USC can take another step towards the last Pac-12 title with a victory over the Washington Huskies. Can their defense survive?
No. 5 Washington and No. 24 USC’s will determine each other’s fates in a Pac-12 Showdown that affects the Huskies National Championship and USC’s PAC-12 Championship aspirations. Two of the most explosive offenses in the country will have the sporting world’s attention Saturday at 4:30PM. The 24th-ranked Trojans have gotten exposed all season in what has been a historically bad run defense led by defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. USC has given up 200 rushing yards in six of nine games this year. In a blowout vs San Jose State USC gave up 198 rush yards. The defense actually made plays early and often in the loss to Notre Dame and technically against Cal in a 50-49 victory that they were trailing most of the game.
The Grinch That Stole Victories
The universal problem is that ever since the Sugar Bowl loss to Tulane. USC has been undisciplined and downright awful defensively. They’ve given up at least three 30-yard plays in every game this season. USC is ranked 111th in total defense, 104th in run defense and 105th in passing yards allowed out of 130 teams. Pressure to fire Grinch has only grown amongst the media and USC fan base week after week and especially in Utah’s decisive victory on the road against the Trojans where Utah’s third-string quarterback Bryson Barnes dominated passing and rushing.
Double Duty
The worst part about USC’s defensive failings came in that same Utah loss where starting safety Sione Vaki has had to play running back due to injuries. Vaki had 68 yards rushing, 149 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. A converted safety should not have over 200 all-purpose yards and multiple touchdowns against a defense that is tied for 36th in the country with 23 sacks.
Watch The Ball
USC’s offense shares blame in the team’s record. The constant lack of discipline relates to repetitive holding and false start penalties. Reigning Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams has already been sacked 24 times in nine games compared to 24 in 13 games last year. Williams has been surpassed by Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. as the Heisman favorite and the Huskies offense is literally kryptonite to USC’s defense.
Lefty Slinger
Penix has led the nation in passing yardage the past two years and has an outstanding trio of potential NFL receivers in juniors Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillian and sophomore Ja’Lynn Polk. Odunze (907) and Polk (836) receiving yards both have seven touchdown receptions on the season. McMillian has been dealing with a very bad knee injury that has limited him to 311 yards and three touchdowns in three games. He played in five games but was pulled due to the severity of his knee injury which has caused him to wear knee braces. The injured junior receiver is still dangerous as he had 79 receptions for 1,098 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022.
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Defensive Woes Continue
The Trojans have allowed opposing receivers to have career days against them all season and have shown very little improvement in snagging interceptions. Huskies running back Dillion Johnson has 430 rushing yards with six touchdowns. Johnson averages almost five yards per carry. USC’s defense rushing defense is a revolving door and the lack of playtime given to linebackers Eric Gentry and Raesjon Davis has been puzzling. Senior captain Shane Lee flashes as a serviceable run defender but a liability in coverage at times. Gentry is a 6’6 versatile defender and Davis plays with speed and great coverage and run ability in a crowded linebacker room.
Harbinger
Something will give for USC’s defense because it always does. The Trojans can’t stop the run despite a good pass rush. Additionally, they commit costly penalties at the worst possible time. Remember defensive tackle Bear Alexander’s roughing the passer foul in the Utah loss. Coach Lincoln Riley admitted his choice in offensive play calling must be better. For example, running the ball more helps take pressure off Williams. Washington and Coach Kalen DeBoer is coaching and motivating his team on an elite level since the Oregon win. The Huskies exercised their demons from last year by beating an Arizona State team that has been competitive.
Prediction
USC’s weaknesses in all three phases will doom their season and Pac-12 championship hopes. Washington didn’t get to play them last year and is out to get “it back in blood.” The Huskies will defeat the undisciplined Trojans on the road to spoil USC’s Homecoming 63-42.
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