National pundits wonder if Gary Patterson still has his A-game
· Yahoo Sports
National college football commentators are no different from USC football analysts in one specific way: They, like us, are waiting to see if Gary Patterson still has his fastball as a defensive tactician.
ESPN college football analyst Bill Connelly knows that for USC to hit or exceed its goals this season, the new defensive coordinator has to be on top of his game. Connelly writes that USC can be great "If ... Gary Patterson still has it. The last time the 66-year-old Patterson, the legendary former TCU head coach, was at the helm of a top-20 defense was 2014. His innovative use of the nickel back (among other things) changed college football, but can he still find edges and keep USC's recent defensive improvement going?"
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This is the big question. Gary Patterson did not coach a down of football in two of the last three seasons of college ball, and in the one season he was employed (Baylor, 2024), he was merely a consultant. He has largely been out of coaching for a few years. Lincoln Riley surely interviewed him and made sure Patterson has kept up with the times and is not going to be outdated in his scheme and concepts at USC. If Patterson is as sharp and clever as he has been over the years, USC has a chance to be good on defense. If the Trojan defense is reasonably competent, the offense has enough firepower to win a lot of games.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: National pundits wonder if Gary Patterson still has his A-game