The demon Lincoln Riley brought from Oklahoma to USC

When Lincoln Riley was announced as USC head coach about a year ago, fans knew a dynamic offense was coming. They probably just figured it would only be from the Trojans.

The numbers speak for themselves: 562, 543 and 515 yards of offense in the past three games. The only problem is those aren’t USC’s numbers. That’s what the USC defense – under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch – has given up against Utah, Arizona and Cal.

The former is understandable – though 234 yards to a tight end is a little hard to swallow – as it was a home game for Utah, the reigning conference champs. The latter two games were against perennial Pac-12 bottom-dwellers.

At this point in the season, it’s safe to say that the defense is an issue. It’s only the first season for Riley and Grinch at USC, so they get some slack, but it’s pretty obvious to most football fans that if Riley plans on returning the Trojans to glory, he must make choices defensively down the road. 

Anyone who has followed college football for the past few years knows that Riley’s teams can score a lot. They have to. His defenses stink.

During his tenure at Oklahoma, Riley's defenses ranked among the worst in program history. He brought Grinch with him to Los Angeles, and even with key transfers in linebacker Eric Gentry and defensive back Mekhi Blackmon, the defensive struggles from OU followed.

Grinch’s defenses got a little bit of a pass in the Big 12, as they competed with high-flying offenses at TCU, Oklahoma State and Texas, but he’s not playing those offenses in the Pac 12. No disrespect to Arizona, which is much improved under second-year head coach Jedd Fisch, but giving up 543 yards to the Wildcats is rather absurd, especially for a team that is trying to make the College Football Playoff. 

The Trojans (8-1), ranked eighth in the latest CFP poll, are second in the Pac 12 in points per game and total points on offense and ninth nationally in total offense. They are led by Heisman Trophy candidate Caleb Williams at quarterback. Even with transfers Jordan Addison and Mario Williams out the past few weeks, Williams and the offense continue to impress.

Still, there’s a lingering doubt as to how far the Trojans can go when they’re making Cal’s offense look like a high-octane juggernaut.