USC scored just seven points in a first half marked by all sorts of offensive errors. The Trojans had excellent field position. Miller Moss had time to throw. However, this offensive still didn't work. Moss wasn't accurate and turned the ball over. Passports were lost again and again. USC didn't run the ball nearly enough against Washington's weak run defense.

Washington has one of the best pass defenses in the country and a below-average run defense. Riley threw the ball regularly in the first half. His game plan was cruel. How does this happen? How can a $10 million coach not do these things right?

Four false starts. Four. How does this happen? Who does coaching here?

Miller Moss did not have the elite athleticism of Caleb Williams. He would help USC by being smart with the ball and not making mistakes. He threw three interceptions in that game. Moss simply makes far too many mistakes, and they are big ones.

Lincoln Riley has to admit that he doesn't coach Moss to eliminate mistakes (at least big ones) from his game.

Just before Miller Moss threw the game-changing interception late in the third quarter, USC was on 2nd and 5th and was excelling in the run game. Riley threw the ball. This is simply unacceptable. There is no reason for USC to rush on second down, creating 3rd-and-5 and a passing situation where Washington could anticipate what was coming.

After a poor first half, USC moved the ball forward extremely well in the third quarter. This was clearly similar to the away games in Michigan and Minnesota. Those offenses were impressive, but they raise the bigger question: Why can't USC consistently hit the ball so well? Why can't this team be taught to perform consistently?

Michigan didn't play a great game against USC. Minnesota didn't play a great game against USC. Maryland didn't play a great game against USC. These away losses were not the result of amazing, outstanding performances from USC's opponents. They were games in which both teams played well in the pockets, but not for three or four quarters. Losing these games hurts precisely because their opponent gave USC so many chances to win and the Trojans couldn't capitalize on those chances.

Washington quarterback Will Rogers airmailed a few passes that would have given Washington big gains and first downs in USC territory. Near the end of the game, Washington had 3rd-and-1 and was close to sealing the game. A 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty gave USC a chance to get a stop, which the Trojans did. From start to finish, Washington made mistakes to keep USC afloat. The Trojans still couldn't capitalize. It makes the loss even worse.

When USC went on fourth-and-goal late in the game and had a chance to take the lead, the offensive line was blown up.

When USC faced fourth down in the UW red zone in the final 25 seconds with a chance to win, the offensive line allowed a pressure on Miller Moss that ruined the final play.

USC continues to prepare for victory, but then falters, especially in the crucial moments of a game. USC continues to be the opposite of Clutch.

USC has led in the fourth quarter of all nine games this season. The Trojans are 4-5. How? How does this happen? How does this keep happening? Why doesn't anything change for this team? That's the question no one can figure out, but the point is that Lincoln Riley is paid to figure it out. He lacks answers. That's up to him.

USC will likely have to beat Nebraska and UCLA to reach a bowl game. If the Trojans lose either of these two, they will have to beat Notre Dame to make a bowl. If you think USC has hit rock bottom, the Trojans aren't quite there yet. Missing a bowl game would be rock bottom.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were a very committed team in October, coming through when they absolutely needed to. USC is the exact opposite of that. Mental toughness is part of it, but another part of the difference between USC and the Dodgers is how deep the Dodgers are. There is depth and quality throughout the organization. USC can't really say the same. There is some quality, but nowhere near the depth or breadth of excellence that the Dodgers have cultivated. There is a lot to learn from the Dodgers. Let's see if USC learns them.