Remember the first game of USC football’s 2023 season against San Jose State? We wrote this about Alex Grinch’s approach, and we wonder if Lincoln Riley finally saw the light as the 2023 season evolved:
“On 3rd and 22, or at the end of a half, the main focus is to not give up a big downfield play. Allowing 15 yards in either of the above situations is an acceptable, reasonable outcome which doesn’t do significant damage. USC should welcome giving up a short pass in a long-yardage or end-of-half situation. This means putting seven or eight guys back and having the safeties play center field. With seven back, receivers aren’t going to get behind a corner or linebacker the way San Jose State did. This is pretty basic, and it leads us into the heart of the skeptic’s argument against Grinch.”
USC failed to do simple things on defense. Lincoln Riley finally grasped this, and it’s important to underscore this point. Let’s explain: