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The Trojans didn't lose.
That's the good news for embattled coach Lincoln Riley after No. 18 USC escaped with a 25-21 victory against Washington on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Imagine the reaction if Washington quarterback Demond Williams would have finished that final drive. He converted two fourth-downs, including a 43-yard pass to Chris Lawson on fourth-and-2, that pushed the Trojans to the brink.
Yet Williams' desperation fourth-and-10 pass to Dezmen Roebuck was broken up by USC defensive back Prophet Brown, which at least for a week kept another firestorm at bay for Riley and his tenure at USC (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten).
It's impossible not to look at the college football landscape and wonder about Riley's future. Former USC coaches Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin have playoff-caliber and perhaps national-title contenders at Texas and LSU, respectively. USC temporarily saved their season with a victory against an under-performing Washington (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) team that led 21-10 in the second half.
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What's wrong with USC?
It was a brutal week for the Trojans in the aftermath of a 41-27 loss to No. 15 Oregon that confirmed who the predominant power on the West Coast is. Desmen Stephens' ejection and corresponding reaction on a brutal hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore was widely criticized, and reports of Riley's $60 million buyout and questions about the culture at USC resurfaced.
Saturday's victory against Washington won't silence those critics. USC slogged through the first half. Jakheem Stewart's fumble return for a TD gave the Trojans a 22-21 lead – and the defense did come up with a stop with the game on the line. USC allowed 319 total yards, which showed improvement under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, who finished 21 of 34 for 245 yards, a TD and an interception, made enough plays in the second half. The offense misses freshman receiver Trent Mosley, who suffered a knee injury in Week 3 against Rutgers.
But will it be enough the rest of the season? It could be worse. Penn State and Michigan are off to 0-2 starts in Big Ten play – but those programs are on resets with coaches Matt Campbell and Kyle Whittingham. Those veteran coaches are learning about what life in the Big Ten is like. Riley is in Year 5 and in his third season in the Big Ten. He should know by now.
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Will Lincoln Riley get off the hot seat?
Riley is now 21-11 with a 13-8 record in the Big Ten since the Trojans joined the conference in 2024. USC entered the season as a playoff hopeful, but the early-season storylines revolved around low attendance at USC home games.
That starts next week with a road trip to Penn State – which will be the "Whiteout." How will USC handle that environment after struggling in a 42-35 victory against Rutgers on Sept. 19? The question of cross-country travel is back in effect. After a bye week, USC has another road trip to a rejuvenated Wisconsin team that is turning a corner with coach Luke Fickell.
USC also has another home matchup with No. 5 Ohio State (Oct. 31), a road trip to No. 6 Indiana (Nov. 14) and the finale at No. 23 UCLA (Nov. 28). The matchup with Maryland (Nov. 21) feels like the only guaranteed victory on the remainder of the schedule. Does anybody trust USC to make the CFP with that schedule?
So, yes, the Trojans won on Saturday. But the questions about Riley's future are far from over.
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