Another big opponent awaits Lincoln Riley and No. 25 Southern California in Week 8, hoping to change the narrative in major matchups that's raised the hot seat in Los Angeles.
USC faces No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 31, with all the pressure on the Trojans to capture a signature victory. Riley has faced more criticism following the disatrous loss to Wisconsin in Week 7 in what was one of the worst outings in his tenure. The defeat put the College Football Playoff hopes on the brink of ending, which would be a massive disappointment. It's led to more call for a breakup to happen while Riley continues to defend his job and desire to stay at USC.
As a result,
USC now must save its season against Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes, and these type of matchups have haunted it for the majority of Riley's tenure, and it cannot afford another one happening on Halloween night.
Lincoln Riley record vs ranked teams at USC
Riley is 5-14 against ranked team since he started at USC in 2022. Against unranked foes, USC is 36-6.
What's hurt the arguement against Riley is USC has lost seven of its last eight games against ranked teams.
USC games vs ranked teams
Rankings from US LBM Coaches Poll
- Oct. 15, 2022: Loss at No. 19 Utah, 43-42
- Nov. 19, 2022: Win at No. 16 UCLA, 48-45
- Nov. 26, 2022: Win vs. No. 15 Notre Dame, 38-27
- Dec. 2, 2022: Loss vs. No. 12 Utah, 47-24 (Pac-12 championship game)
- Jan. 2, 2023: Loss vs. No. 17 Tulane, 46-45 (Cotton Bowl)
- Oct. 14, 2023: Loss at No. 21 Notre Dame, 48-20
- Oct. 21, 2023: Loss vs. No. 14 Utah, 34-32
- Nov. 4, 2023: Loss vs. No. 5 Washington, 52-42
- Nov. 11, 2023: Loss at No. 6 Oregon, 36-27
- Dec. 27, 2023: Win vs. No. 15 Louisville, 42-28 (Holiday Bowl)
- Sept. 1, 2024: Win vs. No. 12 LSU, 27-20 (in Las Vegas)
- Sept. 21, 2024: Loss at No. 17 Michigan, 27-24
- Oct. 12, 2024: Loss vs. No. 5 Penn State, 33-30 (OT)
- Nov. 30, 2024: Loss vs. No. 5 Notre Dame, 49-35
- Sept. 27, 2025: Loss at No. 23 Illinois, 34-32
- Oct. 11, 2025: Win vs. No. 15 Michigan, 31-13
- Oct. 18, 2025: Loss at No. 15 Notre Dame, 34-24
- Nov. 22, 2025: Loss at No. 5 Oregon, 42-27
- Sept. 26, 2026: Loss vs. No. 16 Oregon, 41-27
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lincoln Riley looks to improve horrible record with USC vs top-25 teams vs Ohio State
