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Riddle me this Trojan fans.

do you think USC's offense failed so miserably on Saturday was more because Caleb kept audibling out of CLR's genius offensive plays called? You know draws, screens, slants?

Or did the offense embarrass the entire Trojan nation because CLR had no idea how to adjust to the French defense?

maybe a little of both?

As of the ides of October (look it up), it's blatantly obvious and easy to stop USC's once unstopable offense with Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

Either Rush 5 guys . SC's O line and back might stop 4. Or sit back in deep coverage. Caleb will just stand there until there is a holding penalty.

It made me cringe when the NBC color dude was calling out SC's O plays before the snap.

You know me, I have a couple suggestions. Always trying to help.

Put the OC Riley and DC grinch up in the box, where they can actually see what is happening in front of them.

always trying to help. sc

16 comments

16 Comments

Onikoroshi

Oct 16, 2023

so much simpler than that, Simon

Riley couldn't adjust to five turnovers

just like Freeman couldn't adjust to five turnovers against Louisville

even harder to adjust when the turnovers are on your side of the field in the redzone

Simple Simon,

Are you thinking that by Caleb NOT checking into a play that is called for by the presnap read of defense is the solution? You know kind of like your own Sicilian Strategy when death is on the line?

LOL

Riley's RPO is so effective post snap, because it adjusts on the fly to any defense postsnap

except when you leave the ball on the grass twice and throw three picks on your side of the field

letting your opponent start most of their drives in the redzone

I know this is a difficult concept for you

Waldorf

Oct 17, 2023

Replying to

3 picks by Williams is highly unusual. And turnovers usually don't just happen. The Irish defense had something to do with it.

Pasadena Trojan

Oct 16, 2023

Frustrating to see CLR not being able to adjust during a game. He's been doing this a long time now. No excuses.

Edited

rwc1952

Oct 16, 2023

Calling audibles. How could you possibly know that watching on TV?

San Clemente

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

uh, cause he uses a lot of hand signal audibles . sc

rwc1952

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

Hand signals are used to communicate with receivers but not necessarily to change the play at the LOS otherwise your O-Line would need eyes in the back of their head to know what is being called.

Normally it's a verbal play signal and a fan at home would have no clue.

San Clemente

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

Uh, a quarterback does verbal and hand signals . Verbal so his line can hear him and hand for the guys further away. This isn't really complicated . sc

Q51

Oct 16, 2023

I don't like the empty backfield 5 wideout formation. CW doesn't process the play fast enough and isn't that accurate out of it. An extra blocker is needed buying CW more time to make a play.

MLK Blvd

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

Riley does himself no favors by constantly telegraphing his plays, both runs and passes.

Gurus are smart enough to avoid this. Riley isn't a guru.

Masked Man

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

Defenses are beginning to catch up to the "RPO/5 wide empty backfield sets"....just like they did with the "I" Formation, the Wishbone, the "T" formation....etc. Fun while it lasted. Then, during all of this....Oregon State and Stanford go to a double tight-end/tight splits and 2-3 back formations or other variations with giant TE or WR variations.

What you give up with no backs or no TE is....NO PROTECTION FOR THE QB.

tdaniels

Oct 16, 2023

5 turnovers and a kick return for a td. Nobody beats an opponent with that. ND pinned their ears back and played off the momentum created by those turnovers in a hungry home field environment. That's it. Despite the turnovers midway thru 3 quarters, it was a ballgame. Until the kick return anything was possible. Our defense, which you've shredded for 7 weeks, truly only gave up 3 scores for a total of 17pts. Take away the turnovers and it's a totally different energy in that stadium and a totally different game. Sheet happens and this was one of those days.

San Clemente

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

It's a hobby. sc

Onikoroshi

Oct 16, 2023

Replying to

solid take

that kick return WAS the killer

especially because of the two uncalled blocks in the back at the point of attack that the domer announcers called 'perfect technique' or some nonsense before they praised the runner for some athletic skills that were also not clearly evident

he was fast and untouched which is all that he needed

I guess I need to rewatch the player to remember their nonsense

or not

when you see that sort of thing as a player on the field

not everyone gets pissed off and commits to playing harder

it's fact of life and just the way it is

I don't understand it myself

but it's human nature for some and the way it is

Edited

tdaniels

Oct 17, 2023

Replying to

I guess what will be fascinating to watch is how this team and their coaches respond. And yes, there was clearly a block in the back on the kor. Riley can improve in many facets but overall the guy is one of the best college coaches around.