How important Alex Grinch is to USC's hopes of making the College Football Playoff

For a team to have a successful college football season, a few key things must go their way. For the USC Trojans, On3’s J.D. PicKell believes it is the growth of their defense next season. And the key to their defense playing better this season lies with none other than with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

“Let’s talk about the USC Trojans. Caleb Williams is the man, absolutely. But what about the defensive side of the ball? Alex Grinch is the man in charge of the defense there at USC,” said PicKell. “And I think he absolutely holds a key for USC to play for the College Football Playoff. Because there’s not so much a question about personnel as there was a season ago.

“They did a great job forcing turnovers, and some of that you have to credit Alex Grinch for, but the trenches were not up to par. Stopping the run was a problem for USC, especially in big-time spots. Tulane had their way, (and) Utah had their way, especially in the Pac-12 title game. And so with the way they’ve upgraded personnel-wise, on the defensive line, adding Bear Alexander, adding Anthony Lucas; that shouldn’t really be the problem for you this coming season at USC.”

The Trojans rode the spectacular play of Williams, which also resulted in him being awarded the Heisman Trophy, for much of the 2022 campaign. But when Williams was injured, and USC needed its defense to step up the most against Utah and Tulane, they fell flat on their face.

This offseason, head coach Lincoln Riley dipped into the transfer portal yet again, but this time pulled out some quality defensive pieces to star on the Trojans’ defense this year. And with all the new talent on the roster, if USC doesn’t shine defensively, look no further than their defensive coordinator.

“If the personnel isn’t the problem, on the defensive side, who do you look to then? The guy in charge of the personnel; the guy getting this defense lined up. I look right at Alex Grinch. We’ve said it many times here; the defense is going to be the difference for USC. And I think if you’re looking at personnel and look at the coach, that’s the difference between USC playing for a New Year’s Six Bowl again and having a good shot to compete for the Pac-12 championship, but maybe they fall short in that title game again. It’s the difference between that and then playing for the College Football Playoff and competing for a national title.

“Quite frankly, you have the quarterback to do it, and that’s the most difficult piece to acquire. If you have the quarterback, you got a shot; don’t let the defense be the reason why you don’t play for a national title in 2023. So for Alex Grinch, I think the responsibility falls on him. He will, without a doubt, be one of the pieces that hold a key for USC to compete for the College Football Playoff.”

Riley proved last season that he is still an offensive mastermind. Unfortunately, USC’s defense could not hold up their end of the bargain. And if Grinch cannot get the Trojans’ defense to improve this offseason, they could be in line for a similar fate to the one they suffered to end the last season.