USC shouldn’t panic after its first game of the season, but there is plenty for the Trojans to be concerned about after a not-that-good defensive performance against San Jose State.
Alex Grinch did not make the grade … again.
We noted that “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.”
Let’s see what Lincoln Riley and various USC players said after a season opener in which a lot of rough edges emerged for the Trojans: