On Saturday, as the clock hit zero, USC students stormed the L.A. Memorial Coliseum field after USC’s 30-18 win over Ohio State.
The celebration showed how much the victory meant to the program. Coming off a loss to Wisconsin, USC needed a win that could restore confidence across the program.
Beating Ohio State and seeing students rush the field might give the Trojans a jolt of energy heading into their bye week. But, it did not answer the question that has followed head coach Lincoln Riley: is he still the right coach to lead USC?
For now, Riley has earned more time. The win over a highly ranked opponent can change the conversation around the fifth-year coach, especially after questions about USC’s ability to compete in big games.
Despite this, one night cannot settle Riley’s future. The rest of the season will show whether this was a turning point or a rare high point.
Riley called the win a reflection of the people around the program.
“This program’s built on eternal joy, not external applause. This win’s for all the staff members, players, leaders, admin, all the people within the walls,” he said.
The message speaks to the culture Riley wants to build. His record against ranked opponents, though, has made it harder for fans to take that vision on faith.
USC was 5-14 against AP Top 25 teams under Riley entering the game. The Ohio State win improves that record, but the larger question remains: Can USC compete at this level consistently?
And while Saturday’s historical win may seem like a yes, fans should be wary to change how they judge Riley overnight.
Ohio State was without their starting junior quarterback, Julian Sayin, an important context when concluding the result. The win gave USC a well-needed boost, but the real test will come against Indiana after the bye.
The defense gives Riley and his staff a reason for optimism. It has struggled this season with its secondary, run defense and adjustments under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
USC allowed 3.8 yards per carry through eight games, ranking ninth in the Big Ten in opponent yards per rush.
This Buckeye matchup showed the Trojans’ defense can rise to the occasion against a decent offense even without Sayin. It also demonstrated that they can make adjustments and execute against a strong opponent, something they haven’t been able to do in the past.
That is progress, but it doesn’t prove the defense has fixed its season-long problems or can even perform that way on a consistent basis. USC needs to show the same discipline in the weeks ahead, especially against No. 6 Indiana on Nov. 14 and No. 5 UCLA on Nov. 28.
Those games will say more about the defense’s growth than any celebration on Saturday night.
Riley also has to show that USC can finish the season with a chance to reach the College Football Playoff.
In the previous four seasons at USC, he has yet to lead the Trojans to the playoffs. A strong finish could change that and give the program a clearer measure of its progress under him.
Riley said he plans to keep fighting for USC.
“I appreciate being a part of this university, and all it does. I appreciate our kids, our staff and I’m going to continue to fight on because that’s what being a Trojan is all about,” he said.
The win makes an immediate decision about Riley more difficult. USC has reason to give him the rest of the season to show what this team can become. If the defense holds up and the Trojans keep winning, the Ohio State game could mark a real shift.
If they return to the same inconsistency, one upset will not be enough to answer the questions about Riley’s future.
The turning point will only come if Riley and his squad buys in for the rest of the season.
They will have to buy into the bye week and continue to make a push to stay in contention for playoffs. The game against Indiana will be their first task to show that Ohio State’s win wasn’t more than a one-night high.
USC’s challenge now is to make Saturday’s performance a standard.
Riley has bought time. What he does with it will determine whether this win becomes a turning point for his tenure.
Edited by Sammie Vassallo and Bennett Weinschenk