Lincoln Riley viewing first season in Big Ten as a learning lesson

LOS ANGELES — After a humbling experience of moving from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, USC’s head coach is trying to remain proactive approaching his second season in the historical conference.

There’s no denying that the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in College football, considering the talent, speed, physicality and elite coaching. Lincoln Riley’s first year in the league was disappointing for many reasons. After all, it was his first-ever losing campaign in conference play as a head coach, and the Trojans finished 1-4 on the road.

Riley knew his path through the Big Ten gauntlet would be tough, and had to make adjustments down the stretch.

“It’s a good conference, it’s a fun conference to play in, there’s a challenge each and every week with just the quality of teams, and the depth in the conference,” Riley said. “I would say going on the road in this conference is like truly going on the road, because it’s real atmospheres, good teams and big challenges.”

At one point the Trojans were even on a three-game losing streak in Big Ten play. Riley had to do something drastic to salvage USC’s season, which was when he benched quarterback Miller Moss, and inserted Jayden Maiava. It turned out to be one of Riley’s best decisions in 2024, and the Trojans won three of their final four games.

There were other positive outcomes too, like when USC took down rival UCLA, and upset LSU and Texas A&M out of the SEC. Maiava looked solid in his four starts, and threw for 1,135 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Not to mention D’Anton Lynn made an instant impact on defense, after his unit allowed 10 fewer points than Alex Grinch’s group from 2023.

Which is why Riley believes his team has something to build on, as they navigate through spring practice this week.

“In terms of lessons learned, we’re just on a climb man, we’re just growing, continuing to get better, and that’s not really relative to the Big Ten, or anything else,” he said. “We’re trying to take steps as a program, fix the things that aren’t championship-level and try to enhance the things that maybe we think are right now.”

Riley understands that every year rosters go through so many changes, courtesy of the transfer portal and NIL. He’s evolving with the sport though, and preparing to put the Trojans back on the map. Games are won in the trenches in the Big Ten, so of course Riley wants to get stronger on the lines.

There’s also an emphasis on closing out games after USC lost four Big Ten tilts by five or fewer points. Regardless, Riley is feeling more confident this spring, and the Trojans’ experience in the Big Ten should add more motivation for all parties involved.

“Some of the lessons will be a little bit different this time around, and you just gotta be ready for all of the different challenges that are coming,” the 41-year old said. “That’s why you prep so hard, and why you try to grow as a program, so that you’re more ready for that year after year.”

With Moss now at Louisville, Maiava is blossoming behind center, and has some weapons in his arsenal at the wide receiver position. It also helps that Lynn received a contract extension this past January. Now he has more time to further implement his scheme with the defense. Most importantly, the transfer portal is about to open again on April 16. Everything appears to be trending up for USC, despite not having an official spring game this year.

The fans desperately want to see Riley get back to the status he had at Oklahoma, where he coached three Heisman winners, captured four Big 12 Titles and made three Playoff appearances. Although the Trojans aren’t at that level yet, Riley has no doubt that he can lead the program to the promised land.

“I think we’re absolutely headed in the right direction.”