Inside the Trojans' Huddle: USC heads into the offseason

[@jasthetoy]

As a Navy veteran. Go Navy. Fight On!

[@KamLife1]

45:15 - 50:30 I'm glad you guys mentioned what some of us die hards were thinking about Jakobi Lane. This guy is so talented and has all the potential in the world. But, now he is going into year 3, he has to start taking things more seriously, (which he should have done already), let go of some of the immaturity, taunting, etc., get into the weight room, he needs to add some more muscle to that lean frame, he needs to sure up his nutrition, and just work on perfecting his craft. If he does that, he will go down top 5 all time at SC, maybe top 3, depending on how they fare as a team!! 12 TD's with all these guys that he was playing with is astronomical! Potential to the highest degree!

[@Footballfan49-L5]

Happy New Year to my fav talking heads!! ✌️🎉

[@PhilTParker]

Happy New Years Gentlemen! Thanks for checking in with all of us. I know this is off time for all of you. And yes, it matters!

[@5555emerson]

Absolutely!

[@KamLife1]

I'm glad the rhetoric is changing now to include that you don't need an awesome QB to make the playoffs, and 7-8 receivers. As Pete Carroll stated many times before, 'We need to get guys that will not only play, but be 'Starters' on Sundays, actually on both lines of scrimmage!!'"

[@rwrae72]

Yeah i don't understand why we didn't see the young CBs, Pierce, Newby, Gallegos, etc

[@lawrencesmith9059]

Oregon is getting blown out by Ohio State, loving it!

[@jamesquan702]

Chip Kelly put on a play calling clinic at the RB. LR needs to give up play calling, hire an OC and be the CEO.

[@JohnnyTai-x9s]

You just proved you are a better CEO than LR. He really needs to ‘step down’ like Chip and continue his role as QB Whisperer.

[@gendaminoru3195]

Because of his salary and the NIL, we don't have the money left over. That would require another paradigm shift. The BoT didn't understand this and just threw what money the did have at the program. I suspect their attitude is now "we gave you everything you wanted so that's it." Getting blue in the face but CLR salary has no incentive built in, and he gets his $31,000 a day no matter what. We F'd ourselves without even realizing it.

[@danteshuggins697]

I also meant to say what quarter back in College or the NFL that doesn't throw interceptions or sometimes fumbles the ball. Again give Jayden Maiava 1 full year, summer and fall with the starters to clean up his mistakes and to develop under Lincoln Riley's offense. USC Trojans fan since the mid 80s and 90s, Fight On!

[@TonyB-rv9qd]

I agree with Eric McKinney in bringing in the QB from SDSU Gronowski. He might follow his coach to Washington State. I believe this veteran QB is a dual threat and would be a perfect fit in CLR offensive. Another Great Podcast good to see you guys back another year.🎉❤️✌️

[@Thankyou423.3]

You realize how big of a jump FCS to big 10 is? I can think of one example in the past 15 years where it has worked

[@TonyB-rv9qd]

@Thankyou423.3 If the talent is their as It is with Mark, doesn't matter what conference your from...

[@HarlowSharp]

It was a terrific win for this program. People might laugh at this but they’re not that far away from being a really good team. This 7-6 season had some really bright spots in it. Examples: (1) they lead in the 4th quarter in 12 of their 13 games; (2) they produced a 1,000 rusher at tailback; (3) their passing attack ranked in the top 25 in the country; (4) they have 2 electrifying wideouts returning for next season and (5) their defense was highly regarded (not sure of rankings)on stopping opponents’ 3rd down conversions. Probably, now need another qb from the transfer portal.

[@percycliffordpayne3283]

As Chris Perfectly SAID here, (paraphrasing), "L.Riley PUTS the Offense on the shoulders of his QB when his Running game can GET 5 or Six or even Seven YARDS a POP!!!" Sums up L Riley as a coach, (imo), he NEVER got Herm Edwards Great Memo to the Coaching Profession, "The Object is To WIN THE GAME!!!"

[@Footballfan49-L5]

Lemon is very exciting to watch! Loved watching the ducks lose! ✌️

[@lawrencesmith9059]

The only question with the offensive line is whether Hanson is good at developing players. We see the results of putting mediocre transfers with lots of experience in starting positions. Why do we need a right tackle? I am much more concerned about the center position and whether Killian is the solution there. Mason Murphy should have been skipped over by Tobias.

[@DJ-pm8vv]

DEFENSIVE TACKLE PLAY!!!!!!! this is the group that brings SC back into SERIOUS TITLE contention & which has been our downfall for the last decade! There is NO position group that is more important than them!!!

[@Odezee702]

The biggest mistake Lincoln Riley made was choosing Miller moss over Will Howard.

[@ernestogalvan-ib7bt]

Forgot about this. Great point.

[@RJ_Focused]

SC fans are past the OU stuff, focused more on this 7-6, downward trending team.

[@underthesun312]

Someone in one of your previous episodes, commented that Jaden Maiava is uncoordinated. I think that really describes him, as you can have all of his intangibles but if he lacks coordination they won't all come together and complement his package of skills.

[@destinyreturns4885]

Chis is 100% correct Maiaiva may one day be a very good QB, but at this point he is not even close to being elite, and SC needs an elite QB to run this offense. Just look at that kid from ASU, a true freshman and played like a seasoned vet. There are better prospects out there.

[@DylanInAlbuquerque]

he's a redshirt freshman transfer from MSU, but I get your point

[@danielmcd1]

We have to run the ball more and not throw 40- 50 passes per game . We could have run more this year with success and I believe we will in 2025 if LR will run more than in the past. I see this OLine as able to succeed in the running game .

[@davidkeeling4419]

If we can't find a linebacker with size, then do what Bobby Bowden did at FSU. Put safeties in the middle. They like to hit and they can fly to the football. Bowden's small LBs caused havoc on defense. They flew to the ballcarrier or the QB on blitzes and were very effective.

[@Trojan0304]

Young OL played better than expected. QB is scary , many bad passes . RBs looked good. LT & RT played well

[@DylanInAlbuquerque]

If Maiava isn't the guy (I agree) and there is nobody in the portal, makes most sense to throw Longstreet in the fire right away and take the learning experience to set up for a successful 2026. I mean is anybody actually expecting a 9 or 10 win fringe playoff team next year? No, no we are not. Give the Longstreet the keys now like Barkley was given them.

[@CinqueMalcolm]

This season was the first since 2017, the first year of his 8 year career, that Riley didn't have a starting QB that was ranked the #1 or #2 Dual Threat or Pro Style QB coming out of HS , and even then in 2017 he had a 5th year Baker Mayfield, an outlier of the highest order who was the first (I believe still the only) walk-on true freshman quarterback to start an FBS season opener when he did so at Texas Tech in 2013 under Kingsbury (Murray came from Kingsbury at A&M as well). By the way, the salary difference between the top LTs and RTs now is not nearly as significant as it used to be or as much as folks might lead you to believe (avg of $19.48m vs. $16.78m for the top 10 at each spot). Also, Isaiah Rubin is not comparable to Jacobe Covington size wise. Covington was already 6-2 200 in HS. Rubin is 5-11 190. What are we doing here? The same dude has said previously that Lemon was bigger than Amon-Ra too, which is not true at all. Funhouse vision or something. Stop with the misinformation.

[@RobertPhelps-j2q]

Gentleman, notice how the defense has corrected itself by upgrading the coaching staff. Now looking at the offence, O line improved, wide receivers improved, running backs excellent, QB's ? Makeup your own mind on what's wrong with SC.

[@B22STGR]

Arledge, yeah Stephen's has the "frame" but he's NOT (yet) a BIG10 MIKE Linebacker you want to have to count on plugging the middle against Michigan with the game on the line. Imo he's a better fit at the WILL LB spot because of his athleticism and ability to drop back in zone coverage and run sideline to sideline.

[@B22STGR]

Mckinney, I typically agree with you on most stuff but NOT on Pierce at Safety. He's a pretty good player, but imo he's not the difference maker you want if your goal is to compete with the big dawgs.

[@davidkeeling4419]

Playing in the Las Vegas Bowl with a 6 & 6 record winning or losing, it was a failed season to a flagship program if USC is still considered a flagship. What makes it even worse is watching for 3-quarters, a boring and sad executed performance. If it was because more than half the team has left the team means the program is in shambles and nobody knows what to expect next season, especially when the returning 1st string QB throws hail Mary passes at least 50% of the time. I am waiting to see if Jen Cohend is going to say or do something about the shape this program is in.

[@danielmcd1]

Guys, I will take the si no matter what the name of the bowl is. It is a win for USC. I am happy we won. We have work to do. We have a lot of work to do and we will.

[@TheCardinalandBold]

Fight On!!!

[@oomagooma1107]

Happy New Years and a great year end show. Lots of great upside defensively at USC. Offensively, Riley is his own worst enemy. As mentioned, no identity, no transparency makes head coach look like a deer in the headlights. He is still a stubborn head coach in-training who refuses to move with the cheese. Fight On to all at We Are SC!

[@tonywilliams3728]

Fix Marks microphone

[@danteshuggins697]

Mark, Jayden Maiava has only had 4 starts under his belt. Mark you should tell the truth and give Jayden Maiava 1 full year summer and fall with the starters to clean up his mistakes. Miller Moss had 3 years and a 10 game season with an Interception in every game not including the holiday bowl. You have to be fair and give Jayden Maiava the same chance, which quarter back in College or the NFL that doesn't throw or fumbles the ball. Y'all kept saying he came on only in the 4th quarter, it was the mid 3rd quarter and the full 4th quarter. What y'all are not saying is Lincoln Riley already said in the post game presser when he was asked if Jayden Maiava would be the starter in 2025 and he basically said yes. Jayden Maiava has an NFL arm he threw very well against the number 7 ranked team in the nation and number 1 passing defense in Notre Dame, the number 2 big 10 defense in Nebraska, a very very good defense in UCLA, a top defense in Texas A&M an SEC school. Jayden Maiava won 3 out of 4 games for his team, that's pretty good only having 4 starts, Miller Moss never did that. Jayden Maiava threw bullets on short and intermediate passes to his receivers and he threw with anticipation and on stride to his receivers in all 4 games. Jayden Maiava grew up poor and started playing ball on dirt roads on his Island and now he became qb1 for a prestigious university Like USC, Jayden Maiava has heart and that never giving up attitude for his teammates, fans, his family, the university, that's what he showed in this game against Texas A&M and I'll take someone Like Jayden Maiava over any quarter back that would of folded in this situation. Jayden Maiava needs one actual year, fall and summer under Lincoln Riley offense and to have Lincoln help him develop and I believe he will be the starter that everyone is Looking for. USC Trojans fan since the mid 80s and 90s, Fight On!

[@DontbeahaterbeaHatton]

Maiava has thrown 3 pick sixes and 6 picks in 4 games. Let that sink in.

[@guysmithson1835]

Mentally not there yet

[@destinyreturns4885]

He played almost an entire year for UNLV, albeit in a lessor conference.

[@johnspringer4870]

LR should take the month of February off and spend the month in his multi-million dollar Palos Verdes Estate house meditating on the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, LR is mentally all jammed up, not thinking clearly or critically.

[@johnsierra9265]

Well 7 - 6 .......that's what happens when you lose to Minnesota 😮 next year ? Who knows ! ✌fight on 😎

[@rwrae72]

If Riley hangs his hat on exceptional talents who would excel no matter who the coach is, does he really deserve the moniker of QB Whisperer? If you had Mayfield, Murray, Hurts, Williams, wouldn't you be a great developer of QB's too?

[@lacosta771]

Not a single one of those guys was worth a damn until playing for Riley.

[@TrojanCondor]

You are asking the tough question so let’s give a straight answer. Jaden Maiava is not the answer. We must open up the bank and go get the best quarterback possible out of the portal. End of story.

[@treygibson957]

You wasting your breath, asking fans to stop acting like fans bro. Fans have been acting the same way since the beginning of sports, it comes with the territory. Players, owners, execs, etc make decisions that piss off the fans all the time in all sports bro. It's that Fandom, that passion that carries sports and allows all this money to be made. Don't want the smoke? Don't play or don't be good at it. Nobody cares when a bum leaves or requests a trade. It's fucking sports man!

[@davidgardner8364]

Chris....re-watch this - How is your energy? I love this show - have watched most of them...please pick it up...David

[@davidgardner8364]

maybe you still have the cold...

[@barryfisher4734]

Well horrible offense as stated, they still averaged around 30 pts. a game even with all the pics.

[@rickdearing3204]

No it doesn’t the head coach is still a bad signing the Trojan have look week ever sence Riley got hear the offensive line and defense line is horrible Quarterback sucks and There new signing quarterback is weak this coach is pass happy so it’s been a down hill drop off

[@Thankyou423.3]

Sounds like three old dudes who don’t know ball 😂

[@lodico-r6b]

clown

[@JamesClampitt-b3q]

Stop with USC winning against 2 SEC teams in LSU and Texas A&M. All 3 teams did not make the playoffs.

[@ScottHillen12345]

And SC was 6-6 going into the game. Come on how delusional are you a&m was close to the sec championship! That team was good and USC beat them. They took the L. 6-6 beat 8-4.

[@ladaivonespencer1475]

If you watching highlight film you shouldn't be speaking on the kid honestly. I see why i stopped watching most of SC media. Yall lack football intelligence, i don't care if you played or coached, your takes show a lack of knowledge in ball. Hope you guys get better eventually Fight On

[@ScottHillen12345]

Wheres their lack of ball? They spent a lot of time criticizing the qb who won the bowl game on a last minute td. And he was throwing “back breaking interceptions(its true)” they clearly see what needs to be improved on the program.

[@Thankyou423.3]

Fr it’s so bad 😂

[@lodico-r6b]

@@Thankyou423.3 clown

[@ladaivonespencer1475]

@@ScottHillen12345 they clearly spoke about how they thought Maiava was a runner and that they watched a 7 minute highlight film. Bro if you watching highlights and then speaking on a kid, just keep your opinions on him to yourself. If anybody thought Maiava was a runner you clearly didn't go back and watch any of his games...not highlights. I turned it off after that because they criticize alot of shit and they're wrong a lot. Without knowing certain things criticism is faulty.

[@whousefilms]

Caleb = NFL dumpster fire.

[@joepickett7084]

Yah, blame Caleb for no offensive line, that makes sense. He does hold onto the ball too much, but the Bears should have selected an offensive lineman, not Odunze.

[@whousefilms]

@@joepickett7084 This is the NFL. You can't go off script and run around like in College. Jayden McDaniel. is proof otherwise.