The Ohio State Buckeyes have not been a great football team in 2026, and that's even with quarterback Julian Sayin playing for them. Even when Sayin was healthy, Ohio State lost to Texas and looked less than impressive at Indiana, barely winning 19-15 in an ugly game dominated by the defenses. Sayin got injured during that Indiana game, but it's not as though he torched Indiana's defense. Now Ohio State visits USC without Sayin. Backup Luke Fahey will quarterback the Buckeyes' offense against Lincoln Riley and the Trojans.

It could not be any simpler for Riley and USC: If they can't beat a backup quarterback with hardly any experience - at home, in a primetime game - the idea that Lincoln Riley should lead the Trojans into the 2027 season will collapse. How can Riley possibly be seen as the right leader, the right fit, for USC if the Trojans can't handle an opponent which is greatly hamstrung at football's most important position? Jayden Maiava is a quality quarterback, but he got no help from his 10 offensive teammates against Wisconsin. His offensive line couldn't protect him or run block to balance the offense. The receivers did not get open against Wisconsin's defensive backs, especially on deep routes. USC's offense got swamped in a pathetic seven-point showing, the worst of Lincoln Riley's USC tenure.

Making all of this even worse is the fact that USC was coming off a break. Two weeks of rest and recovery should have produced a better version of the Trojans and their offense. Instead, they looked flat as a pancake and were not prepared to play, a searing indictment of Lincoln Riley more than anyone else.

It's a simple assignment: USC should be able to beat a struggling Ohio State team with Luke Fahey. If the Trojans can't pull it off, there's zero reason to want Lincoln Riley as USC's coach next year. It's time to stop making excuses and land the plane for Lincoln Riley.