- Chad Wheeler continues to be absent from the team and practice as he deals with a personal issue. In his stead, Zach Banner is at left tackle and Chuma Edoga is at right tackle.
- Practice only ran about an hour this morning, which pleased the players. "Coach Helton understands that if we put the work in and go hard for whatever amount of time it is, that's all we need," said junior RB Justin Davis. "We don't need to be out here all day."
- Without Tre Madden, Davis will likely start the Holiday Bowl at tailback. He has averaged 108 yards per game over his last five, playing the best football of his career. "At first when I got here, I wasn't patient," he looked back. "I was just trying to get the ball and run as fast as I could every time. I learned to slow things down and I am able to see a whole lot more."
- Davis is among the many Trojans excited about the promotion of Tee Martin to offensive coordinator. He called him the "perfect person for this job."
- In the passing game, JuJu Smith-Schuster looks revitalized after the two week break to rest his banged up body. He spent a lot of time getting treatment, but he is also already thinking about his relationship with future quarterbacks Max Browne and Sam Darnold with an eye towards next season's opening game. "First game against Alabama, I couldn't wish for nothing better," Smith-Schuster said. "That's a great team and we are going to have a lot of fun."
- Before Alabama though, the Trojans are focused on Wisconsin and the Holiday Bowl. "It's one of the premier Pac-12 bowls in the country," Davis said. "Going to the same bowl back-to-back, it gives us a great opportunity to repeat as champions and maintain the trophy."
- Wednesday marks the last practice before the Christmas break, and Clay Helton said the focus will be on substitutions and mock game situations, so all the new assistant coaches can have a dress rehearsal of sorts. Here is more from Helton:
