Trojans need to address problems
USC’s loss to the Bruins on Saturday exposed a lot of the team’s shortcomings, but there remain some more systemic flaws which have led to the Trojans’ poor performance later in games this season. The keys to a win over Notre Dame will lie in avoiding some major weaknesses in the Trojans’ game plan.
1. Recover mentally from the loss to UCLA.
USC was understandably despondent following the loss to UCLA at the Rose Bowl last Saturday. The Trojans will need to recover mentally to salvage what remains of the season and prevent head coach Steve Sarkisian from having yet another seven-win season. The Trojans will not see a major bowl game this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re allowed to slack off against a perennial rival in Notre Dame.
The annual game against Notre Dame means a lot more to alumni and boosters than younger students might realize, and is one of the key litmus tests for a successful season. Sarkisian needs this win perhaps more than anyone else right now. Losing to both rivals was ultimately the nail in the coffin for former interim head coach Ed Orgeron, and though the prevailing sentiment seems to be to allow Sarkisian a bit more time, a win against a still highly regarded Notre Dame team certainly won’t hurt recruiting and team support moving forward. Plus, come on. It’s Notre Dame.
2. Continue to protect the football.
In the Trojans’ loss to UCLA, USC did a solid job protecting the ball but gave up the ball at two crucial junctions that ultimately shifted momentum in the Bruins’ favor. USC has done an excellent job holding possession for much of the season, which has resulted in time of possession advantages.
This type of “heavy play” will work well against Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, who has a tendency to gamble on some of his throws. Golson has 13 interceptions on the season and has had trouble taking care of the ball this season — holding possession after a turnover will put Golson out of his rhythm. Golson knows a thing or two about standing on the sideline with the game out of his hands — it’d be nice if the Trojans could re-acquaint the heinously overrated former Heisman hopeful with the concept.
3. Build an early lead.
This has been an integral point for the Trojans in virtually every game this season. The Trojans are excellent front-runners — they play well with a lead, but have trouble catching up from behind and will pay for a shoot out in the fourth quarter, when a high-risk, high-reward strategy involves dropped passes and incompletions that lengthen the overall game and gas out the defense with constant rotations.
If Golson is forced to make the same risky throws, the Trojans might be able to force a turnover, which in turn will get more rest for their defense — and start another one of their trademark clock-eating drives in the process. We don’t need to win sexy — we just need to win. If Notre Dame creeps back into the game in the second half, the Trojans need to have built up a strong enough cushion to where they can put the game out of reach with a couple scores.
4. Run early and often.
The Trojans, as in just about every other game this season not involving an opponent with a hilariously bad defense, will have to rely on the run to set up the pass, so to speak. Redshirt junior tailback Javorius “Buck” Allen and sophomore running back Justin Davis will be called upon to gash and dash through a defense that is giving up 157.7 yards rushing per game. Redshirt junior quarterback Cody Kessler’s effectiveness through the air is contingent upon Notre Dame committing defenders into the box to free up the offense’s intermediate routes and to get one-on-one matchups for junior wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
Notre Dame’s pass defense has been rock solid this season, holding opponents to 227 yards per game. If the Trojans were, say, 9-2 going into this game, this would be Allen’s Heisman showcase. If. Excuse me while I go weep for 45 minutes.
Overall, the key to victory for the Trojans has been the same all season. Clearly, if they were able to overcome their issues in the second half, they would have done so a long time ago. This is a team suffering from serious depth issues and an inability to maintain a strong level of play through four quarters. It’s not something that can be fixed with coaching or practice, just more bodies. It’s time to come to terms with the depth issues that have been the elephant in the room with USC all season long and finish the season out on a high note.
Euno Lee is a senior majoring in English literature. He is also the editor-in-chief of the Daily Trojan. His column, “Euno What Time It Is,” runs Tuesdays.