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USC Football: Offensive Line Comes Under Scrutiny Despite Beating Nevada

It could always be better

The USC Trojans are off to a strong 2-0 start, building anticipation for their upcoming showdown against arch-rivals the Stanford Cardinal this Saturday at the iconic Coliseum. Their most recent victory against the Nevada Wolfpack was imposing, with the team covering the spread and showcasing prowess on both sides of the field.

The Trojans' defense, in particular, deserves a nod for their remarkable turnaround after conceding seven points within the first few minutes of the game. Following that initial setback, they allowed a mere seven points throughout the remaining three quarters, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

However, in the world of high expectations, there's always room for scrutiny, and USC insider Scott Wolf didn't hold back. His critical eye fell upon the offensive line, which he graded as a C+.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Look at the highlight plays for Caleb Williams. The blocking isn’t there. Williams is scrambling all over the place. Justin Dedich had a snap infraction, holding penalty and bad snap that was fumbled. Grade: C+ 

While it's true that quarterback Williams tended to scramble, often leaving the pocket even when it wasn't necessary, this aligns with his playing style.

Another factor impacting the offensive line's performance was the unfortunate injury to Gino Quinones, who is set to miss the remainder of the season. Despite these challenges, It's no secret that the offensive line needs to step up its game to support Williams and maintain the team's dominance.

As USC gears up for the Stanford matchup and the challenges beyond, the focus will undoubtedly be on refining the offensive line's performance to ensure they can provide the necessary protection and opportunities for Williams to shine.