Joel Klatt calls Colorado game a 'massive disappointment' for USC

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt called USC’s win over Colorado a “massive disappointment” for the Trojans in the 48-41 shootout victory.

USC cruised to a 41-14 lead but Colorado stormed back. Those lapses in defense could be cause for concern later this season.

The expectations surrounding USC are immense due to Caleb Williams under center, but the defense could let him down according to Klatt.

“USC is under an immense amount of pressure to succeed now,” Klatt said on his podcast. “And that’s why Saturday was a massive disappointment. It’s because that defense played basically exactly what they did last year, exactly how they did last year. Colorado scored 41 points over the last three quarters, 27 in the second half, they scored a touchdown on four of their final five drives. 

“When you look at the statistics last year, USC was not even close to good enough, not even close to good enough, even though they were one game away from winning the Pac-12 and going to the playoff.” 

Going back to last year, USC lost twice to Utah and eventually to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. Mostly, it was the defense that cost the Trojans.

“It was obvious that they had to get substantially better,” Klatt said. “They were a bad defense a year ago, statistically speaking, and we talked about on this program, all they needed to do was become average, maybe even good. And then you’re gonna have something this year. Last year there were 94th in scoring defense and 105th in total yards per game … 

“There is part of this … do they have more potential? Yes, they have a higher ceiling on defense, but they’re still 63rd in the country in scoring defense and 103rd in total yards per game.  And they haven’t even faced close to the meat of their schedule. Not even close. Remember, they got through the entirety of the season last year and finished 105th in total yards per game.” 

USC cruised to a 5-0 start this year, but gave up 28 points to Arizona State and then faced a talented offense in Colorado. Not a good sign moving forward.

“You look at what they just faced, they didn’t face anybody from an offensive standpoint until Colorado,” Klatt said. “And they’re now 103rd in total yards per game. That’s alarming. That’s alarming and that’s why Saturday was so disappointing, in particular off of the back of what we saw in the ASU game.”