Tag: lincoln riley usc

The Athletic asks the big question about Lincoln Riley and Brent Venables

The Athletic is asking which program is in better — and worse — shape: Lincoln Riley’s USC or Brent Venables’ Oklahoma?

It is a question everyone in college football is asking right now, given the enormous struggles of both USC football and Oklahoma football right now: Which program is better with Lincoln Riley at USC and Brent Venables at Oklahoma? The Athletic waded right into the middle of the debate (subscription required).

We have discussed the key flaw dragging down both USC and Oklahoma, and it’s not that hard to identify: offensive line recruiting. Oklahoma fans and analysts noted slippage in Riley’s offensive line recruiting at OU in 2021, which bled into 2022 and left Brent Venables shorthanded at that crucial position. Venables, an excellent defensive coach, has not been able to build an offense which is capable of capitalizing on OU’s strong defense. Riley did not give Venables a good situation to inherit, but we also have to admit that Venables has had three whole years to address those problems. He is behind schedule. The fact that Venables fired his offensive coordinator, Seth Littrell, this past weekend is an indication of how bad things have become in Norman. USC is an absolute mess, but Oklahoma isn’t really better.

The offensive line is what each program has to solve — with big talent upgrades on the trail and in the portal — if a resurrection is going to occur.

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What Lincoln Riley and USC players said after sloppy Week Zero win

Get quotes from all the main players, plus head coach Lincoln Riley, after #USC won but played far short of its best.

USC shouldn’t panic after its first game of the season, but there is plenty for the Trojans to be concerned about after a not-that-good defensive performance against San Jose State.

Alex Grinch did not make the grade … again.

We noted that “No one could honestly say that Alex Grinch coached a good game in his 2023 season debut as USC defensive coordinator. Blitzes on 3rd and 22 and in other specific situations were baffling, given that USC didn’t need to sack the quarterback; it just needed to get off the field.

“When USC’s defense has an opponent in third and long, it just needs to get off the field. Get the stop. Give the ball back to Caleb Williams and Zachariah Branch, and get on with the game. That’s it. It doesn’t have to be fancy or special.”

Let’s see what Lincoln Riley and various USC players said after a season opener in which a lot of rough edges emerged for the Trojans:

Lincoln Riley’s remarkable streak as a college head coach continues at USC

Lincoln Riley continued one of his most impressive streaks as a collegiate head coach this year. Six regular seasons have all met high standards.

There are lots of impressive facts and statistics one can mention when Lincoln Riley is the topic of conversation.

The man has four College Football Playoff appearances on his resume, three as a head coach. He has won four Big 12 championships and will try to win a conference title this Friday when USC plays Utah in Las Vegas.

Today — November 28, 2022 — is the one-year anniversary of Riley’s arrival at USC as the program’s new head coach, In that year, Riley has completely transformed the program. USC went from being 4-8 last year to 11-1 (with more games to play) this year.

So much about Riley is hugely impressive, but in the midst of all the facts one can mention about him, a particular streak stands out. That streak was continued in 2022, and we’ll discuss it below:

November 28 marks one-year anniversary of Lincoln Riley’s arrival at USC

November 28, 2021. Remember where #USC football was that day. November 28, 2022. Look where the Trojans are now. #LincolnRiley

It has been one year since Lincoln Riley was hired as the head coach for the USC Trojans.

A year ago, Oklahoma lost to Oklahoma State in the Bedlam game, and rumors swirled in the days preceding that game about Riley potentially going to LSU. However, Sunday morning came, and a bombshell dropped that Riley was the new head coach at USC in a whirlwind series of events across college football.

It seemed unreal, yet here we are. One year later, the Trojans have a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback, a Pac-12 title game appearance, and a shot at the College Football Playoff.

It’s only been one year. Let’s recall what happened on November 28, 2021, and in the 24 hours after that explosive event which changed everything for USC:

Did Lane Kiffin just have his Lincoln Riley 2021 moment at Ole Miss?

Some analysts think Ole Miss’s blowout L at Arkansas shows Lane Kiffin has mentally checked out, like Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma in late 2021.

Oh, boy.

It was impossible to avoid noticing how non-competitive Ole Miss was this past week against Arkansas. Sure, the Rebels faced the very real possibility of losing. The fact that the Rebels lost was hardly shocking. They just had a tough game against Alabama. They were physically beaten up and they just played a mentally draining game. Arkansas got quarterback K.J. Jefferson back in the lineup, and Jefferson played well. He looked physically fresh after missing some games with injuries.

Yet: Ole Miss didn’t really even show up.

Some commentators brought up the unavoidable point: Was this an example of Lane Kiffin being mentally done — having his mind on his next job and not his current one? Hashtag #WarEagle. Hashtag #LaneKiffinToAuburn.

This sounds familiar if you are an Oklahoma fan … and a USC fan.

Let’s explore this idea: