USC Football Coach Lincoln Riley Faces Pressure

Lincoln Riley faces mounting pressure in his third year as head coach of USC football, with the team currently at 5-5 and struggling in their inaugural Big Ten season. Despite the team's lackluster performance, Riley recently secured a commitment from 5-star quarterback Husan Longstreet, who switched from Texas A&M. The Trojans demonstrated a more balanced offensive strategy in their recent victory against Nebraska, where quarterback Jayden Maiava started his first game, leading the team to a 28-20 win. This win was crucial for USC's hopes of reaching a bowl game, as they need to win one of their final two games against UCLA or Notre Dame. While Riley's job is not in immediate jeopardy, the financial implications of firing him, estimated around $60 million, and the arrival of a new university president could impact his future if the team's performance does not improve next season. Overall, Riley's coaching effectiveness is under scrutiny as USC navigates through a challenging season amidst high expectations from fans and alumni.