Clay Helton has said and mostly done all the right things.
Since taking over as USC's interim coach less than a week before the Trojans played Notre Dame, the longtime assistant stabilized a chaotic situation, engendered support and admiration from players and calmed a fan base outraged and embarrassed by the school's handling of former coach Steve Sarkisian's hiring and subsequent dismissal.
Now, Helton's drive to become the Trojans' permanent head coach becomes serious.
USC takes a modest two-game winning streak into Saturday night's game against Arizona at the Coliseum.