'I'm not asking for anybody's sympathy': It's a pivotal season for Lincoln Riley and USC

The 2026 season is a make-or-break moment for Lincoln Riley and USC football. According to ESPN, it's a pivotal season for the team's head coach. The New York Post notes that Riley has responded to critics after a close call against Rutgers. The big fear for Riley and USC is that 2026 will turn out like 2023, as highlighted by Yahoo Sports. The USC team hasn't won big since the Pete Carroll era, and The New York Times questions whether Riley is ready to flip the script. The team's performance will be closely watched as they head into the Oregon week.

The pressure on Riley is due in part to the team's recent performance. The New York Times notes that the USC team hasn't won big since the Pete Carroll era. This lack of success has led to increased scrutiny of Riley's coaching abilities. The 247Sports outlet highlights five key takeaways from Riley's appearance on Trojans Live, including his approach to the upcoming game against Oregon.

The reporting on Riley's situation is largely in agreement that the 2026 season is a make-or-break moment for the coach. However, there is some disagreement on whether Riley is up to the task. The New York Times questions whether he is ready to lead the team to success, while Yahoo Sports notes that the fear is that 2026 will turn out like 2023. The outcome of the season is still unknown.