Lincoln Riley finally made that big jump in his year 4 that he was supposed to make when he joined the B1G. After going 11–3 in his debut season, things started to go downhill for the Heisman maker. Despite having the Heisman winner, the Trojans finished 8-5 in year two and finished 7–6 in year three. But year four? Classic Lincoln Riley Sooners-style offense is back. USC is 4–0, with their offense averaging 583.8 yards per game, 7.1 yards per carry, and blasting 52.5 points per game. The AP Poll also welcomed them to the No.21 position on the Poll. That’s a big jump from the 2024 season. Even their defense has taken its game to the next level under D’Anton Lynn. Safe to say, vintage, diabolical play-caller Lincoln Riley is back in 2025. However, for USC, the biggest problem isn’t on the field, but it’s with the clock and the calendar.

On September 24th, Lincoln Riley spoke with the Trojans media before hitting the sky for their matchup against former No. 9-ranked Bret Bielema’s Fighting Illini, who are just coming off an ugly blowout loss to Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers. Lincoln Riley cared less about the matchup and more about the wear and tear because of the early kickoff and constant travel: “I mean, we’ve tried to be aware,” he said. “Going from the absolute latest kick in the country to the absolute earliest kick in the country has its challenges, but it is what it is, right? We don’t make the schedule. We’ve had to adapt in the way that we prepare… and we need to put a fresh football team on that airplane.”

That word “fresh” has become Riley for obsession. USC went from one of the latest games in the country to one of the earliest, and that’s not easy on the players. But Lincoln Riley is aware of the fact that the schedule is out of their hands, so they just needs to adjust how they practice and prepare. The Trojans had just survived a marathon three-hour weather delay against Purdue at West Lafayette.

Then, also followed it with a late finish that pushed their body clocks deep into Sunday morning. Now, a week later, they’re staring down a 9 a.m. PT kickoff. So, Riley is balancing preparation with recovery to keep USC sharp, despite brutal travel and unusual game times. The Trojans’ matchup against Illinois presents a 9 a.m. PT kickoff, adding another layer of difficulty. Truth be told, this isn’t the first logistical issue USC has faced since joining the Big Ten. Just take a look at last season’s schedule.

It included late games against Michigan, Minnesota, and Maryland, all challenging due to time zone differences. This season, long road trips mean the team will rack up thousands of miles. They are averaging 1,336 miles per game, with stops in South Bend (Notre Dame), Champaign (Illinois), and Ann Arbor( Michigan). At this point, you have to feel for Lincoln Riley.

Lincoln Riley is now entering ‘Make or Break’ phase

USC’s next stretch could define Riley’s tenure. The Trojans open the sequence on the road against No. 23 Illinois, currently favored by 7.5 points. After a bye week, USC hosts No. 19 Michigan and finishes October at Notre Dame, a team that derailed their 2023 CFP hopes. Riley’s approach to this period is meticulous. “Every game matters, every detail matters,” he said. With travel, early kickoffs, and opponent strength, preparation is paramount.

Historically, Riley’s teams have started strong before hitting mid-season flips. In 2022, USC began 6–0 before losing to Utah and falling in the Pac-12 title game. Also in 2023, another 6–0 start ended with 5 losses in the last 6 games. Riley understands that early success alone won’t sustain a playoff run. The challenge now is translating the explosive start into wins against ranked opponents.

Maiava’s development is arguably the best thing that has happened to Lincoln Riley’s career and the USC Trojans. Maiava is yet to throw an interception in the first four games of the season and has overcome his turnover issues. He has thrown for 1,223 yards and nine touchdowns, putting him on the Heisman watchlist.

Ultimately, USC’s College Football Playoff chances hinge on this period. Riley’s Trojans must navigate travel, maintain focus, and win games against elite competition. “We know the road ahead is tough,” Riley said. “But our team is ready. This stretch will show what we’re made of.” If USC can navigate Illinois, Michigan, and Notre Dame successfully, then Riley’s $90 million buyout can be ignored, and USC could finally return to the national title conversation where they actually belong.