New “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” (Tuesday, Oct. 17) edition: Notre Dame review, Utah preview, new Big Ten Lightning Round, Pac-12 predictions, and viewers’ Q&A.

Pregame      

In Tuesday’s edition of Inside the Trojans Huddle, panelists Marc Kulkin, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz review the Notre Dame game, preview Saturday night’s Utah game, a new Big Ten Lightning Round, predict this week’s Pac-12 and national game, and give their takes to viewers’ questions in the Overtime segment of the podcast.

USC First Quarter

In the first quarter of the Huddle, the panel did a football autopsy of the Trojans being dominated by Notre Dame, and the guys were in fine form in providing viewpoints on what and why the Irish were so successful against Lincoln Riley‘s Trojans.

Offensively, the panel gave their viewpoints on what was wrong with the offense and were objectively complimentary towards the defense, given the situation they were put into. The offensive line did not receive any sympathy and was taken to task, especially when one considers that they gave up six sacks and a huge number of hurried passes. It didn’t help that Caleb Williams threw three interceptions and all were converted into points. The panel certainly had some thoughts regarding Williams’s unexpected performance.

Were the Trojans as prepared for the Irish in all phases of the game as they should have been? Some panelists commented that a walk-through wouldn’t have changed the final outcome, but the team might have been a little more comfortable at the beginning of the game. The panel agreed the early interception unleashed the Irish crowd, and that was the worst thing you would have wanted. McKinney gave a nice analysis of the first-half proceedings.

Arledge was in top form when it came to addressing the defense and explained the misuse of coverages, one of which led to a long touchdown pass. Katz mentioned that the Trojans were not as physical on both sides of the ball, and you can’t do that with a team like Notre Dame that prides itself on being physical.

Kulkin talked about the way the offensive line may need to reassess positions and brought up the point that some of the transfers were stars at other O-line positions at their previous schools.

There were discussions regarding special teams and the amount of USC penalties that cost the Trojans dearly. The long Irish kickoff touchdown return was particularly galling to the panel, especially at a time when there appeared to be some momentum leaning towards the Cardinal and Gold.     

USC Second Quarter

In the second quarter of the Huddle, the panel previews this Saturday night’s Utah game in the Coliseum.

The panel is asked to agree or disagree on the opening 5 ½ point spread favoring the Trojans. There was general agreement that Utah will come to play physical and will rely on their defense, a defense that head coach Kyle Whittingham says may be his best, which is saying something in his 19^th season as the Utes’ head coach. How should the USC offense attack this immovable object?

Arledge was none too complimentary when it came to the Utah offense, or lack of it, without Cam Rising quarterbacking. Rising, still recovering from major knee surgery, is not expected to play on Saturday, yet without him all season, the Utes have still managed a 5-1 overall record, which Katz attributed to the old-school, physical, and disciplined approach by Whittingham. In fact, Katz gave his opinion as to the best coach in the Pac-12, which he had said some months ago. For the record, Whittingham’s record against Lincoln Riley is 2-0.

According to the panel, the key to beating Utah will be to be as physical as they are and have a take-no-prisoner approach. Does Utah have the offensive chops to stay with the Men of Troy? What must USC do to win the game? The panel thinks it knows the answers.

USC Halftime

Since the entire Huddle panel attended last Saturday’s USC/ND game in South Bend, the fellas are asked to describe the highlights or lowlights of their Notre Dame Weekender. Did the rain dampen the mood? One panelist said when he arrived in Chicago O’Hare from L.A. and drove two hours to his hotel in Elkhart, Indiana, he was told at the front desk upon arrival at 1 a.m. on Saturday that his room was given to somebody else. The panelist had no room in South Bend-Elkhart. How was the situation resolved? Care to guess the panelist?  

USC Third Quarter

In the third quarter, the panel gave their rapid responses in the Big Ten Lightning Round. Questions revolved around losing to the Irish, the Notre Dame Stadium factor on Saturday night, the number of losses the Trojans may occur in its final five games, damage to Caleb Williams Heisman Trophy repeat bid, a Coliseum sellout perhaps for Utah, recruiting and the loss to ND, the image of Lincoln Riley after losing to the Irish, and much more.  

The panel bonus question: Choosing one’s favorite American city from among Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Dallas.

USC Fourth Quarter

Following the lighting of the WeAreSC symbolic Coliseum torch, just like the lighting of the real Coliseum torch between the third and fourth quarters at the Coli, the panel gets into the ITTH fourth quarter by predicting the winners for this weekend’s Pac-12 games. Again, one prediction is the designated “National Game of the Week” and again, do we need to tell you which game we’re talking about?

Overtime

In Overtime, the panel takes viewers’ questions relating to the Trojans reaching the Pac-12 title game, tight ends use, Kliff Kingsbury, recruiting offensive linemen, play-calling for Caleb, salvaging this season, and more.

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USC Trojans videos from Los Angeles, California, from the staff of WeAreSC.