Grinding Gears: USC is too talented to play like this
There can be excuses, and there were. There can be injuries, and there were. There can be bad calls — like the missed safety before halftime — that led to the game spiraling out of control.
Extra Innings: The other USC fall sports don’t get attention
The most anticipated sports of fall (besides football) include women’s volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s water polo. Yet, the average USC fan does not attend these teams’ matches, and therefore are unaware of their accomplishments and dominance in their respective sport.
Poe’s Perspective: Serena’s willingness to speak should be admired
While it might be easy to move on from this controversy, I’ve found over the last week that the incident was a frightening barometer for the attitude of the sports world towards black female athletes.
T-Time: Darnold’s mentality sets him apart
He’s not the perfect archetype of an NFL quarterback, but Darnold’s mental fortitude separates him from the pack. It’s the same characteristic that enabled him to mount a 14-point fourth quarter comeback in the 2017 Rose Bowl and lead a game-tying drive against Texas with under a minute left. He has the it factor.
Keith’s Keys: USC needs to utilize its playmakers for success
Trojan football will most likely fall short of the 2018 Pac-12 title, but it’s not because of a lack of talent. It is because of a lack of coaching.
Extra Innings: LA Times legitimizes the concept of esports
I have been a fan of esports for nearly three years. As a matter of fact, my first column at the Daily Trojan was about how colleges should adopt esports and how this new form of competition should be considered and treated as a sport.
Poe’s Perspective: Step aside, Sue Bird is the new GOAT
This is, perhaps, the most tired cliche that exists in sport, and yet it’s true. Sports fans love sports for the story, for the drama. We love to bite our nails and get lost in the rush of thrill and anger and excitement that comes from every close game and upset.
The Bottom Line: Women’s soccer is a real contender
A good tournament team in soccer isn’t always the one that has the best players on the pitch or that scores the most goals. The best tournament team is the one that doesn’t lose tough games and can deliver results even when they aren’t playing at their highest level.
Extra Innings: Coliseum renovations don’t harm historicity
I didn’t grow up watching Reggie Bush, OJ Simpson, Matt Leinart or Troy Polamalu tear it up on the Coliseum turf. I didn’t watch “The Comeback.” I wasn’t alive for the two sets of Olympic Games it hosted. The Coliseum’s illustrious past was virtually invisible to me and perhaps that’s why the renovations don’t bother me that much.
Poe’s Perspective: Barstool Sports needs to get the boot
It’s 2018 and Barstool Sports is still a thing. How the heck is that possible?