5 Thoughts on USC's Win Over Stanford

1. Technique Matters: What we saw in those fall camp videos is what we saw in the game, and it was actually the same techniques we saw in the first game. In the run game, all of the running backs are running exactly like they did in Deland McCollough's drills. The offensive line is getting off the line and making their blocks especially their combo blocks. The defensive line is shooting the gaps, timing their jumps to deflect passes, and using their arms to hold off blocks to get to the running back. The big differences between the previous game and this one: the receivers didn't drop passes and the defense knew what to expect in the game.
2. Great Hire: Without a doubt, finding and hiring Deland McCollough away from Indiana was a great decision by Clay Helton. I can't get enough of his drills and how those drills have carried through to games. We've got running backs twisting, jumping and bursting through like they rarely did last year. Credit goes to the o-line for the holes, but the running backs are breaking multiple tackles on their way to long runs. Against lesser opponents than 
3. Loaded and Stronger: It's abundantly clear that USC is loaded and stronger than last year. No one is missed from last year, not Adoree Jackson, not Juju Smith-Schuster, not Darreus Rogers, no one. And that's not including Michael Pittman and Daniel Imatorbhebhe who did not play against Stanford.
4. Stanford's a Really Good Defense: Don't let this game fool you, Stanford has a really good defense. They will shut down nearly all other teams, but USC's offense is exceptionally special. Seeing USC grind Stanford down was an amazing, unexpected sight to behold. For the last decade, it's mostly been a rugged, dragged out physical affair with Stanford usually dictating the game. Not this year against this Trojan team. Aside from Stanford, there is just Utah with as tough a defense.
5. PAC-12 Refs: Geez, they sure had a string of really lousy calls. It'd been a few years since we'd last seen a game called this poorly in all of the PAC-12. They did their best to protect the feelings of Stanford's QB, Keller Chryst, not calling an obvious intentional grounding on one play, then a phantom personal foul on another. Unlike other years, this USC team did not lose composure and break down from the bad calls. The one thing they've gotten consistently right this year has been instant replay reviews, but of course, those are now being handled by PAC-12 officials in their headquarters, reviewing videos of close calls.