LA Coliseum was filled with joyful roars as Penn State fans cheered for their victory against the USC Trojans on Saturday evening. “We own L.A.!” a fan shouted, looking at Penn State boys. To that, one of them responded by saying, “L.A. is our city! While Lincoln Riley stood there, giving it the side-eye. After what they have been doing so far this season, it seems like USC is a long-lost story in college football now. Riley can’t get away with saying, “really difficult loss,” because they have been giving only excuses since the 2024 college football season started. Now CFB’s blunt analyst Paul Finebaum has something to say to Riley.

ESPN CFB from their YouTube channel shared a clip of analyst Matt Barrier asking Paul Finebaum about his thoughts on the USC Trojans’s 3-3 record this season. Before answering, Finebaum burst into a laugh as he could not process how he should react to this hilarious situation of the Trojans and Lincoln Riley.

Finebaum started by saying, “A hard time on Sportscenter the other day for that one more shot at Lincoln Riley, but I tried to prop the guy up after LSU, Matt, but I think you can tell where I’m going on him. I thought we’d grow out is it?”

Finebaum is a generational hater. At the start of the season, Finebaum, in an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, was criticised for going against Riley and calling him overrated. He had to eat his words after USC defeated LSU in their first game. Things didn’t look that good for Finebaum’s agenda initially, but the old hater in him has had redemption as the Trojans registered three losses in their last four games. Of course, Finebaum would not care that the Trojans had a chance to win each of their games, and why should he? You don’t get a ‘W’ in your wins column for a close game; you need to cross that final hurdle, and Lincoln Riley’s boys have failed to do that in three of their games.

Lincoln Riley’s USC against Penn State

In a dramatic road game, Penn State flew 2500 miles away from home for its first big ten trip and secured a 33-30 overtime victory against an elite team, USC, at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Despite trailing most of the time, the Nittany Lions’ quarterback Drew Allar and tight end Tyler Warren led their team in the second-half comeback to maintain their undefeated season and championship aspirations.

In an outstanding performance, Warren tied the FBS record for most receptions by a tight end in a game by grabbing 17 catches for 224 yards and a score. Allar threw his career-high 391 yards and two scores. During the final quarter, Nicholas Singleton caught a 14-yard touchdown with three minutes remaining to force overtime.

In overtime, USC missed its first possession and also a 45-yard field goal attempt. Penn State seized the opportunity by moving to the 19-yard line, and Ryan Barker sealed the deal with his last 36-yard field goal.