the ball more and its not out of the realm of possibility that one of the quarterbacks can develop into a star this season. I think a 10 win season is entirely possible and I won’t really be ok with less than 9 wins. We were three touchdowns away from a 9 win season this season. The defense is probably worth three or four points and I cannot believe Riley will have two underperforming offenses in a row. Our scoring production did not match the yardage production.

[@drbuckley1]

Even great coaches might be a bad fit for one program or another. The Mike Leach generation of coaches may not be good fits for Tailback-U.

[@gendaminoru3195]

If CLR cared about the run game, we would not be having these kinds of O line problems. We are stuck though. We are so far away from the gold standard of being able to get 3rd down conversions when we need them. We are at less than 45% of the time. We cannot dominate anyone unless we can rely on the short run game, at least enough to establish a balanced plan on O. 534-366, that's our pass-run mix,... 60/40 I really hope ND gets exposed as they deserve to be next week. It's real hard seeing players defect to the Zeros and ND while we languish hovering near .500 Not only UW, but ASU was a #4 seed in the CFP. You don't want to hear my answer for what's taking so long but this shit has to get fixed!!!! PS. is that your CuttySark shirt?

[@HecViews]

Can’t wait for the final team to lose to complete this late Christmas gift! Oregon, Texas, and now ND!

[@jefferyjackson4505]

NCAA OFFICIALS

[@danberman6848]

You have brought up some very good points . I imagine Riley is out of time and excuses . Let’s see if he runs the ball 50% of the time in 2025 like he should have in 2024 and 2023. If not we will be again very average . Especially with the QBs we have . Miava with his many flaws and Longstreet who is to inexperienced. Plus we have at least for now 6 backs and recruiting another for next year . As referenced above , other coaches who have the same or less years being head coach eg Sark , Freeman , Deboer have been so much more successful than Riley . Regarding the recruiting class for 2026 commitments, it doesn’t mean anything . As is evidenced , the 2025 class where we lost more commitments than we almost kept . So unless we win on the field and have competitive NIL these verbal commitments are useless . Marc please keep safe with the fires .

[@Jaime-u5m]

It means absolutely nothing!

[@LockedOnUSC]

Thanks, Dan!

[@Gary-o6x]

Coach Savage was hired a couple of days ago.. Narc come on man

[@LockedOnUSC]

I’m sure you have a point somewhere

[@ms6_boii_277]

32:58 LR is just not a program builder dude is a amazing play caller no question but definitely a average recruiter possibly below average

[@chadwilcox6910]

LR is not a good play caller. We’ve watched three years of basic and predictable offense.

[@edmartinez613]

Question...why are inserting back- handed negative comments about Riley recruiting transfer portal RBs to play over recruited RBs? You are supposedly bragging about USC 2.0 RBs but emphasizing that if you are recruited to USC to play rb do not get your hopes up kind of vibe? Why are you doing this? Just curious. Seems odd and passive aggressive to be honest. And you are a USCfan?. Maybe I am missing something.

[@LockedOnUSC]

My initial reaction is, "You're missing something." Has Riley not used his transfer RBs over the ones recruited? A simple yes or no. Has Riley used the running game to his advantage or relied on the pass more often than not--especially in the red zone? What part of his clock management argument do you specifically disagree with? He has 4 running backs that he recruited, yet he added two more out of the transfer portal this offseason. When does he roll with the ones he recruited? So why are the facts disrespectful? Maybe you should take off your rose-colored glasses and look at it with clear eyes. I can be a fan and still call a spade a spade. I compliment and commend when necessary and offer my professional opinion as well.--It's what adults do when they learn how to walk and chew gum at the same time.

[@DuckyBent]

Poor coaching and recruiting non local kids. We win titles with Cali kids, not with half the roster being from the backwoods of swamps and towns I never heard of.

[@halfbreed7208]

It’s taking USC so long for various reasons one because of Clay Helton‼️ and Lincoln Riley never mind he held on to Alex Grinch 🤢🤮 one year too long. He should’ve never hired him. in the first place. So that’s a lot of different , factors right there alone now here’s even more ‼️ . Riley wasn’t recruiting his own backyard. This is California. 🌞 That’s stupid. 🤤🤤 I can go on so it’s a lot of things and over 70% of it points to Lincoln Riley🤏🏽 he’s also a timid coach. He’s trying to have a little more based in his. step but he’s still . timid because him try. It looks 👀👀 like it’s fake 🥸Fight On ✌🏽

[@jefferyjackson4505]

Bro why you look over the officials

[@rwrae72]

If we don't win more soon we shouldn't talk as if we are college football royalty.

[@ohrick8707]

Great Kings, good Kings, mediocre Kings, poor Kings, disposed Kings.

[@brianjacob8728]

Not w that pass happy pretender hc

[@PMP5240-e3i]

its .500 U

[@blessembreaks]

TAILBACK U?? U HAVE TO RUN THE FREAKING BALL TO BE TAILBACK U !!! WHEN HAS LINCOLN EVER RUN THE BALL?? This is the most hilarious shit EVER. Marc will never change, he is a boot lickin ass kisser of Lincoln Riley and is just as delusional as the rest of our dumb fans.

[@ernestogalvan-ib7bt]

So our history doesn’t matter only under LR? Kick rocks.

[@blessembreaks]

@ he’s saying tailback u 2.0 stupid. And keep living in the past like the loser u are. Thats why i cant stand our fans and thats why we have sucked for 2 decades. Because our fans are soft and live in the past. I’ll kick rocks while u continue to smoke them 😂

[@LockedOnUSC]

You continue to to prove that you might have the worst listening and comprehension skills. If you’re mentally retarded, I apologize in advance.

[@blessembreaks]

@ and u continue to prove that your thumbnails are ridiculous clickbait. stop being so pathetic Marc. If you’re honest, which is something i know is very hard for u to do, the real fans and the channel subscribers will come. when will u learn that?? If you’re on the spectrum i apologize in advance

[@FredVlasuk]

The reason USC cannot compete is because for some reason they just arent as good as people think they are. When is the last time they were predicted to be good pre-season and they actually lived up to the hype? 2008. Thats a pretty long time ago. And probably LRs first year. They were 11-1 regular season with a 1 point loss at Utah, that was a good year also. But historically, they have had two dynasty periods. 1962- 1979(1980-82 were very good) and 2002-2008..Thats it! 1925 -1940 were the ancient times. They happened,but nobody is around now who remembers it. They accumulated all the Heisman trophy winners in those two eras except one. Caleb Williams.They won six of their 11 nattys during that era. The other five in the 20s and 30s. In all those years besides the two dynasties what have they done?? And the covers alot of years. 50s, 80s 90s and post Carroll. Thats over 40 years. They had a few pockets of good individual seasons like 1988, 2011, 2016 2017 and 2022 but nothing sustained..True bluebloods like Ohio St, Alabama win every year or at least are in the conversation. The Tide had a 'bad' regular sesaon with a 9-3 record. Oh the horror! Before that 17 straight 10+ win seasons! That's blueblood royalty. Same with Ohio St. Championship or bust and here they are playing for it. Took a weird road to get there, but there they are there. USC just isnt there. They have a long way to go. Start winning 10+games every year and start beating ND and Oregon and competing for Big 10 titles and CFP berths and nattys instead of living in the past and talking a good game, then you'll be back to being what you think you are...

[@rickreese5794]

Good post 😊

[@FredVlasuk]

@rickreese5794 Thanks 😊

[@johnavalos4097]

Because he is SOFT!

[@TrojanWolverine]

This has to be the whiniest podcast/KZbin channel around that "covers" USC.

[@Timbuzz2005]

Well I mean I would too because USC gave Lincoln big dollars to come to usc and has done nothing except make a conference championships and lose by 3 possessions in the conference and has continually gotten worse every year

[@Timbuzz2005]

Lose by 3 possessions in the conference championship*

[@LockedOnUSC]

There are plenty of 5-10 minute fanboy videos out there for you  who will blow sunshine up your skirt if that’s what you like

[@TrojanWolverine]

@ considering that being critical is something this program takes liberty to do, it apparently can’t take criticism. Looks like this program can dish criticism but can’t take it.

[@LockedOnUSC]

@ Be specific with your "whiny" accusation or just sit at the kids' table pretending that you understood a word that was said.

[@musingsofawokehebrew3356]

the deal is....riley...he is the problem....