USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Reveals Similarities Between Michigan and USC

USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley has a lot of respect for the Trojan’s upcoming opponent, the Michigan Wolverines. Riley spoke about the parallels between the two programs and gave some insight into their upcoming matchup.

Oct 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley is in his third season as coach of the USC Trojans. The Trojans are one of the biggest brands in all of college football. Before Riley took over, USC was coming off a 4-8 season and now in 2024, USC is 2-0 with positive momentum.

USC has dramatically improved since Riley took over and has gone 21-8 over the past two-plus seasons. He’s aiming to bring the Trojans back into the national championship conversation year in and year out, as they were so often back in the day. USC has won 11 national championships, but none since 2004.

Riley was quoted by The Athletic in February of 2024 saying that "he wanted to emulate Michigan's build."

Michigan was a program in a similar situation 10 years ago to what USC is in now. A blue blood with a long history and tradition of winning, trying to get back to the mountaintop. Michigan is now the defending national champion of college football.

Lincoln Riley Has Immense Respect for Michigan

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts the trophy to celebrate the 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Lincoln Riley was asked about the Trojan’s next opponent following the bye week, the Michigan Wolverines. 

Riley said that Michigan “has a very good line….good returning players….and it’s a challenging place to play.”

Riley was asked about statements he made in the winter about the similarities between USC’s and Michigan’s.

“Two blue blood, iconic programs that have been down. They (Michigan) had some ups and downs when Jim (Harbaugh) got there. A lot of people on the outside thought they weren’t going to be able to turn it around,” Riley said.

Jim Harbaugh was hired by Michigan in 2014 following a 5-7 season by the Wolverines. After a decade of being on the doorstep, Harbaugh coached the Wolverines to a national championship victory last season before leaving to coach the Los Angeles Chargers this year.

Riley says “The thing I respect the most about them is that they stayed very true to their process and ignored everybody on the outside…I think that’s ultimately why they have had a lot of great seasons in a row.”

Trojans Get a Much-Needed Bye Week Before Michigan Game

Nov 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans safety Jaylin Smith (19) reacts after breaking up a play during the first quarter against the Washington Huskies at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images / Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

USC will be able to use this bye week to get healthy for when they make the trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan to play the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines in the Big House. 

Key players like linebacker Mason Cobb and cornerback Jaylin Smith have been nursing minor injuries so they will have more time to get right. 

If USC beats Michigan on the road to move to 3-0 on the season, the whole country will be on notice if they weren’t already. The Trojans have another great opportunity to prove they are a real threat to win the Big Ten and maybe even more.

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