5 Thoughts on USC-WMU

1. Closer Than Expected?: It was a back-and-forth affair for three quarters, and then USC broke loose for 28 points with one touchdown coming from a deflected interception. USC was favored by 28 points but that was a terrible expectation. Western Michigan ended last season losing to Wisconsin by one score in the Cotton Bowl and ranked 15th in the AP. Or put another way, at the end of last season AP voters thought that just 14 other teams in all of the FBS were better than WMU. 
2. But Really, Why So Close?: A few days ago starting safety and team captain Chris Hawkins told USCfootball.com's Keely Eure that the key to their game against WMU was USC playing USC football. Translation: The defense had no idea what WMU offense would look like because their coaches had changed and the incoming offensive coaches came from different schools, so DC Clancy Pendergast focused on fundamentals and patience. The expectation, it appears, was that their superior talent would eventually win the game. The problem with this, however, was a lack of fundamentals and execution early on.
3. USC Miscues: It looked like a first game of the season as USC players had difficulty tackling and catching the ball while the special teams looked downright horrible. Porter Gustin, a player with talent, skills, and strength to play at the next level, nonetheless screwed up royally when he got into position to make a pick-6 only to mistime his jump in the air while the receiver caught the ball and ran past him to score a TD. Sam Darnold's two interceptions came from the poor play by the receivers.
4. Cam Smith Makes a Difference: After sitting out the first half due to the carry-over penalty from the targeting call he received in the second half of the Penn State bowl game, his presence in the middle of the field in the second half settled the defense. He made two tackles for a loss, equal to the rest of the defense, and the defense allowed just 157 yards in the second-half.
5. WMU Sportsmanship: On the final extra-point of the game, USC wanted to send in blind long snapper Jake Olson, and WMU agreed to support him. It was a special moment and a huge credit to WMU. It was also a very special moment for USC fans as they know about Jake Olson going all the way back to when he was an elementary school kid embraced by Pete Carroll and the Trojans football team.