FOOTBALL

My Analysis Of A Complete Meltdown In Wisconsin

Before the season, I thought USC would probably lose to either Penn State or Wisconsin because those were games that Lincoln Riley really struggles winning.

But never in my wildest dreams would I imagine Wisconsin would hold Riley to 7 points, the first time in his 10-year-career his team failed to score double digits.

Wisconsin had 58 yards passing and only 200 yards of offense and still won by 17 points.

It was an extraordinary result but it simply illustrated all the things I have railed against Riley for years and showed why his time has been up for a long time despite the delusional faction of pundits (mentioned below) and fanboys who support him.

I’ve never liked the offensive lines under Riley. People swore all offseason this year was great because the entire line returned intact. USC rushed for 40 yards against Wisconsin when you took away the sack yardage.

That’s unforgiveable, especially when it can’t ever convert in short-yardage situations. People love to focus on the wide receivers but good teams win by running the ball. I’ll never understand why so many are blind to this deficit.

Even when USC was playing all those cupcakes at the outset of the season, I said the Trojans’ physicality was a problem despite all the offseason claims about the strength coach improving the team.

Wisconsin gave USC a no-nonsense whipping from a physicality standpoint. Their offense pushed the pile and really gave the Trojans problems on quarterback RPO plays. Their defense was easily superior.

Games are won at the line of scrimmage and Riley can’t handle these Big 10 teams that value strength. It’s a big reason he also struggled with Notre Dame and Oregon.

Here’ the other thing: I don’t think Riley tackles enough in practice or holds physical practices. USC just looks flat-footed too many times on defense and that’s a reason why things look the same no matter who is the defensive coordinator.

That doesn’t absolve Grandpa Patterson on that touchdown play where Wisconsin had four players defended by only two USC players. He didn’t have the defense aligned and didn’t call a timeout. Of course, the head coach should have called the timeout but he’s not paying attention to the defense.

Also: Wisconsin won without even testing the shoddy pass defense!

I keep saying Jayden Maiava struggles on the road. Oregon and Nebraska last year. Last night was a disaster. He cannot handle pressure.

Then the special teams. USC hired Mike Ekeler but every game has at least one blunder on special teams.

I could go on but let’s look at the big picture.

Where’s Joel Klatt, Yogi Roth, Josh Pate, RGIII and Colin Cowherd? All they do is glaze Riley. What will they say this week? They have repeatedly embarrassed themselves with their defenses of Riley.

I’m tired of hearing Riley and others say the culture has changed. The culture has not changed! It will never change under Riley. He has none of the leadership traits of John McKay or Pete Carroll.

USC could easily lose three more games in part because Riley is not a leader of men. He never rallies the troops. He doesn’t instill any belief.

Is USC stuck with him because of his grotesque buyout?

Well, a solution would be if Baylor or TCU came calling for the Texas native. Frankly, he’s probably calling them first.

But if he gets hired elsewhere, that salary could offset his buyout.

That is our best hope to remove this fraud from a football program that is crying out for much more of a leader than him.

107 thoughts on “My Analysis Of A Complete Meltdown In Wisconsin”

    2. According to sources, Desmond Stephen iii said. It’s about time I start taking the heads off of other teams’ quarterback. But if Coach Riley goes, I go. If Coach stays, I stay.” to this, Jen Cohen proclaimed “I think it would be a big mistake if we let Coach Riley go… Give him a chance.“

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      2. HAWR HAWR!! now that you mention it, Lil’ Lord Riley’s expression on the sidelines reminds one of “Shooter’s” worried expression on the sidelines when coach gets ejected!!

        #Let’sRunThePicketFenceAt’Em

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      3. Will you be willing to give him chance if he beats Ohio state and Indiana? I can honestly say that …..although…that wouldbe nice……i would pink slip the guy.

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    3. I know this post may be controversial, but watched this short documentary and learned a lot more about why he is a proven winner wherever he coaches and why people will run through brick walls for him. Can you imagine people willing to go to the ends of the earth for Lincoln, or Riley genuinely firing up players with zero doubts and by leading them through action, rather than simply offering generic “coach-speak”? Me neither. Makes me ill as to where the program is and has been for a while.

      The part where his dad explains his origins and what he’s made of struck a chord.

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      2. Angie…Angie! When will those clouds all disappear?

        Angie…Angie!
        Where will it lead us from here?

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      4. Describing it as a complete skid mark is accurate. 💩 What a sh__ show.

        When he produces the results he gets paid for… 🐄 💦 🏡

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  2. Hi John, I gaht a kweshtion for u. Whut do u call a teem that looses to a tamater can?  Missus Ed wuz thnkn an emptee cerial box, I wuz thinkin a ding-dong or ho-ho wrappur. Thanks a lot.

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  4. Scott is dead on center mass again. It was a physical line of scrimmage beating. Wiley is an air raid 7-on-7 wants it to be a video game mindset type (we’ve seen it before and recently, lest anyone forget Harrellsbury under Helton). Nothing will change until they get the head coaching job right. And step one is obvious and overdue …

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    1. Im traveling and can’t master my new tablet so forgive a more garbled reply than usual…..folt carefully erected a second rate culture that spawned distress at every level….this team and it’s coach are products of that effort….urban Meyer could still save our sorry football program….but toxic usc ironically considers him toxic…

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      3. Conversation between Byung Soo Kim in Lincoln, Riley was overheard by a sorority girl at USC at Chanos on Figaroa. They were sharing a plate of carne asada fries. and Lincoln Riley said, don’t fire me. I’ll use the barbecue grill I brought over from Oklahoma and make you the best Korean barbecue you ever had. Tim said his idea, if you throwing some kimchi! Riley is not going anywhere!

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  6. Sadly, this is so much worse than Clay Helton late in Helton’s tenure at USC.

    You got to give it Mr. Wolf, he saw this coming five years ago.

    Jason Eck or Spencer Danielson for next coach? The one characterstic that is needed for sure, a type A, alpha guy at the top of the organization. And somebody that doesn’t need a shoulder tapper.

    Wisconsin’s offense was almost identical versus the gutties, with 150 yards rushing, 60 yards passing, but they only scored 7 points that game.

    What was really inexcusable was zero adjustments against the Wisco pass rush. WTF was that about?

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    1. KAM: The Badgers defense recorded five sacks against quarterback Jayden Maiava in their dominant 24-7 upset victory over No. 16 USC. Wisconsin had only 12.0 team sacks through their first six games of the season before last night’s bonanza.

      DON: Heading into the matchup, the Trojans’ offensive front had only surrendered 7.0 sacks over their first six games. However, the Badgers’ constant pressure completely disrupted the pocket, nearly doubling USC’s season-long metric in a single evening!https://webmail.lerctr.org/~transit/healy/going.wav…

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      1. Not to mention the multiple grounding penalties (and at least two others that should have been called but they got away with on technicalities based on the ball landing near a receiver that Maiava never saw).

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    3. Riley is more offense smart than helton….and helton is more football smart than riley…..but neither of those statements rise to the level of a compliment….

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  7. KAM: Jen “Taco Lita” Cohen fiddles as the football program burns.

    DON: Meanwhile Oregon fires their OC after another abysmal outing in a loss to crummy Illinois Saturday.

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      2. A blind mancan see that Lincoln wasn’t cut out for this…..he may even beat Ohio state or Indiana….but he wasn’t cut out to be our coach IN THE PLAYOFF ERA…..

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  8. Pete is still teaching a class on campus isn’t he? No, I’m not suggesting bringing him back (although he would even in retirement do better than Wiley could in his dreams) … just wondering: he must pay at least a little attention, right? What must he be thinking about this? A thought or two about hammering Wiley’s air raid mentor not so big game Bob once upon a time?

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  9. Eck at New Mexico, Danielson at Boise, Stein at Kentucky, these guys deliver more with less talent.

    I hate to think what will happen versus Ohio State’s and Indiana’s D lines.

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  10. Scott, your assessment is correct and it was demonstrated on the field of play last night. The play fake up the middle and QB running free around end was a staple of their offense that should have been on all of the film that Patterson supposedly watches for hours on end, yet the D end for USC came crashing in to stop the fake every time instead of watching the QB. That is a lack of coaching preparation. Running a special teams player on the field at the last second to allow the defense to do the same and not calling a TO Prevented a FG with the five yard loss. That is all on coaching malpractice. why were seven defensive players in pass defense when Wisconsin was not passing and is a running team….that is coaching stupidity. No quick passing game consistently and no running attack except the same run up the middle on first down is a lack of coaching. Like you, this game proved that LR should be fired immediately. I still hope that we can beat UCLA and Maryland because this coaching staff will never beat OSU or Indiana who have real head coaches. But, regardless of any late season wins even over UCLA, LR has to go sooner rather than later. For the sake of the players who have had to put up with incompetent coaching, I hope that they can win at least one meaningful game for their self pride before they move on. Still fight on, Dan, Class of 1962

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    1. Absolutely – the seniors deserve better leadership. Let them go out with a signature win. But that can’t happen with Mr. Skinny Jeans at the help.

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      2. KAM: Riley Coyote is trending on X, and SI’s Bryan Fischer just called for his head:

        Lincoln Riley Has Run Out of Time at USC

        After the Trojans’ debacle against Wisconsin, it’s clear their five-season investment in the head coach is falling far short of their lofty ambitions and a fresh start is needed.

        DON: The heat is on!

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  11. Wolf, you did not like Pete.

    You called h8m Caesar.

    Stop being a fraud yourself.

    If SC happens to win the next 2 difficult game, what will be your narrative then?

    This was a trap game but no excuses coming off a bye. Dominating stats but losing by 21 is tough.

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      1. Not sure who you are referring to.

        I got my degree at USC.

        Ran for mayor but voter fraud and a socialist did me in.

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      2. KAM: Sure you did, brain dead vile antisemitic and racist Board Pest Board Cancer Cowardly Gabby aka Sparrow Calypso aka TebowObama aka Charlie Bucket the UCLA Fan aka The Guy who posts as Buddhakarma & So Cal’s Wife & Michael Guarino & Trojan RJJ & LawyerJohn & Pudly & Plow Horse and TrojanFan 1-3 & steveg49 & DOJ & Scott Wolf and Frank Young and KATHY and Foreskin Thoughts and SCOTTLOVESTHEROOOOOTTÞ and Manureman and eric and Smacky and The Moderator and Spencer P.

        DON: You have wasted 26 years of your life here impersonating and harrassing others. You are evil.

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    2. Pete C. is the only modern era coach Scott has spoken positively about, so I am not sure what you are on about. Also, Wolf always waxes poetic about McKay and quotes him all the time and he has said some really nice things about Robinson. Hell, he even broke down why and Lane Kiffin got a raw deal under sanctions that handcuffed them with limitations and yet both had some silver lining moments.

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  12. Facts are stubborn things, and well – Scott just brought the facts.That game was a demonstration of physical dominance.It took so very little in terms of high octane talent, which of course USC has in abundance.The Riley flying circus is a dismal failure.I loved Mike Leach (as a personality) I can’t stand Graham Harrell or any other disciple of the air raid offense.It’s just a cheap alternative to good blocking – and also an admission that your O-line can’t cut it. I’ve had quite enough, thank you. When Bucket drops by, tell him I said, “Thank you sir – may I have another!”

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  15. Each of those first 4 games sent up red flags. But the people “with no football IQ” were saying a win is a win.

    Last night is what happens when you don’t think marginal wins against poor teams is a serious problem.

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  16. The thing that gets me is his contract. He is by far smarter than the barrage of lawyers that made up this deal. As far as I can see there were no goals or cash incentives if he did well or penalties if he faltered. There seems to have been any due diligence when doing the hire. The fault squarely is with USC for being so stupid Riley needs to go but I am afraid Jen will do no better in hiring. As they say the USC culture is soft and likes the flash but not physical consistent football

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  18. on the bright side, UCLA got one First Place vote in the coaches poll!!! sugary sweeeet!! trOJies tumbled out of the AP top 25 tho with two tough games coming up….all my dreams of the winner take all death match to end season have gone away, like tears in rain.

    #Time’sUp

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    2. You gotta right to crow, Bucket. But the gutties are gonna be swimmin’ in the deep end soon – better not gaack it. (You know -like in the past) GULP……

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      1. I ain’t sayin’ we’re winning a Natty, but from 3-9 to playoffs is likely unprecedented! The key is to change the culture. We just signed a good QB away from OR, next year we should be legit contenders esp if our new QB gets another yr of eligibility!

        #CrowingTooEarly?

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  19. Never thought it would become this.

    Harvey Hyde discussed limited access…no one allowed to see pre-season practices..no Spring game…tight control on post-game number of questions allowed…fundamentals as others above already noted…tackling…a real mess.

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  21. wolfman, I’m no trOJie, so I have no dog in the Riley squabble, but the thing that irks me most about Riley is the lack of ownership. The coaches who are leaders will face press after getting walloped and say “I did a horsesh!t job of coaching” or “Obviously I did not prepare our team very well” etc but Riley never even hints he has any direct responsibility for failure. It’s always “we” didn’t do this or that, implicating all the players and coaches, but never himself directly. As Wolfman says, not a leader of men.

    #ItAin’tMeBabe

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    1. Chuckster,

      You are correct. He also says that they have to improve. For five years he has been improving, but I do not see any improvement.

      Chuckster, I’m gonna hate myself since I am the biggest ugly hater of all time, but ugly has a very good coach and coaching staff. He is teaching ugly discpline and to play hard. Congrats. But does he still allow them to jump over the fence and not practice?

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    2. …may I put in a word….Lincoln thought he’d be coaching pac 12 football

      ….. folt placed him in big 10 hell…….

      lincoln: “I no like this…..me payback USC!”

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      2. MG-The little baggies your wife gave you were for putting things in to waterproof them in your baggage … not for the ganja! – put that bong away!

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  23. KAM: The latest from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic comes after the news of Dave Aranda being fired by the Baylor Bears, opening a big college football gig. Feldman would have Riley as the “biggest wild card in this season.” Feldman would even say that if Riley were to be interested in the job, the Trojans “would welcome a move,” adding that he’s a Texas native.

    DON: Freedom ’26!

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  24. DON: The football fans at Oregon, Baylor, Auburn and SC are all miserable in lamenting over the state of their teams

    KAM: -And here I thought football season was a time to rejoice

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  26. This morning, Monday 26th October, on Dan Patrick’s radio show Patrick stated he was told Riley had expressed erious doubts about returning this year as head coach.

    As noted with Aranda getting booted by Baylor there is also slots possibly at TCU and TX Tech….a podcast last night noted Jen Cohen moving Enfield to SMU by splitting the cost for his buyout. Podcaster stated that would be the way to go esp if Riley desires to go back to Texas and with the expanded 24 team playoff, a far easier path to playing in it as a Big 12 team instead of his obvious inability competing in the Big 10. Also same podcaster noted the true quality of the freshman USC players. That a good head coach would be able to mold it quickly but also the need to retain current GM ‘Bowdin’ (I think that’s his name) as he was the architect in bringing all these new commits in for Riley.

    Riley, it seems, is now on his own and he has no support from anyone inside the athletic dept..

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    1. Wouldn’t that be sweet if he could get another HC job?! He wouldn’t get the $11-12M he’s getting from us. But if he could get half of that, it would drastically reduce what we have to pay him over the next 5 years.

      But I’d be shocked if he got anything but an OC role.

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      1. I think you’re half-right So Cal…Riley has decent past success as a head coach but NOT in the upper tier…i.e. he was surprised that OK had agreed to move to the SEC which motivated him to go to USC and the PAC-12 only to find out that very month December 2020 USC was moving to the BIG10.

        He’d be a good fit there on the Big 12 win 9 – 10 games and grab one of the 24 slots. Either way he is done at USC that ship has sailed.

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    3. this is alarming. i feel a school and coach should respect the hallowed covenant of the contract and remain till the bitter end no matter what.

      #LikeACatholicMarriage

      #RileyStaysTill2033

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  27. KAM: There still is a lot of football left for SC with 3 games against Top-10 teams, and you just know that Ohio St does not want to be saddled with a second loss in the SC game

    DON: The Buckeyes have to be a bit worried about having to use a backup quarterback

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  28. KAM: And dare I say it but SC needs a win over the Buckeyes to remain in the playoff race

    DON: The odds are only 54-46 in favor of Ohio St so a Trojan victory is certainly not out of the question

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  29. It’s nice when Scott’s critiques are all legitimate.

    After canceling the Notre Dame series, Riley absolutely had to make the playoffs this year. He wont. He’s gotta be out.

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  30. Scooteer,

    My question is, does the president of SC have the balls and kimchi to not only fire Riley and sue him for breaach of contract but also fire soritory girl JencTaco Lita Cohen as well? SC cannot allow her to make the next football coach hire. You see who she hired for the men’s baskettball coach, physcotic musselman

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  31. wolfman, i’m pleased to see in the news, an entire constellation of Hollywood stars have come out in force to support trOJie Karen Bass in LA’s mayor race!!! wolfman, as a nationally recognized celebrity yourself, i think it’s time for you to abandon your “no politics” rule and support a fellow trOJie!! we all know that silly fop (and MI6 plant) Hilton has no chance, but if a Bruin were running, you can bet Chucker Buck would be endorsing them!! as a matter of fact, i recommend every two years you do a whole recommendation sheet covering all candidates and Propositions!!

    #trOJiesInDireNeedOfGuidance

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  32. KAM: Maybe the Wisconsin fiasco was what the SC team needed because they won’t do worse than that the rest of the season

    DON: Everybody is against Wiley except his charges, and that is all that matters

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  33. Last week the guy who writes for College Football News.com had SC playing in the Holiday Bowl. Today, he’s got them in the Las Vegas Bowl. Pretty sure that with a little effort Riley could get the team into an even crappier bowl, like the Puerto Rico Bowl or the Independence Bowl.

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