NFL
By George Lopez
The USC Trojans entered the 2023 football season with high expectations. The Trojans entered the season ranked 6th and with returning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams back to lead the Trojans offense, a berth in the College Football Playoffs was on the mind of the Trojans faithful. The season did not play out as expected as they ended the regular season unranked with a 7-5 record. The Trojans will look to end their season on a high note as they take on #15 Louisville in the Holiday Bowl on December 27. Ending their season on a 3-game losing streak and losing 5 of their last 6 games after starting the season 6-0 has left many Trojans fans puzzled as to what went wrong.
Offensively, the Trojans offense picked up where it left off last season, averaging nearly 42 points per game. Caleb Williams followed up his Heisman-winning season by passing for 3633 yards with 30 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Williams also accounted for 11 rushing touchdowns. The Trojans offense was stymied when they traveled to South Bend to take on Notre Dame.
The Irish held Williams to 199 yards passing and induced Williams to throw 3 interceptions for the first time in a Trojan uniform. The Trojans ended their PAC12 season with a disappointing 38-20 defeat to cross-town rival UCLA. Though Notre Dame and UCLA were able to contain the Trojans offense, the problem they faced this season was on the defensive side.
In the last 8 games of the season, the Trojans allowed an average of 42 points per game. Throughout the season, the Trojans defense was out of position, taking bad pursuit angles and missed tackles. In 2022, the Trojans were one of the top teams in causing turnovers. This season, they were not able to generate the same type of defensive pressure, ending the season with a -2 turnover ratio.
All season, head coach Lincoln Riley preached patience in regard to the defensive performance. With the defense performance not showing any signs of improvement, Trojans fans began to loudly voice their displeasure. A change was needed and the Trojans made the decision to fire Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch with 2 games remaining in the season.
To finish the season, the Trojans announced defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Odom as co-defensive coordinators. In the 2 games without Grinch, the Trojans allowed 36 and 38 points respectively.
As the 2023 season comes to an end, Trojans fans wait on Caleb Williams decision as to whether he will play in the Holiday Bowl. Williams was non-committal about playing in the bowl game following the loss to UCLA. It is fair to assume that Williams will elect not to play and prepare for the upcoming NFL draft as he is expected to forgo his final year of eligibility. Leading rusher MarShawn Lloyd announced that he will be entering the 2023 NFL draft. Though it has not been officially stated, Trojans fans assume with the announcement, Lloyd will not play in the Holiday Bowl.
The 2023 Trojans were not able to live up to their lofty pre-season expectations. The Trojans will look to end the season on a positive note with a victory in the Holiday Bowl and prepare for both recruiting and which players will enter the transfer portal and come to California. The Trojans will also welcome new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn as he begins to work on rebuilding a Trojans defense to face a tough 2024 schedule in their first season in the BIG10.
The failure to reach preseason expectations should be full all summer to get things back on track. Entering the B1G 10 is a huge deal, and maybe the change in conference is just what this defense and coaching staff needs. Until then Happy Holidays and as always #FightOn.
