In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the latest twists and turns for both the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teams. After missing a week, we’re back just in time to break down all the drama surrounding the Trojans’ decision to bench quarterback Miller Moss, as well as discuss the state of the Fighting Irish coming off their bye week.

It’s been a tough year for USC, and unfortunately, it just keeps getting worse. After another heartbreaking loss, this time to Washington, the Trojans find themselves reeling from both on-field failures and internal dysfunction. In the fallout from the embarrassing defeat, starting quarterback Miller Moss was benched, a move that has sent shockwaves through the team and the fanbase.

Moss had become the scapegoat for much of USC’s struggles this season, but as we discuss in this episode, he’s far from the only problem. From the very top, head coach Lincoln Riley has faced mounting criticism for his questionable play calling and inability to build a cohesive team. One of the most glaring stats is the fact that USC’s defensive line has failed to register a single sack all season. Yes, you read that right—not a single sack from a defensive lineman in 2024. That’s a crazy stat this late in the season.

Despite the turmoil, there is a glimmer of hope for USC fans. In a move that’s left many wondering if this is the last-ditch effort to salvage the season, freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava has been named the new starter. The hope is that Maiava can inject some energy into the offense. The Trojans have a bye week ahead, which means there’s no immediate opportunity for Maiava to prove himself on the field.

It’s a tough time for USC, and while some are placing blame on Moss, we dive into the deeper issues facing the team and the question of whether head coach Lincoln Riley can course-correct before the season slips away completely.

Meanwhile, across the country in South Bend, things are a lot calmer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Coming off their bye week, Notre Dame looks poised to continue winning. The Irish have been cruising through their schedule, aside from one minor hiccup earlier in the year. Quarterback Riley Leonard has only improved as the season has gone on, and Notre Dame seems to be firing on all cylinders.

The bye week gave Notre Dame an opportunity to rest, recharge, and evaluate where they are heading into the latter half of the season. It’s clear that the Fighting Irish are one of the more complete teams in college football right now, and as they head into the Florida State game, they’ll be looking to prove they are among the nation’s elite. All eyes are on Notre Dame as they continue their march toward a potential College Football Playoff berth.

In a lighter moment of the podcast, Michael shares his experience attending the USC vs. Rutgers game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was an odd week for USC fans—on the one hand, they secured a win against Rutgers, but on the other hand, there was a palpable sense of frustration in the air, knowing that the Trojans’ season wasn’t going quite as planned, but hey the Dodgers won that night, so everyone was happy. It’s a unique experience to be in the stands when your team wins, but the energy is still subdued because of the larger issues at hand.

As always, we’ll continue to keep an eye on both teams as the season progresses. Can USC turn things around with Jayden Maiava? Will Notre Dame continue to roll through their schedule and prove they belong in the playoff conversation? Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on the Fighting Irish and Trojans in next week’s episode.

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The post Podcast: Untitled Notre Dame USC Football Podcast – Episode 10.10 Washington Recap and a Bye appeared first on Tilting Ground.