USC and Lincoln Riley are in a familiar and very bad place after their loss to Oregon. We all knew how important and defining this game was for the 2026 team and the program at large. Once again, USC failed, and once again, the Trojans lost because they made far too many critical mistakes. They gave their opponent help, and it didn't have to be this way. The pattern of failure is so clear at USC that UCLA Wire football writer Dylan McNeill offered a simple but blunt critique of the Trojans. It's hard to refute any of it:
"Week 4 brought familiar disappointments for the USC Trojans in the Lincoln Riley Era. Oregon outlasted the Trojans, giving USC its first loss of the season," McNeill began. "The Ducks kept their composure after losing starting
quarterback Dante Moore on a dirty hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens II.
"Composure feels like a fitting word after the 41-27 defeat. Does the USC football program have much composure? USC has talent, flash and funding but after the big loss to Oregon, the program doesn’t seem all that composed. The Trojan defense remains an issue, as the group allowed over 500 yards of offense and the defense was unable to get stops in key moments. USC will win plenty more games this season, but when will Riley begin to win big games? He had a chance to accomplish that on Saturday and once again, the team left the field embarrassed."
UCLA writers criticizing USC football isn't fun. What really hurts is that the basic argument is true.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: UCLA writer blasts Lincoln Riley's USC team after Oregon loss
