USC's Offense Was Offensive To Watch

[@jordancutler6891]

Really didn’t understand CLR game plan at all! Run game was mostly run between the tackles, little if any outside run.Truly believe Miller needs to pull about 2-4 counters a game just to show the Defense he is a running threat. I’m going to assume Branch was told to fair catch the punts since WR was thin with Lemon getting hurt. Why are we throwing horizontal passes to Lake know he’s not the best in space. I know people say you have to run the ball to setup the pass but I believe in that game we needed to pass the ball to setup the run. The first quarter LR had way to many three and outs from what I believe was be married to the idea of running the ball on first down. All this being said I believe we SHOULD have won that game! Team and coaches will learn from this and make us better for the rest of the season. This post is all over the place just had to get that off my chest. FIGHT ON!!!

[@ickystrashcan....anothersm9749]

The defense though improved let one dimensional Michigan rim.up theiddle and go 90 yards when it was clear they couldn't and wouldn't pass and just ran it down our throat...the defense is better...but not top noth average

[@ickystrashcan....anothersm9749]

Riley got conservative with the lead..at the very least don't throw any clock shopping stuff unless it's something down field...reverse would have been solid...if it loses yards or still runs clock...playing not to lose...ismt playing to wim

[@Trojan_in_Hawaii]

Good, albeit painful show, Marc…thank you! I was unable to see the first half but checked for updates on my phone during work, but I think it was better for my cardiac and emotional health that I could only watch the last quarter. I agree with the LAFB guys that our play would have made the poor officiating irrelevant, though it would have been nice to play 11 on 11 instead of 11 on 17🤔. We unfortunately have to suffer through CLR’s growing pains, but hopefully the lessons will be deeply absorbed. We also have to deal with the painful flashbacks of previous experiences from the last 10 years. Time to look forward and pay less attention to what’s in our rear view mirror. FIGHT ON!!!✌️✌️✌️

[@windrellhayes1832]

Monday morning fan coaching shows are the best. We would do everything opposite of the failed plays that happened in the game. Fight On!!!

[@LockedOnUSC]

My focus on Riley-When your offensive line is struggling, you have to make in game adjustments. The halftime adjustment with Murphy and Tobias helped.-However, how many times did Riley move the pocket knowing that Miller 0:02 needed more time? And the Lake McRee usage in the flats was mind boggling.- not because of the injury, but because it’s too slow developing for a guy who can’t turn upfield and run from a horizontal position. But again, this was more about that final drive than anything else. I don’t care if they lose yards on the running plays-you have to keep calling them and run clock-make Michigan use their timeouts which makes them throw the ball.

[@oaktreet4335]

@@LockedOnUSC That sounds good...but question, Marc: If you think this was so obvious of a solution, why do you think Riley did not make these adjustments? Are you claiming that one of best offensive minds in college football could not figure this out?

[@LockedOnUSC]

@@oaktreet4335 When the bullets are flying, so to speak, decision-making needs to be quick and decisive. Also, did use the words, "obvious and solution"?

[@oaktreet4335]

@@LockedOnUSC I noticed you have evaded the last question. You are implicitly saying you are a better coach than Riley--that you can make the quick and decisive decisions but he cannot. I find that absurd. I get it that it is fun to be the Monday morning coach, but getting overly emotional when doing analysis is not helpful.

[@LockedOnUSC]

@@oaktreet4335 I think you’re reading comprehension isn’t very good. And if you’re not sure what the yes’s, you can ask, but I have answered each question implicitly. Just because you don’t like the answer, doesn’t mean the question wasn’t answered.

[@MrJaiden23]

Riley should have imposed USC's prowess of passing and spreading Mich early. We all knew if we get up early, Mich will be in trouble. He should come out all gas no breaks. Instead he came out in neutral.

[@Jaime-u5m]

He came out in his nature,

[@DavidFlores-sy1qk]

I totally agree with you regarding the play calling on the last drive. I was on the road screaming run the ball before the second down, even louder prior to the third down, my wife just shock her head after the shovel pass, she was incredulous as was I. Really unfortunate

[@markstanley3800]

And what happens when we play Penn state, Nebraska, and notre dame who can both run and throw the ball.

[@ikofire1]

The defensive ends were dominating our tackles. All they needed to do was double team those guys occasionally. The offense was struggling because Moss was running for his life.

[@fredtheveteran4623]

Vanilla is what we are! O-Line is totally lost and confused we have to fix that! Please work on Tackling this week at practice. We have to put more points on the board. Penn State has a defense like Michigan but they have a real QB that can throw the ball they are going to be Really hard to beat especially if we play like we did Saturday. And we have to get a pass rush!

[@frunkdup828]

Who will be officiating?

[@fredtheveteran4623]

@@frunkdup828 all I know is that when you have the lead with 4:18 left in the game you Run the DAMN ball

[@wcfenderson5609]

Easy to say Fred, when you’re not the one out there on the field. The O-line was one of the weak spots not addressed properly the last 2 years. We ALL knew that. Go watch past episodes of Locked On USC. We have guys still getting experience, and thrown into the fire to make a playoff run. USC didn’t get transfers that was a stop gap while the others developed. Remember, Caleb covered up a lot, by extending plays, but also got sacked a lot. USC is on their way back, I can see it. Just not yet, on an elite level. Let’s see how the rest of the season shapes up. They are trending up and feeling bullish!! 📈

[@fredtheveteran4623]

@@wcfenderson5609 come on I'm talking about put a tight end over there with your left tackle when he's getting beat every single time that's something that's an easy fix you do it takes 2 seconds to do you don't need an off-season to do that and if it's on the right side if the edge rushers on the right tackle side and he keeps beating the tackle every single play and hitting the quarterback then you obviously put a tight end over there to double team and help him it's common sense it's not anything hard

[@fredtheveteran4623]

@@wcfenderson5609 I agree we are on our way up but I believe that we are an elite team these are easy fixes! We have enough TE's even if we had to play Double Tight to defend the pass rush. But you can't stand there on the sidelines and do nothing! We had the game won with 4:18 left in the game we had the lead and the ball and we threw 2 incomplete passes instead of doing 3 run plays and running the clock down because their QB couldn't throw the ball they would have Never made it 90 yards by running the ball down field in time to score and win the game

[@TrojansFirst]

Paige and Noa should be backups this year. In time they might be ready to go up against All American types like Mason Graham and Josiah Stewart. But they aren't ready right now. Ideally you need a seasoned junior or senior at those spots. That's why USC blew it by not bringing in a senior OT or two and another OG. But HOV was clearly underfunded last year.

[@SeanKUSC]

Ohhhh this episode is going to be a good one! 👀

[@TUSCanny]

Better to lose now and make adjustments then to lose in November when things get more crucial. There’s still tons of work to be done and to improve on especially with Moss blind side of the line. Let’s keep Fighting On! Healing On! and Moving on to Victory!✌️ Ps. Why did the B1G hire PAC Wack 12 refs?! There were some horrible calls. Ugh!

[@Jaime-u5m]

Affirmative action??? lol, lol, SC's thorns keep following her. I wonder if the fraction of human beings sleep well at night?

[@TheRealJamilFrazier]

How do you have two weeks to prepare for a team/game and have three straight 3 and outs? What were they doing for two weeks? Insane…

[@MrJaiden23]

The defense showed up. We all said, Riley only needs a defense that can hold an opponent to 20, and he should win every game. They did that, but he didn't call plays to make Michigan fear us early.

[@Jaime-u5m]

Defense performed! riley's ineptness helped wear them out. Give the Zebra's a metal, not radioactive please,,,.

[@christenragland8982]

This was all on the offense. Time to bounce back.

[@fivefour5514]

The offense hasn’t being great this year it’s missing something.

[@Jaime-u5m]

@@fivefour5514 The minder of the offense has been too busy minding media. Oh Nelly!

[@christenragland8982]

Its hard to call plays when the oline was so awful. No matter what Riley called, the o line was going to get blown up and the play not work.

[@marcusnelson1465]

Agreed 1000 percent. Coupled with the terrible refs, and only lost by 3. Michigan had much more to lose, and the betters and BIG conference knew that I believed they were helped after what I saw.

[@fivefour5514]

Riley called some horrible plays those screens to lake & not using branch right

[@saucyjames4999]

Absolutely true. Oline was shaky against LSU and blown away by Michigan

[@iLLmaticTrojan]

I knew Michigan was gonna cover the spread and I predicted that if our oline could hold up we could eek out a 3 point win and I predicted 24-21 usc. Our oline didn’t hold up and instead we lost by 3. Not surprised. Also the money for Michigan came in late bring the spread down to 4 by kickoff. I still see 2 more losses ahead of us, but think we can make it a 10 win season with a bowl win. I predict a top 15 finish just outside of the playoffs. Hopefully next year!

[@Jaime-u5m]

@@marcusnelson1465 Not college or pro sports, these are the cleanest rackets around,,, lol,

[@gmccray55]

Lincoln offense seems extremely repetitive. Running the same stuff over and over. I remember watching an LSU defensive player interview after the game and when they asked him a question about Lincoln’s offense, he said “they get into certain formations we know what’s coming we just have to execute” After seeing the constant running the same plays over and over against Michigan. It was very disappointing with his lack of creativity in game plan especially when you had a bye week before the game and that’s what you came up with.

[@antoniopana45]

Lincoln offense was almost offensively hard to watch, I expect more from an Offensive Guru. There seemed to be more trickery from Michigan.

[@garywells1984]

Totally agree, Mark coaching losses game defense definitely should’ve left eight in the box until they beat us passing an offense. Why did wenot throw to deuce more or McCoy I love branch, but he’s short you have to throw over a defensive back to get him the ball to drop down that doesn’t work all the time branch needs to get the ball in space deuce however could go up over everybody and outrun them and he caught one pass

[@paulk.4261]

Lincoln Riley definitely is NOT a good clock manager but I hope he manages his development/recruitment of the OL a LOT better. Maybe it's time to get a Coach Henney-like guy for the OL?

[@hoops133]

Offensively, I would’ve thought LR would try to : 1. use branch as a decoy with a lot of misdirections and motions so that michigans D would have to slow down/ not over commit 2. Leave running backs and tight ends to help chip the DE stewart whose pass rush was killing our tackles 3. Run to the outside rather than straight up the middle at michigans 2 potential 1st rounders Easier said than done obviously but there are definitely things you can do as a play caller to help the o line when they’re struggling. 3 points in the first half is inexcusable

[@lindaluick5699]

I guess I just don’t understand how everyone seem to know what they needed to do except for them. Adjustments were made, but they were too late and too slow. Being behind the 8ball is not the best offense. I wasn’t even going to listen today, but I knew you would have some interesting thoughts. I wish they would just focus on football and not be so worried about their NIL package or what outfits are going to wear on game day. I’m over that.

[@kevinfessler6831]

Good point about the adjustments. Why did CLR wait until halftime to make adjustments? Why didn't he slide protection to the left side where Paige was clearly struggling, and move the pocket on some plays to negate the rush? Like a lot of QB coach head coaches calling plays, he doesn't like moving the pocket because it takes away half the field, but it's often effective against a rush. 3 bad plays by the defense, but they were brutal. Still, you can most of this loss on Riley's playcalling and the OL, which was manhandled for much of the game.

[@knothyselfknotruth]

I wish you wouldn't worry about ur paycheck or ur hair getting did! See how ridiculous that sounds. U sound like someone who supports free labor (just not for urself). All that trivial stuff had nothing to do with the loss! The kids came to play! It's that 10 MILLION A YR CHARLATAN PLAY CALLING "GURU" THAT COST SC THIS GAME

[@dantewilliams2984]

Honestly Mark, being at the game front and center, the defense was much better than not that bad. Our run defense was poor in the first half, mainly because our offense did nothing and Michigan had us doubled up on time of possession. Defense was on the field almost the entire first half. Oline was despicable, play calling was poor. Our offensiline was completely dominated by one of the best defensive lines in the country. But FANTASTIC in the second, half. defense played great. Stopped the run, controlled the line of scrimmage to the point were Michigan was running flee flickers. So while Michigan had 190 something rushing yards in the first half, the had 250 TOTAL YARDS up until the final drive of the 4th quarter. So those rushing stats are deceiving, especially with that long run in the fourth, unfortunate missed tackle on the play. The majority of their rushing yards came on 3 plays

[@StandOutProd919]

At some point, i need to see an offensive guru that's worth 10 million dollars a year. Everyone else is doing their part. Fans are selling out games again, 5 stars are committing.....and this guy is throwing TE screens in the backfield at Michigan.....

[@gmccray55]

To the point you get your tightend hurt because you kept running that play and they were all over it resulting in an injury to Lake unfortunately smh

[@StandOutProd919]

@@gmccray55 💯

[@frunkdup828]

24 points AT Mich should be enough against Michigan’s offense - mighty Texas only has 31 / it was the pick 6 & refs that did us in 😮

[@Jaime-u5m]

In the final analysis we did ourselves in, our 11million dollar representative, FAILED.

[@MrJaiden23]

That was his moment to say "I trust my defense". Do what 99% of what the analytics say..."run clock!." Instead he said, "if I don't score, we lose." Maybe he is not used to having a defense.

[@danielmcd1]

Every game in the BIG is going to be a battle , tough games all of them no cup cakes .

[@davidkeeling4419]

Marc, your podast after the Michigan game was spot on and to the point. But why when you are at the practice field and having a presser with LR, ask those same blunt questions? Are you told not to? Seems all the reporters ask sinple none combative questions and it makes me want to throw up!

[@stevenross3600]

Saturday was disappointing and this failure is squarely at the feet of the coaches, I do not understand how Riley and Lynn with 2 weeks to prepare could not have schemed better than what we saw against UM. The fact that there was room to do so was proven by the second half performance which is what the plan should have been from the jump! Further, clock management by Riley remains an issue. At the end of last season there were calls to replace Hennson & Wiley along with the D staff, Wiley has done what was asked this season but this is the second year that our Oline has been average to poor....how can the remains of Helton's Oline be better in year one for Riley/Hennson than the last 2 seasons? My biggest concern going into the season was the Oline, including for this game, and once they had to play against a quality Dline they fell apart! This will return against other teams this season like PSU, ND and even Wisconsin. Think it's time to find a new Oline coach. Finally the receivers continue to drop balls they should not, including Branch who should not be in the WR rotation any longer except for special plays like jet sweeps. This was against a team that could not execute the forward pass and had a young unproven Oline, load the damn box! The second half D was good, but we need that for a full game and season. Riley needs to fix clock management, Oline and play calling. Now that I got that out, I feel better.......

[@johnavalos4097]

Marc, I heard SC arrived in Michigan late Friday. Insane if true. Players need time to acclimate. Please ask Riley if this will be the norm going forward. Crazy!

[@ajwoodson8734]

Marc I’m sick to my stomach about this lost we had no business losing this game. I can name 30 reasons why we shouldn’t lost. Lincoln Riley is starting to worry me now. Clock management, WR rotation, play calling, adjusting to the defense I mean I can go on and on. I can’t sleep and I have to deal with Michigan at work telling me this ain’t the Rosebowl. I’m so upset when are we going to be back? This team looks mediocre because if we can’t beat a guy that can’t throw a screen pass then we have problems. I blame the defense for this lost we knew what was coming and we couldn’t stop them. Lincoln Riley is too calm for me we need a coach that shows he care. I’m so upset I’m blood is boiling.

[@Jaime-u5m]

"Lincoln Riley is too calm for me we need a coach that shows he care." He should have called time out after that possible 4th and inches and used it to challenge officials. Take the 15-yard penalty for your team if need be. Officials' Screwed us the rest of the game, riley took it like the modern man that he is. Hey rILEY! reverse approach and open doors to media, this should reduce your concerns, freeing you to take care of real business better.

[@johnsierra9265]

To be a Great Team …..you need to beat the crowd , the team , and the refs …….we almost did it !✌️

[@Jaime-u5m]

Almost only counts in hand grenades and probably radiation.

[@joeydale3754]

I’m glad you’re saying I got so much shit on Facebook for telling it how it is. An that’s Lincoln isn’t ready to be a head coach . I think his play calling is horrendous . We are only good against teams that aren’t good . But when it’s a hard team a team we aren’t suppose to beat an we lose it’s always because he plays soft and we can’t figure it out. That’s in Riley the way offense is ran from line to receivers that’s all on Riley no adjustments first half at all you don’t wait till the second half to make adjustments you do it as you go during the game .

[@PhilNeiman]

Terrible O LINE play. WR's dissapointing, and terrible officiating. But I can't blame on the play calling. Riley has liabilities, but offensive play calling isn't one of them. I do believe are defense is vastly improved, this loss goes squarely on the offensive execution.

[@pedropagan4227]

Pac-12 refs working for big10 😅

[@saucyjames4999]

Super frustrating. The O-line really struggled mightily. Couldn’t utilize our leverage at the skill positions because Michigan was in the backfield right off the snap

[@traxiii]

Yes, CLR has some issues with situational play calling and clock management, but that has been the case since I started watching him coach. He needs as much work as the main Limiting Factor of this season. That is how fast the O-Line gets up to speed, mainly on their pass blocking. UM gave them lots of Learning Moments to look at this week. I can't believe I have no worries about the Defense, they are playing good enough to beat anyone if the Offense helps them out. To me it looks like if CLR and the O-Line can get better the sky's the limit for this team.. FTFO!✌

[@frunkdup828]

To be fair - SC didn’t have much game tape or any real idea what Mich’s offense might do with their new QB - after seeing it for the 1st half the coaches made the necessary adjustments and shut them down the 2nd half until thst last drive (missed tackles led to the big run that did us in)

[@rene1137]

Michigan clearly announced they were running the ball when they brought in the new QB. Even Michigan fans were not happy because he can’t throw the ball. They had 32 overall passing yards. They had 3 big runs and up the middle I believe. However I put this loss on Riley’s poor play calling in that game.

[@HerkamerT]

Z.Branch is scared. T-Rex arms.

[@oaktreet4335]

Marc is great at explaining what happened---with hindsight. Overreacts one way after the first two games, then overreacts the other way after this game. Need more balance in your analysis.

[@DJ-qv6hk]

Marc's dig with the "untrained eyes." Yep, I laughed.

[@stevehughes4545]

You did, I wish someone would ask for details, not his general BS answer. The overall game plan to leave his left tackle by him self with no help for a whole quarter after having 2 weeks to game plan?? Thanks for the response Marc. I do appreciate position!!

[@MichaelBrown-ti1un]

Good analysis and assessments by Marc. He seems to be the only USC foitball channel not afraid to consistently talk about how sus' Lincoln Riley's play calling and clock mismanagement continues to be a problem. All's clearly not lost this season, but we'll see. This Trojans team clearly has enough talent to go at least 10-2. If they dont hit that mark, watch, it'll be due to Riley's goofy play calling and/or not understanding situational football.

[@markstanley3800]

With all the safeties we have, Shaw is the next man up???

[@LockedOnUSC]

He is the one who came in when Arnold had to leave the game.

[@markstanley3800]

@@LockedOnUSC I’ve seen enough of Shaw to know that I’d rather see someone else

[@danielmcd1]

I don't think we have to worry about the NFL or elite college teams taking our defensive coaches this next year. We had two weeks to prepare for steam that only can run the ball. We did not stop them. They ran for 290 yds and two long TD's and a long run that set up their winning TD. We failed bottom line. We failed . We will not be any bodies playoffs this year.

[@antoniopana45]

OT position will be a problem until Riley brings in elite talent. We currently dont have One Consensus 4Star on the team. And just a couple 4star, so the competition for the best is not there. ✌🏽

[@kevinfessler6831]

I think we have to accept the fact that the program can get better under Riley. He is what he is. A very good at developer of QB and passing offenses, provided he gets good OL play. What he is not is a complete head coach. I applaud Riley's hiring of Lynn, but he had to. His program was coming apart at the seams. I also don't believe Riley has much going for him as far as leadership skills. QB coach turned head coaches can be excellent leaders and build culture, but some are wedded to their offensive playbook and don't understand big picture. I used to put Lane and Sark in this category, but they evolved and got better. I don't think Riley has, and not sure that he will. He's been head coaching for a while now and he hasn't evolved.

[@kevinfessler6831]

Can get better but will never be a top program under Riley I meant to say.

[@Footballfan49-L5]

That offense or lack of was so hard to watch! Please tell Coach to fix that!! ✌️

[@frunkdup828]

Throwing a quick out to the side with the best corner in America doesn’t seem like a very good idea

[@Louthelucky568]

He can't cover everone

[@drewblue1164]

It’s kind of funny hearing USC fans complain about their much better and much more entertaining offense than Michigan’s boring totally one dimensional offense. As a Michigan fan, I can’t stand our offense. We have NO QB. Unbelievable that we can’t get a guy at Michigan, with all our resources and recent trophies, who is at least an average passer. You guys should be thankful for your modern offense.

[@ghanstarrxl]

Those screen and shovel passes in the 4th quarter were worst than Russel Wilson’s pass at the goal line that got picked off.

[@bdtn342]

Officiating was bad, but there were several holding calls USC didn't get called. It was bad both ways and USC still had a chance to win. Just needed to stop the run that last drive.

[@christenragland8982]

The wr the most disappointing group. To many drop balls every game. We need to play the auburn transfer. What we missing in that group is someone e who can stretch the field deep with speed and make the play. We do t have that Alpha go to wr.

[@LockedOnUSC]

Fair stepped up!

[@heinzbaron9129]

The officiating was absurd. I get home field advantage and the home team getting the benefit of the doubt. But when Michigan's offense gets ZERO holding penalties over the 50+ run plays, and when Michigan's defense was not going to be called for anything short of an intentional dirty play, pretty clear the fix was in to salvage UM's season.

[@Trojanmanno1]

another fine breakdown. This game was REALLY tough to watch. FIGHT ON! Back to the drawing board.

[@stevehughes4545]

Marc it's not like Miller has much time to go thru progressions!! The big question is why Riley didn't chip with a tight end, or go Max protect like Texas did??? Sorry play calling, and soft offensive line play. So much for my rant, but I hate losing a game that could have been won!!

[@lloydcady7231]

The problem I have with every time the offense Michigan multiple players on the defense, freshen it up. And I believe the sc defense gave three plays that accounted for half of Michigan‘s run offense

[@stevehughes4545]

A P.S. to the below comment..Maybe somebody in the media should ask Riley why he didn't run the ball in the 4th quarter with 4 plus minutes..Somebody needs to call him out for his in game decisions. I'm a big Riley fan, but he needs to be better, and somebody needs to let him know and not dance around the subject. I know reporters walk a thin line, but you guys have access!! Be well, and Fight ON!

[@LockedOnUSC]

He addressed it after the game. He said he could’ve done a better job play calling. I’m pretty sure I gave the exact quote in either the instant reaction show Saturday or on today’s episode 

[@rodneymiller177]

OL PLAY WAS VERY VERY BAD

[@Fattbank]

Darth Kulkin is being generous to Riley.

[@Lubedtrojans95]

50/50 balls to Lane and Deuce should be 5 times or more per game. They make a play or get pass interference call. Move the ball

[@jayvto5992]

I'm still pissed off just thinking about it, USC had that game and gave it away!!! USC just got out coached by a better HC. USC WRs are average, they are not elite, elite WRs catches every hard and easy balls, not drop a ball every game. My ranting for the day. 😠😠😡

[@chriswilliams3084]

It isn't just about the offense. Michigan's offensive line pushed USC's defensive line like they were a bunch of rag dolls. I thought the narrative was that USC's D, especially their D-line, was supposed to be bigger and stronger this season. And yet M ran right through it to the tune of nearly 300 yards...199 in the first half, and 91 in the second...and yes, USC's D-line did better in the 2nd half, but still couldn't stop the run...and I do not care that 60+ yards of the 2nd half total came on one play. In fact, that feels even worse. If the Trojans cannot fix that, they are going to lose more Big Ten games in the exact same way. It is a very brutal, and unforgiving conference.

[@Footballfan49-L5]

But when things were going wrong, he could see what was happening but didn’t or couldn’t fix it. But that is what a good coach can do. Oy vey….so sad ✌️

[@arnailjackson4864]

Michigan used the TE. They used him to bear hug Anthony Lucas on the go ahead TD. His hold opened the space for the RB to run in. Yeah, he was able to block Lucas so well with one hand in a cast/wrapped. GTFOH!

[@lawrencesmith9059]

The core problem with Riley's coaching is that he is playing scared, playing to not lose, instead of playing to dominate. Great teams play to dominate from the start of the game. The defense game up 300 rushing yards, but 200 of those were in the first half and outside of that long run in the second half, there was little production. Why? Because they finally committed to stopping the run. This should have been the strategy from the beginning. Stop the run and make them beat you with the pass. I'm pretty sure Riley did not allow D'Anton to use this strategy in the first half because he didn't want to risk big plays. That is a formula for failure. In the LSU game, they also also game too much cushion to receivers and they made halftime adjustments that turned things around in the second half. Riley needs to allow D'Anton to take risks on defense. As far as offense, Riley was afraid to let Miller push the ball down the field early in the game. Whenever they added pass protection and give Miller a little time and let him push the ball downfield, they moved the ball. And it opened up the run game. Why they ever tried to run the ball between the tackles is beyond me. Either our receivers are overrated, or they are not being developed and utilized properly. I really question everything on the offensive side of the ball right now - Riley, Henson, Simmons. Hope it gets better.

[@JamesClampitt-ju5jd]

Maybe we are not as good as we think. OL is young with first time starters, play calling by Lincoln is average and receivers dropping passes. We would get blown out against current top 10 teams as they all have good QB’s, good OL, DL RB’s, LBers, and DB’s. We need to come to the reality that we are not as good as we think. We are good but not that good to beat top 10 teams.

[@jwht8424]

This offense is mundane. No under center snaps, no fly sweeps with Branch, no adjustments. Could we use the backs or tight ends to chip the edge rushers......no. Lincoln is Mike Leach stubborn. He also plays the wrong players. We need Duce to start.

[@Talkinsports91]

Branch isn't who fans want to believe he is sorry.

[@MrJaiden23]

Offense lost this game in the first half. Defense stopped them all day, and offense kept going 3 and out. Defense was tired and gave up those runs in the first half.

[@drbuckley1]

Good defense and poor offense? Are we talking SC or OU? The world has gone topsy turvy, Marc.

[@jojowhite9296]

USC KNEW Michigan was going to run and still give up big runs?

[@freeclimb5487]

Don't feel bad, Michigan has made offense look bad many times over the past 3 years (Texas not withstanding). As far as officiating my understanding is those were actually former Pac12 officials. It was bad for both teams.

[@charlesmiller2341]

How can CRL call a bad game ? Is this a skill in which you have good days and bad days ? I can understand calling a bad play or plays but a bad game ? That shouldn't be an excuse. Should ask him the question how will he improve the consistency of his play calling to win the close games where all things don't go your way

[@rickreese5794]

Very disappointing 😢

[@lesaustinjr5796]

Eat crow Marc this what you get for counting a w & being smug. GO BLUE

[@TOTS5955]

Close to being elite??? Lawd have mercy🙏😂

[@ernestogalvan-ib7bt]

I’m mad I’m mad and I’m still mad! LR makes a lot of money and his game management was simply horrible and not acceptable . He had a bye week to prepare. He’s been coaching a long time. I’m not accepting any excuses from him. Get the job done period!

[@Louthelucky568]

We knew they had a great defensive line, so how about an offensive scheme to offset their advantage

[@kc-wj2xp]

USC was lucky to ever take the lead. They were stopped and the officials gifted them the ball on that double fumble play. That was an incomplete pass all the way. They never should have had the lead in the first place.

[@LockedOnUSC]

Get out of here with that noise!--The national media are calling out the crappy officiating. Just take the W and know you got a lot of calls.

[@Conquistador4564]

CLR needs to have lunch with Pete Carroll and learn how to win in the 4th quarter! CLR also needs lessons on CLOCK MANAGEMENT! What about utilizing QB Jayden Maiava in the 4th quarter with 4 minutes left in the game!!! Angel USC'78

[@billkramer2994]

SC probation D gave up 300 yrds on grnd to run only team! Hardly a good D showing!!

[@SportZFan4L1fe]

Name Lincoln Riley's best Win ON THE ROAD vs a ranked opponent since he's been at USC. Also, he's been at SC 3 years now and Zero 5⭐ O-linemen recruited for the Guru of offenses. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@heinzbaron9129]

Wisconsin will be a great test. Alabama had no problems putting away the Badgers in Madison. If SC struggles with UW at the Coli, we will know SC is simply not up to the level of the elite teams.

[@markstanley3800]

The defense was bad from the perspective you only had to defend against the run and you couldn’t do it. How can you put it any other way.

[@ohrick8707]

The defense gave up 20 points, the same as against LSU. A few missed tackles against big runs, and we prevailed. The offense failed to produce enough to win and gave up a pick-six.✌️

[@thebighousencaaattendancer478]

These comments, though. I haven't seen this much crying since JFKs funeral!

[@skydancerforever]

Stop crying and complaining. Michigan pounded them. Michigan didn't even have there one and only returning star player the tight end. If it wasn't for the 2 fumbles Michigan had that lead to 2 USC easy touchdowns it would have been a blowout.

[@fivefour5514]

The officiating was the worst I’ve ever seen, it was fixed. Michigan has no QB, didn’t have its best offensive player Loveland the whole country thought usc was going to win this game. Michigan is going to lose 3-4 games teams will watch this film.

[@JamesClampitt-ju5jd]

We cannot win them all Marc. Only one loss! The playoffs are what count.. Win out and we will be at Big Dance.

[@ernestogalvan-ib7bt]

OLine was definitely most disappointing

[@christenragland8982]

Is USC 5 things a done deal?

[@LVraider67]

All the Caleb haters wish we had his 40+ points a game

[@charlesdowell4505]

Moss is getting locked on to 1 receiver I have seen on numerous plays other receivers open and further down the field (not that matters). Riley’s not going anywhere but even last year his play calling was boring and predictable. These teams have played down to good competition Just don’t exhibit beat down hustle.

[@fivefour5514]

When does Riley give up play calling & focus on being the HC. Let someone else focus on the plays it’s too many weapons on this team.

[@gendaminoru3195]

finally back home at my desk Youtuub wouldn't let me on from the hotel for some reason. Maybe it's a good thing since i was a little more pissed off than you were Marc. I mentioned that it was more about attitude than anything else. And did we ever come in with a bad attitude. Like the world owed us something.... Michigan really badly wanted to introduce us to the B1G as losers. And they did that. Or more like we let them do that to us. Did we think we could spot them 14 and come back in The Big House? The biggest stadium in the land? In front of 110,702 screaming fans? Henson has some things to figure out. CLR called a shitty game overall. I get starting with the run, but you gotta do it like you mean it. Open that playbook up since this was supposed to be you biggest challenge this year. Miller had a horrible attitude. Missing so man wide open guys it was pathetic. Still we came back and then CLR F'd up again to steal defeat from the jaws of victory. I am totally disgusted and we deserve to be at #18 and the current laughing stock of the B1G. Has Harbutt asked CLR what;s his deal yet? O line was most disappointing. D allowed runs of not just 41 this time but also that 63 yarder, plus 14 & 15 yds allowed.

[@FredVlasuk]

We thought USC would go 10-2 before the season started, at least I did. EVERYONE had this game as one of the losses and don't tell me otherwise or you're lying. We all know they should have won the game, but the last two drives ( 3 and out, 60 yard run) were not good. But can we acknowledge we were playing our first conference game IN THE BIG HOUSE!! Not Northwestern or Minnesota or Rutgers. Only the Horseshoe would have been tougher. Now the OLine sucks because the didn't look good against 2 First Team All-Americans, LR can't call plays, (he wasn't good BTW, we got bullied by Michigan, (not really, they had 3 big plays out of 55 all day, and two should have been called back), we can't tackle, and on and on. Overreaction! They dominated the second half, the refs were brutal (go back and look at the tape. Missed 3 face macks, a crackback block, a horse collar and two blatant holds on the first two TDs) Michigan had 7 yards and 11 plays until the last drive. The ending SUCKED of course, but you learn and move on. That's as tough as it's gonna get this year for road games. They will respond I promise you. They will destroy Wisconsin this week ( hello Mr Grinch) and we move on. Get the tough road loss out of the way and bounce back. They are coming for everyone. The season is far from over. No one goes undefeated. Still have 10-2 on the table, maybe even 11-1. We'll see.

[@rickpihlblad]

Mark damn they ruthless, its boom boom bam your toothless

[@patrickwelch1010]

This reminded me of a high school game where the coach kept running plays the same one after another . LR you are better than that . Time to be much better. You may need an offensive coordinator to keep you honest.

[@gmccray55]

Yeah he runs the same plays over and over

[@michaelcso2400]

OMG can you cry anymore about the officials.

[@Pedrojamie7488]

Sigh!

[@HerkamerT]

SC offensive line played like boys against Michigan men

[@CurveBall-n9j]

Don’t you get it this ish is fixed like the nfl Now I do no doubt. The plan was to keep Michigan in and keep SC in also✅ O way with 2 weeks does this happen and Michigan one Dimensional Scripted no doubt

[@jamesquan702]

sark is a better play caller