With the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins facing off in a rivalry game, we talked to Trojans Wire editor Matt Zemek about some different topics.
One of them is Lincoln Riley, who has been involved in discussions amid a disappointing year for the Trojans.
When asked how big this UCLA game is for Riley, Zemek had an honest answer.
“Let’s put it this way: If he loses to DeShaun Foster in Foster’s first season, that would be a level of humiliation which would exceed every previous USC loss under Riley, with the possible exception of the Cotton Bowl against Tulane. The loss would also mean that USC would have to beat Notre Dame to clinch a bowl bid. USC would be unlikely to even make a bowl game. The Trojans could sink to 5-7, which was the record of the team in 2018 under Clay Helton. If Riley loses this game, he is undoubtedly on the hot seat entering 2025. If he wants a smoother ride at USC (not that it’s going to be smooth anyway), he absolutely must win this game. There are zero excuses for the Trojans at this point. This is the game they almost surely have to win if they want to get a bowl bid and secure those crucial December bowl practices, which help the coaching staff build the roster and develop players heading into spring ball.”
If Riley and USC lose to UCLA, things could get ugly for the Trojans.