A critical setback for USC has left the Trojans unranked by the Associated Press and in jeopardy of missing out on a College Football Playoff spot, raising questions about head coach Lincoln Riley’s future at a program where his hiring was not initially supported by athletic leadership. The loss marks the second defeat in a season where high stakes loom, deepening concerns over consistency and long-term direction. With expectations unmet and internal divisions resurfacing, the program faces growing scrutiny over whether Riley remains the right leader for its ambitious goals. The situation underscores the fragile balance between on-field performance and administrative confidence in a make-or-break year.
USC’s second loss in a make-or-break year for Lincoln Riley has knocked the Trojans from the Associated Press rankings and put them on the cusp of being out of the running for the College Football Playoff. It also sparked speculation about Riley’s fit at a place where he wasn’t hired by athletic director Jen Cohen...
