USC’s defense showcased talent, proved it needs time during season opener

USC‘s offense stole the show in its 56-28 win over San Jose State on Saturday evening. Nonetheless, On3’s JD PicKell didn’t let the Trojans’ defense slip under the radar.

“There is so much more talent on the field from a personnel standpoint, from a roster standpoint on that defense than you had a season ago,” PicKell said. “Bear Alexander was just absolutely wrecking shop on that San Jose State offensive line. I don’t expect that offensive line for San Jose State to be par for the course for what USC is going to play going forward. But, Bear Alexander looked like a grown man playing against Pop Warner kids out there.”

Bear Alexander was just one standout in a stellar defensive showing. On Saturday, USC gave up 398 yards to the Spartans while recording 502 yards of offense. Additionally, the Trojans held Spartan QB Chevan Cordeiro to a 55.3% completion percentage.

The numbers are a solid improvement from last season. In 2022, USC’s defense allowed 423.9 yards per contest. While USC showed improvement, it will face far greater challenges in the near future. PicKell knows the Trojans must harden their defense even further.

“Even with all the talent you had on the field, even with the improved talent you had on the field from a season ago, it might take a second,” PicKell said. “It’s going to take a second, from the way things look, for it to totally mesh, totally gel, and for you to get all of the potential out of that side of the football.”

USC added eight defensive players this season in the transfer portal. Additionally, the team brought in 22 players in the Class of 2023. Trojans defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has no shortage of weapons, but he must figure out how they can be their most effective.

PicKell, for one, isn’t concerned for the defense’s future.

“The reality is, it’s OK that you didn’t look how you wanted to look defensively,” PicKell said. “You won the football game. You made stops when it counted. You made plays when it counted. I don’t think there’s any reason to be overly concerned about that.

“You’d like it to look better. But let’s not get caught in the overreaction culture of saying USC is this, USC is that. Their defense isn’t going to be as good as we want them to be to make the College Football Playoff. Let’s all just tempo down just a little bit.”

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