Arizona at USC discussion thread

[azgreg]

USC opens at -22.

[Carcassdragger]

I'd take Arizona and the points here.

[ASUHATER!]

Yeah with their performances against ASU and Colorado I'd go with the under

[Carcassdragger]

Yeah with their performances against ASU and Colorado I'd go with the under

What's the over/under on this game?

[Catintheheat]

I think I will bet on UA this week. It may be at USC but Arizona is much better than a 22 point dog. UW is better than USC, probably Oregon too. UA is underrated. I hope Fitita continues playing.

[Merkin]

Yeah with their performances against ASU and Colorado I'd go with the under

What's the over/under on this game?

72, so expecting a 47-25 game.

https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagu ... &wpsrc=Vox

[TheCatInTheHat]

Well, here we are. Pretty much like playing Washington for a second straight week, only in the Coliseum. We're the sandwich home "Family Weekend" game between the hyped game at Colorado, and the following week at Notre Dame. Here's their record:

San Jose St 56-28
Nevada 66-14
Stanford 56-10
@ Arizona St 42-28
@ Colorado 48-41

Taking previous offensive averages against defensive averages came in pretty close for last night's game. If you did that again for this week, it would come in at Arizona 26, USC 36.

Offense:
QB 13 CalebWilliams 6-1 215 JR 74.47 % 21 TD/1 INT 320.60 PYPG 16.60 RYPG 3 RTD
RB 0 MarShawn Lloyd 5-9 210 RS-JR 86.60 YPG 3 TD
WR 16 Tahj Washington 5-10 175 RS-SR 79.00 YPG 5 TD
WR 2 Brenden Rice 6-3 210 SR 67.60 YPG 2 TD
WR 19 Duce Robinson 6-6 225 FR 46.50 YPG 1 TD
TE 87 Lake McRee 6-4 245 RS-SO 19.20 YPG 1 TD
LT 52 Kingston Jarrett 6-4 305 RS-SR
LG 76 Mason Murphy 6-5 310 RS-SO
C 57 Justin Dedrich 6-2 295 RS-SR
RG 79 Jonah Monheim 6-5 300 RS-JR
RT 71 Michael Tarquin 6-5 300 RS-SR

Bench
RB 6 Austin Jones 5-10 200 RS-SR 29.60 YPG 3 TD
RB 21 Quinten Joyner 5-11 205 FR 37.67 YPG 1 TD
WR15 Dorian Singer 6-0 180 JR 31.40 YPG 3 TD
WR 4 Mario Williams 5-9 175 JR 36.00 YPG 1 TD
WR 1 Zachariah Branch 5-10 175 FR 35.60 YPG 2 TD
WR 9 Michael Jackson 6-0 200 JR 19.75 YPG 1 TD

Defense:
DE 10 Jamil Muhammad 6-1 250 RS-SR 18.0 T 4.0 S
NT 90 Bear Alexander 6-3 300 SO 14.0 T 1.5 S
DT 79 De’Jon Benton 6-1 270 RS-SR 7.0 T 2.0 S
DE 51 Solomon Byrd 6-3 250 RS-SR 17.0 T 4.5 S
LB 13 Mason Cobb 6-0 235 SR 20.0 T 1 INT
LB 18 Eric Gentry 6-6 215 JR 13.0 T
CB 17 Christian Roland-Wallace 6-0 200 RS-SR 14.0 T 1 INT
CB 1 Domani Jacksoni 6-1 190 SO 11.0 T
S 19 Jaylin Smith 5-11 180 JR 31.0 T
S 7 Calen Bullock 6-3 190 JR 24.0 T 1 INT
S 27 Bryson Shaw 6-0 190 RS-SR 22.0 T

Bench:
LB 25 Tackett Curtis 6-2 225 FR 17.0 T 2.0 S 1 INT
DE 2 Romello Height 6-3 203 RS-JR 12.0 T 3.0 S
LB 53 Shane Lee 6-0 240 RS-SR 12.0 T 1.0 S
S 4 Max Williams 5-9 185 RS-SR 11.0 T
S 8 Zion Branch 6-2 210 RS-FR 8.0 T
CB 22 Cevair Wright 6-0 180 RS-SO 8.0 T

Kicking:
P 37 Eddie Czaplicki 6-1 205 JR 43.93 YPP 25 KO/3 TB/1 OB
K 46 Denis Lynch 5-8 190 RS-SO 3-4 FG LONG: 53
PR 1 Zachariah Branch 5-10 175 FR 22.57 YPR 1 TD LONG: 75
KR 1 Zachariah Branch 5-10 175 FR 6 171 28.50 YPR 1 TD LONG: 96

[CatsbyAZ]

Even though we're facing another QB primed to air it out, the Wildcats defense held up better than expected Vs the Huskies last Saturday and hopefully they can slow Caleb Williams down even a little.

Either way, I feel much better about going against USC. Whereas Washington has a sense of playing defense, the Trojans have no sense of what a defense is. And they seem committed to having no defense. Even with prep studs signed to the defense.

See Lincoln Riley's blind loyalty to his buddy DC Alex Grinch, going back to their time at Oklahoma:

Total Defense:
2018: #72
2019: #38
2020: #29
2021: #76 (#111 Pass)
2022: #106 (#112 Pass)
2023: #102 (#106 Pass)

Throw Noah, Throw!

[CopaCat]

Poor Dorian Singer goes to USC just to be relegated to the bench. Hope that NIL helped his pocket book because that decision no doubt hurt his NFL aspirations.

[azcat49]

You can bet Williams targets him a lot early. All our ex cats will be fired up as we will be as well. Baker vs Barrs should be fun

[PHXCATS]

You can bet Williams targets him a lot early. All our ex cats will be fired up as we will be as well. Baker vs Barrs should be fun

Last year at the UCLA game the team had more fire and energy pregame that any road game I can remember minus assu. I hope they have that same fire on Saturday

[azcat49]

Without a doubt. Hoping for Fifita since he is a local kid and their pass defense is pretty bad. He could have a big game.

That said, I think JDL makes it back. Whoever is our QB we need to find a fast start.

[KillerKlown]

Poor Dorian Singer goes to USC just to be relegated to the bench. Hope that NIL helped his pocket book because that decision no doubt hurt his NFL aspirations.

Who?

[Merkin]

Poor Dorian Singer goes to USC just to be relegated to the bench. Hope that NIL helped his pocket book because that decision no doubt hurt his NFL aspirations.

Who?

Just to be Captain Obvious here, but we all knew that was going to happen. The only reason Singer did so well at UA was that opposing teams had to put their best DBs on Cowling and T-Mac. Not sure how Singer and SC figured he could be the number 1 guy.

Singer is 6th on USC in receiving yards. https://www.espn.com/college-football/t ... sc-trojans

[PHXCATS]

Poor Dorian Singer goes to USC just to be relegated to the bench. Hope that NIL helped his pocket book because that decision no doubt hurt his NFL aspirations.

Who?

Just to be Captain Obvious here, but we all knew that was going to happen. The only reason Singer did so well at UA was that opposing teams had to put their best DBs on Cowling and T-Mac. Not sure how Singer and SC figured he could be the number 1 guy.

Singer is 6th on USC in receiving yards. https://www.espn.com/college-football/t ... sc-trojans

He showed a ton of promise when he got on the field in 2021. Before Cowing. Before T-Mac

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... elog/2021/

[Merkin]

Hard to believe the QBs back then were Will Plummer and Jermaine Joyner. Don't even remember where they ended up.

JDL tore up UA for 4 TD passes that season.

[Carcassdragger]

Singer was the leading receiver in the PAC last year who caught everything thrown near him. Complete stud. I dont get it Merk.

[PHXCATS]

Singer was the leading receiver in the PAC last year who caught everything thrown near him. Complete stud. I dont get it Merk.

I agree he benefited from TMac and Cowing but he is a damn good foot all player and very talented

[EastCoastCat]

Let’s not discount there are a lot of quality targets at SC. No way was he ever going to put up the same numbers there.

He will play however in big nationally televised games so his exposure will be night vs. day compared to Arizona.

[KillerKlown]

Like some of you said he's getting a TON of exposure and hype now. Yeah he's only got 12 receptions but he's the best DAMN 12 reception receiver in college.

[Merkin]

Singer was the leading receiver in the PAC last year who caught everything thrown near him. Complete stud. I dont get it Merk.

I agree he benefited from TMac and Cowing but he is a damn good foot all player and very talented

Oh I agree, a good hands guy with size and speed. Just saying that still made him 3rd best WR on the team.

Not sure where he fits on a USC team that has 7 WRs with 7 or more catches and 100 or so yards each.

[CopaCat]

Let’s not discount there are a lot of quality targets at SC. No way was he ever going to put up the same numbers there.

He will play however in big nationally televised games so his exposure will be night vs. day compared to Arizona.

Not sure how getting in for 20 plays a game is big exposure, but I guess he did get whatever coin he could from the experience. Singer would have had way more tape playing for UofA, which matters more than exposure to NFL scouting departments. I think leading the PAC 12 2 years in a row could get you drafted a hell of a-lot higher than a 12 reception 4th or 5th string bench receiver on USC. Probably cost himself at least 2 rounds in the draft. Hope the NIL pays the cost to be just another body in Lincoln Riley's machine.

[EastCoastCat]

Let’s not discount there are a lot of quality targets at SC. No way was he ever going to put up the same numbers there.

He will play however in big nationally televised games so his exposure will be night vs. day compared to Arizona.

Not sure how getting in for 20 plays a game is big exposure, but I guess he did get whatever coin he could from the experience. Singer would have had way more tape playing for UofA, which matters more than exposure to NFL scouting departments. I think leading the PAC 12 2 years in a row could get you drafted a hell of a-lot higher than a 12 reception 4th or 5th string bench receiver on USC. Probably cost himself at least 2 rounds in the draft. Hope the NIL pays the cost to be just another body in Lincoln Riley's machine.

You must not watch the NFL draft much because teams mostly choose players from the top schools including USC regardless of how many targets a player gets in his last year. There are exceptions of course but you even see backups from Georgia and Alabama get drafted for their potential.

Plus scouts have enough tape on Singer from his career. It will no way impact his draft ratings especially when you consider how much stock teams put on the combine these days. I don’t think teams say “hey the kid has talent and led the league in catches but decided to go to a national championship contender and his numbers dropped so he must be a bust.”

He was never going to be a first or second day draftee so if he gets selected it would have always been in the mid to late rounds. Does not have the prototypical NFL wide out profile.

[Carcassdragger]

Well, it looks like I'm going to drive there for the game. Wifey has never been inside the Coliseum.

I'm going to do my best to bring it home for you guys.

Might get in the area quite a bit before game time and I've only been there once. Any tips? How about parking?

[KillerKlown]

Well, it looks like I'm going to drive there for the game. Wifey has never been inside the Coliseum.

I'm going to do my best to bring it home for you guys.

Might get in the area quite a bit before game time and I've only been there once. Any tips? How about parking?

Booo Singer for us.

[Merkin]

Not just Singer.

[CopaCat]

Let’s not discount there are a lot of quality targets at SC. No way was he ever going to put up the same numbers there.

He will play however in big nationally televised games so his exposure will be night vs. day compared to Arizona.

Not sure how getting in for 20 plays a game is big exposure, but I guess he did get whatever coin he could from the experience. Singer would have had way more tape playing for UofA, which matters more than exposure to NFL scouting departments. I think leading the PAC 12 2 years in a row could get you drafted a hell of a-lot higher than a 12 reception 4th or 5th string bench receiver on USC. Probably cost himself at least 2 rounds in the draft. Hope the NIL pays the cost to be just another body in Lincoln Riley's machine.

You must not watch the NFL draft much because teams mostly choose players from the top schools including USC regardless of how many targets a player gets in his last year. There are exceptions of course but you even see backups from Georgia and Alabama get drafted for their potential.

Plus scouts have enough tape on Singer from his career. It will no way impact his draft ratings especially when you consider how much stock teams put on the combine these days. I don’t think teams say “hey the kid has talent and led the league in catches but decided to go to a national championship contender and his numbers dropped so he must be a bust.”

He was never going to be a first or second day draftee so if he gets selected it would have always been in the mid to late rounds. Does not have the prototypical NFL wide out profile.

So you are sticking to being a backup at USC being better for his draft prospects than possibly being at or near the top of the league in receiving statistics for a 2nd year in a row. Got it.

[EastCoastCat]

Let’s not discount there are a lot of quality targets at SC. No way was he ever going to put up the same numbers there.

He will play however in big nationally televised games so his exposure will be night vs. day compared to Arizona.

Not sure how getting in for 20 plays a game is big exposure, but I guess he did get whatever coin he could from the experience. Singer would have had way more tape playing for UofA, which matters more than exposure to NFL scouting departments. I think leading the PAC 12 2 years in a row could get you drafted a hell of a-lot higher than a 12 reception 4th or 5th string bench receiver on USC. Probably cost himself at least 2 rounds in the draft. Hope the NIL pays the cost to be just another body in Lincoln Riley's machine.

You must not watch the NFL draft much because teams mostly choose players from the top schools including USC regardless of how many targets a player gets in his last year. There are exceptions of course but you even see backups from Georgia and Alabama get drafted for their potential.

Plus scouts have enough tape on Singer from his career. It will no way impact his draft ratings especially when you consider how much stock teams put on the combine these days. I don’t think teams say “hey the kid has talent and led the league in catches but decided to go to a national championship contender and his numbers dropped so he must be a bust.”

He was never going to be a first or second day draftee so if he gets selected it would have always been in the mid to late rounds. Does not have the prototypical NFL wide out profile.

So you are sticking to being a backup at USC being better for his draft prospects than possibly being at or near the top of the league in receiving statistics for a 2nd year in a row. Got it.

I’m not sticking to anything. Just pointing out it wasn’t that disastrous a move as you make it out to be. SC has 6 players with double digit receptions ranging from 11-18 and Singer is one of them with 12.
He’s not a bench warmer.

If you think being the leading receiver on maybe a .500 team (and we know TMac is by far the best NFL ready player) that gets little exposure vs. a contributor to a very likely championship playoff team that will also be on national TV a lot this year then fine. Go have at it.

[AzCatFan2]

If you can play, the NFL will find you. And Singer can play, though I personally never thought of him higher than a late 2nd day, and more likely a 3rd day draft choice. I think Cowing will likely go higher, and TMac, once eligible, is a potential 1st day pick. TMac lead all true freshmen with catches and receiving yards last year, and he's an even better receiver this year. Playing alongside these two certainly helped Singer last year.

It's not like USC doesn't have a cadre of talented receivers too, just none are better than Cowing and TMac. They are all at or below the Singer level, in my opinion. As a result, Singer is getting more attention and double teams at USC, which he never got at Arizona. The results and numbers speak for themselves.

I don't think this significantly hurts Singer's draft status, but it certainly doesn't help. NFL coaches and execs are going to see someone in Singer who will never be WR1, but maybe a WR2 or WR3. There are just some players, like Alvin Harper, who can thrive as WR2 with a player like Michael Irvin opposite him. But as a WR1, Harper was a non-factor. Always thought Singer fit the Harper mold, and his time at USC just confirms it. And again, if you're drafting a WR3, you're likely waiting until the 3rd day to draft him.

[azcat49]

Remember Singer had a Texas offer but when that staff was fired the new staff didn’t have room for him.

He has always been very confident and as I have heard, a self proclaimed “big time/big program” guy. He jumped at the USC offer and NIL $$$.

USC, unlike us, actually uses its depth so his numbers will be down but he is getting the exposure week to week he wouldn’t be getting here. That said, the NFL will find you if you are good and he is. I do think we really miss him on the outside

[KillerKlown]

A guy 6th in recieving on a team isn't getting mass exposure. Sorry to burst your bubble but only having 12 receptions going into the halfway point isn't turing heads. He's not getting exposure, he's getting exposed.

[dmjcat]

A more telling stat for me is that the 3 UA defectors (who were all starters at the UA) are all coming off the bench at SC.

It gives an indication of the talent gap between the UA and SC

[EastCoastCat]

A guy 6th in recieving on a team isn't getting mass exposure. Sorry to burst your bubble but only having 12 receptions going into the halfway point isn't turing heads. He's not getting exposure, he's getting exposed.

The leader only has 18 so it’s not like a huge drop off. He’s actually 5th and is tied for 4th on a loaded team for TD’s.

Insane stat - 19 players have caught a pass for the Trojans this year.

[azcat49]

Barrs actually started the first two games and now is a rotational player. CRow has been playing and had a pick against CU but is running with the 2’s. I bet we see a lot of all those guys this week

[KillerKlown]

A guy 6th in recieving on a team isn't getting mass exposure. Sorry to burst your bubble but only having 12 receptions going into the halfway point isn't turing heads. He's not getting exposure, he's getting exposed.

The leader only has 18 so it’s not like a huge drop off. He’s actually 5th and is tied for 4th on a loaded team for TD’s.

Insane stat - 19 players have caught a pass for the Trojans this year.

So the leader only has 18 and he's still in 5th?

[Merkin]

That's a deep roster.

Quinten any relation to Jermaine?

[UAEebs86]

That's a deep roster.

Quinten any relation to Jermaine?

It's Jamarye Merk


This is Jermaine

[EastCoastCat]

A guy 6th in recieving on a team isn't getting mass exposure. Sorry to burst your bubble but only having 12 receptions going into the halfway point isn't turing heads. He's not getting exposure, he's getting exposed.

The leader only has 18 so it’s not like a huge drop off. He’s actually 5th and is tied for 4th on a loaded team for TD’s.

Insane stat - 19 players have caught a pass for the Trojans this year.

So the leader only has 18 and he's still in 5th?

Whatever. You obviously have an axe to grind with Singer leaving a program that doesn't have national exposure to one that has plenty. There is plenty of season left and he could very well end up being SC's leading receiver - even by the next game - but you can't understand that for some reason.

[TheCat]

Well, it looks like I'm going to drive there for the game. Wifey has never been inside the Coliseum.

I'm going to do my best to bring it home for you guys.

Might get in the area quite a bit before game time and I've only been there once. Any tips? How about parking?

Pay the way overpriced parking because the neighborhood is not exceptional.

[KillerKlown]

A guy 6th in recieving on a team isn't getting mass exposure. Sorry to burst your bubble but only having 12 receptions going into the halfway point isn't turing heads. He's not getting exposure, he's getting exposed.

The leader only has 18 so it’s not like a huge drop off. He’s actually 5th and is tied for 4th on a loaded team for TD’s.

Insane stat - 19 players have caught a pass for the Trojans this year.

So the leader only has 18 and he's still in 5th?

Whatever. You obviously have an axe to grind with Singer leaving a program that doesn't have national exposure to one that has plenty. There is plenty of season left and he could very well end up being SC's leading receiver - even by the next game - but you can't understand that for some reason.

No. I would take him back and have him in his starting role if he wanted to come back.

You saying his exposure is "night and day" while only having 12 rec. going into the halfway point is disingenuous after he lead the league last year. That's my only axe to grind.
We'll have to agree to disagree.

[dmjcat]

Well, it looks like I'm going to drive there for the game. Wifey has never been inside the Coliseum.

I'm going to do my best to bring it home for you guys.

Might get in the area quite a bit before game time and I've only been there once. Any tips? How about parking?

Pay the way overpriced parking because the neighborhood is not exceptional.

"Not Exceptional" is a gross understatement. Stay the hell away from the areas south and west of the Coliseurm.

I would recommend the on-campus parking. Its the safest. You can purchase parking on the USC website:

https://usctrojans.com/sports/2021/8/25 ... iseum.aspx

[Merkin]

This is Jermaine

Oops. Never post while drinking and taking a gummy! Always did like The Jackson 5.




USC "expert" Matt Zemek of TrojansWire.com on the 3 UA transfers.

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/football/ ... zVghw_dJGE


The Trojans picked up three former Arizona starters from the transfer portal. How have wide receiver Dorian Singer, defensive lineman Kyon Barrs and cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace fared so far?

“Singer made tremendous catches against USC last year, as you know, prompting Caleb Williams to ask Lincoln Riley if USC could grab Singer in the portal. However, while Singer is great at making contested catches, he is not getting open regularly. He is not separating from defenders. He has been a relative disappointment thus far.

“USC fans want to see a lot more of Kyon Barrs. He needs to be more of a presence on the defensive line and get more reps. Bear Alexander, Solomon Byrd and De’Jon Benton have been really good, but other D-linemen haven’t been as productive, Barrs being one. USC needs all, not some, of its defensive linemen to play well in the same game at the same time. That’s how the Trojans will win the Pac-12. They’re far short of that standard.

“Roland-Wallace came up with an interception against Colorado, but he remains part of a secondary which got shredded in the second half. Is he ready to ball out against Oregon and Washington in November? We don’t know.”

[azgreg]

I'm not going to get home until late tomorrow. Can someone else start the game thread?

[Carcassdragger]

I'm not going to get home until late tomorrow. Can someone else start the game thread?

Nobody starts em as good as you. One of the highlights of my Saturdays in the fall.

[azgreg]

I'm not going to get home until late tomorrow. Can someone else start the game thread?

Nobody starts em as good as you. One of the highlights of my Saturdays in the fall.

I'm in LA right now. We're leaving for home after lunch tomorrow.

[Merkin]

You're in LA, will be there Saturday, and not going to the last UA PAC game in the Coliseum?

[azgreg]

You're in LA, will be there Saturday, and not going to the last UA PAC game in the Coliseum?

Nope

[Carcassdragger]

I am.

[Fishclamps]

[azgreg]

Fifita time again.