Monday’s Morass: What If USC Looks Better Than Who They Are?

USC Trojan fans like to start their week wondering what’s happening with their favorite team. So with the Trojans sitting on a perfect 6-0 record after their comeback win at home, there are some new and old unanswered questions left.

A recurring question coming off the Trojans’ latest victory that still needs clearing up. How did USC’s defense look, is the team developing, and are the Trojans better than their ranking?

What if USC isn’t developing?

Looking for the zits and blemishes on a model record can be challenging when you’re looking at the model from a distance. USC’s 6-0 record is perfect in the bigger picture. Although a perfect record in football does not mean there aren’t flaws.

Some artist’s paintings look bad when you’re looking at them up close. Trojans football in 2023 is like a Monet’ painting. They appear good from afar, but they’re far from their perfect 6-0 record. Monet’s masterpieces are seen differently the closer and the longer you look at them. Technically, there are lots of flaws and his works are messy, nor did he improve and develop.

USC football isn’t a mess. However, the closer you get to the painting and look at it, the flaws are noticeable.

Every team is looking to develop and improve on a weekly basis the longer the season goes because everyone wants to get better. The questions and flaws with USC’s defense still continue 6 weeks into the season. But now questions are being raised about the artist known as Lincoln Riley’s offense and its ability to move the ball consistently on the ground and through the air.

Is the artist struggling to make his picture a masterpiece? Or are the critics looking too hard for something to critique?

What if Oklahoma is ahead of USC?

My question has nothing to do with Oklahoma’s current AP Poll position. However, I will point out that the Sooners are the No. 5 ranked team in the country while the 6-0 Trojans have slid to No. 10. Four weeks ago USC held the No. 5 spot but have slid for three weeks in a row following each of their wins.

The message the Trojans are sending to the voters isn’t very convincing. USC may be winning its games against its opponents but the wins have not been great. More importantly, the signs of team development and improvement are being lost in the conversations.

I bring up Oklahoma for a couple of reasons. Obviously, it’s Lincoln Riley’s former team, and last year the Sooners looked like Clay Helton’s 2021 USC squad. They were often blown out at home and they looked average at best in their wins. A year later, the Sooners look like a top-5 program who are getting better weekly and an offense that has developed.

USC’s defense, not so much.

The Trojans have a chance to reclaim the spot that they were voted out of starting Saturday when they head to South Bend to play (5-2) Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have lost 2 out of their last 3 games, but winning at Notre Dame still carries weight, while winning on the road in the Pac-12 does not.

The Trojans are undefeated, and the No. 1 scoring offense in the country. But there is a perception that USC isn’t ready to compete for a championship unless they show improvement.

What if USC’s comeback win over the Wildcats is being ignored?

In every win, there are positives to take away. Even from the games that you probably have no business winning.

USC probably didn’t deserve to win their game this past Saturday against an improving Arizona team, but they did. That says a lot about a Trojans team that was down 17-0 at one point and could not get out of their own way.–On either side of the ball.

I did not fact this next stat.

Did you know that during the last 20 years, the Wildcats have a 59-2 record when they have a 17-point lead? Prior to their loss against the Trojans, it was 1 loss. Conversely, that was only USC’s 3rd win in the last 20 years when they’ve trailed by 17 points or more.

I don’t think it’s lost on anyone that the Trojans came back to win the game at home. I think what’s concerning is that USC was down 17-0 at home and that’s why the comeback is being overlooked.

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