First, let me apologize for the product USC will trot out at the Coliseum in November. Only a series of fluke plays kept the USC-Utah game from being in the neighborhood of 50-0. This is quite possibly the worst USC team since Paul Hackett's final team, and frankly Paul Hackett may have had a better coaching staff.
Thus far, USC has been outscored and outgained on the season. We can't run the ball. At all. Our passing game relies entirely on low-percentage downfield throws where we hope the WR can out-jump the defensive backs and come down with the ball. We can't protect the QB. Two of the three scholarship QB's are currently injured. That's what happens when your OL lets the QB get hit on every play. And I mean every play. We've lost our only pass rusher for the season. We tackle poorly. Our defensive backs have poor technique and can't cover man-to-man. Two weeks ago, our receivers collided with each other while running their pass routes. Twice.
It won't get better. Clay Helton is incompetent. And he has primarily hired assistants who are incompetent and have no previous experience.
I'll be at the game, because I never miss a USC-ND game at the Coliseum, and I've only missed two in South Bend since 1997. But I dread what's coming.
Some years ago, when USC was rolling and ND was paying the price for hiring Ty and then Charlie, there was a game at the Coliseum where ND didn't get a first down until the fourth quarter. I think there's a reasonable chance that ND can return the favor this year. I'm not even sure Traveler will show up. I think even the horse is too disgusted to be associated with this USC team.