Paul Finebaum shares his opinion on Lincoln Riley's job security after two losses

Lincoln Riley has coached the USC Trojans since 2022. In what was seen as a steal by the Trojans, Riley, with help from Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams, led USC to an 11-win season during his first year.

Since then, Riley and the Trojans have not lived up to that initial success, leading to some think that he is on the proverbial "hot seat" and could be looking for a new job if things do not improve.

One person who does not buy into this prediction is Paul Finebaum.

"It's a little early. I've been fairly critical of him because I think I have a hard time buying in. But, with two losses already, they're on the brink, and their schedule is pretty difficult the rest of the way."

The Trojans have a 3-2 record, but only 1-2 in Big Ten play. The team opened the season with a win over the then-No. 13-ranked LSU Tigers, with the only other game against ranked opposition being a three-point defeat to the then-No. 18 Michigan Wolverines.

However, the Trojans sufferered a shocking 24-7 defeat by the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis on Saturday, which has only intensified the calls that Riley's job could be in jeopardy. USC fell out of the AP Top 25 after being ranked No. 11 heading into the Minnesota game.

But Finebaum does not think that Riley should be fired right now, even with tougher opposition in the coming weeks.

on Saturday, the team will face the No. 4-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, followed by games against Rutgers, Washington, Nebraska, and No. 11 Notre Dame. If the Trojans struggle in these games, then the calls for Lincoln Riley's removal will intensify.

Lincoln Riley questions the officiating during loss to Minnesota

During his news conference on Monday, Lincoln Riley questioned the officiating during the Trojan's game with the Golden Gophers.

“There was a number of misses there at the end; the pass interference that was called, the pass interference that wasn’t, the intentional grounding, and certainly the last play (Minnesota's fourth-and-goal)."

Max Brosmer's 1-yard quarterback sneak with 56 seconds remaining in the game gave the Golden Gophers the win. Although officials on the field ruled him short, that call was overturned upon review.

Riley was unhappy about the lack of explanation from the Big Ten:

"I have not been giving any explanation why we ignored the part of the rule that states to overturn something completely clear-cut. . . . That part was ignored, which is unfortunate for us.”

These kinds of decisions can make or break a season, or in the case of Lincoln Riley, could be the difference between having a job or not.