Georgia’s defense would crush us right now too. Can you even contemplate watching Brett Neilon try to block UGA’s massive nose tackle, Jordan Davis, who is 6-6 360 lbs and runs as fast as our linebackers? I can’t. Their defense is phenomenal.
Blem, I actually have trouble understanding how Neilon blocks several of his opponents. I understand that in the weight room he is a true warrior. However, humans and weights are not the same as we all know. He gives up so much size to large nose tackles that his opponents need to be double teamed on several occasions. I hope that future centers are simply larger than he is. I know he is listed as 6'2 and 295 or more, but to my eye, those figures appear to be a stretch.
This thread about Donte being the next head coach was certainly anticipated, at least on my part. I actually believe it will be mentioned almost daily. A true test of folks' opinions will come after a defeat, particularly if SC is hammered in a game. I hope that does not happen, but it could. Winning at South Bend is something SC has not done in a long time and it won't be easy this year either. But, it is possible, particularly if SC can manage to put up some major points.
USC's defensive line might need to tweek its lineup depending on who the opponent is. Of course, having a healthy Nick Figueroa will help and it will also be helpful to have a healthy and developing Korey Foreman. I think Drake Jackson is much more beneficial to the team and to his own personal future by playing with his hand on the ground as opposed to dropping back on any regular basis. Having a little more size in the middle of the defensive line might be needed at times, particularly when SC gets to South Bend, but I am not sure what the coaches think of the NG's available. The transfer from Alabama has great size but who knows when or if he will really see the field. This issue should work itself out over the next several weeks.
As for the question of Donte, I have no clue how this will work out. He has only been the head coach for one game, and he does lack overall experience. But, as I mentioned previously, I really am impressed by the IT factor, whatever that really means. I believe he has been mentored by quite a few different guys and if given the position, I have no doubt that his ability to form/tweek his staff will be much better than the dufus'. I watched his Sunday presser and listened intently to everything he had to say. Without exaggeration, I think it is fair to conclude that he gave more straightforward answers in one session than Helton did during his entire tenure. I really mean that. He was business like, thorough, and to the point. Still with USC's recent history of choosing football coaches, one can hardly blame any SC fan who will be totally disillusioned with anyone but a big name. However, it just might not be as easy and likely to come up with that name as some might think.
And then of course there is the issue that might come up and that is the one nobody seems anxious to bring up. As has been documented, Donte is the first Black Head Football Coach at USC. If he does very well this season and still does not get the job, will there be long term repercussions? SC has had its share of issues over the past several years to say the least. Will there be headlines such as, SC does not give an African American Coach the same leeway it gave the "awesome" Helton, and if not, why not? I thought hard and long about mentioning that aspect, but this is 2021 and the world has changed. I am not saying race should be a consideration; only that realistically speaking, I think the way this is unfolding, it could become important. Only time will tell how this will turn out. It is unlikely to be boring. MJDavidson