Fire Lincoln Riley? USC may be getting closer after Saturday

Key Points:

• USC students and fans expressed frustration with head coach Lincoln Riley during a narrow 25-21 victory over Washington, chanting "Fire Lincoln" due to the team's inconsistent and unimpressive performance.
• Despite winning, the Trojans showed signs of struggling, including offensive confusion and defensive lapses, raising doubts about the team's identity and leadership under Riley in his fifth year.
• USC's recent performances include close calls and losses to lesser teams, with an overall 5-1 record that may not reflect the quality expected of a top-12 program aiming for the College Football Playoff.
• The Trojans face a challenging remaining schedule with four of six games on the road, including tough matchups against Penn State, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA, making a 7-5 finish more probable than a 10-2 season.
• The article questions the future under Riley, highlighting fan discontent and comparing USC unfavorably to rivals like UCLA, while noting that even the players seem disillusioned despite the coach's optimistic comments.