During the Helton-era, a consistent theme for USC is an inability to capitalize on opportunities while being hamstrung by redundant errors. The Trojans always appear talented and never give in to their opponents but the team’s ceiling is limited by a coaching staff that doesn’t instill winning intangibles or skills in its players.
How else can you explain SP+ giving Notre Dame just a 22% chance to come out the victor based on Saturday’s statistics?
In each of the Trojans’ first five drives, the offense reached at least midfield before being forced to punt or kick a field goal by the Fighting Irish and only came away with three points.