LA Sports Hub
Fansided

USC Football: When is it time to hit the panic button?

By Jeremy

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans talks with his team while there's a time out against the Stanford Cardinal during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans talks with his team while there's a time out against the Stanford Cardinal during an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There are three weeks in the books in the college football season and hitting the panic button is already a discussion for the USC Football Trojans.

The 22 ranked USC Football Trojans went into Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns in a game with huge implications nationally.

What an electric atmosphere in Texas on Saturday night. This is why college football is great. Two big-time programs going head to head. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Last week, USC lost 17-3 to #10 Stanford and Texas escaped Tulsa with a 28-21 win. Both programs came into the season with enormous expectations.

Both have struggled to start the year. USC and Texas were neck and neck through the first 2 1/2 quarters when the Longhorns blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown that put the game out of reach. JT Daniels went 30-48 with 322 yards and a pick.

More from LA Sports Hub

That’s right, he threw the ball 48 times!

Some called the play selection questionable especially in the second half of the game. Sophomore phenom Stephen Carr only ran the ball 6 times for 13 yards and a touchdown. Carr is quite possibly the Trojan’s most dynamic player on offense and he did not get the opportunity to showcase his talent. USC’s game plan was to throw often.

Texas put up 21 points in the third quarter alone and ran away with the victory 37-14. It is weird to see a USC team give up 37 points to anyone. The one glaring stat was the rushing yards comparison.

Texas had 160 yards on the ground while USC had -5 yards rushing. Texas was clearly the more physical team throughout the game. The result? A 1-2 record to start the season for USC.

The defending Pac-12 Champion Trojans started the season ranked #17 in the AP Poll. USC fans have been waiting for the team to make the jump into title contention again.

The program has been trying to find their identity since Pete Carroll left the sidelines. Is it time to hit the panic button for Clay Helton and the Trojans?

Let’s put this in perspective. This was a difficult two-week stretch for the Trojans to say the least. The offense was stagnant and confused at times. The potential good news for the Trojans is their upcoming schedule.

They will host Washington State at home before going to Arizona. These next 2-3 games are winnable. Despite the 1-2 record, USC has time to make up ground and still be a force to be reckoned with in a wide open Pac-12 Conference. The South, in particular, is up for grabs.

For the Trojans to be successful, they must prioritize the run again and use Carr to their advantage. He is a special player and has the ability to create a big play every time he touches the ball.

Should an LA fan be the fan of the year?. dark. Next

The USC Football Trojans have time to save the season.

Home/USC Trojans