We use the term "moment of truth" a lot in relationship to USC football, because the truth has not been kind to Lincoln Riley. Pete Carroll used to have "tell the truth Mondays" as a head coach. The truth has usually been an ugly, miserable reality for USC to bear under Riley, a stark contrast to Pete. This Ohio State game is one more moment of truth. If the Trojans get blown out by a Buckeye team playing a backup freshman quarterback, it might be Lincoln Riley's last moment of truth at USC.
Time for USC to play angry
USC can't just play well; the Trojans need to be nasty. We need to see some fire from a team which was cold and lifeless last week against Wisconsin. We need to see USC football become desperate, and it's a shame it's not the way the Trojans regularly play.
Yet, that has been the reality under Lincoln Riley.
Real preparation
USC wasn't prepared to play against Wisconsin. We need to see a team which is actually prepared against Ohio State. This coaching staff has to get its act together after being completely humiliated against Wisconsin. USC played a clean game against Penn State, then took a week off and came back as a sloppy, disorganized mess. The good version of the Trojans has to return, and it has to stick around.
Jayden Maiava bounce-back game
Jayden Maiava needs to take this game very personally for USC. He stunk against Wisconsin. He is way too good to play like that two weeks in a row. Maiava needs to throw darts, which he is fully capable of. He needs to be the leader USC expects him to be.
Receivers have to own the moment
The young and talented USC receivers were not ready for the aggression and energy of Wisconsin's cornerbacks. We need to see a completely different group of Trojan pass-catchers in this game.
Run game has to come alive
USC's running game was totally smothered by Wisconsin. The Trojans have to show they can flex their muscles on the ground against Ohio State.
Gary Patterson versus Ohio State
Gary Patterson coached in many big games over two decades at TCU. This game needs to be a masterclass from the Trojans' defensive coordinator. If USC didn't get things fixed during its week off, those flaws have to be addressed versus Ohio State. It's the final day of October. Good teams figure out problems by this point in the season.
Line play
This game comes down to line play. The Trojans have to own the line of scrimmage and not get shoved around. Ohio State is expected to dominate up front. USC needs to not only get mad, but get even, against Ohio State. If the Trojans play OSU to a stalemate in the trenches, they have the skill players to bring home a win. Their advantage at quarterback will show up only if they play well on the line of scrimmage.
Lincoln Riley
Lincoln Riley beat Ohio State when he was at Oklahoma. Back then, Riley was at the height of his powers. Now, he's a fading coach who has utterly failed at USC. Can Lincoln Riley turn back the clock and change the narrative surrounding his sinking career? No one faces more pressure than the USC head coach.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley, running out of time, needs tough and angry USC effort
