Within the winter of 2021, simply after the 2021 school soccer season ended, Lincoln Riley did the unthinkable. Riley left the all-mighty Oklahoma Sooners for the in-the-gutters USC Trojans. This transfer despatched shockwaves by school soccer. Many followers pointed to the transfer to the SEC as why Riley left, however in the end, we’ll by no means know. Oklahoma employed Brent Venables to exchange Riley. Venables was an apparent candidate to guide Oklahoma into the SEC, given his background within the South with Clemson and his defensive acumen.
Nearly three years later each fanbases wish to hearth and presumably combat their head coaches.
It’s truthful to look at how we acquired right here, how the present seasons have gone, and the place these packages go from right here.
The Caleb Williams Impact
Caleb Williams, regardless of your opinion of him, was an incredible school participant. His 2022 Heisman-winning common season culminated in a Pac-12 (RIP) Championship recreation versus Utah. Regardless of the loss, Lincoln Riley was not questioned. USC soccer was again…or so we thought.
Final 12 months was up and (principally) down for USC. USC completed 8-5 and their protection was atrocious. They gave up 40 or extra factors six instances in 2023. They misplaced to UCLA by 18, and UCLA instantly misplaced their coach to Ohio State and their QB to Oregon.
In his two years at USC, Caleb Williams was answerable for 93 touchdowns in 26 video games at USC. That’s 3.5 touchdowns a recreation. USC was ALWAYS going to seek out it arduous to exchange him.
Williams lined up a variety of USC’s points on protection and perceived points in recruiting. In these six video games by which USC gave up a minimum of 40 factors, they have been 3-3. That’s insane.
Changing a expertise like Williams was at all times going to be an uphill battle. Miller Moss appeared like he was the reply, however after a 4-5 file, USC will flip to backup Jayden Maiava.
USC This Season and The place They Go From Right here
As talked about USC is 4-5. All 5 losses are by one rating. Might Jayden Maiava be the reply to Lincoln Riley’s issues? Possibly, perhaps not. Riley had an extended leash for Moss attributable to his dedication to this system.
Shifting into a brand new convention is a problem. Particularly once you’re touring throughout time zones, one thing that can be new to all school packages. Riley hasn’t misplaced the locker room and the change at quarterback is a sign he’s not giving up on the season…not like some packages have already.
There’s a narrative floating round that USC hasn’t “recruited nicely,” since Riley arrived in Los Angeles. This isn’t true, in any respect. Based on 24/7sports, since 2022, USC has had an total rating of 6 (2022), 7 (2023), 20 (2024), and 10 (2025) to date. The dip in 2024 however, USC has been stable in recruiting. Nothing horrible like some have made it out to be.
Riley has too lengthy of a contract that’s too costly for USC to get out of. If USC can flip a few of these shut losses into wins, then they’ll be tremendous going ahead.
The one trigger for concern with USC is dropping Riley to the NFL. The media strain in LA proper now could be scorching and persons are calling for him to lose his job. The pure match could be with the Bears and Caleb Williams.
Oklahoma and The Brent Venables Expertise
Oklahoma has had the reverse USC expertise of their first two seasons underneath Venables. Of their first season, they went 6-7 and 3-6 in convention. That is wonderful contemplating how the Massive 12 is constantly inconsistent.
The following 12 months (2023), Oklahoma, led by Dillion Gabriel went 10-3 and beat Texas within the Crimson River Rivalry recreation. This momentum ought to’ve been carried into the SEC and led by Gabriel, Oklahoma would’ve had a veteran quarterback in massive SEC video games. That’s not the way it labored out in any respect.
Gabriel transferred to Oregon and Oklahoma was taken over by hyped recruit Jackson Arnold. It hasn’t labored out in any respect. Arnold was benched in a loss in opposition to Tennessee and their offense has appeared shaky the entire 12 months.
There have been many accidents on the offensive facet of the ball for Oklahoma, however they don’t have a signature SEC win to date. They solely have an SEC win this 12 months. Not like USC who’s enjoying in shut video games, Oklahoma hasn’t been enjoying in one-score video games.
The issue is the offense for Oklahoma and look no additional than Miami this season or Florida State final 12 months to see how an offense could be fastened in an offseason.
Oklahoma’s SEC Outlook
Oklahoma’s drawback is that the SEC is a massacre convention. They’ve way more depth than the Massive Ten. Oklahoma doesn’t have a signature win on its schedule this season. Regardless of what LSU has appeared like, USC’s opening-week win in opposition to them in Vegas is a signature win for the Trojans.
Oklahoma nonetheless might beat Bama or LSU of their final two video games, however contemplating they simply misplaced to Missouri’s backup QB, it’s unlikely.
The endurance at school soccer packages has shrunken. Because of NIL, the switch portal, and the playoffs, packages are extra reactionary than ever. The SEC has and can proceed to have the perfect assortment of NIL collectives within the nation. Oklahoma can be going up in opposition to large boosters at different packages.
Oklahoma underneath Venables has recruited nicely, so it shouldn’t be a expertise drawback for them. Nevertheless, Oklahoma must ace this offseason. Whether or not meaning bringing in additional offensive talent gamers, changing the QB, or persevering with to belief those you’ve gotten, I don’t know.
Oklahoma’s schedule is hard subsequent 12 months. They’ll face the identical groups they confronted this season however in reverse venues. In addition they host Michigan in an early non-conference recreation.
Conclusion
Regardless of each USC and Oklahoma regressing, I don’t suppose both ought to hearth their coach. It normally takes time to rebuild school packages. It took Jim Harbaugh seven years to get Michigan to the playoffs. These items take time and each packages must be affected person.
Sadly, that’s not how these faculties view it. If Venables doesn’t get Oklahoma to compete extra in video games, a la Billy Napier this 12 months at Florida, then he’s most likely gone. He would instantly be probably the most coveted defensive coordinator within the land and would get a multi-million greenback supply to teach protection.
Lincoln Riley and USC, for higher or worse, are caught with one another. Riley has a large buyout that may maintain him at USC for a pair extra seasons. USC followers can sleep at night time realizing that Riley has coached three Heisman trophy quarterbacks. All three have been the primary total choose. Possibly Jayden Maiava is the following in line, if not USC can be a horny vacation spot for any switch QB.
When you loved “Oklahoma and USC are Going Backwards,” then try Stomach Up Sports activities! Comply with me on Twitter/X @NikGable37
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