[BigdaddyQH]

Despite a solid W-L record at USC, many think that HC Clay Helton is on the hot seat. We all know about his accomplishments. He has won 19 straight at home. His teams have won a Rose Bowl and a Pac 12 Championships. Still many alumni believe that he has under achieved.

Here is what rumor control is saying. Many players like Helton personally, but are really not satisfied with his inability to light a fire under the team when that is needed. His losses have come to teams that people must defeat to win championships. Their offense was absolutely stagnant against Stanford and Texas earlier this year. In the past season and 1/2, his team has cost USC Alums big money in Vegas, going 6-12 ATS. His team seems to think that the game is only 3 quarters long. They do not score a lot in the 4th quarter. They have not scored in the 4th quarter on the road this season. Now we all know about the home winning streak, and that should easily continue with home games against Arizona State and Cal running the count up to 21. Then things will probably come to a screeching halt when they host Notre Dame, especially if the Irish are undefeated and need a win to clinch a Playoff spot.

Helton also is 0-3 ATS in Bowl games (all against Big 10 opponents) and needed a miracle by Sam Darnell to defeat Penn State by 3 in the Rose Bowl (as 7 point chalk). They have lost to Wisconsin and last years drubbing by Ohio State. USC has too much talent for this kind of record and performance. Helton is an excellent OC. The players all like him. Like so many Coordinators, he seems to lack that one ingredient necessary to take the next step successfully. USC is a 7 point dog to Utah on Saturday. A win and they are in the drivers seat to win the Pac 12 South. A loss opens up the South and allows Utah and Colorado right back into the race. These are the types of games that the great USC teams won in the past. USC is good, but the Alum will not settle for just "Good". Helton needs this win, and to win the Pac 12 South to take the pressure off of him. A loss coupled with a loss to Notre Dame would not be good. Any other loss on the remaining schedule besides Utah and Notre Dame would be a disaster.

[L8night]

He seems to have the players ear, IMO he does need to win the PAC South, they will also need to be competitive(cover spread) against ND,if he fails on either, could be gone end of season

I'm on USC +7