When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for USC, the move was viewed as one of the biggest coaching wins in modern college football. USC believed it had landed the coach who would immediately restore the program to national championship relevance. Riley arrived in Los Angeles with a 55-10 record at Oklahoma, four Big 12 championships and three College Football Playoff appearances in five seasons. At the time, the hire felt inevitable. USC needed an offensive innovator with star power, and Riley represented exactly that. Now, entering Year 5, the conversation has changed completely. Riley has gone 35-18 at USC, a respectable record at most programs. At USC, it feels disappointing. The Trojans improved to 9-4 last season after going 7-6 in 2024, but improvement alone is no longer enough. USC did not hire Riley to be respectable. It hired him to compete for national championships. That is why 2026 feels like a defining season. Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action. | Gary A.…