Former USC Trojan, NFL quarterback, and 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart had something to say after your Trojans' loss to Utah this past Saturday.
Leinart is definitely right, as a 107th-ranked defense is inexcusable for a team with the resources, funding, and coaching of USC.
Since the establishment of NIL and the growth of the transfer portal, USC has hit home on a number of players, including Caleb Williams, Jordan Addison, Bear Alexander, Shane Lee, and more.
The majority of the growth has obviously occurred on the offensive side of the ball, as going from Kedon Slovis and former Head Coach Clay Helton to Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley is an undeniable upgrade. That said, a program that can only truly improve on the offensive side of the ball isn't a program that is destined for success.
Looking at other top programs in the nation like Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, and more, these schools sport top-tier defenses along with offenses ranging from good to great, giving them a great cushion and a way to win every game.
USC, on the other hand, only really sports a good offense. While that's enough to win against low-major programs like Nevada and San Jose State, it's not even enough to eke out consistent wins against double-digit ranked teams, let alone top-tier programs.
Evident by USC's 2-5 record in the Lincoln Riley era against teams that have finished the season ranked (assuming Utah and Notre Dame finish 2023 ranked), the flashy Trojans offense doesn't do enough to compensate for such a poor defense.
As I mentioned, USC has only truly improved offensively, which may reflect a broader issue within the program, especially when it comes to recruiting and coaching. With the amount of NIL money and resources that USC has, their inability to bring in top-end defensive talent, whether it be through the portal or high school recruitment, sounds alarm bells when it comes to the future of the program.
Coaching-wise, there's obviously a major issue. Current defensive coordinator Alex Grinch doesn't seem like the answer at all, as USC's defense has been woeful outside of their sack numbers in his time at the university, ceding 40+ points to countless teams, many of whom had average-to-below-average offenses.
There's no real direction for the program on that side of the ball unless a significant move is made, whether it relates to personnel or coaching. Until then, it's hard to keep existing or gain any new confidence in the Trojans.
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