Predicting whether Lincoln Rileys USC Trojan odyssey will have happy ending
If his time at USC were a movie, “Lincoln Riley: The Trojan Odyssey” would need a massive plot twist.So far, what we’ve seen fits the same predictable, disappointing mold.A promising start to every season.A setback that threatened to derail the journey.
A brief recovery.Then, a loss that ended any College Football Playoff hopes.In 2022, it was Utah in the Pac-12 title game.In 2023, it was Washington at home.In 2024, it was Penn State in overtime.Last season, it was Oregon on the road.What will happen in 2026 to Riley, the protagonist under siege? Here’s a game-by-game prediction:Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo was an adviser to the UCLA staff that engineered a big upset of the Trojans in 2023 at the Coliseum, but that was with Power Four players.While there’s a dollop of talent on this team, including wide receiver Malachi Riley, there’s also mass turnover on defense.Prediction: Win, 1-0.The Bulldogs usually play the Trojans tough — remember that 50-42 classic in 2005? — though there’s little reason to believe that will be the case this season.Every quarterback on the roster is inexperienced, meaning this is a team that will likely rely heavily on the run.
A veteran defense should be Fresno State’s strength, but an operation that proclaims “Anybody, Anytime, Anywhere” is going to be overmatched by USC in the season’s early going at the Coliseum.Prediction: Win, 2-0.In a time of constant upheaval, the Ragin’ Cajuns have not only held onto one of the best nicknames in sports but also remained in the Sun Belt Conference for a quarter of a century.
That’s something.Quarterback Lunch Winfield, who is also a gifted runner, can make plays when seemingly nothing is there for the taking.But a defense that’s almost entirely new might seem out to lunch, and let’s face it, the talent gap is just too great.
Prediction: Win, 3-0.Greg Schiano expressed extreme confidence in his team at Big Ten media day, though he may be a better salesman than ...