Family Feud Podcast: Beast mode, bad runs and bounce backs

USC returned to Southern California licking its wounds this week after taking a beating, 41-28, at the hands of the Utah Utes on Saturday. It will try to bounce back this week. The Trojans put their unblemished home record under Clay Helton on the line against the Herm Edwards-led Arizona State Sun Devils.

Like the Trojans, Shotgun Spratling and Keely Eure try to bounce back as well. They are coming off of a loss also, having dropped last week's episode of the Family Feud Podcast to illness. Keely was unable to go and her absence was too much to overcome for the dueling dream team. Similarly, the Trojans defense was unable to overcome the absences of linebacker captains Porter Gustin, who suffered a season-ending injury in the Colorado game, and Cameron Smith, who tried to play through knee and hamstring issues, but ultimately managed to be on the field for eight defensive snaps.

USC gave up 41 points, but Keely and Shotgun argue that the blame can't be laid at the feet of the defense. That falls to an offense that struggled to move the chains, beginning the drive with seven three-play drives. The Trojans began the game 0 for 10 on third down conversions. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but for the second time this season, they gave up 34 consecutive points.

The Trojans only managed to make the score respectable thanks to the play of the special teams and defense, scoring seven points and setting up a pair of drives to start inside the 20-yard line. Special teams makes the Stock Up list for the first time this season and is joined by Jay Tufele, who produced perhaps the highlight of the season thus far with a scoop-and-score big man touchdown. Michael Pittman Jr. is also featured in the segment after a beast mode second consecutive 100+ yard receiving effort to go along with a punt block.

While Pittman has excelled, Shotgun points out how the JT Daniels-to-Amon-Ra St. Brown connection has fizzled recently as teams have tried to take away the middle of the field. Also in Stock Down is the morale of the fan base as most have turned on the current coaching staff. But nothing is as low as the Trojans' run game currently after another bad night trying to pick up yards on the group.

That leads Shotgun to go on a rant about the offensive line play that includes what head coach Clay Helton had to say about correcting issues and what offensive line coach Neil Callaway said about success and failures this season.

In the 'Heard it on the Sidelines' segment, Keely and Shotgun have observations from the game and this week's practices, including a little bit more fire from some players and staff than has been seen recently.

Keely then tries to pin down agreements or disagreements from Shotgun about the state of the program, USC's future opponents, choice of game times and who will stand out on the offensive side of the ball for the Trojans this weekend. But Shotgun turns the tables with an Agree/Disagree of his own.

They conclude the podcast answering your questions, discussing USC's choice to not huddle, Gustin's legacy as a Trojan and the potential differences with Jack Sears in the lineup, if Daniels does not clear concussion protocol before Saturday's 12:30 p.m. matchup at the Coliseum.

The Family Feud Podcast is looking to feature your question on an upcoming episode. Send your Stock Up/Stock Down contenders for us debate or provide us with an Agree/Disagree statement you want us to answer. To potentially be featured on the show, email us at familyfeudpod@gmail.com.

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