Lincoln Riley Era at USC Faces Uncertain Future After Upset Loss to Wisconsin

The Lincoln Riley era at USC is facing increasing scrutiny following a significant upset loss to Wisconsin, a defeat that has severely damaged the Trojans' College Football Playoff hopes.

Just weeks ago, USC appeared to be gaining momentum, bolstered by the nation's top recruiting class and the return of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava. The addition of experienced defensive coordinator Gary Patterson also fueled optimism for the 2026 season, which was widely viewed as a critical juncture for the program, with expectations set high for a College Football Playoff appearance.

USC's season trajectory seemed promising after a key road victory against Penn State in a challenging environment. Despite injuries and a difficult schedule, including matchups against Oregon, Ohio State, and Indiana, the Trojans secured a 31-23 win, positioning them favorably heading into a crucial game against Wisconsin.

However, the game against Wisconsin exposed familiar issues that have plagued the Trojans under Riley. The team appeared poorly coached and undisciplined, struggling to adapt when faced with adversity. The offensive line, expected to be a strength, was overwhelmed by Wisconsin's defense, and Maiava had one of his worst performances, marked by interceptions and costly penalties. The running game was notably ineffective, with negative rushing yards attributed to Maiava's struggles.

A critical sequence occurred late in the second quarter when Wisconsin extended their lead. Following a long touchdown drive, USC took possession deep in their own territory with timeouts remaining, yet failed to advance, ending the half in a disadvantageous position.

In the third quarter, a miscommunication on defense led to a Wisconsin touchdown after Riley opted not to call a timeout, leaving his team out of alignment. Later, in the fourth quarter, a decision to attempt a long field goal instead of punting or gaining yardage resulted in a missed attempt that the Badgers quickly converted into a game-ending touchdown.

While Maiava's performance and the offensive line's struggles were significant factors, the defense also underperformed, allowing three touchdown drives despite Wisconsin's limited offensive output. The Trojans' defense has been a persistent concern, failing to consistently secure stops when the offense falters.

With remaining games against Ohio State, Indiana, Maryland, and UCLA, USC's path to the playoffs is precarious. Experts suggest the team is unlikely to win all remaining games, pointing towards another potentially disappointing 8-4 or 9-3 season. This outcome, after significant investment in the program and multiple top recruiting classes, falls short of the expectations set for Riley's fifth year.

Meanwhile, across town, UCLA, under first-year coach Bob Chesney, is reportedly in a strong position to reach the College Football Playoff, highlighting a stark contrast in program trajectory. The continued struggles of USC under Riley, despite considerable resources, have led to growing calls for change, with the administration facing mounting pressure to address the team's performance.