USC Trojans: Is Dad the Problem? - Joe Chacon's Blog

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Joe Chacon's Blog

USC Trojans: Is Dad the Problem? Stuck

Posted on November 8, 2012 at 02:03 AM.

(8)

It has taken a few days, but I'm finally crawling out from under my USC hangover from over the weekend. The white blurs that I see every time I close my eyes are less frequent, and I think I'm ready to watch the Trojans take on Arizona State this weekend...I think.

The Trojans defense, headed up by Monte Kiffin, is ranked 65th in the FBS. I'm not even sure if they were that bad during the Paul Hackett era (one of the low points of my life). They are giving up 406 yards per game with an average of over five yards per play.

Sure, the Oregon Ducks skewed those numbers a bit by racking up nearly a half-a-mile in total yardage against Papa Kiffin and his squad, but the defense has really been a chink in the armor (are we still allowed to say that?) this season. Yes, the play calling on offense has been sketchy at times, and the lack of discipline is certainly an issue (most penalized team in the FBS), but the defense is awful.

Perhaps the game is passing Monte by, but how in the world can Lane Kiffin go to his Dad and tell him that he's got to go? If Lane comes back next season, it needs to be without his Dad. I'm always the last one to call for somebody's job (unless you were around for my tirade after the third quarter this past weekend), but this Kiffin & Kiffin routine simply isn't cutting it.

Can you imagine how USC would be this year if the Pac 12 wasn't split into two divisions? They may not even be a .500 team. In fact, they have only one win this year against a team with a winning record (Washington).

Aside from all that, USC fans have hope. If they beat Arizona State and UCLA they will play for the Pac-12 Championship game against the Pac-12 North winner.

Of course, that might just set up another disaster in Eugene.

OS Voice: What's the biggest problem with USC Football this year? Is it time for Monte Kiffin to step down?

Joe Chacon is a staff writer for Operation Sports, a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and the creator of CagePresenceMMA.com. You can follow him on Twitter @JoeChacon.

Comments

# 1 UH53 @ Nov 8

As an SC fan and a former collegiate LB it's hard to watch SC's struggles on D. But I also understand the repercussions of probation and scholarship numbers that effect the D. When Pete Carroll was there not only was he a defensive minded coach they had the depth to compete. There has been a decline but its very difficult to go thud drills in practice and live in the football games... A lot of things suffer with this especially TACKLING! Unfortunately it looks like it's survival mode for SC's D... Just try to get by! Lets not forget SC is still young in a lot of positions especially offensive and defensive line. The trenches are huge in football and that's were games are won. The expectations were too high this year considering these losses. Yes they have the best receiving core in the nation but they don't have the line. The good thing is that youth eventually matures and nothing helps a team more than experience. Let's not forget that last year SC showed huge strides in improvement with the D last year and took that D on the road to Outzen Stadium and took it to the Ducks for 3 qtrs. Ultimately depth is gonna hurt but the future is bright.... Fight On!

# 2 UH53 @ Nov 8

Monte should stay!

# 3 Joe Chacon @ Nov 8

Great post, UH53!

# 4 BrandH @ Nov 8

No, it is the cheating, scumbag son.

# 5 jgess6232 @ Nov 8

GO DUCKS! Our reign will continue for the next 3 years as well. (At least.)

# 6 jgess6232 @ Nov 8

Recruiting cannot replace coaching. We all know this. And if anyone thinks that Kiffin is the answer, then you are highly shirt sighted. ONE HUGE reason you guys have no depth, is because Kiffin cannot develop it. The difference in him and everyone is, is that Kiffin, for some reason, is an excellent recruiter. Chip Kelly on the other hand develops. Develops every position, at every level. Not just blowing teams out in the first half, but in practices. His attention to detail is unsurpassed. As long as Kiffin is coach, the players that make up a #1 ranked recruiting class, will all underachieve. Plain and simple. Yeah, you guys have a great QB, and 2 AMAZING WR, but nothing else. That is not a view of a Duck fan. That is an objective view of a Football fan. And I said USC would lose 3-4 games this year when they were given the pre season rank of #1. I was called crazy, now people are laughing. It was obvious they were highly overrated. And if you could not see that, you put too much faith into Kiffin.

# 7 jgess6232 @ Nov 8

*Short not shirt

# 8 Joe Chacon @ Nov 9

Good insight, jgess. You're right, I would have called you crazy. I looked at the schedule and thought the season was going to be a cake walk for them.