New "Inside the Trojans' Huddle" (Oct. 11): Grading Washington State, previewing Utah, Musings with Arledge, Pac-12 predictions, and more...

In this week’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, Steve Bisheff, and Greg Katz review and give grades – offensively and defensively for the Washington State game, preview Saturday’s Utah game, take a look at the second half of the USC schedule, Musings with Arledge, Pac-12 Conference game predictions, and viewer questions and panel answers.

In the first quarter, the panel analyzes and grades the Washington State game by praising the Trojans’ defensive performance and handing out grades to the position groups. Did holding Washington State’s offense to 14 points warrant an “A” grade performance? Which position on defense received the highest mark and was there any concern with the continued “chunk” plays on the ground? One question the panel debated was how and why does the defense look so bad in the first half and then look so good in the second half? Is it DC Alex Grinch halftime adjustments or an old fashion tongue lashing?

In terms of the offense grades, the panel was not so generous in its letter grading and comments. Did quarterback Caleb Williams receive an “A” for his WSU performance or was this a case of being very good but not great? The panel had much love for a certain transfer running back, and one panel member believes that this back is truly the heart and soul and the MVP of the offense thus far. In terms of the wide receivers, there were mixed grades by the panel. One receiver stood out for some great catches, but the same receiver had some crucial drops that were pointed out by the panel. The offensive line received some interesting discussion and grades. What would you give them and why? Where were they strong and where is still need for improvement?   

In the second quarter, the panel exchanges their thoughts and opinions regarding the upcoming Utah game this Saturday evening in Salt Lake City. There was not agreement on the outlook for the game. Was No. 20 Utah’s loss at UCLA a good thing or a bad thing for the Trojans? Where do the Trojans have the advantages on offense and defense, and where will Utah attempt to burn the Trojans? How much will Rice-Eccles Stadium and its madhouse fans play in determining the outcome? Will Saturday be a close game, or will it turn into a rout and in whose favor? The panel has different perspectives, and there is no consensus but plenty of opinions.  

For the halftime segment, the panel looks at the second half of the USC schedule and each panelist gives their appraisal for the future. How much will a win or a loss at Utah affect the second half of the season? What does the balance of the schedule mean in terms of competing for a Pac-12 championship, and what about the regular season ending game with Notre Dame in the Coli?

In the third quarter, Chris Arledge provides his oral “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” version of his popular column “Musings with Arledge.” This week, The Arledge takes on those members of the USC football staff that are “towel waivers” on the sidelines. As you would expect no less, Arledge names the names of those allegedly responsible for the sideline behavior. Chris says its way beneath USC football to wave the towels that was once a UCLA sideline laughingstock behavior, or have you forgotten the Bruins former towel waiver and former offensive lineman Ed Kerzirian? Leave it to Arledge to implore USC to put the towels away and act like Trojans football.  

After the traditional lighting of the Chris Arledge Coliseum Torch to signify the transition from the third quarter to the fourth quarter, the panel gives its Pac-12 predictions for Week 7. Among the predictions, does Stanford have a chance at Notre Dame? Can Washington State bounce back from its loss to USC and upend Oregon State in Corvallis? Can Washington snap its two-game losing streak against visiting Arizona in Seattle? And, of course, can or will USC defeat Utah on Saturday? On the USC/Utah prediction, the panel is split in half on the final outcome. While the entire panel wants the Trojans to win, what two panelists predict a Utah victory and why? The other two panelists that pick the Men of Troy over the Utes give their rationale for a cardinal and gold victory. And, yes, there is a Clay Helton Georgia Southern prediction as his Eagles face No. 25 James Madison.   

And in Overtime, the panel answers viewer questions regarding the consistency of quarterback Caleb Williams, USC defensive schemes and how they match with Utah’s offense, recognition and praise for running back Travis Dye, a question about the use of defensive lineman Nick Figueroa, and Lincoln Riley’s small folded play chart compared to those “Denny’s menus” used by other coaches.