Analysis: Did USC/Lincoln Hit Rock Bottom?

I have been saying the same things about Lincoln Riley over and over. Some people paint me as negative.

But now the social media blowhards are finally coming around to the realization I’ve espoused that he needs to go/is not a good coach.

Let’s review some shortcomings:

  • Riley will not run the ball. He had the fortune of rushing for 189 yards against Penn State. Today, he completely ignored the running game. He called pass plays on 11 of USC’s first 13 plays.

He attempted more than 50 passes but let his tailbacks get only 20 carries. That’s even more inexcusable when you have a 21-7 halftime lead and refuse to grind down the defense and clock.

  • He stubbornly refuses to admit he has a bang average quarterback. Miller Moss cannot function when there is a pass rush. Passes were underthrown and overthrown against Maryland and his interception was just deadly today. He also had costly interceptions against Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State.
  • He hired a defensive coordinator who had 1-year of experience and got anointed as a savior. Did you see how bad the pass defense was against Maryland? I’ve been railing about the corners for years but they continue to be a weak spot.

Riley doesn’t care about defense, which is why needed to hire an experienced, marquee name (he couldn’t, apparently).

  • I keep talking about his refusal to hire an experienced special teams coach. Did you see the offensive line get blown up on the blocked field goal?

I have a new nickname for Zacariah Branch: Fair Catch Branch.

Did the special teams coach tell him to fair catch a kick return that he caught at the 2-yard line?

  • Let’s get to another issue: Riley is not a leader of men. That’s why USC sometimes come out slowly. Why lately it falls apart in the second half. No consistency. No philosophy.
  • A lot of the media got hoodwinked with the propaganda that USC gained 1,400 pounds in the offseason. Did you see how many times the trainers came on the field? The way the offensive line got destroyed on the field goal and pass protected?
  • How will Joel Klatt excuse this loss?
  • Now if you want to hear something really scary, is USC going to beat UCLA? I know who has a better defense. I don’t think USC wins the QB matchup.
  • To sum up: Riley needs to go. ASAP. Jen Cohen needs to explain what is going on with the program she supervises. Carol Folt needs to do more than take photos.

49 thoughts on “Analysis: Did USC/Lincoln Hit Rock Bottom?

      1. woody Toy Story Riley just set the record for most defeats that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat- he’s done this so many times as a head coach how in all conscience can he accept his salary as a head coach. Slink away back to whatever crap hole town you came from Woody- leave our program- please!

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    1. There isn’t another win this year. Fewer wins in coming years. Winless in 2028. Then the football program is cancelled. If it makes anyone feel better, for woke reasons, not because the program is the joke of college footb… of footb… of college spor… of spor… of organiz… of basic human collaboration.

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    2. Bibi, I have good news for you: If Carol Folt has 50,000 alumni and Rutgers fans run out with the team next Friday we have the $75 million buyout money to rid ourselves of Loser Riley.

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    3. First you run great Coaches in Kiffen, Sark, Helton and now you want to get rid of coach Riley?? He is top 10 coach in college coaching! Give him a break!

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  1. Can’t find fault in anything Wolf said.

    I said SC could go 2-5. They still can but why do I think a PATHETIC Rutgers team gives them a game ?

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    1. Give them a game? Rutgers is about to curbstomp sc to one of the worst beatdowns in program history. They knock sc the eph out in the first quarter. The only headline left in the program is players quitting the team and other conference programs asking that sc be removed from the conference.or as this woke admin will call it, according to plan.

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  2. you r correct on all your points but one. The quarterback situation. With the constant rush and pounding moss takes there’s not anybody who could do better Yes, he’s made a few poor throws but plenty of drops. It’s always the excuse to make a change. The BIG change points right to Riley !

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    1. YOU’RE ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS REGARDING MOSS…..HE IS THE SLOWEST-FOOTED QB IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL…HE’S RUSHED FOR MINUS 48 YARDS ON THE SEASON…..

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    2. No, even when he’s had time to throw he’s still missing the receivers but for sure, the whole team is badly coached. At best, maybe Lincoln Riley might be somewhat qualified as a play caller but definitely not head coach. At this point USC football shouldn’t be considered a serious team.

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      1. A qualified play caller reads the game, Riley doesn’t and never will run the ball to tire a defense and run clock. He almost lost the Colorado game last year by not running the ball in the second half, it was throw throw throw

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  3. Fire the clown TODAY.

    Let Matt Entz lead the program the rest of the season. He’s a proven winner and he’s hungry. Let him coach the rest of the season for the HC job.

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      1. Good. Keep on saying it until they listen. As matter of fact, don’t just say it, shout it out!!!

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    1. Secondary Coach Doug Belk needs to go. All his previous acclaims are

      worthless. The defensive backs play way too soft coverage. Make any

      QB look like an All-American.

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  4. Miller Moss is the biggest fraud in college football. Had Maiava started from the first game this team might be undefeated.

    Moss is the most unathletic QB in Power 4 football.

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    1. Straight up bs. Pure bs. Moss is doing the best he can he’s just not good enough. That isn’t fraud that’s reality. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy trying his best. The coaches put him in this spot. Lay blame where it belongs.

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  5. Scott, you were correct about Riley, unfortunately. Riley is not a good Head Coach. He is not progressing. I do not know where this program goes from here. I hate this for the players. Very unfortunate. I am not lowering my expectations and never will.

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  6. I forget his name, but USC needs to seriously consider giving the other QB some playing time. Maybe he can add some life to the offense

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  7. It’s game over for SC. The best highlights remaining are the Tennessees of the world scheduling us week 1 we show up for only for the payout. At least Akron players play hard for pride. It’s absolutely game over. Even when 90%+ of the roster transfers out and we have to fill starter spots from walk ons, the admin will call it success. It’s game over and it sucks. For me I won’t pay attention to cfb anymore but most will find something to capture their interest. All according to plan. Just make sure you find a southern college’s arse to kiss and you’ll be fine. That’s what the money wants you to do. cgpt will tell u the same mindless dipstick so just follow orders.

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  8. there’s no chance they fire him at the end of the season and eat $70 million. Real question: how many more years do we have to tolerate the fraud Riley? Can’t believe he’s worse than Helton

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  9. Is Riley Gomer 2.0?, Darnold carried the Trojans than things fell apart, Caleb did his best to carry them and now that he’s gone it just shows that Riley needs an elite QB to win or otherwise he’s just an average coach.

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  10. Lincoln Riley is a good coach, we’re barely losing these games. We’re just snake bit.

    he just needs to get his guys in here. And the DC is awesome too, just needs some of his guys in here to make it work.

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      1. urban Meyer should have been the main pick right off of bat and we would not be in the mess. We are in now.

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      2. Weird how the same full mooner Democrat USC administrators who love Kamala despite having a nanny-impregnating, girlfriend beating husband in Dougie Emhoff said said hiring Urban Meyer would be “against our values”.

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  11. meanwhile the Breeze had a good article on how Riley does not seem to recruit So Cal players or pays no attention to players that have committed I still say get rid of him and let Pete have fun the rest of the year

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  12. I agree they should have gotten Urban Meyer. Just put him on a short leash. He knows what it takes to win in this conference

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