Oklahoma fans reveling in Lincoln Riley's latest defensive collapse at USC

The Trojans missed 24 tackles in their 47-24 loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game

All Trojans Staff | Dec 3, 2022

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Lincoln Riley quickly turned the USC Trojans into one of the best offensive teams in college football.

But his defensive acumen continues to be called into question.

The Trojans' woeful defense took center stage Friday night in front of a prime time national television audience in the Pac-12 football championship game. And it was ugly.

USC blew a 17-3 first-quarter lead, was outscored 44-10 over the final three quarters and missed an astonishing 24 tackles in its 47-24 loss to Utah.

The reaction across the sports media landscape has been consistent in its criticism of Riley's defensive struggles dating back to his tenure at Oklahoma. And Sooners fans are piling on.

The collapse was reminiscent of Riley's Oklahoma teams in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Sooners made the College Football Playoff all three seasons, but gave up 54, 45 and 63 points in blowout semifinal losses.

In 2017 the Sooners blew a 31-17 halftime lead to Georgia in the CFP semifinal. In 2018, Riley's Sooners fell behind 28-0 to Alabama in the CFP semifinal. And in 2019 they were completely exposed by LSU, falling behind 49-14 at halftime before losing 63-28.

Here's a sampling of what the sports world is saying about Lincoln Riley and USC's defensive collapse:

USC is so identical to the Lincoln Riley Oklahoma teams it's amazing. every game looks like a pending blowout in the first quarter but just hang on.
— Matt Hinton (@MattRHinton) December 3, 2022

Predictably, Stinkin' Lincoln Riley's no-tackling USC D has given up another 47 to Utah. It's Oklahoma all over again. All offense, embarrassing defense. What did the Trojans miss tonight, 30 tackles??? As an Oklahoma fan, I do not miss THIS.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 3, 2022

So Lincoln Riley went to USC and did EXACTLY what he did at Oklahoma every year: choke when it counts. At least he got paid to live on the beach.
— Josh Bertaccini (@TheRealNWAJB) December 3, 2022

Whether at Oklahoma or USC, Lincoln Riley has a pattern. Eventually, a bad defense lets down an elite offense.

If he wants to take USC to national titles, he needs to change philosophically to field defenses worthy of playing alongside his offenses.https://t.co/LsA4dvXCVf pic.twitter.com/V7slSY4qUD
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) December 3, 2022

Oh, no. I've watched quite a few. In fact, a relevant stat:

Since the CFP started in 2014, the three worst defenses in terms of yards per play allowed to make the field all belonged to Lincoln Riley-coached teams.

2018 Oklahoma 6.13
2017 Oklahoma 5.84
2019 Oklahoma 5.63 https://t.co/SKPd5edkws
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) December 3, 2022

Let's hear more "Lincoln Riley is awesome" tweets. Got swept by Utah. Got blown out tonight. Never won anything of substance at Oklahoma.
— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) December 3, 2022

How has Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma/USC not paid some elite defensive coordinator like $5M a year?

A mediocre defense would be enough for unlimited titles. It would be worth it.
— Eric Lloyd (@EricLloyd) December 3, 2022