New “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle” (Tuesday, Aug. 22) edition: Jen analysis, San Jose State preview, and more

In Tuesday’s edition of Inside the Trojans’ Huddle, panelists Marc Kulkins, Erik McKinney, Chris Arledge, and Greg Katz return with no technical glitches this week to analyze the USC athletic director hiring of Jennifer “Jen” Cohen from the University of Washington, preview the San Jose State opener, Big Ten lightning round predictions, and viewers’ questions and panel answers.   

In the first quarter of the Huddle, the panel examines the hiring of former University of Washington athletic director Jennifer Cohen as the Trojans’ new athletic director. Most of the comments were positive with some inside information on Cohen’s background and accomplishments.

The first quarter then transitions into the San Jose State game and what the panel wants to see on offense against the Spartans. Was there a name of a newcomer that the panel really wants to see and how long does the panel expect QB Caleb Williams to play?  

In the second quarter of the Huddle, the panel flips the script and talks about what they want to see on the defensive side of the ball. The foursome talks about the traits they want to see from the defense and look at the players both old and new they will focus their eyes on. A certain young linebacker seems to have piqued interest, and the thought was that this young linebacker may see a lot of time on the field come Saturday.    

Before reaching the Halftime portion of the Huddle, the show welcomes a new and exciting new sponsor in 2023, Gametime, an online ticket service. You’re invited to go to the official Gametime website (Gametime.co – not dot com) or download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code TROJANS for $20 off your first purchase (terms apply). Check out some great available tickets for the No. 6 Trojans’ upcoming season opener with San Jose State (Aug. 26) in the Coliseum.

Halftime answers three questions that begin with a recent column by Los Angeles Times lead columnist Bill Plaschke, who said the Trojans will go 12-0 in 2023 but also says this could be both Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley’s last season as Trojans. Most of the panel goes after Plaschke’s comment regarding Lincoln’s future at USC.

The panel also comments on the Trojans having five captains in 2023 and not the traditional four captains. One linebacker captain receives high praise for his character and his leadership skills. Who is it?  The panel also gives its pick on who should lead the Trojans out of the famous Coliseum players’ tunnel before kickoff. Who said Pete Carroll and who said Jen Cohen? Who said Ed Orgeron with his shirt off?

In the third quarter, the panel does its Big Ten Lightning Round to a series of quick-hitting questions that require “over or under” or “yes or no” answers. Some of the questions are performance questions relating to Saturday’s game and some off-the-field questions, as well. The Bonus Question after the regular 10-question segments is a real showstopper or stinker if you will.  

There is a break in the action between the third and fourth quarter of the Huddle for the ceremonial and symbolic lighting of the WeAreSC Coliseum torch, just like at a USC Coliseum home game.

In the fourth quarter, the conversation turns to score predictions of the Week 0 action. There are only a couple of games of interest, so the predictions center around Navy at No. 13 Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, and San Jose State at No. 6 USC. The panel showed some respect for the Navy, but did they pick a Midshipmen upset? Following the two predictions, the panel hears of the upcoming top Week 1 matchups between ranked Pac-12 teams and their opponents along with a national game of interest. Care to guess the game? 

In Overtime, the panel fields viewers’ questions relating to the new AD hiring, expanded playoffs, defensive tackle leaders, tight end coverage, and defensive accountability and reliability.   

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USC Trojans videos from Los Angeles, California, from the staff of WeAreSC.