If Lincoln Riley wants out of USC football, there’s an obvious exit plan

COLLEGE FOOTBALLSouthern California Trojans FootballAdd TopicIf Lincoln Riley wants out of USC football, there’s an obvious exit planIf Lincoln Riley wants out of USC, a certain Big 12 school makes a lot of sense.Blake Toppmeyer Paul Myerberg Matt HayesUSA TODAYSept. 29, 2026, 8:28 a.m. ETHear this storyLincoln Riley had his best success in Big 12. Time to go back?Riley, USC suffer familiar problems in loss to Oregon.Riley could solve some problems for Baylor, and Baylor could solve some problems for Riley.Lincoln Riley and Southern Cal football sure look like a failed marriage, but is one or both parties ready to admit it and initiate the divorce?

In a spotlight moment, USC suffered a familiar result in a 41-27 loss to Oregon. The Trojans wilted on defense, and Riley once again failed to deliver a breakthrough moment.

Oregon’s Dan Lanning dropped the mic after improving to 3-0 against Riley.

“If you’re interested in winning football games and (you’re a recruit) from this area, you should go to Oregon,” Lanning said. “If you want to go to a Chris Brown concert, you should go here.”

It’s an epic quote, and it’s tough to argue the sentiment.

On this edition of “College Football Unfiltered,” a USA TODAY Sports podcast presented by Sports Seriously, host Blake Toppmeyer and his colleagues Paul Myerberg and Matt Hayes take the temperature of the USC-Riley situation.

If Riley wants out, where could he go? A certain Big 12 job makes a lot of sense.

( You can watch episodes of “College Football Unfiltered” here or listen to them here. )

Toppmeyer: This was the moment for Lincoln Riley to prove he’s making progress, to show that he’s getting this figured out at USC, to capture a signature win that would point the Trojans in the direction of the playoff. In the end, it became the same old story. USC’s defense couldn’t make stops. Oregon scored on seven of nine possessions. USC knocked Dante Moore out of the game with a targeting penalty, and so then Dylan Raiola came in and lit up USC’s defense. So, guys, why should anyone believe in Riley at this point, when he says it’s going to get better?

Myerberg: You shouldn’t believe it. We all agree on that. The program, as a whole, is a fraud. It’s a soft program.

Hayes: Bingo. They’re soft, and they’re soft without the “T” soft. The Trojans can’t win big games under Riley, they’re soft, and the even bigger problem is there’s a tough, bad man coming in the passing lane with UCLA and Bob Chesney. That’s the terrifying part for USC, that the guy across town has the Bruins rolling.

Toppmeyer: It’s Year 5. Riley’s received plenty of time to show he’s worth the big bucks USC is paying him. So, yes, it’s time to start asking tough questions about whether he’s the right guy to lead this program. There’s no evidence he is. Riley is going to waste another star quarterback. This time, it’s Jayden Maiava, who’s really good, but it doesn’t matter, because USC still doesn’t play defense. He hired Gary Patterson to fix the defense, but it’s still the same story, different coordinator. Folks, the coordinator isn’t the problem. Riley’s buyout is enormous, but five years in, he’s treading water. Best-case scenario would be Riley taking another job elsewhere, if he can find a suitable landing spot.

Myerberg: Chesney is coming. Riley is going. That’s the story, I think, in L.A. right now. I can’t imagine Riley’s going to be back next year unless this team completely fooled us with that performance against Oregon.

Hayes: If I’m Riley, I’m not walking away from a $70 million buyout. If USC wants him gone, then pay up. If I’m Riley, I say, “If you want to fire me, that’s fine. I’ll take the buyout.” Then, I’d go to Baylor. Riley would solve a problem for Baylor, and it would get Riley back to the Big 12.

Myerberg: Yes, get back to the Big 12, where Riley has his fastball.

Toppmeyer: Right, and Baylor coach Dave Aranda entered the season on the hot seat.

Hayes: Riley makes a lot of sense for Baylor. He’s from Texas, played under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, and had Big 12 coaching success at Oklahoma. But, if I’m Riley, I’m not going to Baylor without first making USC cut the buyout check.

Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports’ “College Football Unfiltered” podcast, hosted by columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream episodes on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts, Spotify or iHeart. Cohosts Matt Hayes, Paul Myerberg and John Brice cover college football for USA TODAY Sports.

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