Peristyle Podcast - USC Trojan Football Discussion

Latest Episodes:

Composite Two-Star Recruits: Unsubstantiated DC rumors, Desman Stephens Crystal Ball, Turkey Talk Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns for the Thanksgiving episode, talking unsubstantiated defensive coordinator rumors, the recent Desman Stephens Crystal Ball, visitors for the USC-UCLA game, the new 2024 defensive line offer and listener questions.

TIME STAMPS

5:28: Cold Open (Desman Stephens Crystal Ball)

13:14: Unsubstantiated DC Rumors

1:00:43: Turkey Talk

1:05:19: UCLA vs. USC Visitors

1:22:18: New 2024 DL Offer

1:28:18: Kameryn Fountain

1:36:55: Friday Night Lights

1:46:42: Listener Questions

Helium Boys: USC's fizzles in UCLA rivalry, defensive coordinator search and Pop Tart rankings Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

The Helium Boys Podcast returns with Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino back behind the microphones to react to USC's abysmal showing in a 38-20 rivalry loss to UCLA in the Trojans final Pac-12 game. Over 108 minutes, the Helium Boys break down the lackluster showing in the Crosstown Showdown that left them feeling like parents that are more disappointed than angry after a child's misdeeds and left the Trojans with a 7-5 record.

The Helium Boys episode opens with the 'Two-Minute Drill' as each gives his initial reactions to the Trojans' loss to UCLA and the biggest things that stood out, including the continuation of the same story that has been seen throughout the season with an additional subplot of constantly giving the ball back to UCLA.

In the Stock Up/Stock Down segment, the podcasting duo discuss who/what impressed, including Brenden Rice playing angry and collecting his fifth career 100-yard game, freshman defensive lineman Elijah Hughes getting his most extended run of the season and the Superman efforts of Caleb Williams that we've likely seen for the last time in cardinal and gold. The Helium Boys also look into what stocks took a hit over the weekend with USC continuing to have tackling woes on defense and struggling to block up front on the offensive side. Shotgun also poses the question to Chris of which offseason slogan was the worst between the 2012 team's "Prep, Not Hype" and 2023's "The longer it goes, the better we get."

They also get diverted and go down a rabbit hole on the Pop Tart Bowl and end up having to present their favorite flavors. Throughout the show, Chris and Shotgun also look forward at USC's impending hire of a defensive coordinator and some of the things the new coach is going to have to address immediately.

The Helium Boys then answer your questions from Twitter and Instagram discussing areas/players where USC regressed, how the transfer portal will reshape the Trojans' roster this offseason, preferred offensive systems and whether Jim Leonhard could be "Grinch-like." They also break down their three favorite holidays. Then during the overtime portion of the 'Take It or Leave It' section, Chris questions Shotgun on celebrity Thanksgiving guests and their side dishes of choice.

Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams.

Coach Harvey Hyde says the party is over for USC and major changes are needed immediately Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together talking about USC's 38-20 loss to UCLA in the Coliseum, closing out what was a once promising college football season in the most disappointing way possible. The Trojans were preseason ranked No. 5 and started off winning their first six games and didn't trail for the first five. Since then USC lost to both of its rivals in uncompetitive games, went 1-5 and once again sported one of the worst defenses in the country.

There was great anticipation heading into the 2023 college football season, but it ended up being very difficult to endure and ended on a terrible note with an uncompetitive loss to UCLA. Coach Hyde says the party's over now, Santa Claus didn’t bring any gifts and there is no easy way to make sense of it all. He feels major changes are needed and they are needed immediately, not just with the defensive coordinator but how the entire coaching staff is structured, how recruiting is handled, the overall football philosophy, the entire package.

Losing to the Bruins and gaining only three rushing yards is inexcusable. It was the last chance for this team to have some positivity heading into the bowl game and while most Trojan fans anticipated a victory over this UCLA squad that had scored 17 points total in its last two games, that didn’t happen. No bragging rights. No Victory Bell. No momentum going into a bowl game.

The defense obviously needs fixing but there are issues on offense and special teams as well. Coach feels the team was dominated on both lines and that is where football games are won, in the trenches. Caleb Williams is a special player but there was far too much pressure on him to succeed. He needs help from the line, the skill players and the coaching staff since he isn’t forced to do everything on his own.

As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show.

Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast!

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.

Tunnel Vision: Trojans no-show against the Bruins to end the season on a dreadful 1-5 run Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

On the latest edition of Tunnel Vision, USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham and Jack Smith are back in studio trying to make sense of an absolute dreadful performance by the Trojans, falling to their rival Bruins 38-20 in a game where it appeared USC wasn't even interested in playing. UCLA had control from the get-go, taking an early 14-0 lead with USC turning it over on downs, punting, fumbling and throwing an interception on its first four possessions.

After starting off the season No 5 in the country and getting out of the gates with a 6-0 start, the Trojans have lost five of their last six games and showed almost no signs of life in the two rivalry games against Notre Dame and UCLA.

The USC defense has now allowed 419 points on the season, the most ever in Trojan football history. Once again they allowed opponents to hit high water marks with Ethan Garbers throwing his career high in touchdown passes (3) and T.J. Harden with his career high in rushing attempts and yards (22 for 142).

It wasn't just the defense that cracked against UCLA, the offense only had three (3) rushing yards and three turnovers while the special teams missed a short field goal, had a kickoff out of bounds and took a bad penalty on a kickoff return that set up a UCLA touchdown.

The guys talk about what a disappointing season it has been, if that was the last we've seen of Caleb Williams, where the Trojans could go bowling and lots more.

This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages.

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.

USC Triple-Double: Lindsay Gottlieb talks JuJu Watkins, Trojan hoops' hot start & top 10 recruiting class Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

On the debut episode of the USC Triple-Double -- the first basketball-only podcast to be a part of the Peristyle Podcast family of shows -- Shotgun Spratling and Connor Morrissette (aka Mr. Triple Double) break down the hot starts of the Trojans' men's and women's basketball teams on the debut episode of the USC Triple-Double Podcast.

Both USC hoops squads are ranked with the Women of Troy coming in at No. 10 this week, earning their first top 10 ranking in nearly 30 years, while the men were ranked No. 16 after a 2-0 start to the season but are likely to slide in the next rankings release after losing to UC Irvine, 70-60, on Tuesday. But that loss came with some extenuating circumstances, which the triple-double team break down.

But first, a special guest joins the show as USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb comes on to talk about her fabulous freshman sensation JuJu Watkins, who is fourth in the nation in scoring averaging 28.3 points per game after the first 10 days of the season. Gottlieb discusses her teams' hot start and how expectations are adjusted after the Trojans defeated then-No. 7 Ohio State in the season opener in Las Vegas. She also talks about the next wave of stars USC landed with a top 10 recruiting class.

Shotgun and Connor then recap the start of the season for both Trojan teams, which began with a day-night USC hoops doubleheader sweep in Las Vegas over a pair of Elite Eight teams. Gottlieb's team landed a top 10 upset over the Buckeyes while the men took down a shorthanded Kansas State squad. The triple-double hosts also take a look at Gottlieb's versatile recuiting class.

The hosts then look at where the Trojan squads stand both record and stat wise after 10 days. They also discuss the upcoming week of action for the USC teams with the women heading to the Bahamas to participate in an early-season tournament while the men hope for a 'Get Right' game.

Composite Two-Star Recruits: USC adds 2024 OT Justin Tauanuu, deep dive on DC candidate Jimmy Lake, Jimbo fired Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

The Composite Two-Star Recruits podcast returns to discuss the commitment of three-star Huntington Beach (Calif.) 2024 OT Justin Tauanuu to USC, take a deep dive on DC candidate Jimmy Lake and talking the recruiting impact of Jimbo Fisher's firing and (potential firing) of UCLA head coach Chip Kelly.

TIME STAMPS:

4:39: Cold Open (OL Justin Tauanuu Commits)

27:24: DC Candidate Jimmy Lake

1:02:57: Key Weekend Visitors

1:16:51: Raiding Texas A&M w/ Jimbo Fisher's Firing?

1:35:04: UCLA Parting Ways w/ Chip Kelly?

1:46:01: Week 12: USC vs. UCLA

1:56:01: Friday Night Lights

2:03:36: Listener Questions

Last hurrah for USC's football season with UCLA coming to the Coliseum Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

In this edition of the Peristyle Podcast hosts Ryan Abraham and Connor Morrissette (aka "Triple Double") are back in studio talking about the Trojans failed trip to the Pacific Northwest, falling to Oregon 36 to 27. USC football has now lost 4 of its last 5 games and are looking to take down UCLA on Saturday to salvage the season. There isn't much more to say about the trip to Eugene, just another failure to take down a ranked opponent for USC. The defense was able to make some adjustments and stop the explosive running game, but in doing so it allowed Bo Nix and the Ducks passing attack to go wild and put up historic numbers.

Looking ahead to the regular season finale against the Bruins, the Trojans morale cannot be very high coming into this rivalry game, but UCLA's morale could be even lower with the news breaking this week that head coach Chip Kelly will likely be fired after this game, regardless of the outcome. While the difference between 7-5 and 8-4 isn't huge, especially considering this team was ranked No. 5 heading into the season, getting a win over a rival is still important and with the Trojans not having won a bowl game since the 2017 Rose Bowl, getting a better bowl game and playing well in the post season should be a priority.

The guys talk about how Lincoln Riley and this team needs to do some major self reflection during the offseason and make sure to fix everything that is broken, including the obvious defensive problems and the less obvious special teams issues (SP+ has USC ranked dead last in FBS in special teams). Having an elite offense can only take a team so far, and when you are historically bad in two of the three phases of the game disappointing seasons like this one are inevitable.

They also talk a little USC men's and women's hoops including Connor's newest basketball podcast that will launch this week with Shotgun Spratling and the first episode will feature USC women's basketball head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast!

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.

Helium Boys: USC falls in Oregon, UCLA coming to the Coliseum & picking a podcast name Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino have returned from the Pacific Northwest and are on the mics for the Helium Boys Podcast, breaking down USC's 36-27 loss to No. 6 Oregon Saturday night in Autzen Stadium, the final road game of the season for the Trojans.

The Helium Boys episode opens with the 'Two-Minute Drill' with both hosts giving their initial reactions to the weekend in Eugene. Naturally, Shotgun avoids talking about the actual game for as long as he can. Shotgun and Chris discuss the notable takeaways, including the fact they've seen this game with a couple of different details over and over this season.

In the Stock Up/Stock Down segment, the podcasting duo discuss who/what impressed, including second-year freshman Tre'Quon Fegans taking advantage of an opportunity as well as the basketball teams' No. 1 recruits being named this season's first Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. The Helium Boys also look into what stocks took a hit over the weekend with Bryson Shaw seeing a noticeable depreciation with former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch no longer around.

The podcast quickly previews USC's final regular-season game, the crosstown rivalry with the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins (6-3) are in the midst of a two-game losing streak, falling 17-7 to Arizona State over the weekend. USC won last year's matchup 48-45 in dramatic fashion in the Rose Bowl.

“We have one more shot in the Coliseum. We’ve got one more chance to play UCLA, and that’s a big rivalry for us. I think from the locker room, these guys have gone through a lot this year. They have hung in there, and they’ve kept swinging," said head coach Lincoln Riley after the game Saturday night. "There is a lot of unity in this locker room, and I think they very much appreciate one last chance to play the game together, and that’s what you do. It’s a first game that we’ve played here at USC where we’re out of a championship race. You don’t intend on playing anymore like this, but games like this show the character of the program, so that’s what we get a chance to go put on display.”

The Helium Boys then answer your questions from Twitter and Instagram discussing among other things the qualities they believe USC should be seeking in their next defensive coordinator. Then during the overtime portion of the 'Take It or Leave It' section, Chris provides Shotgun with some potential podcast names for an upcoming addition to the Peristyle Podcast family of shows.

Finally, the podcast concludes with the Helium Boys giving their score predictions for the USC-UCLA matchup (12:30 p.m. PST) in the Coliseum to close out the Trojans' regular season.

Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojans basketball and football teams.

Coach Harvey Hyde thinks USC needs to look into the mirror after losing 4 of last 5 games Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of the Peristyle Podcasts hosts Ryan Abraham and Coach Harvey Hyde are back together talking about USC's 36-27 loss to Oregon in Eugene, another disappointing effort against a tough opponent. The Trojans were outgained 552 to 379 and Ducks quarterback Bo Nix went bananas, throwing for 412 yards and four touchdowns while completing 74% of his passes. Oregon was able to pressure Caleb Williams early and often, generating three sacks and one turnover while USC seemingly couldn't get close to Nix with no sacks and only two tackles for loss in the game.

With the Trojans having lost an incredible four of their last five games, Coach Hyde thinks head coach Lincoln Riley needs to look into the mirror and see what changes need to be made in order for this program to eventually be championship caliber. This is the first time in Riley and Williams' careers that they are out of championship contention during the regular season, so how the team responds to that against rival UCLA this weekend will be interesting for sure. Coach Hyde saw Oregon play at a high intensity level and that combined with the amount of talent the Ducks had on the field is hard to beat. He wants to USC get there both with talent, toughness and intensity, but he just isn't seeing it right now. He is seeing more "me" attitude than "team" attitude and that has an impact on the entire program. Trojan fans are not happy right now and Coach Hyde thinks the players and coaches are not as well.

As usual the guys answer listener questions via email, text message and voicemail to finish up the show.

Please review, rate and subscribe to the Peristyle Podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Thanks to Trader Joe's for sponsoring the Peristyle Podcast!

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.

Tunnel Vision: Trojans fall to the Ducks and again can't put it together against tough a opponent Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

On the latest edition of Tunnel Vision, USCFootball.com's Ryan Abraham, Connor Morrissette and Chris Trevino are back in studio fresh off their trip to the Pacific Northwest where they witnessed USC falling short against Oregon, 36-27 in Autzen Stadium. The Ducks took control of the game early thanks to a pair of 70+ yard touchdown passes and several long scoring drives. The Trojans fought back and tried to make it a game in the second half but it was too little and too late to have a realistic shot of getting the upset win.

Our crew talks about what the defense looked like without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch running the show, the struggles of the USC offensive line against the Ducks front seven, how this team just can't seem to put it all together against quality opponents and lots more.

This is a podcast version of our video show Tunnel Vision that you can find on our Facebook or YouTube pages.

Make sure you check out USCFootball.com for complete coverage of this USC Trojan football team.

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