Yup. On paper USC should have a great team, but in reality they're just good. The constant coaching rumors that have hovered around the program for the last few years have definitely hurt this program.
Which is just proof of how dumb people who lose it over recruiting rankings is. Helton has 34 wins in the 4 full seasons he has been head coach. That is 8.5 a year. I get that USC brings in a top 10ish recruiting class every year, but winning at that level shouldn’t have you watching your back every single offseason.