All of those outcomes were expected, but Friday night's game against USC should be a tightly contested game with a likely Fiesta Bowl berth on the line. As unlikely as Stanford's appearance here might be -- this is a team that lost to San Diego State, should've lost to Oregon State, and stumbled in the snow at Washington State -- I don't think there's any doubt that as the conference season came to a close, the Cardinal and the Trojans were the two best teams in the Pac-12.
Right now, though, I think Stanford is a touch better than USC. The emergence of K.J. Costello at quarterback has revitalized the offense, expanded the playbook, and even made things a bit easier for Bryce Love. Speaking of Love, even though he clearly isn't healthy or anywhere close to 100%, he's still a threat to score from any point on the field, and I'm sure we'll see at least a few big plays from him. That quick strike ability in the run game combined with Costello's steady success in the passing game should lead the way to a narrow Stanford win. I've got it at 31-27, Cardinal.
For another point of view, I connected with the USC podcast Traveler Hates Thursdays, and they were generous enough to answer some of my questions about USC. The responses below are all from my boy Saman Djabbari, except where indicated. For much of the time his partners Will and Kenny simply nodded in the background, but occasionally they jumped in with thoughts of their own. Saman also interviewed me for their podcast, and you can find it tagged to the bottom of this post. If all of that still isn't enough, click over to read some more of my thoughts in a Q&A I did for Alicia de Artola over at Reign of Troy.
Okay, read on...
GMC:
I was at the Coliseum when USC dismantled the Cardinal back in September, and I came away thinking two things: one, the Trojans were headed to the playoffs; and two, Sam Darnold was headed to New York to pick up a Heisman Trophy. What happened to derail those two trains?
I was at the Coliseum when USC dismantled the Cardinal back in September, and I came away thinking two things: one, the Trojans were headed to the playoffs; and two, Sam Darnold was headed to New York to pick up a Heisman Trophy. What happened to derail those two trains?
THT:
The lack of a bye week certainly didn't help, and the multitude of injuries to the offensive line (specifically during the Washington State game) didn't help either. There were growing pains in regards to the development of the wide receiver corps. Darnold mostly trusted Deontay Burnett early on and that was just about it. Now he is able to trust Tyler Vaughns, Steven Mitchell, and Michael Pittman. The Heisman derailment was mostly a product of his own doing as he is amongst the leaders in turnovers in all of FBS. While there is no doubt that he is much of the reason of USC's success, unfortunately he's also caused a few of its non-injury related problems this year.
The lack of a bye week certainly didn't help, and the multitude of injuries to the offensive line (specifically during the Washington State game) didn't help either. There were growing pains in regards to the development of the wide receiver corps. Darnold mostly trusted Deontay Burnett early on and that was just about it. Now he is able to trust Tyler Vaughns, Steven Mitchell, and Michael Pittman. The Heisman derailment was mostly a product of his own doing as he is amongst the leaders in turnovers in all of FBS. While there is no doubt that he is much of the reason of USC's success, unfortunately he's also caused a few of its non-injury related problems this year.
GMC:
On a related note, what are the odds that Darnold comes back next season?
On a related note, what are the odds that Darnold comes back next season?
Saman: Honestly as much as USC fans would like for him to come back, it would be pretty dumb if he did. If he gets a first-round grade, he should absolutely go, and it seems that he is most likely gone. Hopefully he'll end up in a situation where he can sit back and learn the NFL game and cut down on the exceedingly reckless parts of his game. If there has to be a number on it, let's say 10%.
Kenny: I think it's 50-50, and will depend heavily on how the season ends. If USC loses the PAC-12 Championship and the bowl game, he has more to come back for and prove then if USC wins both. I think his draft stock wouldn't be hurt by coming back another year and it would give him a chance to improve ball security, which, as previously mentioned, was a massive problem this season.
GMC:
How are people feeling about Clay Helton nowadays?
How are people feeling about Clay Helton nowadays?
THT:
One thing we've noticed is that USC fans love to complain. Sure, no one was particularly pleased with the process in which Helton was hired. That remains an embarrassing "thorough" process that led to the guy down the hall. Nevertheless, he's put together a nine-win regular season, a Rose Bowl victory, and a 10-win regular season in two full seasons. That's pretty good! Most fans would take that! The threat of Darnold made life easier in 2017, but he isn't lighting defenses on fire like he did in 2016. Helton and his staff deserve a hunk of credit -- even if there were some hiccups like Special Teams Maestro John Baxter not doing a great job, or the offensive line being inconsistent, or too many cooks in the offensive play-calling kitchen. However, Helton didn't win the Pac-12 title last year. Not winning it this year would give those angry fans some legitimacy and pressure from boosters and higher ups.
One thing we've noticed is that USC fans love to complain. Sure, no one was particularly pleased with the process in which Helton was hired. That remains an embarrassing "thorough" process that led to the guy down the hall. Nevertheless, he's put together a nine-win regular season, a Rose Bowl victory, and a 10-win regular season in two full seasons. That's pretty good! Most fans would take that! The threat of Darnold made life easier in 2017, but he isn't lighting defenses on fire like he did in 2016. Helton and his staff deserve a hunk of credit -- even if there were some hiccups like Special Teams Maestro John Baxter not doing a great job, or the offensive line being inconsistent, or too many cooks in the offensive play-calling kitchen. However, Helton didn't win the Pac-12 title last year. Not winning it this year would give those angry fans some legitimacy and pressure from boosters and higher ups.
GMC:
This has nothing to do with this week, but just for fun — how has the Trojan Family responded to UCLA’s hiring of Chip Kelly? Does it matter?
This has nothing to do with this week, but just for fun — how has the Trojan Family responded to UCLA’s hiring of Chip Kelly? Does it matter?
THT:
People were not pleased. Chip Kelly's Oregon teams hammered USC in the post-Pete Carroll era. There was one upset win that the Trojans held on to by the slimmest of margins in 2011. Otherwise, Kelly tore up Monte Kiffin's defense. It'll take some time for Kelly to imprint his system in Westwood, but UCLA hasn't had a coach in ages that has a proven track record of taking advantage of the excellent talent UCLA can recruit in Southern California.
People were not pleased. Chip Kelly's Oregon teams hammered USC in the post-Pete Carroll era. There was one upset win that the Trojans held on to by the slimmest of margins in 2011. Otherwise, Kelly tore up Monte Kiffin's defense. It'll take some time for Kelly to imprint his system in Westwood, but UCLA hasn't had a coach in ages that has a proven track record of taking advantage of the excellent talent UCLA can recruit in Southern California.
GMC:
Keeping with the Pac-12’s 2017 theme of “Everyone Beats Everyone,” Stanford just crushed Notre Dame, who crushed USC back in October. What went wrong for the Trojans in that game, and why does or doesn’t it matter for this week?
Keeping with the Pac-12’s 2017 theme of “Everyone Beats Everyone,” Stanford just crushed Notre Dame, who crushed USC back in October. What went wrong for the Trojans in that game, and why does or doesn’t it matter for this week?
THT:
For one, the team was very injured. Freshman stud tailback Stephen Carr was out, and the other running backs outside of Ronald Jones hadn't started humming yet. Josh Fatu on the defensive line was out, crippling an already week unit. Chief pass rusher Porter Gustin was out. It was the most beat up the team has been all year. With all those injuries, the team couldn't afford to get off to a catastrophic start... which it did with Darnold's fumble. It seemed like everything snowballed from there. The Notre Dame performance does matter, because USC has not gotten much better against running teams. Bryce Love should be in line for a nice day. Hopefully it'll be restrained like back in Week 2.
For one, the team was very injured. Freshman stud tailback Stephen Carr was out, and the other running backs outside of Ronald Jones hadn't started humming yet. Josh Fatu on the defensive line was out, crippling an already week unit. Chief pass rusher Porter Gustin was out. It was the most beat up the team has been all year. With all those injuries, the team couldn't afford to get off to a catastrophic start... which it did with Darnold's fumble. It seemed like everything snowballed from there. The Notre Dame performance does matter, because USC has not gotten much better against running teams. Bryce Love should be in line for a nice day. Hopefully it'll be restrained like back in Week 2.
GMC:
The performances this season from Sam Darnold and Ronald Jones weren’t unexpected. Give me one player to watch who’s had a surprising year that’s been key to USC’s success.
The performances this season from Sam Darnold and Ronald Jones weren’t unexpected. Give me one player to watch who’s had a surprising year that’s been key to USC’s success.
THT:
Chris Brown and Christian Rector. Brown has been a stud at the guard spot on the line. Meanwhile, on defense, the team has hurt for a true pass rusher since Morgan Breslin in 2012. The Christianaissance has been such a welcome surprise as he's 2nd in the team in sacks with 7.5, has 11 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Chris Brown and Christian Rector. Brown has been a stud at the guard spot on the line. Meanwhile, on defense, the team has hurt for a true pass rusher since Morgan Breslin in 2012. The Christianaissance has been such a welcome surprise as he's 2nd in the team in sacks with 7.5, has 11 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
GMC:
How has the defense been playing recently? Who have been the Trojans’ best players on that side of the ball this season?
How has the defense been playing recently? Who have been the Trojans’ best players on that side of the ball this season?
THT:
The defense is a typical Clancy Pendergast defense, one that is really good at putting offenses in bad down and distances but really susceptible to the big play. Uchenna Nwosu has been absolutely unbelievable as he's done everything and more you can ask out of an outside linebacker. Rasheem Green has also been amazing; he's been a great run defender throughout his career but this year it felt like he advanced as a pass rusher.
The defense is a typical Clancy Pendergast defense, one that is really good at putting offenses in bad down and distances but really susceptible to the big play. Uchenna Nwosu has been absolutely unbelievable as he's done everything and more you can ask out of an outside linebacker. Rasheem Green has also been amazing; he's been a great run defender throughout his career but this year it felt like he advanced as a pass rusher.
GMC:
Stanford suffered a few injuries on Saturday and Bryce Love’s ankle didn’t get any healthier — and meanwhile USC players were likely binging Stranger Things and eating leftover pie. Are there any injury issues that might affect the Trojans on Friday night?
Stanford suffered a few injuries on Saturday and Bryce Love’s ankle didn’t get any healthier — and meanwhile USC players were likely binging Stranger Things and eating leftover pie. Are there any injury issues that might affect the Trojans on Friday night?
THT:
It's not always sunny in Los Angeles. While USC is definitely grateful for the bye, it will still be missing Porter Gustin who was instrumental in that first Stanford game. While Christian Rector has been a pleasant surprise in Gustin's absence, Gustin has definitely been missed at times during the season.
It's not always sunny in Los Angeles. While USC is definitely grateful for the bye, it will still be missing Porter Gustin who was instrumental in that first Stanford game. While Christian Rector has been a pleasant surprise in Gustin's absence, Gustin has definitely been missed at times during the season.
GMC:
Finally, give me your prediction. Give me a final score and your best justification for how we get there.
Finally, give me your prediction. Give me a final score and your best justification for how we get there.
THT:
Saman: I think USC wins 34-27 because I am a homer. But in all seriousness I think the way USC gets there is with Stephen Carr and Ronald Jones making enough plays on the ground and the nation's leading pass rush gets to Costello just enough to swing the game in USC's favor.
Saman: I think USC wins 34-27 because I am a homer. But in all seriousness I think the way USC gets there is with Stephen Carr and Ronald Jones making enough plays on the ground and the nation's leading pass rush gets to Costello just enough to swing the game in USC's favor.
Will: Between how USC has played recently and the sheer physicality Stanford promises, I think it'll be kind of ugly. Lots of running, lots of hard hits, etc. I'm borrowing the gross USC-UCLA score for this one, but hopefully the game will be better played: 28-23, Trojans.
Kenny: I think the game will go how most recent USC games have gone: the first two quarters USC will dominate, and then in the third quarter Bryce Love will break off a few huge runs to tie the game up. In the end, Sam Darnold works his magic and USC wins. 35-30 Trojans.
