Introduction to USC’s Disappointing Season
Another big game, another big stink. Another loaded season, another lost season. Four years after Lincoln Riley arrived at USC amid gaudy promises to return the football program to national prominence, well, two words. Still waiting.
USC’s Loss to Oregon
Needing a win at Oregon’s Autzen Stadium on Saturday to have a chance at their first College Football Playoff berth, the Trojans once again fell short, fell deep and basically fell on their faces. Still waiting. In front of its jubilant fans roaring like USC fans once roared, Oregon used an 85-yard punt return, a terrible Trojans penalty and awful USC play calls to roll to a 42-27 victory. Still waiting.
Impact of the Loss
With the win, the seventh-ranked Ducks almost certainly earned a playoff spot. With the loss, the 15th-ranked Trojans definitely have been eliminated for the fourth time in Riley’s four seasons while hanging an equally damning number on the embattled coach. Under Riley’s leadership, the Trojans are 0-5 against top-10 teams. Nearly as bad, in four years the Trojans have won just three road games against teams that finished the season with records better than.500. Before beating Nebraska this year, Riley’s Trojans had not recorded a quality road win since his first season.
USC’s Future Prospects
If USC beats UCLA next weekend as expected, the Trojans will finish with a 9-3 record and a nice vacation in some anonymous bowl game. And that will not be enough. That cannot be enough. One wonders how long the deep-pocketed USC people will endure such failed expectations, such fruitless autumns, such… mediocrity. Heck, if UCLA can buy its way out of the Rose Bowl, one imagines that USC could buy its way out of a football coach. Just saying. Just saying, because at this point, there really isn’t anything more to say. USC coach Lincoln Riley could smile early Saturday as the Trojans forged a tie, but by the end of a 42-27 loss to Oregon there was little to feel good about. (Lydia Ely / Associated Press)
Analysis of the Game
“We’re right there,” Riley said afterward. “This has been an inspiring team to watch all year. It’s just gonna keep getting better and better.” It indeed has been inspiring watching the Trojans battle back from countless injuries to field a battling team Saturday that was gutted at several positions. But that still didn’t make it much fun to watch Oregon gain more than three times as many rushing yards while the Trojans hurt themselves with an unacceptable 103 yards of penalties. When it came time to make a big stop, the Trojans couldn’t. When it came time to complete a big play, they often were flagged. Oregon is good, but Oregon shouldn’t be able to control the game against a deep and gifted USC team… and yet for long stretches, the Ducks did.
Key Moments in the Game
USC began Saturday’s game with strength and style, forging a 14-all tie on the first play of the second quarter on a trick play that didn’t work against Notre Dame, receiver Makai Lemon throwing 24 yards to Tanook Hines to tie the game. If only the swaggering Trojans weren’t also so sloppy. On their next possession, a line-drive punt was returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Malik Benson to give Oregon a 21-14 lead. “Obviously a huge, huge play in the game,” Riley said. Then at the end of the first half, everything fell apart for USC, just like everything always seems to fall apart in big games.
Conclusion
The loss to Oregon marks another disappointing season for USC, and it’s time to question Lincoln Riley’s leadership. With a 0-5 record against top-10 teams and only three road wins against teams with records better than.500, Riley’s performance is under scrutiny. The Trojans’ inability to make big stops and complete big plays, combined with their sloppy performance, raises concerns about the team’s future prospects.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the game between USC and Oregon?
A: The final score was 42-27 in favor of Oregon.
Q: What is USC’s record against top-10 teams under Lincoln Riley?
A: USC is 0-5 against top-10 teams under Riley’s leadership.
Q: How many road games has USC won against teams with records better than.500 in the past four years?
A: USC has won only three road games against teams with records better than.500 in the past four years.
Q: What is the likely outcome for USC’s season after the loss to Oregon?
A: USC will likely finish with a 9-3 record and play in a bowl game, but will not make the College Football Playoff.
