ANGELES — USC had its back to the wall last week and came out swinging, knocking out third-ranked and previously unbeaten Utah 42-24.
Was that a last gasp in a turmoil-filled season or a legitimate step forward in rejoining the Pac-12 South race? More evidence will be filed this Saturday when the Trojans play at Cal, which has dropped two consecutive games after starting the season 5-0.
“It’s not like we’re a bad team,” linebacker Su’a Cravens said after the win over Utah that moved the Trojans to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the league.
“Everybody thinks they can forget about USC — ‘Oh, they’re in the gutters …’ Keep thinking that. This team, we have a lot of heart. And we show it every Saturday.”
Nothing seems fundamentally different about USC, which was picked to win the Pac-12 in a vote of the league’s media. The Trojans are down to their third-string center, but it’s star power remains mostly intact — receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, three-way player Adoree’ Jackson, quarterback Cody Kessler — while a stellar recruiting class has made an impact, notably linebacker Cameron Smith, running back Ronald Jones II and cornerback Iman Marshall.
A home loss to Stanford now seems a bit more understandable, although a home loss to Washington — which preceded the suspension and then firing of coach Steve Sarkisian — is one that USC will regret. Then came a 41-31 defeat at Notre Dame, which, again, is understandable (if not ideal).
Anyway, there is plenty of time remaining for USC to do something productive because the talent is in place. If that talent hooks up with a good attitude and strong leadership from interim head coach Clay Helton, then watch out.
That win over Utah could certainly come in handy in a tie-breaking scenario. The Trojans also have a win over ASU (2-2 in the league) and can take care of UCLA (2-2) later in the season.
“A lot of people look at USC as we’re the spoiled team,” Cravens told ESPN.com. “‘(USC gets) a certain ranking every year just because they’re SC.’
“But we’ve got a lot of great guys on this team and we have an attitude to be the best because we should be the best. And we’re going to come out every week and play like we are and we’re going to have that confidence.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–LB Cameron Smith was selected the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and the Football Writers’ National Defensive Player of the Week after he picked off Utah QB Travis Wilson three times in USC’s 42-24 victory. Smith returned one of those for a touchdown. He has a team-high 62 tackles and is aiming to become the first true freshman to lead USC in tackles since such record-keeping began in 1954. He is second nationally among true freshmen in tackles, trailing Wyoming defensive back Andrew Wingard (71).
–C Khaliel Rodgers is the team’s new starting center, taking over for Toa Lobendahn, who suffered a torn ACL against Utah. Lobendahn had slid over from guard to replace Max Tuerk, who was lost for the season with an ACL tear. Interim coach Clay Helton praised Rodgers’ effort last week. “Make sure everybody hugs and pats Khaliel Rodgers on the back,” Helton said. “There’s few times you are ever going to get to your third center, and for him to come out and do what he did against a very tough Utah front, I’m just very proud of him.”
–RB Ronald Jones II, a true freshman, is the team’s leading rusher, with 59 carries for 453 yards and six touchdowns. When everyone is healthy, the carries get split among Jones, Tre Madden and Justin Davis, but Jones is the future of the position, another fabulous foundational piece left behind by Steve Sarkisian.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads Cal 66-30-5, which does not included a vacated USC win in 2005. The series has been uninterrupted since 1926, and the Trojans have won 11 in a row, including hanging on 38-30 last season after leading 31-2.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I wouldn’t say it saved our season but it was a turning point. We had to put our foot down and stop lollygagging.” — LB Su’a Cravens, in the L.A. Daily News, talking about last week’s win over Utah.