Price – a 6-6, 311-pounder rated the nation’s No. 9 offensive tackle and No. 85 overall prospect in the class of 2016 by 247Sports – hasn’t appeared in a game for the 1-2 Trojans and his status became a topic of speculation – some of it apparently wildly inaccurate and, Helton said, hurtful to Price.
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After Price missed the Monday practice, USC released a statement, saying that he had not been kicked off the team. USC’s problems include discipline on penalties, focus on missed assignments and an underutilization of all the talent available on the offensive end. In three games, Browne has completed 55 of 87 passes for 474 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
USC needs to win, and fast.
As I am writing this piece, Sam Darnold has just been announced as USC’s starting quarterback and will face Utah on Friday in his first career start.
Browne, a redshirt junior who waited three seasons behind Cody Kessler for his chance, has presided over a sputtering offense that managed a total of just 16 points in losses to No. 1 Alabama and then-No.
Browne has graduated and will nearly certainly transfer when the season is over.
Darnold battled with Max Browne for a starting role all throughout fall camp, but Browne eventually took the crown in a close finish, as the coaching staff opted to go with experience rather than upside.
The Trojans are 1-2 for the first time since 2001. But the offense has definitely underperformed, and Browne has not developed much of a rhythm with his receivers.
The playoff is still a mathematical possibility for a two-loss Pac-12 team.
USC, playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation, lost its season-opener against top-ranked Alabama, 52-6, beat up on Utah State in a 45-7 victory, and were shut down by seventh-ranked Stanford, 27-10, on September 17. Given how bad the Big 12’s start has been, the best of the west should not be the odd team out again this year, especially if there’s one other two-loss conference victor. “I will never regret doing that, but I also have to make really, really tough decisions being the head coach and doing what’s best for your football team”. Darnold will nearly definitely be the man leading those future USC teams hopefully back toward more consistent and legitimate playoff contention.
For the sake of winning the South Division now, the move might not be worth it.
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Helton said he first considered making a change on the flight back home from the Bay Area and spent Sunday reviewing game film.
