No one could honestly say that Alex Grinch coached a good game in his 2023 season debut as USC defensive coordinator. Blitzes on 3rd and 22 and in other specific situations were baffling, given that USC didn’t need to sack the quarterback; it just needed to get off the field.
When USC’s defense has an opponent in third and long, it just needs to get off the field. Get the stop. Give the ball back to Caleb Williams and Zachariah Branch, and get on with the game. That’s it. It doesn’t have to be fancy or special. Blitzing invites the possibility that if the blitz doesn’t get home, the opposing quarterback (in this case, San Jose State’s Chevan Cordeiro) can scramble for 28 yards.
Not having everyone back to defend against the long pass creates the possibility of a coverage bust just before halftime. Instead of having eight guys back in coverage and having at least two centerfielders who will shut off any deep ball, Grinch pressed and created a situation in which a San Jose State receiver got behind a USC defensive back. That never, ever should happen. Grinch made some big mistakes, and USC fans were right to be disappointed.
Correction: They might not be disappointed because they weren’t expecting much to begin with.
Let’s look at the night which unfolded for the USC defense. There were some good plays and encouraging moments, but there were too many situational breakdowns for anyone to feel especially good about the season opener on this side of the ball: