Looks like USC’s defense is still the same old story.
Here we go again, right?
Lincoln Riley just might not be the answer after all.
Take your pick on the criticisms of the Trojans — they’ve been circulating.
What else can you say when USC barely squeaked by Rutgers, given that just two weeks earlier the Scarlet Knights had been crushed by UMass on the same field?
Fans and analysts were quick to point fingers at Riley, especially since this matchup was supposed to be a straightforward step before a tougher part of the schedule.
A lot of focus has been on a defense that allowed 460 yards and 35 points — which is almost as many points as Rutgers scored in their two prior games combined.
Even after bringing in Gary Patterson, the defense is still ranking poorly, sitting at No. 60 in the country for yards allowed per game and No. 73 in points allowed—this is after facing teams like Louisiana and Fresno State, not exactly top-tier competition.
So, what’s Riley’s take on a defense that’s being criticized for being no better than the one managed by Alex Grinch and D’Anton Lynn?
“I just rely on what I see on tape. We’ve put in thousands of hours into this, so I don’t have a direct response to the criticism,” Riley mentioned when asked about the backlash. “We know our job is winning, battling, and getting better. We really need to improve on third and fourth downs, which didn’t go well for us the other night. We made some big plays, but we need more consistency and to get off the field when we can.”
He noted how Rutgers converted on 6 of 11 third downs and 3 of 4 fourth downs — which could be somewhat acceptable against a powerhouse like Ohio State, but not against one of the weaker teams in a top conference.
What worries USC fans isn’t just the shaky defense, but the feeling that Riley’s first trip to the College Football Playoff in nearly five years seems just as far out of reach as ever, especially since they still haven’t addressed their glaring issues.
And the upcoming game couldn’t come at a more challenging time, given that the formidable Oregon Ducks are coming to town.
Riley holds an 0-2 record against Oregon. Both past matchups occurred at Autzen Stadium, so there shouldn’t be too many excuses this time around if his team doesn’t perform.
The lackluster showing against Rutgers, combined with Oregon’s stumble against Oklahoma State last week, has diminished what was anticipated to be a top-notch matchup with both teams ranked—USC (4-0) at No. 12 and Oregon (2-1) at No. 20.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” is skipping USC yet again; the Trojans last played host to the event in 2013. Instead, the crew will be in Knoxville for the Tennessee-Texas game this Saturday.
Nevertheless, this game remains the most significant on the West Coast, with USC announcing a sellout last week.
“This game should matter a lot and carry significance,” said Riley. “It’s important to both fan bases, and to college football in general. It should create an electrifying atmosphere.”
How intense might Oregon Coach Dan Lanning be during his pregame talk after already delivering fiery commentary last year before his team secured a 42-27 victory?
“They’re living off their history,” Lanning remarked, adding a personal touch with comments like, “Matt Leinart isn’t walking through that door.”
And, “Why are you wearing black? You’re attending a Trojan funeral.”
Will Riley have any responses ready for this crucial home game? (And, will the footage actually be made public?)
A loss would be crushing for both teams, likely eliminating the Ducks from CFP contention. For USC, a defeat could jeopardize their playoff aspirations before September ends, especially with a tough schedule ahead.
With road games against No. 13 Penn State and No. 5 Indiana, along with a home matchup against No. 7 Ohio State, the Trojans really need a victory of this magnitude to bolster their playoff hopes and ease fan concerns.
Riley pointed out that college football doesn’t follow a linear path, suggesting that it’s tough to predict how a team will perform week to week.
“Every game is unique, and you have to learn from them,” he said. “What happens in one game, positively or negatively, doesn’t determine what will unfold the following week.”
