When Lincoln Riley took the helm at USC back in November 2021, it seemed like a game-changer for the Trojans. They had the resources to dominate the Pac-12, but with the big shift to the tough-as-nails Big Ten in 2024, challenges emerged. The transition hasn’t been smooth sailing for Riley and his crew. The Trojans have hit a rocky 3-3 record, exposing some weaknesses, especially in their offensive and defensive lines, which seem overshadowed by a focus on skill positions.
Riley’s situation escalated quickly. While his seat wasn’t blazing hot entering 2024, it’s now feeling like a bonfire. They kicked off with an impressive victory against LSU but stumbled with three consecutive losses in the Big Ten. Close games against Michigan and Minnesota—both nail-biting encounters no fan would easily forget—highlighted vulnerabilities. And the most recent heartbreaker against Penn State, where the Trojans let a 14-point lead slip away to lose 33-30 in overtime, didn’t help matters. Penn State’s Drew Allar capitalized, notching a career-high 391 yards with ease against USC’s struggling defense, bolstering Penn State’s undefeated streak.
With expectations unmet, whispers of change are in the air for USC—a storied program nestled in Los Angeles’s glitz and glamour. Many thought Riley was the answer, an offensive genius who’d steer USC back to championship glory. Alas, that dream remains unrealized, and a shift appears imminent.
Names are swirling, and naturally, Urban Meyer tops the list. With a winning pedigree that rivals even the best like Nick Saban, Meyer’s lore includes National Championships across different programs. Another potential candidate stirring up conversation is Bob Stoops. Hailing from Ohio, Stoops’s record of success could be just the jolt USC needs to reclaim its dominance, reminiscent of the Pete Carroll era which dazzled fans with two national championships from 2001 to 2009.
In the world of college football, the stakes are sky high, and for USC, finding the right leader to navigate the Big Ten and return to the national spotlight is paramount.
