Lincoln Riley is dealing with an early Halloween scare with USC football. This one involving his job security with the Trojans. Saturday's showdown against Ohio State presents more than Riley and USC facing the nation's No. 2 team.
The perception is, the Halloween showdown could ultimately decide if Riley keeps his office on campus.
Colin Cowherd is in Los Angeles and has his ear to the rumblings involving Riley. The Fox Sports radio host is a believer Saturday is Riley's make-or-break game.
“Often in college football, you will see a wounded team rally around their coach. And as an underdog, pull out an unthinkable win. And Lincoln Riley as USC this week is the definition of wounded,” Cowherd explained.
He added how the stars are really aligned for USC to save Riley. Largely due to the following: Ohio State not starting Julian Sayin at quarterback, the likelihood of rainy weather and USC hosting the Buckeyes. But, Cowherd fired the warning.
“If the Buckeyes roll USC, that will go to show how much the players believe in what Riley is preaching,” Cowherd said, dubbing it as “Project Hail Mary” for him.
Article Continues Below"It's interesting to watch when and if programs rally around their coach… Saturday is the last chance for Lincoln Riley."@colincowherd thinks Riley needs to beat Ohio State to save his job at USC pic.twitter.com/jSVE1JadO2
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 29, 2026
Cowherd's not the only national voice believing Riley's coaching seat is getting hot. CBS Sports' insiders of Matt Zenitz, Chris Hummer and John Talty believes that USC will move in another direction, plus adds the Baylor opening could convince Riley to leave.
Certainly, a victory over OSU eases tensions involving Riley. But USC must scale past two more top 10 teams after that in Indiana and UCLA, both on the road.
Riley returns to LA for 2027 by winning out, starting with Halloween night.