Know thy enemy QB edition : looking ahead @ USC next year
Miller Moss had an outstanding bowl game vs Loserville last night going 23 for 33, 372 yards, 6tds, 1 int. The throw he makes at the 55 second mark for a TD was a thing of beauty. Michigan will have their hands full if last night was any indication of what to expect from him next year when plays USC in A2 on September 21st.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
I wasn't able to watch the game. How many opt-outs did Louisville have on D? Would have an impact if there was a bunch, albeit not too much because I know Louisville's D wasn't a world beater. The PAC teams are going to get a shock of what it actually means to have defense played against them next year in the B1G.
December 28th, 2023 at 4:37 PM ^
Other than Michigan, the Big Ten is full of whining bitches. May all of those conniving bastards lose every game for 100 years. There is no solidarity in that conference.
December 29th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Much as I dislike all the "SEC" unity, I also have to like the fact that they stick together. Living in SEC land, most of the USC (NTUSC) fans are also Georgia and Alabama fans come playoff time, or in any big games. Much as I dislike the SEC, if UM were to leave the Big Ten, I would support a move to the SEC for that reason. Although, be ready to be considered outsiders and stepchildren for awhile somewhat like Mizzou still is. But a winning program would quickly bring about respect and acceptance from the rest of the league.
December 29th, 2023 at 8:16 AM ^
UL didn't have a lot of opt-outs. Moss looked really good - he did throw some nice passes. But again, like with Williams, his WRs were mostly screamingly WIIIIDDDE OPEN! I'm not sure UL played any pass defense, honestly. I mean, if that's how the ACC plays pass defense, MSU could have lit them up. Seriously, that was some MSU-level pass defense that UL 'played' (a term used loosely if ever there was such a thing).
You know those stupid-ass movies where people switch bodies? The ones where the boy and girl switch? This game was like that, like a unit switch movie. UL and USC's defenses swapped. USC actually played something that looked like a credibly dressed defense. UL? Not so much...
If nothing else, Lincoln Riley can turn any bench bandit into a Heisman look-a-like QB.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:22 PM ^
Isn't Will Howard next year's QB? Unless last night's performance was any indication?
Louisville secondary was not impressive.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^
That is what I was thinking also, but, while I did not watch the whole game I never heard his name mentioned once and Klatt really talked up Moss
I also thought someone posted on here that they read Howard delayed his USC commitment because he wanted to see what happens to JJ ??
December 28th, 2023 at 3:25 PM ^
Dude looked great.
I am starting to wonder if Lincoln Riley is going to be this generation's Jeff Tedford (Or Mike Shanahan for Broncos RBs) in terms of a guy who can plug-and-play any dude, generate great stats and get drafted high, but once they leave his system they become very average:
- Baker Mayfield
- Kyler Murray
- Jalen Hurts
- Spencer Rattler
- Caleb Williams (TBD)
December 28th, 2023 at 3:54 PM ^
Dude,
- Baker Mayfield: average yes, but still starting in the league
- Kyler Murray: starting in the league, still has a chance to play for years to come
- Jalen Hurts: he’s pretty damn good
- Spencer Rattler: transferred out bc he was passed by below
- Caleb Williams: prob going to go #1. I personally think bust, but plenty of NFL executives think otherwise
Name other coaches who have had 4 starting level NFL QBs. I think Riley has plenty of flaws, but it’s pretty clear he can coach offense, and QBs. Kind of confused by your comment. I agree his system helps players put up big stats, but going from college to NFL is often times a crap shoot for projecting QBs.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
But if the backup QB guy looks just like the expected #1 pick in the draft, is the success of the offense really because of the #1 guy? Or is the system that good and the tools around him are great?
December 28th, 2023 at 6:00 PM ^
I mean, it’s one game. I get people on this board hate Williams for some reason - likely because USC doesn’t play big tough manly football - but Williams has repeatedly shown he can ball at the college level. Moss had one very good game. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
December 28th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
When a prodigy like Williams simply oozes talent, we mortals back here on earth like to be first in line to voice skepticism. The fact that he's already achieved more than any of us ever will as athletes. . . or most of us will in our chosen careers. . . pfft. This is what the internet is for.
December 28th, 2023 at 9:05 PM ^
Agreed. I see so many negative opinions on Williams. I haven't seen every game of his but I've seen quite a few and dude is a stud. Has he made mistakes? Uh, yes, duh. I think some of the, I won't say haters because I'm sure there are rational folks out there with the negative opinions, folks, I feel haven't seen or fully recognized the caliber of throws this kid can make. He can run fairly well, too.
December 28th, 2023 at 5:32 PM ^
Thats why I said he seems like the new Tedford - who oversaw 5 first round QBs in an 11 year span as OC/HC at a few schools:
- Fresno State
- Trent Dilfer - 6th overall 1994
- Very long career as average QB/backup.
- Billy Volek - Undrafted 2000
- Decent career as top backup QB in the league for a bit when in Tennessee.
- Jaek Haener - 4th Round 2023
- Turned a Washinigton transfer into one of the country's best mid-major QBs.
- Trent Dilfer - 6th overall 1994
- Oregon
- Akili Smith - 3rd overall 1999
- Short career and will always be remembered as an NFL bust, but put up great numbers in college for Tedford.
- AJ Feeley - 5th round 2001
- Long career as a backup in the NFL, and was Harrington's backup at Oregon.
- Joey Harrington - 3rd overall 2002
- Everyone knows his story in Detroit, but was a Heisman finalist QB at Oregon
- Akili Smith - 3rd overall 1999
- California
- Kyle Boller -19th overall 2003
- One of the greatest arms ever but never amounted to much in the NFL. Was great at Cal.
- Aaron Rodgers - 24th overall 2005
- Was in talks to be the #1 pick at one point, ended up falling to GB and never amounted to anything. At Cal, he was a superstar.
- Kyle Boller -19th overall 2003
- Fun fact: he also recruited future #1 overall pick Goff to Cal before getting axed.
Thats an incredible run of QBs that he helped develop - and is why is Riley seems like the new version of Tedford. Like Tedford as well, most of Riley's QBs are fairly average once they leave him and go to the NFL. Obviously, the NFL is a different beast, but the fact remains that Tedford/Riley repeatedly produce elite college QBs who almost all are average at best in the NFL...and thats impressive.
December 28th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^
More of a cool story than fun fact, friends with Boller. He is a great dude. Too.
December 28th, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
Fair point, misinterpreted your original comment as being negative on Lincoln Riley.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
I would be scared to death to take Williams high in the first round as an NFL GM. He does not feel like much of a gamer to me; very far from a sure thing.
December 28th, 2023 at 11:16 PM ^
Jalen Hurts is average?
December 28th, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^
He just set a very high bar for himself. The pressure is on.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:35 PM ^
Did they magically find a defense?
December 28th, 2023 at 3:37 PM ^
With USC beating Louisville, BC barely beating SMU and Miami getting beat by lowly Rutgers, I'm thinking that FSU's victories are less impressive.
Not to mention half of their players opting out. If they thought they were National Champion contenders they would want to beat GA.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:56 PM ^
BC was an 11-point underdog as SMU was started a Freshman QB . His 2nd career start.
December 29th, 2023 at 8:21 AM ^
I doubt like hell they would have those opt-outs if they were in the playoffs...
December 28th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
I don't think the throw at 55 sec was special. It looks like a safety was matched up 1:1 against a good receiver and got beat. It was actually a bit underthrown but SCOREBOARD. The throw before 55 sec (at 45 sec) is the impressive throw.
USC will bring a great offense and will still let up 30 ppg against any team with an offensive pulse. Though I expect them to improve after importing the DC from UCLA.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
They feel immeasurably less scary than they did two months ago. Which means I am now more scared of them.
December 28th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Yes we will. They looked hungry and pissed off. Hangry even. Hopefully they cool off a bit this off-season.
December 28th, 2023 at 4:07 PM ^
Throw at 0:55 is decent, but the receiver had already beaten the defender so badly that he was able to turn around and face the QB. He basically throws it up there and gives the reciever a chance to make a nice play. Most of the credit for that play has to go to the receiver.
But the throw at 1:55 is special - he evades two different rushers, then throws a dime 40 yards into the end zone, and hits the receiver right in the chest, while a defender is drapped all over him. Definitely one of the nicest throws I've seen all year.
December 28th, 2023 at 4:53 PM ^
I mean, Lincoln Riley will always have great QB play. He's never NOT had it, so this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
Until he knows how to field even an average defense, his USC teams aren't going anywhere of note.
December 28th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^
As a USC season ticket holder…I was pleasantly surprised…but we don’t even know if he will be the starter next year and what we have in Moss…so might be a little premature before Spring and Summer and the Portal to say Michigan will have their hands full with a QB that might not even be the starter. 🤷♂️
December 28th, 2023 at 10:07 PM ^
You have season tickets to USC? What's your connection to that school?
December 28th, 2023 at 7:45 PM ^
#BeatBama
December 28th, 2023 at 10:06 PM ^
"Loserville"? What are we, the Kentucky Wildcats?
December 29th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
You know its crazy to think if Louisville didn't shit itself against Pittsburgh they would have been in the playoff talk this season.
A home night game against Notre Dame was their big win. Louisville finished the season with 3 straight losses.