USC's Lincoln Riley Under Fire as Season Slips Away

USC's season appears to be heading in a disappointing direction for head coach Lincoln Riley, with the No. 16 Trojans suffering a significant 24-7 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday. This defeat marks their second of the season with four games remaining, leaving their College Football Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

Mounting Losses and Excuses

The loss at Camp Randall Stadium has placed Riley under increased scrutiny. At 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten, USC currently sits in seventh place in the conference standings. Their remaining schedule includes challenging matchups against three top-10 teams: Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA. To make the College Football Playoff, the Trojans must win all remaining games.

This season's struggles have drawn parallels to past performances, with critics pointing to a pattern of excuses following setbacks. A loss to Rutgers, a defeat against Oregon with its backup quarterback, and a narrow win against a Washington team depleted by injuries have all been met with explanations that some argue are becoming tiresome. The article highlights that USC scored the fewest points under Riley in his 10 seasons as a head coach during the Wisconsin game.

Riley himself acknowledged shortcomings, stating he did not coach well enough and made some questionable calls. However, he also maintained a defiant stance, referencing the team's performance against Penn State two weeks prior as evidence of their capability. "This is the same team that played a way different brand of football at Penn State two weeks ago and we’re very capable of doing it again in the coming weeks," Riley told reporters. He added that executing in crucial moments, protecting the ball, getting off the field on third down, and making field goals are essential for success.

Strategic Challenges and Future Outlook

The offensive struggles against Wisconsin were evident, with USC crossing midfield four times without scoring and a 58-yard field goal attempt falling short. The run game, which had been discussed as having untapped potential, yielded minus-17 rushing yards.

The criticism extends beyond on-field performance, with questions arising about Riley's long-term success at USC. Despite a new practice facility and significant investment, the team has not achieved the expected breakthrough into the College Football Playoff. The article speculates on the financial implications of a potential buyout, estimated at around $70 million, should athletic director Jen Cohen and the USC Board of Trustees decide to make a change. The success of crosstown rival UCLA under first-year coach Bob Chesney, who has the Bruins undefeated and in contention for a CFP spot, further amplifies the pressure on Riley.

Riley attempted to frame the ongoing conference upsets as a reason for optimism, suggesting that teams capable of overcoming tough moments will ultimately succeed. However, the article concludes by questioning Riley's ability to produce a winning record by late October, stating, "Enough with the excuses. Hey, Lincoln, it’s late October and your team still hasn’t beaten anybody. What do you have to say about that?"