In week 5 of college football, the previously undefeated USC Trojans lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini 34-32. In that game, there was one apparent issue. This issue has shown up in wins and losses alike. USC has allowed too many points this season, consistently failing to stop offensive drives. Until this issue is addressed, they will struggle to compete. A good offense is pointless without at least a mediocre defense.
Issues Remain for Lincoln Riley at USC
USC Couldn’t Stop The Illini
After Saturday, the Trojans have allowed more than 31 points in back-to-back games. Against Illinois, in the first half, the defense was able to stop the Illini a couple of times. However, the second half went much worse for USC’s D. Illinois quickly jumped out to a 24-10 lead before USC would cut the lead in half. The Illini again jumped out to a 31-17 lead before USC made it 31-25. The Trojans would get extremely lucky with a fumble at the goal line, and they would take the lead 32-31, with just a few minutes left.
However, again, the defense couldn’t stop the Fighting Illini as they would lose 34-32 on a walk-off field goal. Overall, USC allowed 503 yards and was unable to stop Illinois’ offense in the second half. The argument can be made that the offense wasn’t efficient enough in the first half. However, as many say, defense wins championships. And in many cases, also wins.
This Has Always Been an Issue for Lincoln Riley and USC
Even with Caleb Williams and a potent offense, the USC Trojans couldn’t stop the other team’s defense. In William’s final season at USC, the Trojans went 8-5 because of poor defensive play. Even in 2022, the defense would fail them in their final few games of the season. Lincoln Riley has a recurring issue. The offense is good enough to win 8-10 games. However, the defense is so poor that games against teams like Oregon feel impossible to beat.
Riley may very well be on the hot seat because of this issue. Even a remotely good defense could make USC now and in recent seasons elite. However, Riley again and again has failed to lead his team to anything defensively. Unfortunately for USC, they may need to let go of Riley because of his recurring issue, and you couldn’t really blame the Trojans.
Who is Favored to Win the BIG Ten after Week 5?
There remains to be two giants among men in the BIG Ten after week 5: Ohio State and Oregon. Much like last season, both teams have started off beautifully, with OSU beating the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and Oregon beating No. 3 Penn State. Undefeated still? OSU, Oregon, Maryland, and Indiana are still undefeated after week 5. Indiana is still a massive BIG Ten threat, but maybe less so after barely scratching out a 20-15 win at the Iowa Hawkeyes. Maryland meanwhile has a couple of interesting games soon, being vs. the Washington Huskies and Nebraska Cornhuskers in back-to-back weeks.
Overall though, the teams favored to win the BIG Ten would have to be Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana in that order thanks to Penn State’s disappointing loss. Perhaps Maryland, Michigan, or Nebraska are still dark horses. However, for now, it feels pretty impossible for these teams not be seen as favorites.
For USC though, another loss has showed that a recurring issue with Lincoln Riley hasn’t gone away. Riley and Co. have been unable to stop the opponent’s offense in any of his seasons there so far. Unfortunately, soon, USC may have to make a decision unless the situation improves. In order to become the contender USC wants to be, they must find a way to stop a team on defense.
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