New “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” (Tues./Jan. 30) edition: The Harbaugh/USC effect, schedule reevaluation, and more...

Pregame      

In Tuesday’s edition of Inside the Trojans Huddle, panelists Marc Kulkin, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz discuss the effects on USC football – both on and off the field – of former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, 2024 schedule downgrade, and more.

First Quarter

In the first quarter of the Huddle, the panel takes a look at the effects of Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan, and how it might affect USC going forward. With Harbaugh now a fixture in Los Angeles, will that have any effects on Lincoln Riley’s program in terms of fans interest and attendance?

At the outset of the discussion, one panelist didn’t feel that Harbaugh becoming the Trojans’ neighbor would have any real effect on Riley’s program. Other panelists had a deeper point of view. Ironically, in the second half of the Huddle, there was some concern that Harbaugh could, in the near future because of proximity, take a Trojans’ assistant coach or two.

Second Quarter

In the second quarter of the Huddle, the panel looks at the 2024 Trojans’ schedule, and with the head coaching changes at Michigan and Washington, does the USC schedule this fall look not quite as daunting as it once did?

There were some mixed feelings on this second quarter question. There was some agreement that Michigan and Washington, both away games, would not be as formidable as first thought. The discussion brought up the overall schedule and how the Trojans’ overall schedule might end up. Needless to say, there was some healthy agreement and debate regarding the 2024 schedule. One panelist suggested a 10-2 season was possible. Others saw 10-2 as reasonable based on the changing landscape of the Trojans’ opponents.   

Halftime

Former Trojans’ defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was recently hired by Wisconsin, a 2024 opponent of the Trojans in the Coli this fall. Was the panel surprised that Grinch ended up at Wisconsin coaching the safeties and what did they think? The panel gives their thoughts on the move by Badgers’ head coach Luke Fickell to rescue Grinch. One panelist was basically apathetic about Grinch to Wisconsin while another one – you probably guessed whom – lambasted Grinch as both a DC and questioned Grinch’s ability to coach safeties. It was certainly a very lively discussion.

Third Quarter

In the third quarter, the panel gives their rapid responses to this week’s Big Ten Lightning Round of questions: Among the topics for the BTLR are Kliff Kingsbury, Taylor Mays, Jim Harbaugh, Bay Area rivalries, Notre Dame, the Big Ten Championship Game, coaching changes, USC Junior Day, and knee pads. One particular question created a firestorm among two panelists. This question and the ensuing debate were probably as intense a disagreement as we’ve seen in the Big Ten Lightning Round segment of ITTH.

The Big Ten bonus question? The panel answers a fill-in-the-blank question: What is each panelist’s top three Rock and Roll songs of all time? Certainly, age mattered, but there was some crossover among the generations. Which panelist believed that the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields” was a big winner? Who included “All Along the Watchtower”?

Fourth Quarter

Following the lighting of the WeAreSC symbolic Coliseum torch between the third and fourth quarters of the Huddle, the panel answers viewers’ questions. Questions include the NIL, vocations, growing pains, defensive depth chart, and Andy Enfield.

Overtime

The panel reveals their most prized Trojans’ memorabilia regardless of sport. One panelist was quite pleased regarding his USC hat autographed by Charles White. Another panelist was promoting his autographed Trojans football helmet that included a number of notable former Trojans players. The other two panelists?