The USC Trojans‘ season has been disappointing in more senses than one. The Trojans’ hopes on head coach Lincoln Riley have taken a bad turn. During Riley’s first year without Caleb Williams, the program took a step backwards and their season is virtually over with three remaigning games. After a devastating loss to the Washington Huskies, Riley made an honest confession on how the 2024 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ncaa">NCAA</a> season has gone.



USC suffered their fifth loss of the season during their visit to Seattle. Through nine games on the season, the Trojans have already equalled their loss-total from last season. Riley’s seat is certainly heating up as the team has failed to meet expectations. Since Riley took the reins in LA, the team has yet to make the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/college-football">College Football</a> Playoffs.



Saturday’s loss to the Huskies hammered the final nail in the Trojans’ coffin. The season is pretty much over for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/usc">USC</a>. Though just two wins away from bowl eligibility, it feels more like a consolation prize than a meaningful season goal. Riley had a sincere message after the 26-21 loss.



“I don’t handle losing very well. It hasn’t happened very much in my career. That part of it is unacceptable,” <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lincoln-riley">Riley</a> stated, via On3. “It’s not like we’re getting our a** kicked. It’s not like I go back to the drawing board like gah, we’re doing this terrible, and people are wearing us out on this or that. It’s not that.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20241103_BUS_265099_Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-1024x576_4805d339.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-265128" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-740x416.jpg 740w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-490x275.jpg 490w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon-250x140.jpg 250w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/11/Head-Coach-of-the-USC-Trojans-Lincoln-Riley-walks-off-the-field-before-their-game-against-the-Oregon.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Head Coach of the USC Trojans Lincoln Riley walks off the field before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Riley’s record in South California</h2>



Riley made the headlines in 2021 as he decided to leave Oklahoma for USC. That decision changed the tune on his coaching decisiones, forever. He has been under heavy scrutiny since, and the results have not carried over to Cali. During his five-year tenure with the Sooners, Riley never had a +2 loss season. 


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On the contrary, since taking the Trojans’ job, his teams have not had a season with fewer than three losses. Riley had Williams at QB for his first two seasons, yet the team couldn’t make the postseason. In 2022, USC finished with an 11-3 record, but there was a notable decline in 2023, with an 8-5 record. This season has hit an even lower low, as the team currently holds a 4-5 record.

NCAAF News: USC HC Lincoln Riley makes honest statement after loss to Washington

NCAAF News: USC HC Lincoln Riley makes honest statement after loss to Washington - Bolavip US

miniaturas

With only a few days remaining until the start of a new college football season, universities are already planning for Week 1. This is the case for the USC Trojans, who, following the departure of star QB <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/caleb-williams">Caleb Williams</a> to the NFL, have had to name a replacement for their debut against LSU.



The 2023-24 season ended positively for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/usc-trojans">USC</a>, with 8 wins and 5 losses. The Trojans ultimately faced Louisville Cardinals in the Hollywood Bowl, concluding the year with a victory of 42-28.



What’s notable about this final game is that star quarterback Caleb Williams chose not to play, as he was preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. This significant decision suggests that the management anticipated Williams would be one of the top prospects in that draft.



With the departure of the quarterback to the Chicago Bears now confirmed, HC Lincoln Riley’s goal following the preseason is to find a replacement for Williams. This task will undoubtedly be far from easy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240820_BUS_160880_Caleb-Williams-1-1024x576_3fddec3b.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Caleb Williams USC" class="wp-image-160955" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Caleb-Williams-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Caleb-Williams-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Caleb-Williams-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Caleb-Williams-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Caleb-Williams-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Caleb Williams #13 of the USC Trojans throws a touchdown pass against the Tulane Green Wave in the second quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on January 02, 2023 at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.</figcaption></figure>



The Trojans will kick off their season this Sunday, September 1, against a tough opponent in LSU. Following that, they will face three challenging matchups: Utah State, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Without a doubt, it’s a tough start to the season.



<h2>The successor to Williams for Week 1</h2>



Following Williams’ departure to the NFL, HC Riley has finally named his successor for the start of the season. The player is none other than Miller Moss, who has been with the Trojans for several years and had a standout performance in the Hollywood Bowl.



According to ESPN journalist Paolo Uggetti, it will be Moss who starts in Week 1 against LSU: “It took Moss all of spring practice and most of fall camp to officially secure the position, but in many ways, Moss may have won the job back in December.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240820_BUS_160880_Miller-Moss-1024x576_c9bed710.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="Miller Moss USC" class="wp-image-160956" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Miller-Moss-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Miller-Moss-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Miller-Moss-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Miller-Moss-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/Miller-Moss.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Miller Moss #7 of the USC Trojans passes the ball during the first half of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals at Petco Park on December 27, 2023 in San Diego, California.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>When Moss earned the starting position?</h2>



Caleb Williams’ decision not to participate in the Hollywood Bowl at the end of last season against Louisville, in order to prepare for the NFL Draft, allowed Moss to step in and deliver an outstanding performance.



Regarding this situation, Uggetti stated: “With Williams deciding to not play in the Holiday Bowl in anticipation of his NFL draft decision, Moss stepped into the starting role and made the most of his opportunity.”



<h2>The opinion of his teammates regarding Moss</h2>



Following the victory in the Hollywood Bowl with a stellar performance by quarterback Miller Moss, his teammates lavished him with praise.



“What Miller did out there, it’s something that’s going to help us in the future, so personally, yes he did,” wide receiver Kyron Hudson said after the win over the Cardinals, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “I’m super excited for Miller. He waited his time and he’s ready for it. He’s the guy we need.”

USC Trojans HC Lincoln Riley names the successor to Caleb Williams as the starting QB for Week 1

USC Trojans HC Lincoln Riley names the successor to Caleb Williams as the starting QB for Week 1 - Bolavip US

This Saturday, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/usc">USC</a> visit Colorado in one of the most expected games in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/college-football">college football</a>. There will be huge names in Boulder such as Shedeur Sanders, Caleb Williams and, of course, head coaches Deion Sanders and Lincoln Riley.



So far, even after a big 42-6 loss against Oregon, Coach Prime’s work with the Buffaloes has been remarkable. The three wins in four weeks facing TCU, Nebraska and Colorado State are more than the total projection made by some experts for their entire season. 


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Just to put things in perspective, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colorado">Colorado</a> finished 1-11 in 2022. That’s why, regardless of the possible result for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/deion-sanders">Deion Sanders</a>, the game with USC will be a national event and Riley knows that.



<h2>Lincoln Riley dedicates special words to Deion Sanders</h2>



After all the controversy with Dan Lanning and Oregon, every coach who faces Deion Sanders is being asked about the impact of the former NFL star in college football.







This week, with USC as a favorite to reach the playoffs, Riley doesn’t want any type of confrontation off the field. In fact, it’s all respect for Coach Prime and his players.



“He’s done a great job. Look at the results. At the end of the day, our job as coaches is to do what’s necessary to help make these programs that give us an opportunity the best possible.”



According to Riley, there’s nothing wrong with Sanders’ personality. Furthermore, the head coach of the Trojans recognized his greatness.


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“I don’t know him. I’ve never met him, but he seems to be very genuine. Certainly his guys have responded to that. I’m looking forward to get a chance to meet him. Obviously, he’s one of the best players that’s ever played our game. He’ll always have an important place in our game. No matter what.”

Lincoln Riley

NCAAF News: USC HC Lincoln Riley makes honest statement after loss to Washington

USC Trojans HC Lincoln Riley names the successor to Caleb Williams as the starting QB for Week 1

Colorado vs USC: Lincoln Riley had an appreciation message for Deion Sanders