The Trojans, who entered the season ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25, have struggled through a disappointing 3-3 start. Meanwhile, UCLA has emerged as a resurgent force, boasting an impressive 4-2 record.

Former USC quarterback Todd Marinovich weighed in on the situation, stating, “The pressure is on Riley. This was supposed to be a championship-caliber team, and they’re not living up to expectations. A loss to UCLA would only intensify the scrutiny.”

Riley’s first season as USC’s head coach has been marked by high expectations and significant investment. The university poured resources into recruiting and hired a high-profile staff. However, the results have been underwhelming, leading to growing frustration among fans and alumni.

“The fans have been very vocal,” said one USC season ticket holder. “They’re disappointed with the team’s performance and are starting to question Riley’s leadership.”

Should USC lose to UCLA, it would mark the Trojans’ third straight loss to their crosstown rivals. such a result would only add to the growing pressure on Riley.

However, ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit cautioned against making hasty judgments. “It’s still early in the season,” Herbstreit said. “Riley is a proven coach, and I believe he can turn things around. But he needs to show some progress soon.”

As the rivalry game approaches, the stakes for both teams are high. A USC victory could silence the critics and provide Riley with some breathing room. Conversely, a loss would raise even more questions about the direction of the program and could potentially jeopardize Riley’s job security.