“I’m not a magician. I can’t wave a magic wand, and everything just is perfect right away,” Lincoln Riley said, describing the present situation of USC for its upcoming national championship. he is not only trying to rebuild USC, but Riley is undertaking the plan of making up the place of defense for the Trojans in Big 10 after five losses in its final six regular-season games.

Now, analysts’ prediction on Lincoln’s defensive plan (hiring D’Anton Lynn) in Big 10 makes a mixed reaction; some say great hire, and some say not working. But the Trojans HC did not lose his faith in his recruit and seems like he has more on his plate to worry about. 

Lynn could be the best choice for the Trojans

“His brisket is fine. He just took a bad photo,” Riley said, mentioning the fact that he was not worried about the offense. Lincoln’s focus was to change his defensive plan, as he believed it could change the game plan of Big 10 for USC. However, in the July 26th video of the No. 1 College football Show, RJ Young decided to give his two cents on USC’s defense. In the video, he highlighted how going to the Pac-12 may have been a strategic choice by Riley, adding, “Oklahoma fans believed that Lincoln joined the USC as the Pac-12 championship is easier than the Big 10.” Although we can’t ignore that Riley wants to prove his skill in his upcoming third season with the Trojans by hiring the UCLA defensive coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. 

Addressing the media at Big Ten Media Days, Riley said, “We are at the top of the Big Ten. We’re at the top of any conference. I don’t ever look at ourselves as below anybody. And never will,“. Along with that, after hiring Lynn, Lincoln continued, “I thought the changes he made there were staggering,” as Riley believed that “He obviously authored the biggest turnaround in defensive college football last year.” Most importantly, Lynn has experienced with several NFL franchises from nine years which can help Trojans this season to be in the playoff. Let’s have a look at the chance of USC in the Big 10 playoff. 

USC could be in the playoffs

“If you think back to USC history and when this program, which is most of history, has been elite, there were elite defenses to go along with that year in and year out,” Riley said, mentioning that nothing is in his hand, the only thing he can do is trying to go back at that position. In that scenario, Lynn’s defensive skill might work for USC. If it works for USC, it could face other powerhouses such as Ohio, Texas and more at the playoff. 

In an exclusive interview, Lynn said, “felt like the guys got better each day,” praising the changes that occur in the team. It reflects that the DB could be heading the team at the fifth or sixth position in the playoff as per the progress. The truth will be revealed with time, and nothing is certain.