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Head coach Clay Helton reaffirmed that LT Chad Wheeler's plantar fasciitis will prevent him from starting against Alabama. Helton also noted that he expects Marvell Tell III (hamstring) to be "full speed, ready to go" on Saturday, and that safety Ykili Ross was "under the weather" today.
- Helton also confirmed that LB Osa Masina will not travel with the team this weekend due to a violation of team rules.
- USC got some extra motivation today in the form of a visit from Sam Cunningham, the hero of the 1970 USC-Alabama matchup that catalyzed the integration of African Americans into Southern football. Helton said Cunningham encouraged the Trojans to each focus on their own roles, rather than being swept up by the size of the game.
- Helton noted that he hopes his running backs have as big a day as Cunningham did, because "any time that you're dealing with new quarterbacks coming in, it's really important that that run game is clicking to take some pressure off him."
- QB Max Browne explained that getting the ball out of his hands quickly is "definitely a point of emphasis" in his first career start, but also praised his pass protectors. "I think that's the beauty of our offensive line: a lot of starts among all those guys ... it's a veteran group and I definitely trust them," Browne said.
- One new addition to the offensive line is Chuma Edoga (pictured, #70), who will start at left tackle in place of Wheeler on Saturday. Edoga appeared in 13 games as a true freshman last season, including two starts at right tackle.
- Despite a relative lack of experience, Edoga said he feels confident in the strides he's made under offensive line coach Neil Callaway, noting, "ever since he came, my physicality just stepped up."
- Edoga knows the importance of his role on Saturday. "I'm protecting the quarterback's blind side," he said. "You know, his mom up in the stands don't want her baby to get hurt, so I've got to protect him."
- The Atlanta native explained that he's experienced at protecting a QB's blind side, because in high school he played right tackle with a left-handed QB.
- One message came through loud and clear from Edoga, Browne and Helton today: Trojans aren't afraid of big games like Saturday's. "If you don't like the challenge, don't take the job," Helton said. "That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity to play on the biggest stage and compete on the biggest stage, and that's what SC's all about."
- Here is Helton's full press conference:
