The USC Trojans’ struggles continued Saturday night, falling to Washington 26-21, further complicating what has become a nightmare season.
The loss, which came after multiple missed opportunities late in the game, has put even more pressure on head coach Lincoln Riley, as fans grow increasingly frustrated with the team’s lack of success.
During the fourth quarter, the Trojans were twice stopped on fourth down in the red zone, allowing Washington’s defense to secure a narrow victory.
USC, now 0-4 in Big Ten road games, had been in a position to win all four but failed to close out any of them.
With the defeat, Riley’s job security has become a hot topic. Fans have been vocal about their disappointment, and some prominent figures have joined the chorus of criticism.
Legendary USC running back LenDale White didn’t hold back on social media.
“Lincoln u are f*cking stealing from USC. Donate ur salary to help recruit that coaching job u doing ain’t helping sh*t,” White posted on X.
The Trojans’ inability to finish games has become a disturbing trend. In each of their Big Ten road losses, USC held a lead in the fourth quarter but saw it slip away.
The Trojans squandered a touchdown lead to Michigan in September, collapsed in the final minutes against Minnesota, and blew a 14-point advantage against Maryland.
At home, they also let a 20-6 first-half lead evaporate in a loss to Penn State.
Given these recurring late-game failures, Riley’s squad could easily be 7-0 in Big Ten play, but instead, they sit at just 2-5.
The hopes for a bowl game berth are still alive, but the season is a far cry from the expectations Riley set when he joined the program.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has been a vocal critic of Riley. Saturday’s disturbing loss is helping make his argument that the former golden boy just isn’t the answer for the Trojans.
“Let me save the people at Southern Cal another year or two of anguish,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show. “Have a meeting. Come to a conclusion that it was a good run for one year, but the last two have been a disaster, and give Lincoln Riley his walking papers. There’s no reason to think this is going to work.”
Finebaum acknowledged that USC’s season-opening win against Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers was impressive. However, it’s been nothing but disappointment since that night in Las Vegas.
“It was a good win, and since then, almost nothing else to show for it,” Finebaum continued. “Even losing to James Franklin at home. I mean, that’s now pretty embarrassing.”
At the start of the 2023 season, USC appeared to be a serious contender for the national championship, going 6-0 behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.
Since that promising start, however, the Trojans have struggled, compiling a record of 6-10, and now find themselves fighting for bowl-game eligibility as November progresses.
“I don’t handle losing very well,” Riley said after Saturday’s loss. “It hasn’t happened much in my career. That part of it is unacceptable.”
Despite Finebaum’s urging for a change, USC faces a substantial financial hurdle if they were to dismiss Riley. Reports suggest that firing him would result in a buyout of approximately $90 million.
It’s an understatement to say that things haven’t gone according to plan for Riley at USC. The same questions that have followed him around for years continue to linger.
What are your thoughts on all of the criticism of Riley? … Should USC consider firing him despite the enormous buyout figure???