Peristyle Podcast - USC Trojan Football Discussion

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns to primer the upcoming Transfer-Palooza 2023-24 window, discuss the commitment of three-star Clarkston (Mic.) 2024 ATH Desman Stephens and the smoke around DC candidate Tony White from Nebraska. TIME STAMPS: 8:24: Cold Open (Desman Stephens Commits) 24:31: Unsubstantiated DC Rumors, Tony White 1:05:33: December Visitors 1:17:18: Pulse of USC's 2023 Defensive Class 1:32:13: Transfer Portal Primer 1:56:09: 2024 OL Offer 2:00:27: Listener Questions To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham and Connor Morrissette (aka "Triple Double") are back in studio talking about the Trojans football program that has a lot going on following their extremely disappointing 7-5 regular season. Head coach Lincoln Riley is trying to make the most important hire of his USC tenure, a new defensive coordinator that can turn this program into a contender. The Trojans are also awaiting their bowl fate with several possibilities out there including trips to El Paso for the Sun Bowl, San Diego for the Holiday Bowl, Las Vegas for the Vegas Bowl or even staying home for the Los Angeles Bowl. We are also just days away from the opening of the NCAA Transfer Portal so the guys talk about the USC football players that have already entered, which plays could follow suit and jump in the portal and which position groups Riley will be targeting to add to his roster for the 2024 college football season. Plus the give a Trojan hoops update for both the men and the women. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the second episode of the USC Triple-Double Podcast -- the first basketball-only podcast to be a part of the Peristyle Podcast family of shows -- Shotgun Spratling and Connor Morrissette (aka Mr. Triple Double) break down the start of the season for the Trojans' men's and women's basketball teams. Both USC hoops squads are ranked with the undefeated Women of Troy coming in at No. 8 this week, while the men are ranked No. 23 after a 3-1 start to the season. In their most recent games, the women beat Seton Hall in the Bahamas 64-54 and the men beat Brown at home 81-70. But first, a special guest joins the show as USC men’s basketball associate head coach Chris Capko comes on to discuss the addition of No. 1 overall player Isaiah Collier and what he expects the Trojans can accomplish this season. Capko also details how the coaching staff is working to improve the team's rebounding and getting overall better play on the interior. The long-time Trojans assistant also discusses what that process was like in the offseason when he took a couple of head coaching interviews as well as his future goals. Shotgun and Connor then break down the latest USC games before looking at where the Trojan squads stand both record and stat wise through four games. They also discuss the upcoming week of action for the USC teams with the women staying in the Bahamas to participate in an early-season tournament while the men head to San Diego for a four-team showcase that starts with a matchup against Seton Hall on Thanksgiving. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns for the Thanksgiving episode, talking unsubstantiated defensive coordinator rumors, the recent Desman Stephens Crystal Ball, visitors for the USC-UCLA game, the new 2024 defensive line offer and listener questions. TIME STAMPS 5:28: Cold Open (Desman Stephens Crystal Ball) 13:14: Unsubstantiated DC Rumors 1:00:43: Turkey Talk 1:05:19: UCLA vs. USC Visitors 1:22:18: New 2024 DL Offer 1:28:18: Kameryn Fountain 1:36:55: Friday Night Lights 1:46:42: Listener Questions To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Helium Boys Podcast returns with Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino back behind the microphones to react to USC's abysmal showing in a 38-20 rivalry loss to UCLA in the Trojans final Pac-12 game. Over 108 minutes, the Helium Boys break down the lackluster showing in the Crosstown Showdown that left them feeling like parents that are more disappointed than angry after a child's misdeeds and left the Trojans with a 7-5 record. The Helium Boys episode opens with the 'Two-Minute Drill' as each gives his initial reactions to the Trojans' loss to UCLA and the biggest things that stood out, including the continuation of the same story that has been seen throughout the season with an additional subplot of constantly giving the ball back to UCLA. In the Stock Up/Stock Down segment, the podcasting duo discuss who/what impressed, including Brenden Rice playing angry and collecting his fifth career 100-yard game, freshman defensive lineman Elijah Hughes getting his most extended run of the season and the Superman efforts of Caleb Williams that we've likely seen for the last time in cardinal and gold. The Helium Boys also look into what stocks took a hit over the weekend with USC continuing to have tackling woes on defense and struggling to block up front on the offensive side. Shotgun also poses the question to Chris of which offseason slogan was the worst between the 2012 team's "Prep, Not Hype" and 2023's "The longer it goes, the better we get." They also get diverted and go down a rabbit hole on the Pop Tart Bowl and end up having to present their favorite flavors. Throughout the show, Chris and Shotgun also look forward at USC's impending hire of a defensive coordinator and some of the things the new coach is going to have to address immediately. The Helium Boys then answer your questions from Twitter and Instagram discussing areas/players where USC regressed, how the transfer portal will reshape the Trojans' roster this offseason, preferred offensive systems and whether Jim Leonhard could be "Grinch-like." They also break down their three favorite holidays. Then during the overtime portion of the 'Take It or Leave It' section, Chris questions Shotgun on celebrity Thanksgiving guests and their side dishes of choice. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together talking about USC's 38-20 loss to UCLA in the Coliseum, closing out what was a once promising college football season in the most disappointing way possible. The Trojans were preseason ranked No. 5 and started off winning their first six games and didn't trail for the first five. Since then USC lost to both of its rivals in uncompetitive games, went 1-5 and once again sported one of the worst defenses in the country. There was great anticipation heading into the 2023 college football season, but it ended up being very difficult to endure and ended on a terrible note with an uncompetitive loss to UCLA. Coach Hyde says the party's over now, Santa Claus didn’t bring any gifts and there is no easy way to make sense of it all. He feels major changes are needed and they are needed immediately, not just with the defensive coordinator but how the entire coaching staff is structured, how recruiting is handled, the overall football philosophy, the entire package. Losing to the Bruins and gaining only three rushing yards is inexcusable. It was the last chance for this team to have some positivity heading into the bowl game and while most Trojan fans anticipated a victory over this UCLA squad that had scored 17 points total in its last two games, that didn’t happen. No bragging rights. No Victory Bell. No momentum going into a bowl game. The defense obviously needs fixing but there are issues on offense and special teams as well. Coach feels the team was dominated on both lines and that is where football games are won, in the trenches. Caleb Williams is a special player but there was far too much pressure on him to succeed. He needs help from the line, the skill players and the coaching staff since he isn’t forced to do everything on his own. As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the latest edition of Tunnel Vision, USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham and Jack Smith are back in studio trying to make sense of an absolute dreadful performance by the Trojans, falling to their rival Bruins 38-20 in a game where it appeared USC wasn't even interested in playing. UCLA had control from the get-go, taking an early 14-0 lead with USC turning it over on downs, punting, fumbling and throwing an interception on its first four possessions. After starting off the season No 5 in the country and getting out of the gates with a 6-0 start, the Trojans have lost five of their last six games and showed almost no signs of life in the two rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA. The USC defense has now allowed 419 points on the season, the most ever in Trojan football history. Once again they allowed opponents to hit high water marks with Ethan Garbers throwing his career high in touchdown passes (3) and T.J. Harden with his career high in rushing attempts and yards (22 for 142). It wasn't just the defense that cracked against UCLA, the offense only had three (3) rushing yards and three turnovers while the special teams missed a short field goal, had a kickoff out of bounds and took a bad penalty on a kickoff return that set up a UCLA touchdown. The guys talk about what a disappointing season it has been, if that was the last we've seen of Caleb Williams, where the Trojans could go bowling and lots more. This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages. Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the debut episode of the USC Triple-Double -- the first basketball-only podcast to be a part of the Peristyle Podcast family of shows -- Shotgun Spratling and Connor Morrissette (aka Mr. Triple Double) break down the hot starts of the Trojans' men's and women's basketball teams on the debut episode of the USC Triple-Double Podcast. Both USC hoops squads are ranked with the Women of Troy coming in at No. 10 this week, earning their first top 10 ranking in nearly 30 years, while the men were ranked No. 16 after a 2-0 start to the season but are likely to slide in the next rankings release after losing to UC Irvine, 70-60, on Tuesday. But that loss came with some extenuating circumstances, which the triple-double team break down. But first, a special guest joins the show as USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb comes on to talk about her fabulous freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who is fourth in the nation in scoring averaging 28.3 points per game after the first 10 days of the season. Gottlieb discusses her teams' hot start and how expectations are adjusted after the Trojans defeated then-No. 7 Ohio State in the season opener in Las Vegas. She also talks about the next wave of stars USC landed with a top 10 recruiting class. Shotgun and Connor then recap the start of the season for both Trojan teams, which began with a day-night USC hoops doubleheader sweep in Las Vegas over a pair of Elite Eight teams. Gottlieb's team landed a top 10 upset over the Buckeyes while the men took down a shorthanded Kansas State squad. The triple-double hosts also take a look at Gottlieb's versatile recuiting class. The hosts then look at where the Trojan squads stand both record and stat wise after 10 days. They also discuss the upcoming week of action for the USC teams with the women heading to the Bahamas to participate in an early-season tournament while the men hope for a 'Get Right' game. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns to discuss the commitment of three-star Huntington Beach (Calif.) 2024 OT Justin Tauanuu to USC, take a deep dive on DC candidate Jimmy Lake and talking the recruiting impact of Jimbo Fisher's firing and (potential firing) of UCLA head coach Chip Kelly. TIME STAMPS: 4:39: Cold Open (OL Justin Tauanuu Commits) 27:24: DC Candidate Jimmy Lake 1:02:57: Key Weekend Visitors 1:16:51: Raiding Texas A&M w/ Jimbo Fisher's Firing? 1:35:04: UCLA Parting Ways w/ Chip Kelly? 1:46:01: Week 12: USC vs. UCLA 1:56:01: Friday Night Lights 2:03:36: Listener Questions To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham and Connor Morrissette (aka "Triple Double") are back in studio talking about the Trojans failed trip to the Pacific Northwest, falling to Oregon 36 to 27. USC football has now lost 4 of its last 5 games and are looking to take down UCLA on Saturday to salvage the season. There isn't much more to say about the trip to Eugene, just another failure to take down a ranked opponent for USC. The defense was able to make some adjustments and stop the explosive running game, but in doing so it allowed Bo Nix and the Ducks passing attack to go wild and put up historic numbers. Looking ahead to the regular season finale against the Bruins, the Trojans morale cannot be very high coming into this rivalry game, but UCLA's morale could be even lower with the news breaking this week that head coach Chip Kelly will likely be fired after this game, regardless of the outcome. While the difference between 7-5 and 8-4 isn't huge, especially considering this team was ranked No. 5 heading into the season, getting a win over a rival is still important and with the Trojans not having won a bowl game since the 2017 Rose Bowl, getting a better bowl game and playing well in the post season should be a priority. The guys talk about how Lincoln Riley and this team needs to do some major self reflection during the offseason and make sure to fix everything that is broken, including the obvious defensive problems and the less obvious special teams issues (SP+ has USC ranked dead last in FBS in special teams). Having an elite offense can only take a team so far, and when you are historically bad in two of the three phases of the game disappointing seasons like this one are inevitable. They also talk a little USC men's and women's hoops including Connor's newest basketball podcast that will launch this week with Shotgun Spratling and the first episode will feature USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino have returned from the Pacific Northwest and are on the mics for the Helium Boys Podcast, breaking down USC's 36-27 loss to No. 6 Oregon Saturday night in Autzen Stadium, the final road game of the season for the Trojans. The Helium Boys episode opens with the 'Two-Minute Drill' with both hosts giving their initial reactions to the weekend in Eugene. Naturally, Shotgun avoids talking about the actual game for as long as he can. Shotgun and Chris discuss the notable takeaways, including the fact they've seen this game with a couple of different details over and over this season. In the Stock Up/Stock Down segment, the podcasting duo discuss who/what impressed, including second-year freshman Tre'Quon Fegans taking advantage of an opportunity as well as the basketball teams' No. 1 recruits being named this season's first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. The Helium Boys also look into what stocks took a hit over the weekend with Bryson Shaw seeing a noticeable depreciation with former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch no longer around. The podcast quickly previews USC's final regular-season game, the crosstown rivalry with the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins (6-3) are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, falling 17-7 to Arizona State over the weekend. USC won last year's matchup 48-45 in dramatic fashion in the Rose Bowl. “We have one more shot in the Coliseum. We’ve got one more chance to play UCLA, and that’s a big rivalry for us. I think from the locker room, these guys have gone through a lot this year. They have hung in there, and they’ve kept swinging," said head coach Lincoln Riley after the game Saturday night. "There is a lot of unity in this locker room, and I think they very much appreciate one last chance to play the game together, and that’s what you do. It’s a first game that we’ve played here at USC where we’re out of a championship race. You don’t intend on playing anymore like this, but games like this show the character of the program, so that’s what we get a chance to go put on display.” The Helium Boys then answer your questions from Twitter and Instagram discussing among other things the qualities they believe USC should be seeking in their next defensive coordinator. Then during the overtime portion of the 'Take It or Leave It' section, Chris provides Shotgun with some potential podcast names for an upcoming addition to the Peristyle Podcast family of shows. Finally, the podcast concludes with the Helium Boys giving their score predictions for the USC-UCLA matchup (12:30 p.m. PST) in the Coliseum to close out the Trojans' regular season. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together talking about USC's 36-27 loss to Oregon in Eugene, another disappointing effort against a tough opponent. The Trojans were outgained 552 to 379 and Ducks quarterback Bo Nix went bananas, throwing for 412 yards and four touchdowns while completing 74% of his passes. Oregon was able to pressure Caleb Williams early and often, generating three sacks and one turnover while USC seemingly couldn't get close to Nix with no sacks and only two tackles for loss in the game. With the Trojans having lost an incredible four of their last five games, Coach Hyde thinks head coach Lincoln Riley needs to look into the mirror and see what changes need to be made in order for this program to eventually be championship caliber. This is the first time in Riley and Williams' careers that they are out of championship contention during the regular season, so how the team responds to that against rival UCLA this weekend will be interesting for sure. Coach Hyde saw Oregon play at a high intensity level and that combined with the amount of talent the Ducks had on the field is hard to beat. He wants to USC get there both with talent, toughness and intensity, but he just isn't seeing it right now. He is seeing more "me" attitude than "team" attitude and that has an impact on the entire program. Trojan fans are not happy right now and Coach Hyde thinks the players and coaches are not as well. As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the latest edition of Tunnel Vision, USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham, Connor Morrissette and Chris Trevino are back in studio fresh off their trip to the Pacific Northwest where they witnessed USC falling short against Oregon, 36-27 in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks took control of the game early thanks to a pair of 70+ yard touchdown passes and several long scoring drives. The Trojans fought back and tried to make it a game in the second half but it was too little and too late to have a realistic shot of getting the upset win. Our crew talks about what the defense looked like without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch running the show, the struggles of the USC offensive line against the Ducks front seven, how this team just can't seem to put it all together against quality opponents and lots more. This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages. Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns to discuss the recruiting impact of Lincoln Riley's decision to fire DC Alex Grinch during the season and a look at DC candidate Jim Leonhard. The Cilantro Boys also discuss the commitment of 2026 CB Madden Riordan. TIME STAMPS: 3:58: The Hot Open (USC Fires DC Alex Grinch) 27:58: DC Candidate Overview: Jim Leonhard 1:28:52: Impact on 2024 Recruiting 1:47:10: 2026 CB Madden Riordan Commits 2:06:06: Visitors for USC's Loss to No. 5 Washington 2:26:34: Conquest Collective + NIL 2:49:24: Friday Night Lights 3:11:27: Week 11: USC vs. No. 6 Oregon 3:21:30: Listener Question To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Helium Boys Podcast returns with Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino back to react to USC head coach Lincoln Riley's decision to make a change at the defensive coordinator position, firing Alex Grinch after the Trojans lost for the third time in four games, falling to Washington 52-42 in the Coliseum. They also break down the explosive offensive night of action from Saturday that sent the Trojans home with a 7-3 record on the season. Shotgun and Chris discuss the notable takeaways, including how despite being ahead early and then later the score being even, it never really felt like USC was going to win the game because the Trojans defense wasn't going to be able to get a stop to give the USC offense the requisite opportunity to win the game. The Helium Boys episode opens with the 'Two-Minute Drill' as each gives his initial reactions to the Trojans' loss to Washington and the biggest things that stood out. In the Stock Up/Stock Down segment, the podcasting duo discuss who/what impressed, including veteran running back Darwin Barlow finally getting an opportunity and wasting no time at all to make an impact, second-year freshman Tre'Quon Fegans taking advantage of an opportunity and Lincoln Riley having the correct mentality when it comes to defense, saying "We’re going to play great defense here." The Helium Boys also look into what stocks took a hit over the weekend with Alex Grinch being at the top of the list followed by a failing pass rush and Riley claiming the Trojans are two plays away from being undefeated in conference play. Chris and Shotgun also look forward at the Trojans trip to Eugene this weekend for a matchup against No. 6 Oregon Saturday in Autzen Stadium, featuring a showdown between last season's Heisman Trophy award winner Caleb Williams and one of the frontrunners for the 2024 Heisman Trophy, Ducks quarterback Bo Nix. The Helium Boys then answer your questions from Twitter and email discussing the desired defense scheme as well as some of the USC players saying they didn't watch the film of the Washington game afterwards. Then during the overtime portion of the 'Take It or Leave It' section, Chris questions Shotgun on some of the top cartoon theme songs. Finally, the podcast concludes with the Helium Boys giving their score predictions for the USC-Oregon matchup (7:30 p.m. PST) on the road this weekend. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham and Connor Morrissette (aka "Triple Double") are back in studio talking about the major shakeup to the Trojan football program following Lincoln Riley's decision to fire defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and promote linebackers coach Brian Odom and defensive line coach Shaun Nua to co-defensive coordinators as well as promoting defensive analyst Taylor Mays to full time safeties coach. The guys talk about what Riley, Odom and Nua had to say this week and how things could look different on the defensive side of the ball going forward. They also take a look back at the loss to Washington that led to the Grinch firing and talk about USC's chances this weekend on the road against No. 6 Oregon. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trojan redshirt freshman safety Zion Branch and freshman wide receiver Zachariah Branch are two of the young stars on the USC football team. Tunnel Vision hosts Ryan Abraham and Shotgun Spratling were joined in studio by the Branch brothers, talking about Zion's unfortunate season-ending knee injury and his road to recovery plus Zachariah's electric start to his college football career including being part of the flea-flicker touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Tahj Washington. The interview was conducted in conjunction with House of Victory, an alumni-backed nonprofit collective dedicated to providing a competitive edge in the NIL space for University of Southern California student-athletes. If you want to help out USC's NIL efforts, you can donate to House of Victory here. This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our YouTube page. Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the latest edition of Tunnel Vision, USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham, Shotgun Spratling and Jack Smith are back in studio talking about the huge breaking news that head coach Lincoln Riley has pulled the trigger and fired his longtime defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. The guys give their initial reaction to the news that Trojan football fans have been longing for since the end of last season and if they feel it can make a difference with only two games left in the regular season. USC's 52-42 loss to Washington Saturday night in the Coliseum was a defensive nightmare and apparently was the final straw for Riley, who brought Grinch with him from Oklahoma. Riley took a lot of heat when he made the decision to keep his entire staff intact even after the embarrassing loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. Fans wanted Grinch gone and Riley's gamble on the importance of staff continuity simply did not pay off. Our crew talks about all of the good (mostly offense) and bad (mostly defense) from the game against the Huskies and some of the historic marks that were set including the most points Washington has ever scored against USC (achieved in the first half alone) and the Trojan defense giving up 34+ points in six straight games for the first time in program history. This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages. Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together discussing yet another disappointing defensive effort for the Trojans, this time a 52-42 loss to No. 5 Washington in the Coliseum. During the show as Ryan and Coach talked about the poor defensive performance news broke that defensive coordinator Alex Grinch had been fired, so they talk about that breaking news at the end of the episode. The Huskies were able to score on 8 of their 10 drives including 7 touchdowns for a ridiculous average of 5.2 points per drive. Coach Hyde feels it was a great crowd there for Homecoming and the offense scored enough to win the game, but the defense was questionable in every aspect of the game. Coach wants to know if this defense is even capable of getting a stop. He doesn't think all of the best players are playing and by now you should know which players can play and which cant. He's questioning the defensive philosophy where they can't even line up correctly or respond to offensive shifts, leaving the defense confused with huge gaps outside for opposing backs to run through. Coach would love to see head coach Lincoln Riley step in and start coaching on the defensive side and allow Kliff Kingsbury to take over and run the offense. The defense keeps doing the same thing and nothing changes and there are so many gaps in coverage that Coach said it looks like they are only playing with 9 guys out there. Coach says the kids are playing hard but with the combination of everything that is going wrong, the defense is simply horrible. With the loss the Trojans fell out of the AP Poll top-25 for the first time in the Riley era. As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show. Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts! Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast! Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this latest edition of Tunnel Vision USCFootball.com's Jack Smith and Connor Morrissette (aka Triple-Double) are back in studio to preview what could be a pivotal game for the Trojans, a matchup with the only undefeated team in the Pac-12, No. 5 Washington Huskies. With USC's loss to Utah two weeks ago the margin for error in the race to win the conference is essentially gone, especially with the gauntlet of a schedule the Trojans have left. For Lincoln Riley to have any shot at winning the Pac-12 in its final year of existence, his squad will need to take care of business against the Huskies on Saturday. Jack and Connor talk about what the players and coaches said this week during practice as they get ready for this important contest and discuss the news and notes including the unfortunately season ending injury for safety Zion Branch. They also break down the newly released Big Ten schedule with dates for 2024 where the Trojans travel to Michigan, Minnesota, Maryland, Washington and UCLA and host Penn State, Wisconsin, Rutgers and Nebraska. Both hosts will be in the Coliseum for this one and they give their thoughts on how it will turn out including their picks against the spread (Trojans are a 3 point underdog to Washington). This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages. Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices