Lincoln Riley Faces Ongoing Criticism Over USC Defensive Performance In Season Opener

USC football's defense is still far from playoff-ready despite a 42-26 win over San José State. Coach Lincoln Riley has now spent four seasons trying to build a championship-caliber defense at USC, but the Trojans continue to fall short Mirjam Swanson. The question looms: how can you compete for national titles without a defense that can actually defend?
Lincoln Riley's tenure at USC has been marked by one persistent weakness: championship-level defense. Each of his four seasons has exposed the same flaw Mirjam Swanson. The Trojans can score points, but stopping opponents remains a chronic problem that has prevented the program from reaching the playoff stage.
USC's 42-26 victory over San José State on Saturday showed some bright spots but also exposed ongoing weaknesses. Freshman defensive end Luke Wafle and junior defensive tackle Jide Abasiri both made strong contributions Mirjam Swanson. Yet the defense gave up 26 points — too many for a team with playoff aspirations.
Top playoff contenders don't just outscore opponents. They suffocate them with stifling defenses that force turnovers and shut down drives Mirjam Swanson. USC's current unit is nowhere close to that standard. The Trojans need a complete defensive overhaul — not incremental improvement — to compete for a national championship.
Publishers
7
Articles
7
Reach
7