Paul Finebaum has choice words for Lincoln Riley ahead of USC vs LSU

Tommy Spaletto

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Paul Finebaum has choice words for Lincoln Riley ahead of USC vs LSU image

It feels like we ask the same question every time Lincoln Riley has a new quarterback: Will this quarterback be as good as the last one? 

Unfortunately for Miller Moss, those expectations are through the roof as the Trojans replace former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, Caleb Williams. However, Moss performed at a high level when called upon. He threw for nearly 400 yards and six, yes six, touchdowns against Louisville in last year's Holiday Bowl. 

Even with an excellent track record of getting the most out of his quarterback, some still don't believe Riley is among the elite coaches in college football.

One of those critics is ESPN's Paul Finebaum, who recently doubled down on his opinion on USC's head coach when asked about the Trojans' week one matchup with LSU.

"I fully expect Lincoln Riley to show what an average coach he is against, to me, a coach who can be elite at times, and that's Brian Kelly of LSU," Finebaum said Tuesday afternoon on ESPN's Get Up! "LSU's missing the Heisman trophy winner; they're missing some other key players. But I totally agree; I think people will be able to turn off the TV early and go to sleep early that night because it won't be that close."

The Tigers retain offensive coordinator Joe Sloan, who helped former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to a Heisman trophy season last year. Replacing Daniels at the helm will be redshirt junior Garrett Nussemeier, who had a great showing in last year's ReliaQuest bowl win over Wisconsin.

The defense has been a struggle for Lincoln Riley's teams in years past. However, the Trojans hope new defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn can turn things around for a defensive unit that ranked near the bottom of the Pac-12 last season.

If the Trojans don't come to play vs LSU in week 1 in Las Vegas, it will only fuel the fire for Finebaum and other Lincoln Riley doubters.

Tommy Spaletto

Tommy Spaletto Photo

Tommy Spaletto is a recent graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Media and a concentration in Sports Media.  In his time at Indiana University, he wrote columns, features, and game reports for The Hoosier Network covering football, men’s/women’s basketball, and women’s soccer. As a college basketball fanatic, he is patiently waiting for the Hoosiers to return to glory. Tommy currently serves as a contributing writer covering Big Ten football news, rumors, and developing stories.