Lincoln Riley's Defensive Reboot – Is USC Ready for Playoff Football?

05 Eyl 10:00

Hey everyone, did you catch the USC opener against San José State? Jayden Maiava had a solid showing, but the Trojans still slipped out 42-26. Riley’s new defensive scheme looked a bit raw – a few gaps here, a few adjustments there. It felt like a work-in-progress rather than a playoff‑ready unit. What do you all think? Can this defensive reboot evolve quickly enough to keep USC in the hunt, or are we looking at a longer rebuild? Also, any thoughts on how Maiava’s role might evolve under this system? Looking forward to hearing your takes! 🙌