USC goes cold at the goal line, falling to Washington in another road loss
UW RB Jonah Coleman leaps into the end zone in front of USC safety Akili Arnold in the first half of the Trojans’ 26-21 loss Saturday night. (Lindsey Wasson / AP)
Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — SEATTLE — A long, cold night for USC had been leading here, to the doorstep of the Washington goal line. For most of this slog of a football game, through the rain and the freezing lake wind, Lincoln Riley stuck stubbornly with his approach, throwing regularly into a driving rain, testing the nation’s No. 1 pass defense with his struggling quarterback.
But after climbing back in spite of those conditions, after taking the lead, then giving it back, USC’s coach turned back to the ground, grinding away at Washington’s defense until his Trojans were just a few feet away from stealing back a game.
Eleven runs on a single drive had led to this moment, on the one-yard-line. But by the time the ball made it to Woody Marks (scoring above) on that pivotal fourth down, he was stopped immediately in the backfield (below). And soon enough, Washington would slam the door for good, handing USC a 26-21 defeat, its fourth straight on the road.
So often USC (4-5, 2-5) had been the team squandering a late advantage, losing all four of their games despite leading at the start of the fourth quarter. This time, it was the Trojans threatening to deal a devastating defeat to a Big Ten opponent.
After turning away the Trojans once at the goal line, Washington (5-4, 3-3) would make another stop to seal the deal. After driving most of the field in less than a minute, USC faced fourth down.
But as Miller Moss dropped back, the Huskies’ front broke through the USC line again, laying chase to the Trojan quarterback, who had to throw up a desperation heave as Washington’s pass rush dragged him to the ground, ending the comeback.
All night long, Riley had kept coming back to his quarterback, even as Moss struggled to move the offense. He threw 50 passes — the third time he’s met that threshold this season — but only managed to tally 293 yards, along with two interceptions, on all those attempts.
The pass-happy approach seemed destined to doom the Trojans until midway through the third quarter, when Moss dropped back on fourth and nine, in desperate need of a spark.
He found it in a streaking Makai Lemon, who caught a perfect pass in stride for a 37-yard score.
The touchdown would turn the game on its head, as USC’s defense forced an immediate punt, giving the ball back to Moss, who needed just three plays to move the length of the field before finding a wide-open Kyle Ford for a go-ahead score.
But that lead wouldn’t last. Not as Washington turned a Moss interception into the go-ahead scoring drive.
It’s not as if USC didn’t have chances.
The Trojans were given every opportunity to open fast Saturday, with two of their first three drives starting in Washington territory and the other opening on their 40-yard-line. But the Trojans moved just three yards on their opening possession, had a tipped ball intercepted on their second, then watched a 52-yard field-goal attempt hit the crossbar on the third possession.
By the time they got the ball again, the Trojans were already in a 10-point hole.
Nothing came easy from there. With its back already against the wall, USC mounted a 12-play drive that required two third-and-long conversions, one of which came courtesy of a pass interference. Marks eventually punched in a one-yard touchdown, giving the Trojans some semblance of offense to build on.
USC would have to wait to actually harness that momentum. As rain continued to fall, Washington had little trouble scoring on four of its five drives in the first half, while just one of USC’s drives extended more than 34 yards.
All of that would change after half, with USC firing back into the game. But it ultimately wasn’t enough, as the Trojans once again return home with a loss in hand.
latimes.com
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USCFootball.com — UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava (6-4, 220) will start for USC vs NEB on Nov. 16 in the Coliseum. I rewatched USC’s loss to UW tonight and Miller Moss (2,555 yds, 18 TDs, 9 picks so far) was repeatedly so inaccurate during that game I don’t see how Lincoln Riley had any other option. Maiava’s arm talent is undeniable and any kind of spark is needed for an offense that has been held to fewer than 30 points in more than half of its games. This move could also keep Maiava, who has two years of eligibility, out of… Read more »
We’ve been campaigning for Maiava to at least have a package for a little offensive diversity. This is a good game to give him a shot including the bye. I hope we show a little patience since it’s his first start and really not many opportunities to get in. We gave Moss what 9 games ? With Maiava’s escapability, will Riley go back to Caleb ball and ditch any effort to call a balanced offense?
I think Lincoln Riley is too smart to retreat back to USC’s “Hero Ball” of 2023.
That didn’t work so I don’t see why he would try it again. You can utilize a mobile QB to a much better advantage if you don’t lose control of the offense as happened last season.
I also think LR finally understands he has to run the ball more going forward if the Trojan offense is to become successful again. If he doesn’t, we’re in more trouble than I thought.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias that describes the tendency of people with low ability in a specific area to overestimate their abilities. Suddenly SLR has seen the light? Hope you are right. Balanced offense, good decision making in the 4th qtr, that would be refreshing.
3-0 Trojans and Jen Cohen celebrate Eric Musselman’s second win at Galen, a 77-51 drubbing of Chattanooga.
Winning sure is more fun than losing.
Top high school QB recruits: How the nation’s elite prospects fared over the weekend (Grace Raylor/The Athletic) Julian Lewis School: Carrollton (Ga.) High Committed to: USC Ranking: No. 31 overall, No. 5 QB Lewis and Carrollton are flying high after finishing the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and securing their third consecutive region title Friday night. In a 49-28 win against Douglas County, Lewis went 21-for-26 passing for 290 yds and two TDs. For the year, Lewis is 177-for-231 for 2,549 yds and 36 TDs against just four picks. The Trojans have this week off before playing Dacula on Nov. 15… Read more »
We should all be worried what this losing is going to do to the 2025 recruiting class. If Prime & Colorado or even Indiana steals JuJu away, we will be stuck with LR & MM again unless Jaiva somehow can win LR’s favor? But does HOV have enough NIL bag money to keep The commitments from flipping? The urgency in Riley winning at least 2 of these last 3-games is critically imperative. Not that a 500 record will impress many 4 & 5 star athletes. If the December NSD proves a failure for USC, this program isn’t going to truly… Read more »
Many here, including myself have come up with strategies to deal with the Lincoln Riley situation. Some extreme ( like mine ) all the way to “he’s got us, too much contract” just play it out. I’m in agreement that the latter is the most likely by Cohen and Folt, but interesting how that strategy could literally wipe USC off the CFB map. Yes, we have our storied history, more great former players than anyone, and a loyal but dwindling fan base. I’m sure there’s one or two of us who still believe LR can become transformative, see things outside… Read more »
Totally agree about supporting the players on this strictly average-talented USC team. I really like its makeup except for too many holes in the roster, lack of depth and weakness on both sides of the LOS. At least they fight hard. With better coaching, ideas, inspiration and leadership, they wouldn’t be in this spot. I too am very concerned about recruiting…and I sure hope LR can keep this team and coaching group together heading into 2025. Who knows who might want to leave with all the unhappy parents and alumni out there furiously lamenting curious coaching and strategy decisions. Even… Read more »
I agree AW, the recruiting as of now is tough sledding, but it’s that D staff that’s going hurt should they run for the hills. Perhaps I’m being naive, but I like having Entz on that sideline. I believe he knows what’s wrong on all fronts, but won’t do an end around on LR. Yes, the D has been underperforming as of late, but damn they are still lighting up our opponents. Yes, we are banged up there, but Lynn still has them popping. And to be honest, Lynn had much more to work with at UCLA, than what Riley… Read more »
Entz or Lynn for next HC … need a D guy, no more self entitled big talking OCs. After Goatboy, Suck, and LR we just can’t do these frauds anymore.
Couldn’t agree more. Notice former D coaches are doing well these days as head coaches in college football.
USC forward Kiki Iriafen celebrates after her free throws lifted the Trojans to a 68-66 season-opening victory over Mississippi in Paris on Monday. (Aurelien Morissard / AP)
USC women’s basketball edges Ole Miss 68-66 in Paris to open season AP — Kiki Iriafen makes a pair of decisive free throws in final seconds; Juju Watkins leads all scorers with 27 points. The Trojans gave the ball away too often and were sloppy in defense at times, too often leaving Mississippi wide open from 3-point range. Mississippi rallied from several deficits and trailed by 11 at halftime. They outscored USC 40-31 in the second half. Ole Miss was 7 of 23 from 3-point range, while USC was only 1 of 11. USC takes on Cal Poly at… Read more »
Wild game. USC with 24 turnovers, credit Ole Miss defense. Ole Miss got hot from distance late. The only offense USC had in the 4th was to draw fouls. All 16 points for the Trojans in the 4th came by shooting 100% from the free throw line. Ugly first game win. USC looks deep, not just the Juju show. Oh and she needs new shoes. Looked like she was on ice skates.
Thank God Andy Enfield isn’t our women’s free-throw shooting coach.
Lindsay Gottlieb has been truly fantastic at USC so far. It’s nice to see USC women doing great.
Winning close games comes as a welcome relief. That’s what good teams do, even if they play sub par.
It will be interesting to see Musselman’s totally rebuilt Trojans. Low expectations, picked 14th in the Big10. ESPN at 7PT.
Whatever the enthusiastic Musselman is, he’ll be better than Enfield who lost his way in the end at USC. I don’t think Enfield even liked the job anymore.
Just like LR … who was talking about retiring LAST year what the hell! This guy doesn’t even want to coach, just wants the $$$
USC vs Washington: Last play of the game, I was thinking of a QB keeper wide right, because the most expected play call was Woody Marks run over left tackle.
Riley was coaching scared at that point, knowing he would be skewered if he deviated from the expected and it didn’t work.
I agree with both of you.
Not much of an OC genius is he … USC gets conned again
When I saw trips right I knew we were doomed … my thought was okay keep them pinned back at the 1 and get the ball back no kidding even before the snap
Of course allowed a few 1st downs then got the call back lol then blew it again only LR could pull this shit 5 times in one season only he would throw it on 2nd down when Joyner was just running over people
Gomer would had at least won 1 of these games by accident
Now that LR is apparently flaming out, with hindsight, that Mike Bohn hire is looking like the worst hire in USC history!!! He kept CH too long, and then his “home run hire” turned into one of the biggest coaching busts in college football history, so far. On closer examination, the LR hire was necessary as a transition away from the CH disaster. He succeeded in showing that SC football can be fixed – a proposition that was heavily debatable after the string of coaches before him. But the pressure for him to win quickly (YOUR fault and mine, TDBers)… Read more »
“LR remodeled a slum building with wall patches, carpet and paint, but the studs were sagging and the cockroaches were regrouping underneath those new finishes. And now they’re all showing.”
Great construction metaphor with roaches thrown in as a nice touch.
Thanks! That happened to me once — I moved into an apartment that looked nice only to learn later that it was a remodeled slum. It was actually the cockroaches returning that chased me out after a couple of months. Even the landlord couldn’t argue and let me break my lease!
Of the next 3 games, I only see them winning one(Nebraska). I don’t think they will beat UCLA. UCLA gets better every week whereas SC, at best, has stayed the same or maybe even gotten worse. Their chances of beating ND are slim and none and none has a lot better chance than slim. I don’t think they will even go to a bowl game this year.
Not sure on Nebby … they are awful but playing in LA at the Coli vs the big USC rep, all we have left, may get them fired up. Lord knows LR won’t have SC ready. The last bye week before Michigan it looked like he used the bye week to hang out and not practice like lazy Gomer used to. UCLA will be repeat of last year. Gutties will be jacked and SC will go through motions with 4th teamers playing on D because everyone is hurt … again. ND lol … enjoy the 4 picks and 2 returned… Read more »
USC dropped to #57 from #52 in The Athletic’s Top 134
The entire B1G and ND are as follows:
1 ORE
3 OHIO ST
8 PSU
9 IU
10 ND
33 IOWA
35 MICH
36 MINN
37 ILL
42 UW
46 NEB
52 MICH ST
53 WIS
54 MARYD
57 USC
58 RUT
73 NW
76 UCLA
103 PUR
nytimes.com
Current Contest Standings as of 11/04/24
Click on the link for full game by game accounting…..
https://trojandailyblog.com/tdb-football-contest-2024-week-10/
They say that we will have to wait about 3 to 5 years to get rid of LR because of his contract. I’m not so sure. LR is going to get crucified in the press and among the fans. They will be booing when he comes out on the field. The football pundants are already beating up on him and calling him a fraud. How long is he going to be able to take that abuse. How long is he going to allow his kids at school to be abused and even his wife. It’s going to be much worse… Read more »
Here’s what WeAreSC’s Chris Arledge said about that:
“He’s not going anywhere. Nobody walks away from $90 million.”
I tend to agree. LR’s got USC under his thumb. While he may not like the heat that comes with losing, it’s much easier to swallow than his other options.
He’s also young enough to want to die on this hill of his own making. Meaning, for him to walk away from his contract or to radically change his philosophy of football would be the same as him admitting he was very wrong about college football and that he doesn’t understand how to build a program. An older guy with the wisdom of experience would realize that the money is not worth the professional hell that he positioned himself into for the next several years.
Does “Youth is wasted on the young,” still apply when you are 41?
He is a young 41, IMO.
I don’t know. Clay Helton got it bad. They called him stupid, idiot, moron, clown, A-hole and every kind of personal attack that you can think of. These were personal, not just professional concerning his lack of coaching ability. But it will be a lot worse with LR because they expected so much more from him. He has let everyone down much worse than CH ever did. They never expected much out of CH. He was there, according to many, just to settle down a wayward program after Kiffin and Sark. Remember,LR won his first 4 games as a head… Read more »
I figure if what LR says is true, that staying the course like this is progress and he actually has multiple needed solutions across the board, he’ll be just fine. I hate to say this, but only time will tell, and right now, the present sucks.
He does have SC over a barrell and who knows, with time he may turn into really good coach. Either way SC is going to have to give him that time.
Maybe … when both sides become miserable enough, and LR may be there now. A lower buyout could be arranged to get him out of here. The old lady isn’t going to like going back to Waco or whatever shithole he ends up at. When Kiffin got canned his old lady divorced him and stayed in LA lol as he bounced around all over the place. LRs old lady might do the same.
Gomer didn’t care what he was called or how many games he lost .. that dope still couldn’t believe he had the USC job. It was like winning the lottery for him.
Yes, LR is a huge disappointment. 1st year was fools gold and tells you how good CW really was.
It’s pretty easy to tolerate the abuse. He gets driven from the secluded mansion to the front door of his secluded office. Goes to closed practices. At the end of the day gets driven back home. His kids probably go to an exclusive private school. His wife can associate with a small circle of friends in secluded PV. An easy life for 3-5 years and end up with $100 million.
Good points. I hadn’t focused on how insulated LR is from the real world in some ways. This isn’t helping him one iota. It’s an intriguing paradox when you think about it. In one sense, LR’s world is filled with such harsh negative reality on a massive stage, that it all seems so unfair. At least to me. I’ve said many times here that I truly feel sorry for the guy. He’s in a dire spot now — yet he’s created all these problems for himself. It’s as though he’s boxed himself in with his insane stubbornness combined with an… Read more »
If the folks want to put the heat on him……they can make his life hell…….think about the recruiting, conference meetings, admin meetings, player meetings heck even his kids in the fancy school will have teachers and other students, parents that will come after him…..as for close friends….don’t count on it…..even your family and church will turn on you with enough pressure.,,….. etc etc……they can get to anybody……if they want to. Of course there was a contract signed so USC will need to be good for a min of 80%. If the folks want to put the heat on him……they can… Read more »
If you were calling the shots at USC, how much would you pay Lincoln to get him to split? What’s your number which you think would be justified for a place like USC? We’re still paying off Helton I think. We’ve also got LR’s new USC Football facility already well under construction. That’s his baby. Jen could force him to jettison some of his pals on the staff if she wanted to get seriously problematical. If we win out and beat ND, it’ll sure look a lot different than if we don’t even make a bowl and lose to the… Read more »
I believe USC is done with Helton. His contract is fully paid off. As for Riley…..it’s always tough….it’s about the future. Is Jen competent. If she is the next coach could pay for the sins of the past. A negotiation might reduce the payout to 60 million or so…..based on getting cash now vs cash in the future. Texas A&M did it for 77 million. The key is understanding that Riley’s issue is not about him learning or making better decisions…..it’s a personality defect that does not match the job. USC has the huge cash payments coming in from the… Read more »
When your office is front of 65,000 fans … and this is your product. Forget seclusion. You cannot hide from this mess. LR doesn’t seem like the type that will hang around and get booed the next 3 years.
Even in an exclusive private school his kids will hear it from their peers. Palos Verdes is a rich area. I know. I coached football in the Palos Verdes-Rolling Hills area. How many of those rich CEO’s who live up there graduated from USC? Probably a lot and how many are staunch USC football fans? Their kids hear the frustrations of their parents.They hear their parents calling LR an idiot and a moron. Kids can be cruel. If my kids were coming home from school and saying “hey dad, my friends all are saying that you are an idiot and… Read more »
Like I said before, I coached football in that area and got to know the parents. Many of them are USC graduates and fierce USC football fans. These people are Alpha type people who expect positive results and won’t stand for failure. What I didn’t see was a lot of UCLA grads. But there were many parents who didn’t graduate from USC and were still big time USC football fans. Unless he can turn this program around, this is going to be hard on his family. There is no amount of money that could convince me to put my family… Read more »
Out side of Mason Murphy, SC’s O-Line looked pretty good in the Washington game. I would still argue that the O-Line is a problem. They had 1st and goal at the 4 yard line of Washington.That gives them 4 downs to make 4 yards against a Washington rushing defense that was rated in the late 70’s or early 80’s. They couldn’t get in. Any team with a good O-Line would have gotten that TD especially against a relatively poor run defense.
LR should have a long talk with Pete Carroll about the psychology of creating a championship mental attitude on your team. I think there is some psychology involved here. This team is not that bad of a team.They are not getting blown out.They really are just 19 points away from being 9-0. Yet they lose every close game. These close games usually go both ways. You win some and you lose some. Lady luck may be on your side today but maybe not next week. But when you lose every close game, maybe you need to find a way to… Read more »
It just struck me about how wild the game vs NEB could be in the Coliseum on Nov. 16. Both teams will be coming off byes after losing incredibly disappointing games to underdog B1G teams. Plus, these two 2024 also-ran big brands could each put on a clinic about how to completely blow one-possession games. Now we get to actually see the battle between the two teams that in recent times find more heartbreaking ways to lose games than anyone else. It’s kind of a unique contest. I have long felt sorry for those poor NEB fans who have endured… Read more »
Paul Finebaum, Again… Has this guy never heard of LR’s $90 mil buyout? Finebaum — “Let me save the people at Southern Cal another year or two of anguish. “Have a meeting, come to a conclusion that it was a good run for one year, but the last two have been a disaster. “Give Lincoln Riley his walking papers. There’s no reason to think this is going to work. “I’ve been hard on Lincoln before the season. He did have that big win against LSU. So everybody came at me and said, ‘Say you’re wrong. Say you’re wrong.’ “It was… Read more »
Finy knew something … damn
What are the odds SC would had been called for roughing on that 4th down pressure the Huskies had to end the game …. of course, after #91 slammed MM to the ground, which okay fine, but the obvious head twist too. Flag.
Yes, bad play MM panicked, Huskies win, but no doubt, if SC on D, it’s 1st and goal Huskies. The Big 10 hacks have made that clear this year.
Granted, SC probably wouldn’t had scored anyway if roughing were called. This team is cursed.
Darnold to Addison for a TD, love it!
LR is a very good OC but he must have a stud at QB, Moss is very good but does not fit the LR system! As a HC he is mediocore, he has to utilize both RB’s to set up thepass, it would make it so much easier, Without Bush and White Leinhart would have been just another QB, he became the best because Carroll (a defensive guy) let the offense shine, the rest is history! Riley be the HC and let the coordinators call plays. Sadly he may have to do what Chip Kelly did, take an OC at… Read more »
I see a guy that is a good HC when he has a Heisman QB. But he wasn’t a good HC with Williams.
Very disappointing with LR’s play calling … not capable of making the correct call in the clutch, seems like cannot even get a receiver open anymore. Takes a circus catch for a completion.
Caleb Williams ignored Riley last season and ran his own “hero ball” offense.
I’ve never seen a HC who was more intimidated by his own QB before.
Yes. Caleb deciding he wasn’t going to run the ball anymore ruined the season. He did show some old flashes vs Washington but it was on national TV and vs Penix, so he turned it on more.
The final half of 2023 and this miserable, gut wrenching, embarrassing year are big time missed opportunities and ‘what if’s’.
How Much Worse Can This Get? Ryan Kartje (LA Times) — A long, cold night for USC had been leading here, to the doorstep of the Washington goal line, just a few familiar feet away from redemption. But here, just as Woody Marks was handed the ball on fourth down and a few feet away, the protection around him collapsed, and the walls closed in once again on USC. “Just a blown assignment up front at the wrong time,” Riley said. For much of Saturday’s 26-21 loss to Washington, as rain fell in sheets and a freezing wind blew off Lake Washington, Lincoln Riley stuck stubbornly with his… Read more »
When will he own up! It’s not the team it is him, he’s not good enough! What a smuck! Be a man, be the head coach, earn the $100 million and take the heat!
Enough, I need a glass of wine, out.
https://x.com/QB1TATT00/status/1852926651526517244/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1852926651526517244¤tTweetUser=QB1TATT00
this is the funniest thing I have seen.
Tough to lose these games but LR has figured out how to do it … is the guy shaving points for the mob in Vegas ??? can a veteran HC really F up 5 games like this in final minutes. A high school coach would stumble on two wins.
What a complete disaster! and losing to teams that are not very good
We realize there’s not many options here. I’m wondering if AD Jan is as disillusioned with LR as most everyone else, or is she talked herself into “waiting for great things to happen “ approach. Out of the box thinking by understanding that things are not going to improve with LR ever: Approach LR with a restructuring of his contract to include incentive bonuses ( yes I know, 5% chance) suspend Riley temporarily and put Entz or Lynn in the HC role. Test drive leadership instead of destroying USC football in its entirety with an Air Raid coach. The threat… Read more »
Cohen could hire a consultant that comes up with a list of fixes. Cohen, Folt and the biggest football donor give the list to Riley and demand action with support. If he refuses, NIL gets cut and moved to basketball, his shiny new football building is slow walked, anything else within the contract to make his life miserable.
Pay an over priced consultant to tell him … find a real football player to play qb. Get off your ass and recruit like a SC coach should. And find a new play book.
Nick Saban, Pete Carroll, Bill Belichik, Urban Meyer someone that commands respect would get his attention. Any of us and Cohen could tell him what he needs to do but he won’t listen to us.
Will never happen … no chance and no veteran coach worth a shit would even think about it doubtful LR respects any of these guys anyway
Besides do you think Saban gives one F about LR and USC football. What’s he going to say anyway? buy better players and dummy down your schedule to your advantage.
Biilchick lol that creepy porker only cares about his viagra and young girls.
Urbie LMAO see Billichick and Saban
Now Pete he should talk to about being successful at USC. But probably to late.
Wishful thinking, but never gonna happen. Unprecedented public humiliation that wouldn’t be beneficial for Cohen’s career either.
However, a more behind the scenes series of steps IS possible. If I were king for a day, if PC were agreeable, I would mandate LR receive mentoring from him with an action plan that LR must implement.
LR has clearly been mentored by a very limited variety of coaches and must diversify and adapt. He is stuck in a rut trying to force his only known style in a world in which it does not work.
Absolutely, keep it confidential. He’s a $90 million white elephant, USC has a right to get improvement.
I read somewhere that Jen and LR do not have much of a relationship.
Jen thinks Air Raid is for her hair.
😂
Funny, it never looked like Jen Cohen’s hair was infested with critters…I guess the Air Raid must be working.
Is it possible the USC/UCLA game on Nov. 23 at the Rose Bowl will only be on the B1G Network? We’ve come a long way baby!
That would say quite a bit. The cherry would be a kickoff at 8pm LA time and 11pm EST.
LR has lost to those great football minds Judd Fish and Mike Longsley lmao … he can complete the trifecta losing to 1st year HC Deshaun Foster and freaking Bienemy.
What a disgusting train wreck.
Is it possible Air Raid Lincoln Riley may have already done more damage to USC football than Clay Helton? Chris Arledge (WeAreSC) — “Strip everything else away. When it actually matters, Lincoln Riley is just another soft, Air Raid coach who does soft, Air Raid things. “He’s not going anywhere. Nobody walks away from $90 million, and USC couldn’t afford to get rid of him even if Heritage Hall wanted to. But I can’t help but wonder what USC football would look like if the decisions were being made by some of the other coaches who seemed to be on… Read more »
USC football is far worse off than it was 4 years ago. A coach as bad or worse than Helton and stuck behind a $90 million 8 ball.
We will see on NSD who will sign and who won’t. He won’t be able to explain away why he only has 3-star recruits to sign.
The recruiting angle really is pretty scary.
But with the massive buyout amount, the recruits at least know he won’t be fired, and if they’re committed now, they don’t want him gone.
Then again, with all the other people and recruiters in their ears, they might become convinced that Lincoln Riley just won’t be able to make USC into an elite-level winner.
I suspect it’s gonna be a wild ride.
There is a lot of talk out here that Julian Lewis is reconsidering his SC commitment…. Just sayin’.
It seems like the potential loss of Julian Lewis has always been a topic among CFB fans in general who don’t believe the Georgia QB is ever gonna actually make it to L.A.
With USC seemingly besieged by so many problems now, and all these late-game collapses this season, it sure seems reasonable to think Lewis might decide he has better options.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up somewhere else. I hope Lincoln Riley has a good backup plan.
Way back on Aug. 17, I posted this — Will USC Ever Move Off Julian Lewis?:
trojandailyblog.com
Those of us who have been around long enough know what great coaches look like at USC. USC hasn’t had one for the last 15 years. A whole generation of football players know USC as a mediocre football program. So what does it take to make a great Head Football Coach? In no particular order here is a list I came up with: Good rapport with media, boosters, student body and fans. A leader of men. Able to recruit and develop talent deep throughout the roster. Doesn’t play favorites with coaches and players that aren’t performing. Able to game plan… Read more »
Not a bad list, I’d add “Ability to make in-game adjustments to other teams offense and defense.”
Maybe now some people will finally stop laughably referring to Lincoln Riley as an offensive play-calling genius. 😂 😂
That must have been in some other galaxy long ago, far, far away…
Help us Obe Wan, you’re our only hope!
AP Poll
1-Oregon (62 1st place votes)
2-Georgia
3-Ohio St
4-Miami
5-Texas
6-Penn St
7-Tennessee
8-Indiana
9-BYU
10-Notre Dame
11-Alabama
12-Boise St
13-SMU
14-LSU
15-Texas A&M
16-Ole Miss
17-Iowa St
18-Army
19-Clemson
20-Wash St
21-Colorado
22-Kansas St
23-Pitt
24-Vanderbilt
25-Louisville
USC claims the prize for the most “painful” season Stewart Mandel (The Athletic) — “Ohio State’s Ryan Day, who has been dealing with his own recent “Can’t win the big one” stigma, needed this win against Penn State badly. “He improved to 3-6 versus top-five foes, which is not great but still better than contemporaries like Steve Sarkisian (2-8 at Washington/USC/Texas), Lincoln Riley (1-5 at Oklahoma/USC), Brian Kelly (1-8 at Notre Dame/LSU) and of course, James Franklin, who 1-13 against AP top-five teams during his time at Penn State. It just feels worse because three of Day’s six losses were to… Read more »
UtahTrojan posted an article ( Mike Zemek I think ) that spelled out everything we’ve been talking about for quite some time. It’s like we all see it. Gotta believe his assistants see it, especially Matt Entz. They are gone btw. This passing fetish that isn’t competitive in the B1G nor really anywhere else tells us he’s incapable of seeing things clearly unless overwhelmingly bullied ( i.e. Grinch etc) and will not change anything like game mgmt, recruiting in USC’s backyard, line play importance, offensive balance, player favoritism ( like dynamic Maieva getting blown off) not getting opportunities, the list… Read more »
Not a bad shot, huh? Hope prevails.
Falcon/Trojan Drake London just caught a great TD pass vs Dallas. That dude is a tough matchup.
Gotta win out and somehow beat Notre Dame in the Coliseum. That would get us to 7-5 and ruin the Irish’s plans for fun in the playoffs. I’ll take it. Of course at this stage, just winning a game would be cool.
All the Domer fans are getting tired of watching us lose over and over as it makes a possible loss to USC all the more damaging since we aren’t even viewed by the CFB world as a decent team anymore.
Might beat Nebby they are actually worse than SC but then might not.
UCLA will be an embarrassing no-show like last year, count that as a loss.
Notre Dame will have 4 picks probably return 2 for TDs in an easy win.
I agree with the O-Line coach extremely important. You need a development program for o lineman to compete in the Big-10 also very essential to building a running game which we obviously lack!!!!
Uh, did you watch the game yesterday? SLR called 3-1 passes to runs in the first half, 2 interceptions and down 20-7 at the half. 3rd quarter, 8-8, outscores Washington 14-0. 4th qtr, ran the ball down the field with a chance to go ahead. They can run just fine. Just need someone who can game plan and execute at the end of a close game.
No problem with the running game. We have a problem calling running play. I wonder who is in charge of that?
🔥🔥🔥🔥LR!!!!!!
I have tried to give LR the benefit of doubt, but bottom line there is no significant improvement with this team Lynn or not. We play up to better teams and play down to worse teams. Pathetic. Loose to Washington 2 former PAC-12 teams are ranked ahead of us AZ and Colorado. I don’t care if the Big-12 is weaker. Once again we have shown 0 improvement in 3 years with LR 0!!!! SC I wanna move to the Big-10 so I can win a National Championship, and there’s more money. Should’ve move to the Mountain West conference. This team… Read more »
The only difference I see from last 2 years is USC isn’t making every opposing mediocre qb look like a Heisman qb with a career game. Same end results though.
No, now it is the tight end that has the career games.
This is a USC team that will literally find a way to lose if at all possible.
We’re the absolute worst closers I’ve ever seen.
Someone else describing the Trojans explained, “Winning is contagious. So is losing.”
I’m afraid USC has the bug.
Hope we make a bowl.
That’s been happening. Remember Utah?
Painfully. But this year I keep seeing Penn St #44 without a Trojan within 10 yards all day long.
USC needs to replace its offensive line coach. At 4th and 2 last night, USC ran the same play it did against Penn state in overtime near the goaline, and the same thing happened defensively with the same result. A linebacker lined up nose-to-nose with an offensive lineman (right guard) and went unblocked into the backfield for a TFL. I would expect 99% of starting high school offensive lineman to adjust their blocking scheme given the obvious threat, and I would expect 99+% of offensive line coaches/offensive coordinators, at high school or greater level, to fix this problem. It is… Read more »
Please apply for the USC O-line coach job. ✌
Ya getting old. You certainly have it right regarding a walk up LB showing / threatening A / B gap. In HS we’d check the blitz and pick it up or if it was a no go, fulfill the original dbl team or lb assignment. Hell I was covering that in my Pop Warner coaching years. It’s simple line rules based upon pre and post snap reads. Kids stuff really.
MM pulls it … he walks in
Good kid but simply not a gamer
Shame on LR for not having the big kid ready for those situations
SC didn’t threaten the EZ in OT. No call PI to Lemon on 1st down. Slow developing ‘not sure what to call default run play’ for loss on 2nd (maybe that play?) 3rd down No call PI on Lane.
Indiana playing Ohio State in a couple weeks is going to be fun. Indiana is looking at a playoff spot if they play it close. Could they actually beat O St?
Probably not, especially in Columbus. But they sure are a buttoned-up team and I sure am rooting for them. They have to be the CFB story of the year, no?
Curt “Google Me” Cignetti’s really got it all rollin’, not to mention the two-word line of the year!
I was really pulling for PSU yesterday. They’re just pulling their hair out over Franklin’s inability to beat OHIO ST and MICH. He’s cursed obviously.
Big 10 refs are not allowing Indy to win that game … they want OSU vs Oregon in Big 10 title game
This team is hard to figure out.It’s hard to figure out what is wrong. They are good at a lot of things. But the thing that they are best at is finding a way to snatch defeat from the hands of victory. In that category they are #1 in the country. If you were to just look at the box score, you would think SC won. They won all the categories: first downs 26-21…..Total Yards 459-375…..Passing 293-262…..Rushing 166-113…..Time of Possession 33-27……plays run 79-69. They did that in Washingtons stadium. Yet they lost the game and were behind for most of… Read more »
“I don’t handle losing very well. It hasn’t happened very much in my career. That part of it is unacceptable,” Riley said in his postgame press conference.
he seems to go out of his way to make sure they lose.
Riley is the second coming of Helton.
He has turned USC into a basketball school.
He may be a good OC but a lousy HC.
He’s not even a good OC. Unless you think calling pass plays to showcase quarterbacks is a good game plan.
LR play calling is awful … the 1st pick was an awful call
the goal line play and final series were pathetic
His receivers cannot even get open most the time
While opposing receivers run free all the time
LR is a big fail
Through 1st 36 games as USC head coach:
• Clay Helton: 27-9
• Lincoln Riley: 23-13
SLR is a moron! Who throws the ball 75% in the first half, gets down by 13, THEN decides it’s time for a balanced offense?
Gomer was losing games by 30 his final 2 years
LR isn’t getting his ass kicked lol
That makes me feel better. Maybe we can give LR a trophy for not getting his ass kicked. That will look good in Heritage Hall next to his last place finish.
Hello Lincoln! We hereby present you with this as a token of our heartfelt appreciation…
LOL
Miller Moss is clearly not NFL material and he’s just another in a long line of stubborn failures from Lincoln Riley. Lincoln clearly is NFL material as most pro teams are pass happy. It seems we should be trying to build him up as the next Arizona Cardinals coach (or maybe the Raiders are dumb enough to take him off our hands)
Things can change, i.e., he is young. But you are right that he tends to stare down his receivers and is not great at reading defenses, which are both inconsistent with NFL play. To my eye, USC’s two biggest problems are (1) incompetent offensive line play/management/coaching, especially when it comes to the right side of the line; and (2) as if that wasn’t bad enough, Miller moss tends to stare people down and not go through his progression (when he does have time to do that).
NFL lol … maybe not even D1. Weak arm so no long ball, inaccurate, release is too long, gun shy, can’t move much, poor vision, worthless on RPOs.
3 picks miserable picks and another pick/6 dropped.
LR is getting Grinched2.
I guess if you are the LA press and you want access to USC football you don’t print the USC head coach is an F***ing moron!
After the NCAA, Haden, Swann, Bohn and Stink’n Lincoln, USC football is dead! RIP! You had some good years way back when but not anymore! USC is now a basketball school.
Here’s a plan. Take the $65 million a year in football money from the Big10 TV deal and pour it into basketball. More bang for your buck. Let SLR stew with no talent or staff while men’s and women’s basketball win NCs. Monday at 9am on ESPN and 7pm on Big10 Network is our first look at the USC Women’s and Men’s basketball teams.