On this week’s “Inside the Trojans’ Huddle”, panelists Marc Kulkin, Chris Arledge, Kevin Bruce, and Greg Katz discusses the pro and cons to the four announced kickoff times, the early June date for the return of Salute to Troy, a new alternative Traveler name, where the recruiting class of 2023 will rank in USC annuals, explosive Musings with Arledge commentary, predicting future major announcements, and viewer questions and panel answers.  

The first quarter of ITTH is devoted to the panel’s pro and con reactions to the four announced kickoff times. With the first three kickoff times in September now set as well as a Friday night game in early November, how does that affect the fans in terms of comfortability, weather, importance, and general attendance? There is some agreement on the times, but the panel does find universal agree when it comes to those 7:30 p.m. Saturday kickoffs and those 6:30 p.m. Friday night games.

In the second quarter, the panel discusses the return of the once popular preseason public celebration called Salute to Troy. However, there is a twist to the return of this all-you-can-eat and football program spirit builder. Instead of the past tradition of holding the Spirt of Troy a week or two before the opening game of the season in the heat of late August, it has been decided that Salute to Troy will be held at the beginning of summer on June 18. A good idea? A bad idea? The Huddle panel certainly has its opinions on why the move revolves around one particular vital necessity of college football.

For halftime, the panel attempts to answer the question that if the Trojans’ famous mascot horse, Traveler, had a name change, what name change would each panelist suggest? Chris Arledge has his usual opinion on such matters while Greg Katz actually has a reasonable suggestion for a name change.

In the Huddle’s third quarter, the panel discusses the possibility that Lincoln Riley’s second recruiting class, the class of 2023, could rank among the great USC recruiting classes of all-time. Will it happen, or will the class of 2023 fall short? What additions to the class of 2023 will it take to become a legendary haul? Panelists point out that while on paper super recruiting classes of the past have led to national championships, not all great classes have reached their potential as former Trojans’ linebacker great Kevin Bruce points out.  

For the lighting of the traditional “Chris Arledge Coliseum Torch” between the third and fourth quarter, the “Musings with Arledge” commentary takes on Pittsburgh sports talk show host Andrew Fillipponi regarding talk show host’s tirade against Jordan Addison and USC football. Defending the Trojans honor, Arledge eviscerates Fillipponi, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, Pitt football and its facilities, and challenges talk show host Fillipponi to a charity fight in the Steel City!

In the fourth quarter, the panel is asked to predict the next great major football announcement – on or off the field - coming out of the John McKay Center. You may be surprised with each panelist’s wish list.

And in Overtime, the panel answers viewer questions regarding the first offensive play that Lincoln Riley will call to open the 2022 season and who will score the first touchdown on offense and defense; a heated debate between Marc Kulkin and Greg Katz regarding whether the Trojans have six or seven Heisman Trophy winners; bringing back Student Body Left/Right as a tradition or an actual part of the standard playbook; and our panelists reminisce regarding their favorite tailgating experience - home or away. Hint: A couple of panelists say their most fun tailgating experience happened in Northern Indiana.

#USCTrojans #USC Football #CFBNews #USC

Subscribe for more USC football coverage:

www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/

USC Trojans videos from Los Angeles, California from the staff of WeAreSC.